IMAGINE a television that merges the wonders of cable TV and the Internet. Shades of George Jetson talking to his wife Judy from inside the TV in the popular 1980s cartoon The Jetsons come to mind. What more can a self-proclaimed couch potato ask for? The Samsung LED D8000 Smart TV is all that and more.

In addition to being an all-around entertainment TV package, this “smart” TV also allows the user to watch the newest HD and 3D movies, get in touch with friends and update their status on their social-networking sites, play games, browse the Internet and even listen to their favorite tunes.

This is all made possible by the Samsung Smart Hub, a media portal specifically fashioned to discover a wide array of related content and information on the Web with its built-in Wi-Fi, offering a whole lot of possibilities for everybody’s viewing pleasure. Turn on the TV and you face a user interface that looked like the one on your smartphone—except the widgets are bigger.

This easy-to-use interface, with its Search All and Web Browser features, serves as the user’s key to a world of videos, photos, and music that can be shared as effortlessly as they are found. There are also bundled TV Apps that all chosen to heighten the TV’s entertainment factor, allowing you to access your video, photo and music files.

3D videos and photos become breathtakingly real, thanks to Samsung’s ultra-clear panel and detailed contrast with Micro Dimming Plus technology. Bundled with the package are active shutter glasses so you can really enjoy the full-HD experience.  It’s just too bad that 3D content from the cable and video shops are a bit limited.

Samsung's most innovative LED picture contrast technology delivers the deepest dark tones and brightest whites, while eliminating the “halo” effect and image distortion associated with diffused light.

Even if you’re not really into the 3D bandwagon, you will still definitely enjoy viewing premium-quality 2D movies and TV programs. You can even upconvert it to 3D with just a push of a button.

But before anything else, one cannot help but be awed by the D8000’s incredibly slim form factor. Its thin bezel creates a virtually edgeless picture. Mounting should be easy as it’s only 1.2-inches thin and if you choose not to hang it on the wall, it also comes with a very stylish swivel stand that can rotate to better suit your viewing angle. Its Ultra Clear Panel also absorbs most ambient light and virtually eliminates reflections so you watch TV practically from almost any angle.

I really liked the fact that you can Skype on this Samsung TV so you and your family can make video calls from the comfort of your living room. Using the TVs’ remote control, you can log into your Skype account and navigate via a simple interface accessible on the televisions’ screen. The test unit had a Skype camera kit that comes optional.

The D8000 has an HDMI slot provided so you can easily connect up to four compatible AV devices at the same time and replace AV cables with a single solution. An HDMI cable can replace anywhere from two to five cables so you can de-clutter your entertainment space with fewer wires. This can be further enjoyed with the Anynet+ which allows one-touch control for all your HDMI-connected compatible devices like your Samsung TV, Blu-ray disc player, AV receiver and home theater.

With this beautiful technology in your hands, who would ever want to get out of the house?

The D8000 Smart TVs are priced P319,000 (UA60D8000) and P239,900 (UA55D8000).