#250
based on 195 reviews
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Review Face-Off
[7 of 7 customers found this review helpful]
[26 of 42 customers found this review helpful]
"I'll preface this review by saying that I'm not the type of consumer that makes impulse purchases. I have never purchased an item that I haven't thoroughly researched for weeks, months, or even years: I read, rate and compare, and then, read, rate and compare. If you're are going back-and-forth over plasma versus LCD then I suggest you read, rate and compare, and then think about what you want. Bottom line: If ..." Read Full Review »
Aug 18, 2009 by Bovice
"The picture quality is far from spectacular but it is not horrible either. It is a lot of TV for a low price...." Read Full Review »
Jul 11, 2009 by Dachshund Dad "Joshua S"
Product Reviews
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Average Customer Rating:
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 195 Reviews
[7 of 7 customers found this review helpful]
Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV Review
"I'll preface this review by saying that I'm not the type of consumer that makes impulse purchases. I have never purchased an item that I haven't thoroughly researched for weeks, months, or even years: I read, rate and compare, and then, read, rate and compare.
If you're are going back-and-forth over plasma versus LCD then I suggest you read, rate and compare, and then think about what you want. Bottom line: If you are into sports, gaming, or care more about picture quality go with plasma. If your home has a lot of natural light and you are concerned about glaring, you're planning to display a lot of still images, or you'd prefer that your tv consume less energy, go with LCD (although, the energy thing is becoming less of a plasma detractor because companies are making them to be more energy efficient these days).
This Samsung PN-50b450 isn't my first plasma or flat-panel television. Prior to purchasing this one, I owned a Panasonic Viera TH-42px75u. My Panasonic wasn't bad, I actually loved it. Sports, gaming and the occasional chick flick with the girlfriend were amazing to watch on it. But then I bought this Samsung, and the Panasonic was never heard from again.
Here this: Samsung has perfected the plasma TV. That's an undeniable fact. When I purchased my Panasonic two years ago, everything I read, every Cnet article and every personal testimony, cited Panasonic as the hands down leader in the plasma market. Which, at the time, was absolutely true.
But two years later, and with little in the way of technological innovation since that time, Panasonic is no longer on top of the plasma market. The picture quality, while boasting increased resolution, hasn't improved all that much, and the connectivity of the brand's entry-level models continues to pale in comparison to that of its competitors.
Enter, Samsung. Over the last couple of years, Samsung has improved the picture quality displayed by its plasma TVs by leaps and bounds. When I went to purchase a new TV for my new apartment, naturally I gravitated toward the Panasonics. I was happy with the one I already had, why not get another. Plus I already knew a lot about the brand from all the research I did before my last plasma purchase.
It just so happened, though, that the 50" Vierra I was going to purchase was positioned next to the Samsung b450. I couldn't believe how much better the picture quality, sound and connectivity options were on the Samsung. The quality was just as good as the Panasonic 1080p I had intended to buy, and I couldn't tell much difference in the picture quality of the b450 and Samsung's more expensive, 1080p model, the b550. I left the store without purchasing anything that day; I, of course, had to do my research.
I came back the following month, the price had dropped a little more, and I had to have the Samsung. The TV continues to amaze me. The picture is amazing, the colors are bright, and the sound - I have no idea why people are complaining about the sound quality, by the way, all you have to do is adjust the sound controls to fit your preference; its not hard - the sound is perfect.
If you're in the market for a great quality 50" TV, for a good price, this is the TV to get. The price is right, brand name speaks for itself and the picture is the best you'll find on an entry-level TV.
I hope this helps. Enjoy"
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV Review
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
"I found this TV new at B&HPhoto.com for an amazing price; Price includes S&H & no tax! My first concern prior to buying was the TV being 720p... My local electronics store had it on display next to several 1080Ps and to my surprise this TV looked better or the same as the ones priced b/w 1500 to 2000 range. Still I had some doubt, but the price was unreal, so I bought it.
Now that I've used it for a while, I am delighted to say that picture is excellent! I've watched a few cartoon movies in blue Ray with my kids and the movies have a 3-D look to them. Terminator Salvation, the newest Harry Potter release in Blue Ray are amazing. You see things that you had not seen before.
Pros:
Picture Quality ---- Do not concern yourself with 1080P if you buy this TV. Even though it is a 720P, I promise you will not notice a difference
Over the airway HD Picture ---- I use an antenna to get over the air Local HD programming and picture is superior,
Standard TV signal ---- The picture image from standard (non-HD) is ok, but most programs I watch are in HD so this is of no concern for me.
Screen size 50" for the price
Refresh rate, contrast, blacks, also this TV has a 3D engine built in for playing games in 3D>I'll never use this but it is a plus.
Reflection is not bad and TV has features built in to help reduce this
Has a good selection of inputs/outputs
Cons:
As with most LCDs/Plasmas--- "Speaker quality/sound"--- it is Ok, but you'll want to upgrade.....I bought an all in one home theater system and for me it does the job and is way better than the speakers that come with the TV, however if you are not a big movie watcher than I would not worry about upgrading.
"Remote" ---- This remote is a way tooooooo busy and might be an issue for some.
"on/off music" --- annoying, every time you turn the TV on or off a short tone plays.. You might be able to turn this off, but i'm not sure....petty I know.
Please note that with current technology you really do not need high dollar $$$$$$ :-( connector cables.
Please feel free to research this fact at Kim Komando."
[6 of 6 customers found this review helpful]
Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV Review
"If picture quality is your primary concern in a HDTV, I believe this is the best 50" plasma you can get for less than $1000 before tax. The second best is the Panasonic TC-P50X1. After comparing both the Panasonic TC-P50X1 and Samsung PN50B450 side by side, I believe the Samsung had the best color reproduction and slightly smoother picture. Although the Samsung had decent sound for a TV, the Panasonic seemed to produce better quality sound. Since my primary concern is picture quality, I bought the Samsung PN50B450 yesterday for less than $1000 before tax through a price match with a local retailer. If you can avoid it, do not pay full retail ($1099) for this set. I assume Sears will eventually have it on sale or you can have Sears price match to a local retailer if they have it at a lower price like I did."
[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]
Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV Review
"there are really on three contenders now in Plasma LG, Panasonic, & Samsung. All three are very comparable. It seemed to me though that the Samsung had better black levels than the Panny. It also seemed that the pixel structure is less visible with the Samsung when up close so that's why I chose this. Wasn't confident with LG longevity so went with this one. I have surround sound so not sure what the sound is like. I'm happy with the resoloution for HD about 4 feet from the screen so I'm not really sure without a 1080 signal that the 1080 is worth $500 extra.
Also, if you're debating sizes then go the largest you can afford because I thought 42" originally and i would have gone for 65" already if i could afford it. It can never bee too big if you can fit it. Heck if this wasn't a secondary TV and lighting an issue, I'd go for the projector and wall size screen."
[4 of 5 customers found this review helpful]
Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV Review
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
"Great quality picture but the sound needs help. Also don't really care for the manual controls on the side. When I mis place the remote, it is difficult to turn the tv on and use the channel and volume controls on the tv itself. I really love the picture and the look of the unit."
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