| Reviews : Samsung PN58B550 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV |
Technical Details
- 58-inch high definition TV with 1080p resolution
- Four HDMI, two component, and one composite video input; two 15W bottom speakers and SRS TruSurround HD for a rich surround-sound experience
- Samsung E-panel technology like Ultra FilterBright Plus, 600Hz Subfield Motion, .001 response time, and Mega dynamic contrast ratio
- Anynet+ (CEC standard) technology makes system control of compatible A/V devices like a Blu-ray player or HTIB system a one-touch operation
- One-year parts and labor warranty
Product Description
58" screen (measured diagonally) * 1920 x 1080 pixels * 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio * 600Hz Subfield Motion anti-blur technology * FilterBright anti-glare filter *Similar Products
Customer Reviews
By Technichem, Inc.
beautiful..im very happy with this purchase...but i still have an unpeaceful feeling knowing it is plasma, especially when i use it to play games..player with energy bar. ^ ^
By Johnny Friday (Sioux City, IA)
This is a fantastic tv for the money and includes great functionality. I have owned Samsung HDTVs and was surprised by the ANYnet device control functionality. This allows me to control bluray and dvd players via the television remote through the hdmi cables. The usb port also allows for software updates(firmware) as well as mp3 players and flash drives which can be output to your home theatre via optical cable. The sound is what can be expected from any flat panel. This tv is great for gaming as well as casual tube surfing. i do not regret this purchase and would reccomend it to anyone provided they understand the IR sensitivity of plasma televisions (any damage to the set is easily avoidable with even a little care and awareness). The contrast ratio is very good and on par with most midrange and high end plasmas currently available. As an upgrade from a ln46a650 the motion handling of plasma technology is breathtaking as well as an improvement for gaming due to considerably less lag. Dont belive there is a difference bewteen this years plasma and lcd motion handling due to refresh rate? Try playing an FPS and spinning around in a 360 as fast as you can and watch the cross hairs. (Plasma FTW)
By Thomas A. Eady (Florida)
Samsung PN58B550 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV This TV is nothing less than perfect! Its been everything I hoped for. Add Amazon was great to deal with. No problems, order easy to track, was here when they said it would be. Buy and enjoy
By Matt (Mesa, AZ)
It's awesome -- a plasma for under 2K. There is a slight buzz, but it is barely noticeable when watching a movie. Probably inherent to the plasma design in general.
The picture is so fantastic, that I am re-watching all my movies!
Very heavy.
By James M. Case
I purchased this unit at HH Gregg for $1340 out of box special. Few small scratches especially on base which I do not use base and don't watch the frame. I also had/have previously another Sammy and a Panny plasmas. I also own 2 flat panel LCD's. You can get super deals on these last year models and the difference between older A and newer B models is not worth over a $1000 to me maybe to you. They had this and the Panny 58" (TH-58PZ800U) side by side along with the newer B model. They were hooked up to same source, inputs and this beat the Pannys picture by a smidge. Better blacks much better contrast. Both sets were set to same pix setting. I'always preferred the Pannys but it appears Samsung has caught up and surpassed the Pannys. The B model also displayed looked a tad better side by side but I don't believe you would be able to tell the difference if you saw one then the other. I Also have an older Panny 42" and this set is equal to the Panny if not a little better. The Sammy has much more controls for adjusting pix sound off air tv etc. If you get your signal Off Air for HDTV then the Samsung has a much better ATSC tuner. It will pick up stations and lock them in that the Panny doesn't even see.
The pix from Blu Ray is awesome one of the best I've seen to date. The Satellite HD from Dish Net also excellent just a tad softer then over air sources. Off Air HDTV is just a notch under Blu Ray but very close. Cable HD very good also but varies a good bit on different channels. Now for upgraded SD off air varies widely from very good to just good on some of the older movies and sub channels. This also depends on the channel if it is a sub channel 1 or 2 or 3 they get worse the more they have. The main channel example (19-1) SD looks very good. 19-2 still good 19-3 (much less bandwidth) looks like an old news reel footage. Still not bad considering they were originally shot to display on at best a 25 inch TV.
Some have reported a loud buzzing sound. I have not had this problem. This unit does have fans and if hooked up inproperly (ground loop problems) maybe subject to AC hum from different video sources. All plasmas's make a slight noise but I don't think you going to be watching silent movies. I'm not saying that this is the problem which others who wrote about this but there's no loud buzzing from this or others I've seen. The above maybe the reason some complain about buzzing sound. Different sets can perform differently. My Panny doesn't like a bad ground loop but still displays a good picture and it's quiet but the Sammy seems to be a little bit more particular in this area.
Summary - Sammy PQ HD off air (antenna) or Sat excellent picture Blu Ray totally awesome.
PQ SD off air or sat (dish net)excellent to very good(unless on a third or more sub channel off air only).
Cable excellent to acceptable depending on source and cable company. You probably have to try it on your cable system and see if you can live with it. Channel to channel seems to very on some systems.IMO Comcast (MUS fibernet city owned cable company)seems to be much better then Charter. These are the only 3 in this area that I have compared.
Sound is good nothing to write home about but you'll probably want a good surround system with a pix this big to get a theater like experience.
I'd recommend this set especially at some of the prices it is presently going for. You will not be dissappointed with the PQ from this unit. Below is a list of the models I considered and the reason I choose differently. MY take in ( ) for what it's worth and reason ruled out.
LG 60 inch Plasma 60PS60(excellent choice very high marks - price could not get a good deal $2200 +)I really liked this set PQ very close.
Panny 58 inch plasma TH-58PZ800U(excellent choice best deal I could find $1700 - price not an issue Pix Quality/featurers just a tad less then Sammy.
Sammy LED/LCD 55 inch UN55B6000 ( appears to be excellent choice). This set had great blacks contrast etc. The best I ever seen for a LCD but a tad cartoon-ish look. You will have to play with settings to get a film like picture. Price was main reason for not purchasing this one. $2900 + for 55 inch. Smaller pix models maybe worth a look. This is a LCD side lite by LED not a true LED or OLED still a few years out.
Pioneer 60 inch. If money grows on trees for you or is not an issue this set has the BEST picture flat out! The only reason to rule out this set is price. Best I could do even on a refurb was well in the low $3000 mark. I may have even pulled the trigger for this one but was concerned Pioneer is getting out of the TV business. Parts and service down the road may become an issue and at this price I don't want to send to scrap yard for quit a while. OLED in about 5+ years ( maybe less) may make all these look bad and that's a lot of green for just a few years.
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