If you’re on the hunt for a big TV without breaking the bank, Samsung has got you covered. While they do have those pricey OLED and NeoQLED options, they also offer some budget-friendly models that come packed with features you might not expect at this price point. The Samsung DU7170 series is available in six sizes, ranging from 43 inches all the way up to a massive 85 inches (that’s 214 cm diagonally!). In our review of the Samsung UE65DU7170U Crystal 4K HDR, we’ll dive into what makes the DU7170 series shine and where it might fall short.
Design
The 65-inch Samsung TV is surprisingly affordable, even if it doesn’t look like it at first. The Samsung UE65DU7170 is built to last and has a premium appearance. However, if you check it out from the side, the thick plastic casing stands out. At 6 cm deep, it feels a bit bulky, which can be a hassle when you mount it on the wall.
That said, it’s not as thick as many other TVs in the same price bracket. Just a heads up, the VESA 400 x 300 mm wall mount isn’t included, so you’ll need to grab that separately if you want to hang it up. Also, there are no hidden cable channels on the TV or its stands, which is a bit of a letdown.
Operating the Samsung 65DU7170 is a breeze thanks to the Premium Smart Remote that comes with it. At first, it might seem like it has too few buttons. Unlike a standard remote, it doesn’t have the usual number buttons or a bunch of function keys.
For instance, you won’t find quick access to image formats or various settings since those features are rarely used. But once you get the hang of it, the remote becomes much easier to use. It’s especially handy for browsing through streaming services. If you’re not comfortable with the Smart Remote, you can always pick up a regular remote with digital buttons for a low price.
Features
The Samsung DU7170 TV offers Smart TV features that are pretty comparable to those of pricier models. When you hit the Home button on the remote, it brings up the Tizen 8 operating system, showcasing your TV programs and recently accessed streaming services in a neat tile layout.
If you’re into voice control, you can easily manage your TV with an Echo Dot speaker. Alexa integration is seamless, allowing you to adjust the volume, switch channels, and browse through streaming services just by speaking.
The UE65DU7170U TV can pick up channels through cable, an indoor antenna (DVB-T2), or a satellite antenna (DVB-S2). The tuner is quick, switching channels in under 2 seconds. However, unlike the high-end QLED models, the Samsung 7170 lacks a USB recording feature.
For satellite users, the HD+ app lets you enjoy private HD channels for free for the first six months. The TV also boasts a wide range of streaming options, including services like SkyQ, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.
All the major streaming providers come pre-installed, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can easily download it from the App Store. Plus, there’s a full web browser available, but it’s a good idea to grab a wireless Bluetooth keyboard for easier navigation. This way, you can use the TV almost like a regular PC and even play some games.
Sound quality
If you’re looking for top-notch sound quality from the budget-friendly UE65DU7170 TV, you might be disappointed. Samsung struggles a bit with high frequencies and bass, which isn’t surprising given that this 65-inch TV only has two tiny 10 W speakers.
Without a subwoofer or dedicated high-frequency speakers, the audio tends to be pretty flat and lacks dynamism. However, it’s decent enough for regular TV shows. If you want that true cinematic experience, you’ll definitely need to invest in a soundbar.
Image quality
It’s no shocker that the budget-friendly 65DU7170 TV doesn’t stack up against pricier OLED and mini-LED models. For one, it only hits a peak brightness of 280 nits, and it also struggles with deep blacks. Unlike the high-end Neo QLED TVs, this one doesn’t have dimming zones.
This TV features a VA panel with Edge lighting, which gives it better contrast compared to IPS models. However, the viewing angles are pretty limited. If you’re watching from the side, those black areas can look more like dark gray.
While this isn’t a big deal for regular TV shows, it becomes an issue with HDR content from Blu-Ray or streaming. You really need both high brightness and rich black tones for that. In SDR mode, the DU7170 performs just fine, with its 280 nits brightness being decent. But when it comes to HDR, that brightness just doesn’t cut it.
On the plus side, the colors on this TV look great, and you usually won’t need to tweak them much. The scaling is also impressive for an LCD. Just a heads up: in the two Cinema modes, make sure to set the adaptive contrast to Medium or High to avoid a washed-out look.
Even with a 60Hz panel, the Samsung UE65DU7170U delivers a solid image, especially during sports like football. The action is smooth, and it handles quick scene changes without any issues.
Game mode
HDR games might not always hit the mark in terms of dynamics and brightness, but they still offer a solid image with smooth color transitions, crisp edges, and impressive detail. There are more than 2,000 popular games out there. Besides a gamepad, you’ll also need a wireless Bluetooth keyboard to get in on the action.
You can access the basic version of the games for free. If you’re looking for better graphics and want to dodge any slowdowns, there are two paid options available. To hook up a gaming console or PC to your TV, just use one of the HDMI ports. Just keep in mind that the Samsung 65DU7170 TV only supports 4K at 60 Hz.
This means it can’t fully utilize the capabilities of high-end gaming consoles like the Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. On the bright side, the TV automatically recognizes when a console or computer is connected and switches to game mode right away. In game mode, the input lag drops to an impressive 8 milliseconds.
Connections
The Samsung DU7170 TV offers solid connectivity options for its price range. It comes with three HDMI 2.0 ports that support 4K at 60 Hz, plus they feature eARC and ALLM. You’ll also find a USB port, an RJ45 Ethernet port for wired connections, a tuner for antennas, a CI+ slot version 1.4, and an optical digital output. On the wireless side, it includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Conclusion
Samsung DU7170 is a solid TV for daily use, offering decent picture quality and a bunch of features. When it comes to picture tech, Samsung really nails it with lifelike images, impressive depth, and great contrast.
That said, this model does have some drawbacks, especially regarding maximum brightness and black levels. The specs are pretty impressive and can compete with pricier models. The fast TV tuner performs well too. Just keep in mind that USB recording might not be available in some regions. Overall, the DU7170 is a great pick for regular watching.