Samsung SEK-1000/ZA 2013 Evolution Kit

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.

Installed today(06/14/13) set up was without a hitch.Do make sure unit is seated firmly in the socket listen for a faint click!!Absolutely changes all your settings,so be prepared to readjust TV to your original settings. Hint:copy them all down before install!!Does subtly change picture quality,not in a bad way, but fiddling with settings will be required.If you dont feel comfortable doing settings on your own,or had pro pic setup,then call your proit will have to be done again!Does rearrange Smart Hub setup and adds some 2013 stuff!! Enjoy The Serferdude

Just recieved yesterday and installed this to my TV without incident. It is plug in and play so no manual updates etc to the TV I needed to do. Once installing the device and turning on the TV it recognizes the kit and begins the upgrade and set up configuration. Most important settings for me was the configuration on the display which I had Best buy come out and do was kept. Most other things I had to reconfigure which was a bit of a task but a welcome chore in learning the new features of the upgrade.Discovered new nagivation on the remote much smoother and responsive. New TV apps like a Game ticker for ESPN and social media. Remembers your frequent channel watching, provide reccomendations, and creates a favorite list among many more features (voice & gesture recognition) I've been learning in the short time I've had this.