Samsung Smart TV setup (Tizen)
Samsung's own platform with decent Plex and Emby apps but no IPTV player support. Tips, limits, and the workaround.
What Tizen is
Samsung Smart TVs run Tizen OS - Samsung's own platform, developed from an open-source base but heavily customised. Like LG's WebOS, Tizen is a closed app store: what Samsung approves is what you can install. Tizen has had more investment than WebOS and generally feels snappier, but the app ecosystem is still narrow for media server users.
What's available
- Plex - official app, one of the better Smart TV implementations
- Emby - official app, also good
- Jellyfin - unofficial community app (installation requires developer mode, not recommended for most users)
- No TiviMate, no Smarters, no XCIPTV, no Stremio
- Most major streaming services including Samsung's own TV Plus free channels
- SmartThings integration for smart home control alongside TV
Important
For IPTV use, Samsung alone is a dead end. Add a streaming box (Fire Stick, Onn, Shield) for any of the popular IPTV apps. Keep the Samsung for its picture and its streaming service apps.
Codec support (better than LG)
Tizen TVs generally have better codec support than LG WebOS:
- HEVC / H.265 direct play works well
- HDR10 and HDR10+ supported (Samsung backs HDR10+, not Dolby Vision)
- AAC, AC3, EAC3 audio pass-through works
- TrueHD / Atmos passthrough on higher-end models (check your spec - it varies)
- Image-based subtitles (PGS) may still force transcoding but less aggressively than WebOS
Tip
Samsung TVs do not support Dolby Vision - this is a deliberate choice by Samsung. Dolby Vision content will play back as HDR10 or SDR. If Dolby Vision matters to you, an LG OLED or a Sony Bravia is a better buy.
Essential settings tweaks
- 1Settings > Picture > Picture Mode: use "Movie" or "Filmmaker Mode" for accurate playback. Turn off "Picture Clarity Settings" motion interpolation.
- 2Settings > Picture > Expert Settings > HDR+ Mode: only enable if you want SDR content artificially brightened. Leave off for accurate playback.
- 3Settings > Sound > Expert Settings > HDMI eARC Mode: set to "Auto" if you have an eARC soundbar or receiver.
- 4Settings > Sound > Expert Settings > Digital Output Audio Format: set to "Pass-through" for a receiver, "PCM" otherwise.
- 5Settings > General > External Device Manager > Input Signal Plus: enable for each HDMI input you use for 4K sources. This enables HDMI 2.1 signalling (otherwise you're limited to HDMI 2.0 on newer TVs).
Smart Hub gotchas
- Samsung sometimes "forgets" installed apps after major firmware updates - you may need to reinstall Plex or Emby after an update
- The Samsung app store can be slow to show new versions - if a feature isn't working, check on an app's official site to see if your Tizen version is lagging
- TV Plus (Samsung's free streaming channels) is on by default and consumes bandwidth quietly - disable under Settings > General > Smart Features if you don't use it
- Ads in the Smart Hub home screen: go to Settings > General & Privacy > Terms & Privacy > Viewing Information Services > disable
One Remote
Samsung's minimal remote (called "One Remote" or "Solar Remote" on recent models) is loved for its simplicity. The solar/USB-C charging model is particularly good - no batteries to replace. Less controversial than LG's Magic Remote, but also less capable.
A final reassurance
Samsung makes excellent panels, particularly the QLED and Neo QLED ranges. The limits you'll hit are almost always in Tizen's app ecosystem, not in the TV itself. A cheap streaming box bolted onto the HDMI port gives you everything Tizen can't, while you keep using the Samsung for its picture quality and its built-in streaming services.
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