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Samsung UE40EH6030 review

 Review: November 2012  
 

Last updated June 2013

Rating: 3 stars

In a nutshell: One of the best 40 inch TVs in the under-£500 price range with 3D, an ethernet connection and an attractive design.



 

Design & looks

The EH range of Samsung TVs are LED TVs with full backlighting, in contrast to edge-lit TVs. That allows them to have very narrow bezels, giving a real designer look from the front. It's a look that you'd normally associate with more expensive sets.

The downside is that the TV bulges out quite considerably at the back, with a depth of 93mm - double the thickness of most edgelit TVs.

You'll have to weigh up for yourself whether the front-facing designer look makes up for the rather old-fashioned thickness, or whether such matters are worthy of your attention at all. After all, the point of a TV is how it looks when it's switched on!

Picture quality

For a 40 inch TV costing around £500, this has one of the best all-round picture performances we've seen. The 200Hz Clear Motion Rate is fast enough to avoid any lag in all but the most rapid motion, and Samsung's PVA panel delivers a reasonably wide viewing angle. There is perhaps some colour distortion and reduction in contrast when viewed from an angle, but it's quite acceptable for a low-to-mid-range TV.

It's certainly a big step up from the UE40EH5000 and well worth the extra £100.

3D

The TV is 3D-enabled, and two pairs of active shutter glasses are supplied in the sales package. We aren't huge fans of active 3D in lower-priced TVs, and there are some problems evident here. In particular, some crosstalk is visible in some scenes due to the relatively low 200Hz Clear Motion Rate. This can result in a ghosting effect caused by the left eye seeing the ghost of an image intended for the right eye, and vice versa. It's fair to say that this is not always a problem, but you should be aware of it when choosing your TV. If 3D is a priority for you, consider upgrading to a TV with a faster refresh rate, or perhaps a passive 3D TV from LG or Panasonic.

Audio quality

Like in other Samsung TVs, audio is delivered by stereo speakers with 20W of total power. SRS TheatreSound HD is available, which is an attempt to emulate surround sound from two speakers. Some people prefer this; some don't. Generally speaking, the result is on a par with rival products.

Connectivity

We're delighted to find an ethernet connection here, and the TV can be Wi-Fi enabled too. It therefore seems like penny-pinching to include only 2 HDMI connections. This could be a problem if you plan to connect a set-top box, DVD player and a games console. On the other hand, a Freeview HD receiver is built into the TV, and there are ample SCART, component and composite connectors, so you can probably muddle through. A useful USB connection is also included.

Conclusion - great value

The UE40EH6030 delivers excellent value for money and is one of the best sub-£500 TVs around in this respect. Picture quality isn't perfect and 3D performance isn't the best, but many TVs at this price don't include 3D at all. Connectivity is good too.

The looks don't quite qualify as "designer" when compared with high-end products, but we like the narrow bezel, even if the backend does stick out rather a lot.

All things considered, this is one of the best TVs you can buy in the budget range and is well worth the money.


Samsung UE40EH6030 features include:

User questions

Sorry - questions and comments on this page are now closed.

Is this a smart tv?

Asked by Leanne from England on 10th Nov 2018
I have this tv in the back of a cupboard, thinking of getting it out and using it in my bedroom. But can’t remember if it’s a smart tv able to connect to Netflix etc?

Reply by Rich from United Kingdom on 25th Nov 2018
Hi Leanne, no it’s not a smart tv but you could use a dongle with it via usb, connect that to the WiFi in your home and then you have smart features. I still have the tv, still good for it’s age.



Samsung UE40EH6030 user reviews

Sorry - reviews and comments on this page are now closed.