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Samsung PN50A450 50" Plasma TV (Widescreen, 1365x768, HDTV - MPN: PN50A450)
Description: SAMSUNG delivers crisp, clear images and bright, beautiful color with our FilterBright technology and 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. It reduces glare and enhances contrast ratio in the brightest rooms so you never have to settle for an.... Read More Description: SAMSUNG delivers crisp, clear images and bright, beautiful color with our FilterBright technology and 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. It reduces glare and enhances contrast ratio in the brightest rooms so you never have to settle for anything less than picture perfect images. And our 3D technology thrills you with the ultimate 3D experience. Select Game mode with the touch of a button for advanced video game action; the ACE silhouette editor eliminates visual noise from the deepest dark tones. SRS TruSurround XT offers natural, lifelike HD sound. Connect all your peripherals with ease, courtesy of 3 HDMI inputs. And more efficient components result in significant power reduction. Take your home entertainment experience to the next level with the SAMSUNG PN50A450 plasma HDTV. Minimize |
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| Date Reviewed: 05/22/2008 |
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Strengths: Price, Picture, Colors, Contrast, Brightness (all the benefits of plasma tv's)
Weaknesses: Image Retention still occurs, but it is minor. TV speakers rattle a bit on higher volumes with bass.
Summary: 2008-05-22 10:21:38 I purchased this TV 3 weeks ago after doing a good amount of research on current HDTV's. After checking some of the 720p vs. 1080p comparisons and finding that the change in detail is basically imperceivable (my friend's 42" LCD is 1080p, this TV blows it away clarity wise), I went with this version of the TV due to the GREAT price. This TV is drop dead gorgeous. The TV has a shiny black exterior border, touch sensitive buttons, and nice looking blue light below the Samsung logo that comes on when you turn the TV on. Having the speakers beneath the set also helps the look of the TV and keeps the border very thin.
The picture quality is incredible. My previous TV was a DLP, and I've used a three month old Vizio LCD pretty regularly, but this TV blows them both away. The colors are much richer, the edge's much sharper (something I didn't expect this TV to beat a 1080p at, but it does, even with Edge Sharpening off). The black's richness of course beats out the other TV's handily, which I expected from a plasma. Every person who's seen this TV in action, many of them HDTV owners themselves, were all pretty blown away by the quality of the picture.
On to the Image Retention I mentioned. I did a fair amount of research into the Burn-In / IR problems that plasma has typically been known for. As I person who uses my TV's for video gaming probably 50-75% of the time, this was a pretty big concern to me. I'm happy to say that this has not been much of a problem. From all reports, burn-in is virtually gone from modern plasmas, and all the retention that I've noticed has been temporary. I've put some major time into gaming since getting this, and without really taking too many breaks the TV has been fine. The only time I've ever noticed retention is when you put the TV on whitewash mode, you will notice minor outlines. Taking GTA 4 as an example, the outline of the health bar that surrounds the radar appears on the screen. However when I notice this I will generally put the sleep timer on the max of 180 minutes and leave the scrolling whitewash on while I sleep. The next day the retention is gone. Very simple and I have been pretty demanding on this TV (GTA 4 is addictive). The main thing to remember with these plasma's is to use the whitewash and to not leave it on static screens on accident when you leave / sleep / etc. However even these types of occurences will most likely just produce a longer lasting retention that can be removed with an equally long duration of whitewashing.
From what I've read on plasmas, the first 100 hours you will notice the most retention issues as the phosphors "warm up". If my experience is indicative of the "worst" retention issues that I should experience, I'm not at all paranoid about static images damaging my screen.
In summary this TV is an incredible deal. I've never had problems with Samsung's (the DLP is 4 years old and has never had a single problem, not even needing a bulb replacement), and they're known to be quality televisions. Don't be fooled by 1080p folks... make sure and check out some of the comparison articles out there prior to letting a salesman tell you how much extra clarity you're gaining. Use that extra 800 dollars you save to buy the surround system to accompany this beast. :)
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| Date Reviewed: 06/12/2008 |
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Strengths: Overall picture quality, lots of inputs for all your components, great on-screen menus for customization and tremendous overall value.
Weaknesses: Anti-glare coating is ineffective.
Summary: I’ve been researching flat panels TVs for a few months and chose plasma over LCD because a plasma TVs picture is better (no pixilation or bad viewing angles) or the same as an LCD picture and it cost less. Except for background reflections (about the same as a tube TV), plasma definitely gives you more bang for you buck. I chose 720p over the 1080p because I could not see a difference in picture quality that justifies the price difference. Also unless you have a blue ray player, you’re not getting any pictures in true 1080p quality. All HD TV feeds are in 720p and since most companies are still adding to their HD lineups due to bandwidth issues, it’s going to be years before TV stations broadcast in 1080p. Since one 1080p feed takes up the space of two 720p feeds, companies will either have to expand to capacity of their entire network or cut their channel lineups in half before this can happen. It’s going to be many years before we see this so use to money you save not buying a 1080p television to pay for mounting or a nice stand.
After my research was completed, it was a toss up between this Samsung or the Panasonic 50PX80. I have brand loyalty for Panasonic but you can’t go wrong with either. When this Samsung went on sale first I did one last side-by-side comparison with the Panasonic and the colors of the Samsung picture looked a little more natural. So I bought the Samsung and have had no regrets so far. Although the sound is OK for everyday watching, I recommend using a home theater system for movies and sporting events.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/30/2008 |
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Strengths: Excellent picture, sound, and ease of use
Weaknesses: It gives off a lot of heat and uses more energy than other types of televisions
Summary: This is a very sleek and attractive television. Consumer Reports found it to be a best buy and I agree. The picture looks good from nearly any angle, unlike LCDs, and the pedestal makes it easy to move or change angles if you need to. We use it not only for cable tv but also for a variety of games and Wii, all which look great on it. The only problem is if your video or show is of poor quality you can really notice it. Just know it gives off a lot of heat from the back and can heat up a room if on for a few hours.
100% of People (4/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 11/14/2008 |
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Strengths: wow, the picture really blow me away, was so happily surpirsed about the quality of the tv, the picture is vivid and clear, especially for the HD input, just feel like in the BB or CC.
Weaknesses: The sound is not really attractive, although it is acceptable, it is not really at same level as the screen, maybe should get a HT to improve that.
Summary: This is a great tv, picture quality especially good. price is also good, since most tv feed is 720p, it make good sense to get the TV instead of 1080p. Sound need some improvement, but overall, I love the tv.
100% of People (1/1) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/20/2008 |
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Strengths: Everything in HD
Weaknesses: purported to be sound, but I wouldn't know because I hooked it up with a Samsung 5.1 surround system and it's amazing
Summary: Absolutely can't beat the bang for the buck anywheres. The picture, when I brought it home and hooked it up to an upconverting DVD player to watch Jumpers on was stunning, bright, and crisp- rivaling the quality of the $4-5000 tv's I had seen in the store I just left. I'm 100% satisfied, and with the surround system (Also samsung, $230), get a full cinematic feel in my room. Would recommend this TV to anyone.
100% of People (1/1) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/16/2008 |
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Strengths: Price, Picture quality, multiable inputs-easy setup & a 15 month warranty(if you register the TV with Sansung)
Weaknesses: No Auto picture resize, remote not a universal remote
Summary: Received TV a week ago & have been very impressed with the quality of the picture especially on HD broadcasts. Broadcast of outdoor sporting events or nature shows will blow you away. The TV was easy to setup & hookup to my cable box,VCR,DVD & Home Theater system.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/21/2008 |
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Strengths: Nice picture, easy to use controls, many inputs/outputs
Weaknesses: No auto resize of picture, remote control is not universal
Summary: Got this TV earlier this week, and it is living up to my expectations. The tv was noticeably clearer than the similar pixeled Panasonic next to it in the store and the same price.
The tv's menus are easy to navigate and the remote is easy to use (although not a universal remote).
The negatives - although the tv has a coating on the screen, it doesn't do much (anything?) to eliminate or even reduce reflection and glare.
Also, a very desirable feature would be for the screen to auto resize the picture to widescreen as input format changes, but it does not have this ability.
67% of People (4/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/06/2009 |
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Strengths: Picture, easy to use
Weaknesses: Sound but who cares because I use surround sound
Summary: This television blew me away with the picture when I first saw it in the store. I hooked it up to my playstation 3 which plays 1080p and the picture was unbelievable. I haven't seen a tv out there for this price that comes close. My dad came to my house to watch the Super Bowl and thought it was a 1080 television. When I told him it was only a 720p he couldn't believe it. It blows away his television which is a 1080p Vizio. This television also plays up to 1080 so I am getting the 1080 view for a 720 price.
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| Date Reviewed: 01/28/2009 |
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Strengths: Picture, Easy to use, Many inputs
Weaknesses: Sound Quality, but who cares because I have surround sound
Summary: I just kept hearing from a lot of people how you should go with 1080p and when I saw this tv I thought it was 1080p. The salesman ask me which picture was better between the samsung and the panasonic and I said the samsung and he told me it was 720p and the panasonic was 1080p. I was impressed because of the picture and the price so I bought it on the spot. When I went home and hooked it up with an hdmi cord the picture was even better. It even plays up to 1080i.This tv blows away a lot of the tv's I've seen. I would recommend this tv for anyone looking for a quality tv at a good price.
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| Date Reviewed: 01/20/2009 |
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Strengths: Blows away my Sharp Aquos and LG 1080P LCDs!! And it's not even 1080P!!
Weaknesses: Menu is a bit clunky and doesn't have as much features as it should.
Summary: The picture is incredible. I needed a cheap panel for my basement (replacing a Sony projection TV) and it was this or the Panasonic 50" 50XP80. Blew it away for $995
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