What sets this TV apart is not just its class-leading performance but by the way this is matched by similarly impressive features and arguably the most stunning looks at its price.

Firstly and, as this is a TV, most importantly, the picture quality is stunning. Key to the appeal of the UE55D8000 is its 3D capability. Improved from the previous generations' already impressive results, 3D images are more convincing and solid than ever. As before, it's not just the projection of images that has you ducking the "flying" images that impresses but also the sheer depth of image behind the screen. Also as before, the Samsung offers the novelty of watching standard 2D video converted to 3D. Whether you're watching in 3D or 2D, the picture quality is the best yet from a Samsung LED screen. Helping the UE55D8000 achieve its class best picture is a feature called Micro Dimming. This optimises contrast for deeper blacks and brighter whites. It also brings out levels of detail that would have previously been lost. In addition to Micro Dimming there's Samsung's Digital Noise Filter. This is especially effective with TV broadcasts - the UE55D8000 is one TV that doesn't just excel with 1080p HD material only to be let down when watching "ordinary" TV - the UE55D8000 impresses whatever the source. Other technologies that enhance the picture include Ultra Clear Panel and Clear Motion rate 800. The Ultra Clear Panel does as expected and eliminates the grimy look that can afflict some panels. Clear Motion, meanwhile, gets to grips with motion blur and scans the image so fast that blurred sports action is a thing of the past. 

With a TV of this quality you really want to get a separate AV sound system to match the picture. If this is not possible, though, you'll find the onboard sound surprisingly good for such a thin TV with little apparent space for the speakers. SRS TheatreSound HD gives a well-balanced sound that's surprisingly weighty for a TV but also clear, too. With a 2 x 10 Watt amplifier on board there's also enough power for larger rooms.

In addition to the class-leading picture, the UE55D8000 also leads the field in terms of features. Perhaps most exciting is the new Samsung Smart Hub. Essentially, this is a single menu system with clear and complete access to all of the TV's features. From the Smart Hub you can choose Samsung apps, select and control external USB drives for recording, access the Electronic Programme guide, search for apps and DLNA sources and, finally, still watch the live signal feed in a corner of the screen. Once you see the interface for yourself it makes sense and will have you wondering why TV manufacturers didn't do this sort of thing years ago! Within the Smart Hub you'll find access to a web browser which is ideal for finding those web sites not covered by the built-in apps. What's more, you can join your network via the Ethernet connection or built-in Wi-fi. No fewer than three USB sockets are on hand with the option of connecting a hard drive to one for recording TV (controllable from the Smart Hub). Other features are too numerous to list in full but include Skype compatibility, smart phone remote application, four HDMI sockets, Samsung Allshare (powered by DLNA) and 3D by Bluetooth for enhanced glasses' battery life. In short, this TV has pretty much everything possible for a TV to have right now. So much so, that you might even doubt the need for a main computer at all.

Amazing picture, fulsome spec; these qualities are all very well but what will first strike you about this TV are those stunning looks. With an elegant metal bezel that's just 5mm thick it almost looks as though the picture is floating above the stand. Furthermore, the space taken up is less than many 47 or 50 inch TVs and impressively slight for a 55 inch TV. Add a depth of less than 30mm and a weight of just 18.5KG and, for a very large screened TV, this is an incredibly versatile and easy to position TV. Samsung's smart four-leg stand is the finishing touch for what has to be the best-looking TV in its class.

For a big picture from a smaller TV with style and quality in abundance, the Samsung UE55D8000 is something very special indeed.