We play the 4K Blu-ray of Bohemian Rhapsody and are immediately impressed with the results. PictureĪs is standard for Samsung TVs, the RU8000 doesn’t support Dolby Vision but will handle the similar HDR10+ format (as well as standard HDR10 and HLG). Samsung’s Ambient Mode, which is intended to make use of or disguise the TV when it’s not being watched, is exclusive to the company’s QLEDs so doesn’t make an appearance here, but that’s the only noticeably missing app and it’s not one that we think many will pine for. That streaming library includes Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Google Play Movies & TV and Rakuten in 4K and HDR BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and Demand 5 for all of your catch-up needs Plex and VLC for local streaming and Spotify, Tidal and Deezer for music. For starters, the operating system is the same, and that makes the RU8000 far more pleasant to use than most non-Samsung TVs, thanks to fluid operability, intuitive organisation and an unparalleled library of streaming apps. The quantum dots and direct backlight of the Q70R have been removed for the RU8000, but it’s otherwise a similar proposition specs-wise. As is the norm for modern Samsung TVs, there’s no physical headphone output, with Bluetooth featured instead. In the case of the RU8000, these connections are arranged in a right-facing row on the back of the set and consist of four HDMIs (one of which is ARC-enabled), two USBs, an optical output, aerial and satellite inputs, and an ethernet socket for those who prefer a wired connection to the built-in wi-fi. (Image credit: Future / The Expanse, Amazon Prime)

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