The Samsung 7000 series from 2018 is equivalent to the 6000 series of 2017. Lower in the line-up we only find a few 32-inch models with HD and Full HD resolution (N4000 series and N50000 series). The NU7100 series therefore serves as an entry into the Ultra HD world. This model Samsung UE55NU7100W is available in 49, 55, 65 and 75 inch, we test the 55 inch UE55NU7100W.
Samsung UE55NU7100W – specifications
- What: Ultra HD Edge LED-LCD TV
- Screen size: 55 inch (139 cm), flat
- Connections: 3x HDMI (1xARC, 3x v2.0a), 1x optical digital out, 2x USB, 1x digital optical audio out, 1x component/composite video, 1x stereo cinch, 1x antenna, network connection
- Extras: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, WiFi (802.11n) built-in, Tizen Smart Hub, USB/DLNA media player, DVB-T / C, 1x CI + lock
- Dimensions: 1,239 x 793 x 261 mm (incl. )
- Weight: 17.7 kg (including foot)
- Consumption: 105 / 0.5 watt (Energy Label A)
- List price: 999 euro
A complete overview of all models that Samsung has in 2018 on the market, you can find in the 2018 Samsung lcd led tv line-up. Here you will also find the complete specifications per model.
Samsung UE55NU7100W – design
As can be expected at this price point, you get a very simple design, no frills or nice accents. The design is close to that of the higher models.
The NU7100 series has a 1 cm wide black border, and is slightly thicker in profile (without foot 59 mm at the bottom of the thickest point), but we can certainly not too fat. The curved rear gives a slightly slimmer appearance, and is finished with horizontal stripes like other models.
The screen is on two separate feet, made of plastic. The overall framework remains very light, so it is not because you opt for a more budget-oriented device that you have to add a mastodont of design.
Connections
There is some cut in the connections, although the essentials things still present. Three HDMI connections (all 2.0a) and two USB connections give you the most important possibilities. There is a composite / component video input with stereo cinch for older sources. Network connection and built-in Wi-Fi are also available, just like a digital optical audio output.
You have to do without a headphone connection, and the device is not equipped with Bluetooth. This version also only has one antenna connection (for DVB-C or DVB-T reception), a satellite tuner is not available. All connections are on the side and thus remain easily accessible when mounted on the wall.
Samsung UE55NU7100W – ease of use
The installation is the same as with all Samsung televisions. The process is well supervised and can be followed quickly. The Smartthings app is an alternative way to set up your television, but for the time being it does not offer any significant advantages. The Samsung menus and Smart Hub work just like with higher models, Samsung does not seem to have cut down on that.
Samsung has as good as all settings for image and sound in the ‘expert settings’ stopped. This is convenient for the average consumer who has little message about all these things. Also remember that some image-related settings (such as eco settings, game mode and HDMI settings) are listed separately in the ‘General’ menu.
Remote control
No Smart Remote on the NU7100 series, and that does not mean a voice command ‘. The supplied remote is of the traditional type. It is light, has a good grip, and has pleasant rubber keys that you press smoothly. The layout is fine, only the Home key (above the Up arrow) should have been better marked, and the keys at the bottom are very small, and therefore less useful.
Samsung UE55NU7100W – features
Smart TV platform
We notice no change in the Smart Hub. He was already a pleasure to work in since last year. All functions, sources and settings can easily be found in the bar at the bottom. You can change the order of icons so that your favorite items are at the front.
Above that a larger bar appears that shows options depending on your selection at the bottom. In Netflix, for example, you get a few suggestions, choose the sources below you see all possible sources.
Smart functions
The most modern gadgets such as voice commands and integration with SmartThings leave you behind on this model. In addition, the NU7100 only has a DVB-T / C tuner, and no satellite tuner. It is striking that the extended pvr and timeshift functions are also missing. Recording to USB is therefore not possible.
Like the other 2018 Samsung models, the media player on the UE55NU7100W is slightly less complete than on previous models. The support for Divx and for Xvid video formats has disappeared. Although they are older formats, that can be a problem for your oldest movie files. What we regret is that the player no longer plays DTS soundtracks. Furthermore, Full HD, Ultra HD and HDR, encoded in H.264, HEVC or VP9 are no problem, just like subtitles. The audio player also reads FLAC and ALAC.
Samsung UE55NU7100W – Image quality
The NU7100 series is equipped with a Edge LED backlight. The screen is of the VA-type, and will therefore provide a good contrast but a moderate viewing angle.
Main settings
Here you will find an explanation of the most important picture settings and tips for setting up your TV. With the basic settings we have come to the following settings for this TV.
The best choice starts from the film mode.
| Film Mode | Expert Settings | Expert Settings |
| Picture format setting: 16: 9 standard Fit to screen: On |
Backlight: 46 Brightness: 0 Contrast: 45 Sharpness: 0 Color: 25 Tint (G / R): 0 |
Clean Digital View: Off / Low Auto Motion Plus: * Contrast Enhancement: Off Movie mode: Auto 2 Color Tone: Warm 2 Gamma: BT.1886 / 0 * RGB mode: Off Color space: Auto |
Explanation of the most important settings;
- The backlight is set to 46 in the Film mode. This provides a generous 200 nits of light output that gives you a good picture in all conditions. [19659004] Clean Digital View contains all noise reduction techniques. It is advisable to activate this if you are watching DVD or other low-quality image. The ‘Auto’ mode also works very light color bands, the ‘low’ mode works slightly less hard.
- Gamma: those who rarely look in the dark can increase the range to 1 for slightly brighter midtones.
- Car Motion Plus: this is always a matter of taste. Car is a good all-round solution. If you want more control, you choose Customized and vibration reduction somewhere between 6 and 8.
General image and image processing
Even on a fairly low positioned model like the UE55NU7100W you get good image processing from Samsung. Deinterlacing and detection of film and video frame rates works fine so that you rarely see serrated edges or moiré-partrons in fine detail. The upscaling provides good work, and puts all your Full HD and lower material on the screen in great detail. Try to add a little bit of sharpness, but keep that setting below 10 to avoid all the fake detail
‘Clean Digital View’ is as always recommended with older sources (DVD, low quality youtube or digital TV) . The ‘low’ mode already eliminates a lot of noise, both random noise and block formation (compression noise), but it does not overload. In the ‘Auto’ position the last noise disappears as well, but that sometimes results in a somewhat soft image. In this mode, the Samsung also seems to work out light color bands. It remains a personal choice whether you activate it.
You should not expect good motion sharpness in this category. A lot of detail is lost in fast moving objects, which sometimes have a hazy or even double edge. You can also do little to improve that. The Auto Motion Plus setting can be set to auto, or select Custom and set the vibration reduction between 6 and 8.
The VA panel provides an excellent contrast (3.870: 1) thanks to an excellent black value. The screen also shows sufficient black detail. Those who want to improve the contrast even slightly, activate contrast enhancement, but stay at the lowest setting. The highest really hides all black detail. Also keep in mind that the gamma value is set to 2.4. That’s great with eclipse, but those who mostly look at ambient light, set that setting better for 1, for slightly brighter mid-tones. Due to the lack of dimming you can sometimes see the black bands above and below films despite the good contrast.
The calibration of the film mode is excellent. The gray scale is quite neutral, although in its entirety it tends to look a bit like cool shades (a slight surplus of blue). The color reproduction is good, with a beautiful, natural color palette and attractive skin colors. In this area, this Samsung scores fine, the images are natural and compelling.
HDR
That the HDR performances of loosers are often somewhat substandard should not surprise any more. This Samsung UE55NU7100W supports HDR10, HLG and HDR10 +, but that is all. He absolutely does not have enough peak brightness or color range to really make HDR images come into their own. We measure a maximum brightness of 257 nits, which is hardly more than in SDR, and absolutely not sufficient for HDR (for which we are looking for at least 500 nits). The color range gets 53% Rec.2020 and 74% DCI-P3, that is also far from our target (90% DCI-P3).
Samsung uses very heavy tonemapping to map everything up to 1000 nits within that very limited brightness. HDR images are therefore generally much too dark. By activating contrast enhancement you get a slightly brighter image, but the result remains poor.
The HDR + setting that gives your SDR images an HDR look is missing on this unit, but given the very limited HDR performance you miss nothing with it.
Reflections and viewing angles
The glossy panel of the UE55NU7100W does not reflect reflections very well. They become fluffy but remain visible. The viewing angle is as expected from a VA panel very limited.
Gaming
In the film image mode we measure a lag of 79.5 ms. That is too high for a good game experience. With the game mode active, the lag drops to 20.8 ms, an excellent result. Do not forget to activate that mode, you can find it in the settings, under General, Manage external devices, Game Mode.
Samsung UE55NU7100W – Audio quality
In this category the audio quality is generally limited. This Samsung does not differ from that. Clear dialogs, and fairly good volume, but a very limited bass response and clearly decreasing sound quality when you turn the volume knob open. Ok for your daily portion of viewing food, but for real cinema and / or music experience an external solution is recommended.
Review equipment
For the lay-measurement we use a Leo Bodnar Display lag meter. For all other measurements we rely on a Spectracal C6 HDR2000 Colorimeter, Xrite i1 Pro spectrophotometer, a VideoForge Pro pattern generator, and the Spectracal Calman for Business software. To analyze any HDR problems we use an HDFury Vertex.
Samsung UE55NU7100W – Conclusion
Devices in this category never score top values in all aspects. This Samsung UE55NU7100W clearly chose to leave HDR performance on the left. With its limited brightness and too small color range you can never display real HDR images. Motion sharpness scores rather poorly, which is quite typical in this class.
With SDR images, however, he is highly recommended. It delivers excellent contrast, with good black value and a lot of black detail, and excellent, natural color reproduction. The image processing does not let anything fall. The ease of use is great, even if you do not enjoy the latest new gadgets. And thanks to a fully-fledged smart TV platform, you do not have to miss anything in that area. The price is absolutely correct for a 55 inch
Add Comment