Samsung PN50C490 50-Inch 720p Plasma 3D HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had been wanting to make the leap to 3D ever since I heard 3D would become available to the public for home use on HDTVs. Having priced a few out I just did not feel it was worth the jump quite yet. Then I came across this TV on Amazon. I did a lot of research finding reviews and reading impressions from various HD forums. Finally I went to Best Buy to try this out for myself and was quite impressed.
So after much debate I picked one up with one pair of glasses since it's just me. Got a deal for $969 and that is with tax. Prior to I owned a 47inch 1080p Vizio which I've had for 3 years and was a great set for the price point as well. I can say without a shadow of doubt that even without the 3D feature the picture quality of this TV for Bluray blows away my old 1080p Vizio. Not sure how that is possible since this set is at a lower resolution but there is no fooling my eyes and what I am saying is true. The colors are vivid and the blacks are REAL black. The Vizio which was an LCD always had a white glare from back light issues of the bulbs.
Video games look fantastic. My only issue with the set is two things. My PC did look better on the Vizio because it offered a much brighter picture and on the Samsung it's not as bright. Not a deal killer but this should be noted. The other issue is with 3D games only such as Avatar, Pacific Drift 3D and MLB the show the resolution is also meh in 3D mode compared to non 3D games which look banging.
I have yet to try out a 3D movie but ordered Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Monster House on Amazon and will edit this review to include impressions of those two true 3D movies.
The 2D-3D conversion looks fantastic on Blurays and broadcast TV so that's a win for this set.
It's like this, if you REALLY want a 3D set as I did and do not want to spend an arm and a leg as what other sets cost this is your best bet as the technology evolves and improves. If anything you will be getting a fantastic HDTV set for a fraction of what some of the other higher end sets cost and will tide you over until the technology reaches a point of 3D sans glasses which is what I am waiting for. Honestly there is very little difference between this 720p and 1080p models.
Great value for what you get.EDIT Review day 2:
Just wanted to say that I am just in love with this TV.
One example I wanted to share is I recently got the Alien movies on Bluray and had been waiting to watch them until I had this TV in place so I could try out the 2D-3D conversion. Well I can tell you that I am on the 2nd movie Aliens and have the this feature turned on with a depth of 10 so it's peaked out and my god it looks amazing. It's almost as if the movie was filmed in 3D but I realize a lot of that has to do with the way Cameron shot the film so kudos to him for being a visionary back in 1986 because it just rocks. Especially any of the scenes in space the level of depth really brings you in when this feature is turned on. Amazing.
Still waiting on my delivery of the Blurays that are True 3D and will post impressions as soon as I get them.Edit Review day 4:
Just finished watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Without a doubt this TV delivers the real deal with 3D as if you are in the theater. The movie looked great in 3D. Was sharp and the 3D truly pops. I am still blown away however at the 2D-3D conversion for other Bluray movies. I also for the fun of it popped in Star Wars on DVD and yes it works great with that as well.
I just cannot praise enough about how awesome this TV is for the price point and have zero regrets about picking one up.
Edit Review 1 week later:
The TV continues to blow me away with each movie I watch in the 2D-3D conversion. The glasses were the only issue with this set. I got the free pair that came with it. What was happening was that the glasses would lose sync during scenes with high action or a lot of light. What fixed it was taking a small piece of opaque tape and placing it over the sensor on the glasses. Ever since the picture has been perfect. A small irritation that has an easy quick fix but felt I should point it out to any other owners of this set or anyone planning on getting one on how to avoid/fix the issue.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN50C490 50-Inch 720p Plasma 3D HDTV

Click here for more information about Samsung PN50C490 50-Inch 720p Plasma 3D HDTV

Read More...

Samsung PN50B550 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I received this TV last week and so far it has been AWESOME! I would have given it 5 stars but the sound quality is a little muffled. It doesn't bother us much since we plan on hooking up a surround sound system but if you are using the TV's speakers exclusively, you may want to reconsider. Picture quality is amazing...best I've seen and I did a TON of research before deciding on this model. I was back and forth between plasma and LCD and I'm so glad I went plasma. We have the TV in a bright room and the new filters seem to work great. Not much glare at all. Definitely no more glare than the 36 Sony Wega tube TV this Samsung replaced. If you are not picky about the sound, this is a great choice. After a week, we are not disappointed!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN50B550 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Samsungs new PN50B550 plasma flat panel HDTV redefines our commitment to design, performance, and cost of ownership. Its 50 inches of 1080p Full HD picture performance makes it the perfect living room centerpiece. The attractive Touch of ColorTM design adds a subtle clear-to-charcoal gray accent to the sets bezel. Enjoy brilliant, film-like images in Full HD resolution. Samsungs breakthrough mega dynamic contrast ratio offers a more accurate color tonal range, deeper blacks and shadow details. The new E-Panel technology featuring our innovative FiterBrightTMtechnology reduces glare in brighter rooms and delivers a better picture while using less energy. Add 4 advanced HDMI inputs that feature Samsungs Anynet+ (CEC standard) technology making system control of compatible A/V devices like a Blu-ray player or HTIB system a one-touch operation. Experience Full 1080p performance on Samsungs new B550 series plasma HDTVs that are easy on the environment and easy on the wallet.

Click here for more information about Samsung PN50B550 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Read More...

Samsung PN58C680 58-Inch 1080p Plasma 3D HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Since no one has posted a review on this wonderful set, I thought I would post something to give everyone an idea about the set. Just a quick disclaimer: this TV replaces a 3 year old Sharp Aquos 37" LCD which has performed admirably and I plan to place it in the guest bedroom.
There just isn't much online about this particular set since it has not been widely released yet. In fact, there is really no information on this set even on the samsung site although you can look up the pn50c680 on the site to find similar specs. In short, it is a wonderful TV at a wonderful price/performance ratio which has enough features for me... I don't really care about app support since I own both an Xbox 360 and PS3 which should have me covered on any apps that the more feature loaded TVs may include.
I've had this TV for roughly 5 days now and I've been putting it through its paces. The TV is wonderful and provides an absolutely stunning picture when properly calibrated.Colors are accurate and black levels are excellent! With my pioneer 1020 amplifier/Orb satellite/Anthony Gallo Adiva Ti/Hsu sub powered sound system, I really have a nice Home theater setup now! I will definitely be going to the theater less now with my current setup.
I used these settings for a dim/dark room environment:
White Balance Settings:
Red-Offset: 22
Green-Offset: 25
Blue-Offset: 12
Red-Gain: 33
Green-Gain: 25
Blue-Gain: 33
Picture Settings:
Picture Mode: Movie
Color Temp: Warm 2
Brightness: 56
Contrast: 90
Cell Light 8
Color: 53
Tint: G35/R65
Sharpness: 10
Black Tone: Off
Dynamic Contrast: Off
Gamma: 0
Colorspace: Auto
Flesh Tone: Off
Edge Enhancement: Off
Digital NR: Auto
HDMI Black Level: Low
Film Mode: Auto
Of course, many people are probably looking at purchasing this TV for its 3d capabilities and let me just say it is impressive! My wife has been very impressed with the effect and all of my friends who have viewed the effect at my house have been very "Wowed"! I have a PS3, Xbox 360 (both of which are capable of 3d) and have played a few games on the PS3 since there is just 1 xbox 360 game which take advantage of the tech currently (the very bad Avatar game). We received the 3d bundle w/ the TV which includes 2 active shutter glasses and the monsters vs. 3d movie which implements the stereoscopic effect very well! The TV exhibits literally no ghosting effect which has plagued some of the LCD/LED backlit TVs out there. Plasmas tend to fair better due to their high refresh rates. I also purchased it from an online vendor other than Amazon and got a very good deal on an amazing TV/3d glasses bundle. However, if Amazon had a similar price, I would not hesitate to purchase from Amazon.com. I have been very happy with their service and am largely loyal customer to the site when the price is right.
Overall, I am incredibly happy with this purchase, my previous 37" Sharp Aquos looks like a baby TV next to this beautiful monstrosity. Although, not the thinnest plasma (around 1.4" for the thinner plasmas) out there, the 2.8" thickness is actually thinner than my previous Sharp Aquos which is 4"! It is amazing how thin they can make these TVs nowadays. Heat output is also very reasonable on this unit. I detected no hotspots and after extended use, the metal backside and vents are just slightly warm to the touch.
I'd say that if you are looking for a large 3D TV w/ great price/performance ratio... definitely think hard about purchasing this unit! You will not be disappointed!
Happy Viewing,
John

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN58C680 58-Inch 1080p Plasma 3D HDTV

Click here for more information about Samsung PN58C680 58-Inch 1080p Plasma 3D HDTV

Read More...

Samsung PN50C680 50-Inch 1080p Plasma 3D HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review will center around the Samsung PN50C680 Plasma television that I purchased as part of a special "3D TV + 2 Pairs of glasses" Amazon promotion.
After spending several weeks researching for a replacement to my Panasonic TH-50PZ800U plasma, I settled on this Samsung. There were positive but very limited reviews of this TV - It seems most of the marketing these days are directed towards the super-slim, LED-backlit 3D televisions. Due to Amazon's generous return policy and special Holiday sales/bundles, I decided to take a chance on this model.
I received the TV without any issues - Shipping and unpacking went well as the box did not have any visual indentations and the Styrofoam inside did not have impact damage.
As previously mentioned, the PN50C680 is not one of Samsung's super-slim, single-pane models. It's about 2.5" thick compared to 1.5" - I still consider this to be a thin TV but at the end of the day, "thickness" is a personal preference.
Cabling was very easy as the connections in the back of the TV were clearly labeled. HTPC owners would gladly know that HDMI 1 was labeled to receive video card signals and offers extended compatibility for those that utilize DVI-to-HDMI dongles. The TV turned on and automatically recognized the HD signal from both my Fios service and Blu-Ray player without any problems. Fortunately, the TV was not a "buzzer" as some Samsungs are known to be.
Warning: Here is where the review tends to be personal preference. In my opinion, the initial out-of-box picture was not very good. It was too vivid as the contrast and several of the "picture enhancements" were turned on or maxed. Although these initial settings are ideal for store displays to counteract the bright overhead lights, they are far from ideal for my home theater environment. I whipped out my Disney WOW calibration Blu-Ray disc and performed the required steps. The new picture quality was infinitely times better than the initial out-of-box image - colors were very accurate, details could be seen in shadows/objects, and the overall image was very life-like. Black levels were excellent (although they could not match those of the legendary Pioneer Kuro). It was a definite improvement over my previous 2-year old Panasonic plasma.
Shameless plug: The best thing you can do to maximize the performance, picture quality, and to some extent, the power usage of a TV is through calibration. This can be done either professionally (typically brings out the best performance although very expensive) or through a reputable Blu-Ray calibration disc (increases performance and is inexpensive ~$20-$30).
I would rate the sound quality as very good - It's lacking in the lower frequency range but the sound is very clear with no static or humming. In addition, there are several options in the TV settings to tailor the sound to your preference such as an equalizer and virtual surround functions.
The TV also offers a wide range of goodies such as 3D capability, USB ports for playback of movies, music, and pictures from external storage, an Ethernet port, and wireless adapter-compatibility (not included). 2D-to-3D conversion was good but not quite stellar - it's more like there's a "hint" of added depth when a converted 3D image is displayed. You can change the degree of depth within the TV settings, but the stronger settings gave me a headache. However, the quality of 3D really shines once you view native 3D content from 3D Blu-Ray or cable content. Shrek 3D - the only disc I have - was exceptional as it was just like being in a movie theater. This is one feature that I am really looking forward to once more native 3D content is published.
Although the TV has a built-in Ethernet port, it does not have any internet applications such as Facebook, Netflix, Hulu, etc. It is not a big loss to me as my Blu-Ray player has these functions - just something to think about if you are looking for a more "connected" TV.
Last but not least, the TV needs to be "broken in" as it suffers from image retention. I have been breaking in the TV for a week now by playing DVDs / downloaded programs and the TV no longer retains images. I would not recommend playing games or watching shows with static content (HUD's, channel icons, black bars, etc) for a week or so when you get the TV.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN50C680 50-Inch 1080p Plasma 3D HDTV

Click here for more information about Samsung PN50C680 50-Inch 1080p Plasma 3D HDTV

Read More...

Samsung PN63B550 63-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have lived with this tv for only a week now but I would like to say I researched to no end for a tv that is over 60 inches.The other choices were the 65 inch sharp lcd and the 65 inch panny plasma. I have compared this tv to the others with the same feed and similar settings and the samsung wins in my eyes. The colors on this tv are more vibrant then the lg ,kuro, and panny.
I would say the panel and stand are a very nice glossy black with the option to swivel to some extent. The tv arrived connected to the stand which made setup very easy. The menu used to change settings is very user friendly as well. I like how you can label each input source this way it is obvious which input works with each device. The BD playback on this tv is excellent. I could go on and on.
There is a B590 which inlcudes cinema smooth and a screen which is ultra filter bright plus as opposed to ultra filter bright. You will not notice the difference.
BTW, I also saw this tv side by side with last years 63A650 playing same feed using same settings mode. It was not even close in my eyes. The 63b550 looked sharper, brighter, colors were more vibrant etc...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN63B550 63-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Samsung PN63B550 63-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Click here for more information about Samsung PN63B550 63-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Read More...

Samsung PN43D490 43-Inch 720p 600Hz 3D Plasma HDTV (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)So let me start off by saying I rarely write reviews on here but I use them quite often when making a decision on whether or not to buy something. I bought this TV from Vann's, and it came with 2 pair of 3D glasses for free. Amazon use's Paul's TV as the primary seller and they are a very good company as well, so purchasing this TV through Amazon would have been my first choice, but Vann's had the better deal at the time.
My TV arrived via Fed Ex freight on April 21, and I immediately un boxed it and put it in my bedroom. This TV is replacing an Vizio 37" 1080P LCD which was working fine, but I really wanted a 3D set!
Initial Physical Impression was WOW. Very Sleek looking, much thinner than my Vizio, nice sturdy swiveling base, and has an almost Dark Cherry Touch of Color to it, which I was unaware of prior to purchasing but looks great with my Cherry Bedroom set.
Performance: I have the TV hooked up to a PS3 with the most current software (3D Capable), and Panasonic BDT-110 3D bluray player (Was a gift) and a Directv Hr-21 3D capable DVR Receiver. All I can say is WOW. The PQ is amazing, the blacks are Inky dark, there is no motion blur when watching sports and all this from a 720P, budget 3D TV! I have not any gaming on the unit yet, as I am nearing the end of the break in period, but I have been doing a TON of 3D Blu Ray and TV Watching. I must say that the new Bluetooth 3D Glasses from Samsung are great! This unit came with 2 free pair, and they retail right around $70.00 each. They sync with the TV quickly and I have yet to lose signal during a movie.
3D Performance: I have now watched about 10 3D Blu Ray movies on the TV and have seen zero Crosstalk/Ghosting. The picture looks at great in 3D as it does on standard bluray but with the Added 3D effect. You can even convert 2D television programming to 3D, while this is cool, it is not as in depth as original 3D Material (Blu Ray 3D or Directv 3D).
In conclusion, this is a great tv for any price. I am sure if you wanted to you could nit pick a few things (Mostly the adequate speakers) but overall I am very pleased, and I will be picking up a Samsung PN64D7000 to replace my current non 3D TV in the living room!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN43D490 43-Inch 720p 600Hz 3D Plasma HDTV (Black)


3D Technology Checklist
This product is 3D-related. To help you get a great 3D experience, use the checklist below to ensure you have everything you need. 3D viewing requires:

Click here for more information about Samsung PN43D490 43-Inch 720p 600Hz 3D Plasma HDTV (Black)

Read More...

Samsung PN50C7000 50-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been researching plasma televisions for the last few months in preparation for my first large TV purchase. It was a painstaking process that eventually lead me to purchase the Panasonic G25. Because I lived with that TV for about three weeks and have enjoyed the C7000 for the same amount of time, I am poised to compare the two.
What first must be addressed is why I chose to return the G25. Two words: floating blacks. This is not to be confused with the phenomenon of rising blacks, where over time the ability of the panel to produce deep, dark blacks is diminished (although this afflicts 2010 models, it occurs at a more gradual rate). "Floating blacks" occurs when images on screen change in brightness and the blacks rise and fall as a result. This represents a significant problem because it is reactionary: when a bright image appears, the blacks do not rise immediately so the effect becomes very obvious and irritating. Floating blacks have been reported by many, while others swear they either do not exist or are indiscernible. I found the behavior to be pervasive for all material and absolutely unbearable. This is unfortunate, because the G25 was fantastic in every other regard: nearly perfect colors out of the box in THX mode, rich blacks with great shadow detail and not a hint of image retention or burn in. In all of the aforementioned categories, the G25 outperformed the C7000 and makes me wish Panasonic would have their niggles sorted.
Onward to the C7000.
Overall, I am very pleased with the television. Aesthetically, it is an extremely striking piece of kit. The base is a beautiful piece of brushed aluminum (well, it's probably steel, but the finish is brushed), the bezel also sports a brushed finish, which in my opinion is far superior to the glossy bezel of most sets, and the glass-like base support and surround add the finishing touch to a special looking television.
The picture quality of this television is great, to be sure. I find the out-of-the-box colors to be fairly inaccurate and they will be further from true without a professional calibration than the Panasonic. Black levels are good, although not as a rich as the G25 (pre-rise anyway, that could change after a year or two). The screen is a bit brighter than the G25 with more color pop and I have had no issues with motion. The G25 was noticeably grainier, a possible issue if one's normal viewing distance is closer than average (say, closer than 8 feet). The standard menu allows for far more customization than the Panasonic and there is no need for a non-professional to ever enter the service menu. The internet widgets are exponentially superior to those offered by Panasonic, but I have so many streamers, media devices etc. that the included Samsung apps are rarely used.
There are a couple of things that irk me with the Samsung, none necessarily significant. Image retention is far more prominent on this set than the Panasonic or my parents' five-year-old Phillips. A static image left on screen for just a few minutes will result in image retention (and I do have the pixel orbiter set to engage after just one minute). Luckily, it will disappear within minutes after switching to any content that will get those pixels moving and none of the retention has resulted in burn-in. I do play games and still detect no burn-in whatsoever. Also, I did notice a bit of line bleed that I never experienced with the G25, but that seemed to be an isolated incident as I have not observed it again.
That segues nicely to my next point of complaint: game mode. The input lag on this set makes games unplayable in any mode BUT game mode. This in itself is not an issue, because with game mode engaged, any remaining lag is imperceptible. The problem stems from a poorly designed menu. To activate game mode, you must enter the menu, scroll down to services, then click the general setting menu, and then choose on or off. If input lag is going to suck so much in all other modes, this needs to be a single button-click on the remote. Moreover, you can't disengage game mode by simply switching picture modes. Instead, you must again navigate the same asinine menu tree. Irritating and unnecessary, but at least input lag is perfectly acceptable once in game mode.
What many buyers considering this set are probably concerned with is 3D capability. It is by far the least expensive 3D television currently available and (especially with the present inclusion of a BR player/starter kit combo) is an unbeatable value. 3D on this set is nearly as good as the big boys (read: VT25) with little crosstalk or ghosting. 3D content is sparse at the moment and will continue to be for the foreseeable future (partly because of the exclusive packaging bull malarkey perpetuated by Samsung and the studios themselves; talk about shooting yourself in the foot). As such, the 2D-3D conversion algorithm is a nice addition and can deliver surprisingly impressive results. It works well for some content and is insufferable with others, so you will have to experiment and see what works for you. Some games and animated content seem to respond particularly well. I recently experimented with native 3D content via the PS3 and was surprised with the results. Stardust HD and Motorstorm both exceeded my expectations, especially considering they were not initially created with 3D as an objective. WipeOut, while not nearly as striking (and a medicore game at best), still enjoyed the added benefit of depth afforded by 3D and still yields an appreciable effect. I should also add that I have experienced no issues whatsoever concerning communication or syncing between the glasses and the television. Additionally, the glasses are fairly comfortable and having to change a battery every 50 hours is actually preferable in the long run, as opposed to losing the charge with internal units, necessitating a trip to the factory (or refuse bin).
A tangential but important note: when the 7000 line of Samsung plasmas was first released, a picture-processing mode called Motion Judder Canceller was engaged and undefeatable. What this processing actually does is irrelevant: it should be avoided like the plague. If you choose this set, make sure it has firmware 1026 or later installed or download it immediately if not. For giggles, I converted my C7000 into a C8000 in the service menu, which activates the option to enable or disable MJC (I do not recommend this as there is no need). I enabled it and within seconds wanted to gouge my eyes out, it really is that bad. Make sure MJC is off, forever. And ever.
I suppose this review might come across as somewhat negative. I have decided to keep the Samsung and am happy to have returned the Panasonic, if that is any indication. I give a slight edge to the G25 in overall picture quality, so if you do not need/want 3D and do not observe floating blacks - or don't know what the heck I'm talking about (and believe me, ignorance is most definitely bliss here) - I would go for the Panasonic, primarily because it is surprisingly inexpensive for the picture it offers. Otherwise, the Samsung is a great set and impeccable value considering its feature set and stunning design. All of the 2010 plasma models have their foibles, it just so happens the C7000 offered the least of them in areas concerning me for the right price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN50C7000 50-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV (Black)

Get a true cinematic experience without going to the cinema with a Samsung plasma HDTV. This Samsung PN50C7000, with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio makes sure every frame is saturated with dense, rich color. Samsung is also ENERGY STAR compliant so you are assured that your 50 -inch plasma HDTV is helping the environment by using less enery while saving you money.

Get 31% OFF

Click here for more information about Samsung PN50C7000 50-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV (Black)

Read More...