Samsung SEK-1000/ZA 2013 Evolution Kit

I was debating on wether to get the evolution kit or not. I'm happy to report that it was what I expected the installation was straight forward took fifteen minutes very easy it installed and updated with no problem. I did have to go to Samsung and get firmware version 1004 and install it using a thumb drive but that was easy. All is working great love the new smart hub and the new remote. I was already familiar with the remote as it's the same one I have with my new PN51F5500, so no learning curve there. The picture quality is about the same on my PN60E8000 AFTER I installed the evolution kit the only thing is the blacks seem a little better. The smart hub does load faster and all apps are working. You will have to sign in again if you have Netflix, Vudu, hbogo, hulu, and Amazon Prime, as this is a new smart hub.

IMPORTANT PRE-PURCHASE INFO: The 2013 Evolution Kit does not support 87 apps that were available through Smart Hub on 2012 Samsung TVs. The PDF at Samsung US website is on the SEK-1000 page/support/manuals/Deleted App. List (ver.1.0). [Direct link is not allowed for sites off Amazon.] "After you have installed the 2013 Evolution Kit in your 2012 TV, the listed applications will no longer be available. If you have any questions or want a refund for an app that is not supported, please call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG 1-800-726-7864 for assistance." Eighty-seven 87 are listed. While most are less-used, a few are worth noting UPFRONT: Skype, Google Maps, MLB.TV, YouTube, & Minesweeper are among the 87. A newer app version will possibly be available to download for these Apps again, but no guarantees...and perhaps needing a NEW purchase. Good video & detailed text review can be found on CNET Reviews & possibly other sites. Worth hearing the 'pros' POV. UPDATE 7-26-13---I think the folks at Samsung deserve a bit of praise. When I wrote these comments, the note about Apps not working with some 2012 TV's was buried in the Support page tab [Samsung site, NOT Amazon.com] and not on the features pages that pre-purchasers would likely look at. Samsung has corrected that oversight. The note can now be found at the bottom of the SEK-1000 'features' page tab. Further, the note is now located on the 'features' page tab of my actual 2012 TV. [Don't know about other prior models that offer Evo Kit option.] Samsung deserves credit for making this improvement...and trusting the common sense purchaser to balance improvements & drawbacks before purchase. NOW UPGRADED REVIEW TO FIVE STARS! UPDATE 9-12-13---Received and installed the Kit on 9/5/13, used now for one week. Have to say the Smart TV interface is far better than the 2012 that I was very used too; faster because of the increased cache & hardware up from dual-core to quad-core processor. The new remote that is included is more responsive & accurate than last year's. The voice and motion programs are improved. I am actually using the voice smart control, unlike the limited 2012 version. Kit installation does mean any prior pro-calibration is lost. If your technician left you with the settings and unlocked, it is easy to restore the settings. Kit new menus will take some time to learn, but they are expanded and worth the asking price. Finally, since this review is originally about lost apps, worth noting the 87 listed originally as unworkable are now down to less than 2 dozen. Presume app developers made some adjustments.

Ran into a lot of problems with this install. Prior to attaching the Evolution Kit, I upgraded the TV to latest software/firmware and TV kept powering on/off, removed the dongle from Evolution Kit and TV stayed on. I was able to configure the Evolution Kit (re-attached dongle right before network config). After the installation, I used the new system for about 3-4 hours exploring and sampling many of the features. Right off the bat, Netflix, Amazon Cloud, and Amazon Stream did not work (chalked it up to Evolution Kit still updating) but really liked the new interface and the how responsive the system was. Eventually turned off the system. The next day turned on my TV, but it would turn on for about 30-45 secs and then turn off and then turn on again (it cycled like that until I removed the power cord and the Evolution Kit). After troubleshooting with Samsung support for a few hours (which include upgrading the TV again, the Evolution Kit downgraded the TV), and removing and reinstalling the Evolution Kit, they said the Evolution Kit was defective. After all that, I am able to use the Evolution Kit after the initial setup, mostly, but would have to remove and repeat the install to use if the TV had been turned off after install process. It is worth pointing out that the old UI is untouched and the TV is still usable (on the old UI) without the Evolution Kit install. I am using my TV without the Evolution Kit while I wait for the replacement. Given the other negative reviews on the Evolution Kit and my experience with it, I am a little concerned about the Evolution Kit solution. I plan to try the RMA replacement SEK-1000 to see if it was just an issue with the Evolution Kit model and my TV. Based on the (ongoing) troubles I'm having with it, I definitely would not recommend the SEK-1000.

Excellent product and the seller was totally over the top in making sure i was happy with my purchase. The evo kit has turned my 2011 tv in to a brand new 2015. What a deal..

Does not install on my Samsung UA55ES8000

The upgrade worked as expected there are a few minor issues but they are mostly with the apps. Samsung should force a common interface with app developers. The keyboards are all over the place, motion control does not work in most apps and a few annoyances like that. The TV guide which looks like it could be a great feature connects to set top box for Shaw Direct and controls it correctly except the channels are not current so we cant use it so we still use the guide on the set top box. There are apps that are automatically installed and you cannot uninstall. Over all if you pick it up for $150 or less it is worth the upgrade.

Amazing!!! Upgraded tv with this unit and revitalized the smart tv aspect. Like I have a new tv...love it!

Easy install & excellent product