The 8500 has more processing options than any HDTV we've tested this year, but the result is superb performance in this category.
We'll begin with the set's motion resolution, which came in at the full 1080 lines on our test, equaling the best plasmas we've tested (Panasonic's 2009 models, such as the V10) and surpassing the best LCDs, namely the LG LH90, the Sony XBR8, and the Samsung A950.
Samsung's UNB8500 only achieved this mark when we engaged both the Auto Motion Pro 240Hz (any position aside from "Off") and LED Motion Plus functions. Disabling the latter softened motion resolution somewhat on our test pattern, scoring the standard 240Hz mark of between 900 and 1,080 lines. Adjusting the Blur Reduction slider between 0 and 10 affected motion resolution accordingly; we preferred 10, which gave the best results.
Turning off the 240Hz processing entirely left the TV at the standard LCD mark of between 300 and 400 lines, regardless of whether we engaged LED motion plus. As usual it was difficult to spot the effects of this improved motion resolution in normal program material, despite the large numeric differences seen in specialized test patterns.
Like other Samsung displays, the 8500 also includes customizable dejudder processing, and as usual it works great. We set the Judder Reduction slider under the Custom setting to 0, leaving Blur Reduction at 10, and the 24-frame look of our 1080p/24 source came through correctly.