Category: Streaming Players

Is the Samsung UNF8000 the Right TV for You?

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With so many TVs and their corresponding remotes on the market, it can be tough to choose the best one. The last thing you want to do is make a hasty decision. Knowing the ins and outs of each TV will help you make the right choice.

The Samsung UNF8000 is an LED LCD TV that has its good and bad points. First, let’s talk about the good stuff. The UNF8000 has superior picture quality. Some of the benefits of its picture quality include:

  • Deep blacks and accurate colors
  • Smooth video processing
  • A uniform screen

Each of these factors creates an absolutely brilliant picture. It also features a streamlined design with a tiny bezel and unobtrusive stand. The touchpad remote has a vast array of buttons and features, providing you access to all of the goodies within this TVs capabilities. It also comes equipped with 4 pairs of 3-D glasses.

Now, on to the not-so-good stuff. The price for the UNF8000 is steep, ranging from $1400 to $2300 dollars. The stand is low-profile, but it is wide, so you will need a larger surface to hold the TV. The cable box control features are still less than adequate, especially if you are primarily a DVR kind of person.

Overall, this is a great TV with lots of features to give you an awesome viewing experience — if you are prepared to shell out a large amount of money. Before you dive into purchasing this TV, weigh your options carefully and make sure your budget can afford the hit.

Contact us today at Replacement Remotes if you ever need to replace your Samsung remote.

The Curious Curved TV: Sony KDL-S990A

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This LED-based LCD HDTV is one of the first HDTVs with a curved screen. Its release price was $4,000, which is a lot to pay for a TV. Its TV remote control is very long, with few buttons. The curve of the TV is very slight, but Sony states it is noticeable for the viewers near the center of the viewing angle. Due to this gentle, subtle curve, the HDTV must be placed on a wide stand. In addition, the TV itself is quite wide.

Instead of using OLED technology, Sony uses what it knows: LED technology. The resolution is 1080p, not 4K like other curved TVs. For such an HDTV, it offers a unique sound system, with eight speakers facing multiple directions. The surround sound is impressive, compared to many flat panel devices. The remote itself is nothing special. It offers the usual numbered buttons and a central directional pad with buttons above you can program.

Pros:

  • Great sound system
  • Powerful video processing
  • Whole suite of Smart TV apps
  • Built in Wi-Fi
  • Great picture and color
  • Energy Star certified
  • Active 3D technology

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Very large footprint
  • Very heavy at over 100 lbs.

Bottom Line:

This is a great curved HDTV, but very expensive. Within a year, curved HDTVs might drop in price and offer better or different options. If you can afford the TV and must have this technology now, go for it. Just expect better technology to follow. In the meantime, you will have a great functioning HDTV. If you do order this TV and ever need a replacement remote, contact us for quick delivery.

A Step Up from the 8000 Series: Samsung UNF9000 Series

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The Samsung UNF9000 is a 4K TV at a smaller price than their UNS series. Its TV remote is one of the touch-pad clicker models distributed with the Samsung high-end TVs. The TV itself is nice looking, but it does have some drawbacks. The curved base must be situated on a table or stand as wide as it is, or else the TV risks collapse. The thin bezel is silver and very minimalistic, matching the base.

These 4K TVs are future-proof. This means that it can be upgraded, normally for a small price. The One Connect upgrade box attaches to the back of the TV, and a new one could be added in the future, adding more features to the TV. The remote is small, and it features a touch pad. It fits well in the hand, and the Bluetooth technology works wonders. It’s incredibly accurate and nimble, allowing easy navigation of the menus.

Pros:

  • Excellent picture quality and great black levels
  • Accurate color
  • Great video processing
  • Upgradable One Connect box
  • Active 3D technology and four 3D glasses
  • Excellent remote
  • Smart TV, voice and gesture control

Cons:

  • Expensive at $4,000
  • Does not have better features or picture than a high-end LCD/LED HDTV
  • Wide stand
  • Far too little 4K content

Bottom Line:

If you must have a 4K HDTV, this one costs far less than others do. However, it is still expensive compared to LED/LCD models. It does offer a great set of features, but very similar ones to the 8000 series.

For more information on TVs and their great remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

LG OLED 55EA8800: A Truly Flat TV

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The LG OLED EA8800 is one of the first flat OLED TVs, and it offers a high-tech remote control, dubbed the Magic Remote. The TV was showcased at CES 2014 and at the IFA 2013 show in Berlin. The 55-inch comes with a frame, making it look like a painting. It was first released in Europe, and is slowly following in other countries. What makes it unique is the flat screen, because other models have a curved screen, making them somewhat undesirable to some customers.

The Magic Remote has a pointing wheel, similar to a mouse. It can be used to access the menus and to change the settings. You can just point at the screen and click on the mouse-like buttons. The TV also allows gesture and voice control. Share files with the TV using the Smartshare function. It also offers a full range of Smart TV content.

Pros:

  • Voice controls and remote work very well
  • Flat screen OLED TV
  • Energy Star qualification
  • Great audio system
  • Excellent contrast
  • Smartshare allows sharing between devices
  • Theater quality 3D
  • 2D to 3D conversion
  • Skype compatibility

Cons:

  • At just under $9,000, the TV is expensive
  • Only 1080p resolution, no native 4K abilities
  • Not widely available

Bottom Line:

This is an expensive TV with an impressive set of high-tech functions. Since this is the only OLED TV that offers a flat screen, it is worth it to wait for the price to drop some. Once the set drops below $5,000, it would be a worthwhile purchase. At this point in time, it is hard to think of a less expensive TV that offers better features.

For more information on this TV and its remote, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

roku lt

Streaming on a Budget: The Roku LT

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Who would think such small purple boxes and their remotes could take the country by storm? The Roku box sure did. This small device is one of the most popular streaming media devices that there is. It offers more apps than Apple TV and costs just half the price, which makes the Roku LT very appealing.

Roku offers 1,000 channels, including the very popular Netflix, Vudu, HBO Go, Amazon, Hulu, and several sports options. Video output is limited to 720p, but it’s hard to notice. The Roku LT is a small streaming player and is very purple. However, given its size, no one is likely to notice it on the entertainment center.

The factory remote is small, but handy. It has few buttons, but what buttons are there really complement the device. It offers a home and back button at the top, a directional pad, playback buttons, and four dedicated channel buttons. The direct access to Netflix and Amazon Instant are very nice to have.

Pros:

  • 1,000 supported channels
  • Cross-platform search
  • Great little remote
  • Small footprint
  • Small price

Cons:

  • No YouTube channel
  • Some channels have outdated interfaces
  • 720p streaming content

Bottom Line:

If you want a streaming device for a low price, this one hits all the right marks. It offers more than the Chromecast, and nothing else at the price point can beat it. Even without YouTube, this Roku box is worth every penny. As with any streaming device, many channels/apps require subscriptions. However, this cost pales in comparison to the cost of cable.

For more information or to purchase ROKU remotes.

apple tv

All About Apple TV

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The Apple TV streaming box takes on the minimalistic with its small footprint and tiny TV remote control. This teeny box packs a whopping amount of features into little space. It also offers a little gem called AirPlay that truly adds to the allure of this streaming device.

This small streaming box is just $99, less than some of the just as nice Roku boxes. The streaming device offers much more now than when it was released, due in part to regular updates. Many popular apps are available, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, Watch ESPN and so much more. Plus, Apple keeps fans happy with regular new apps.

The remote is very small. It only offers a menu, play and directional buttons. However, there is ample space left on the remote that is just empty — which is puzzling. As great as this streaming device is, it still only offers connectivity with other iOS devices, leading many to choose a different brand.

Pros:

  • Stream video content from iTunes
  • A handful of video apps and online media services
  • Streaming from iOS devices with AirPlay
  • Easy to navigate interface

Cons:

  • Only works with iOS devices
  • Less streaming apps than competitors
  • Lackluster remote

Bottom Line:

AirPlay streaming makes Apple TV great, but it offers no use to a person who does not already own several Apple devices. The streaming options are really good, but do not offer as many apps as other devices. Still, owners of Apple devices will love the connectivity this streaming device offers.

For more information on TVs, home theater systems and their remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.