Samsung UE40D6530 review

There’s also no surprise to find an Ethernet port: network features have made their way into most of this year’s TVs and the D6530 is no exception. Better still, there’s a built-in Wi-Fi adaptor so you don’t need to run a network cable through your front room. The Smart Hub portal lets you update Facebook and Twitter, surf the web using the dedicated browser or stream YouTube videos. Although the interface is attractive, text entry on the remote control was slow and long load times quickly became frustrating.

A far more useful new addition to the service is catch-up TV from BBC iPlayer, and there’s access to the HD versions of programmes. Samsung’s AllShare system is essentially another name for DLNA multimedia streaming, but it works well. We could play most major file types, including DivX HD and MKV.

There’s no question that the D6530 is a stunning looking TV, with plenty of features. It’s around £100 less than Panasonic’s superb Panasonic Viera GT30, but bear in mind the speakers aren’t quite as good. Ultimately, the stunning contrast and gorgeous all-black display on the Viera GT30 still makes it the best choice for the home cinema enthusiast.