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The one-inch brushed pewter bezel that encompasses the sides and top of the Samsung PN60F8500AF seems like a quaint throwback to the previous decade. But the stylish sweep of the stand gives this plasma display a svelte profile.

It would be convenient if the stand swiveled (it does not) because the screen is reflective. Though when the TV is on, only the brightest and most direct lights are noticeable, and barely. Ideally, you will be able to control any offending light sources in your viewing room.

On the bottom of the back edge of the TV, Samsung has replaced the traditional operational buttons with a joystick controller.

Next to it are two connection panels. The first is stacked vertically and faces towards the edge. The second runs horizontally and faces downwards.

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HDMI 1 is the default port for a cable or satellite set-top box. HDMI 3 can be used to feed a digital audio system that is compatible with Audio Return Channel [ARC] technology.

HDMI 4 is MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) friendly. With an MHL cable, you can connect the TV to MHL-compatible devices like tablets and smartphones and transmit photos, music or video to the TV.

If for some reason you want to plug into the Component or Composite Video Ins, Samsung supplies two little hybrid mini-jacks and the necessary custom adapter cables.

In that space above the horizontal panel are connections to attach the Evolution Kit, which is Samsung's solution for upgrading their TVs with the newest technology when it becomes available in the coming years.

The Samsung PN60F8500 does supply a built-in 802.11a/b/g /n Wi-Fi adapter.

Positioned behind the center of the screen is a little video camera (with two flanking microphones). When you poke it, the camera releases and rotates up over the top of the frame. There's a scroll wheel on the back of the TV to adjust the camera angle.

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The camera serves a dual purpose. You can use it to make Skype video calls on your TV. In addition, if the room is bright enough, the camera can detect hand motions that can control some operations like turning the TV off, changing the channel, or adjusting the volume.

This Samsung HDTV also supplies Voice Recognition. I find it especially useful when you are searching for a program. Rather than tapping in the letters on a virtual keyboard, you talk into the remote control's microphone and the TV deciphers your request - not always successfully, but I found it surprisingly accurate.

To take full advantage of this Samsung Smart TV, you need to connect it to your home network (via wired or wireless). Not only can you access the numerous apps and streaming content providers, you also expand your connectivity options with devices like computers, media servers, smartphones and tablets.

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Samsung organizes all of it apps and content on what it calls the Smart Hub, which is divided into five categories: Social, Apps, On TV, Movies & TV Shows, and Photos, Videos & Music. Exploring this merry-go-round of content will keep you spinning for an evening.

If you just can't decide what to watch, you can hit "Recomm" on the remote, and the algorithms will start churning and make recommendations based on your viewing habits.

The more you watch, supposedly the better those mathematical minions will be with their suggestions. If all that sounds a little too invasive, you can always disable some of those options in the Smart Features menu.

Samsung has adopted the active shutter system to view 3D content which employs shutter 3D glasses that require batteries. Four sets of glasses come in the box.

You can purchase extra glasses on the Samsung site for $20 (standard battery model on top) or $50 (rechargeable battery model below).

I'll discuss 3D performance on the next page.

The remote control is a palm sized (almost 2" x 5.25") little bugger with backlit buttons - what few there are.

Samsung dubs this the Smart Touch Control and it has a few tricks that permit it to be so compact. First, in the middle is a touch pad that allows you to navigate around the Smart Hub. You can even draw out numbers on it.

It also contains a little microphone above the Source button, all the better to make voice commands. And the More button brings up context sensitive menus.

The EPA publishes a list of ENERGY STAR qualified TVs. (You can find it here.) The Samsung PN60F8500AF is not on the list, but as you can see from its tag, it has been measured

Samsung states this plasma's Typical Power Consumption is 195W and Standby Power Consumption is under .5W. The Energy Guide tag calculates that if the TV is on five hours a day and in Standby for the other 19, the Estimated Annual Energy Use is 243 kWh/year.

You can see from the Energy Guide label that this 60-inch TV is at the very low end of power consumption for models its size.

Plasma displays have a reputation for being energy hogs and they do generally eat more electricity than LED backlit LCD TVs, which is a concern. But when compared to the 60-inch UN60F8000BF LED TV, this plasma only costs about $11 a year more to run.

Samsung provides an Eco Solutions menu of energy saving options. Perhaps the best idea is to get in the habit of turning the TV off when you are not in the room.

And if you are streaming audio through the TV, you can turn the Picture off. The display is the biggest energy sucker. It's a shame that the Picture Off option is not a dedicated button on the remote.

Setting up the Samsung UN55F8000 is a two stage process. The first, the initial setup, should only take you a few minutes. The second stage of registering all the apps that you want to use and becoming familiar with the Smart Hub will be a more prolonged process.

Luckily, after you finish the initial setup, you should be ready to start watching TV. Before you settle in, go into the Picture Menu and set the Picture Mode to Movie. The result may not exactly be to your liking, but it gives you a great baseline from which to tweak.

For me, with this plasma display, the Movie mode default settings are just about ideal. I do change Warm 2 to Warm 1, which is just a bit cooler and more pleasing to my eye.

I also dislike that too clean, sharp video look that you can achieve by adjusting the Motion Judder Canceller. If it rocks your world, then you can find that feature in the Picture > Picture Options submenu.

Of course, if you are twitching to tweak, Samsung offers plenty of tools and you can fine tune until that itch wanes.

To exact the full value from this Smart TV, you will need to attach it to your home network and start exploring apps and setting up accounts with streaming providers like Netflix or Amazon Video on Demand.

If one of your favorite apps is missing from the default Smart Hub page, click on the Samsung Apps icon and you might find it in one of the categories. For example, M-GO and Rhapsody are available to install.

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If you are a movie fan, you will soon discover the joys of streaming directly to your TV. You will also realize the value of obtaining the highest bandwidth from your Internet provider that you can afford, ideally over 15Mbps.

If you wish to be master of your viewing domain and command your TV with the sweep of your hand or utterance of your regal voice, then plan some getting-to-know-you time with your Samsung. I suggest that you swallow your explorer pride and open the e-Manual onscreen and take the Voice and Motion Control tutorials.

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In fact, unless you have set up a Samsung Smart TV recently, you will need to refer to the e-Manual on more than one occasion. Again, I wish that there was a dedicated button on the remote. Instead, you need to push the More button and the e-Manual can be accessed with one of the expanded options.

I don't want to scare you away from this Smart TV, but you should expect to take some time to tap its potential.