Samsung PN50C550 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Posted by best tv deals staff | Posted in Best TV Deals | Posted on 24-08-2010
5
- 1080p Full HD Resolution, 600 Hz subfield motion
- Mega Dynamic Contrast ratio, Built-in digital tuner
- New single-filter clear panel design eliminates the off-angle reflections that cause picture blurring of images
- Supports multichannel sound (MTS)and second audio program (SAP) with 181-channel capacity
- I/O: 4 HDMI (3 rear/1 side), 2 component, 1 composite
Product Description
Get a true cinematic experience without going to the cinema with a Samsung plasma HDTV. This Samsung PN50C550, 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…. More >>
Samsung PN50C550 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
I’ve had mine for two weeks now and could not be more pleased with my choice. I reviewed LCD, LED and Plasma as I was looking for something in the 46″-50″ range. I had narrowed my options down to the Panny G15 ogr G20 and this set. Frankly, they both had a few reports of problems. The Pannys being the changing black levels that panasonic says is a planned adjustment as the set ages vs. the buzzing that some Samsung Plasma owners seem to get. I decided that the buzzing was a hit or miss and if I got one that did buzz, I would return it and by another at a later date. Sicne the Panny is engineered to adjust it’s black levels and they are clearly not going to fix the issue with a firmware update, I scratched them from the list. This set has the best picture of anything I looked at straight out of the box. After tweaking with some settings I found on the web, It is truly like looking out a picture window into the real world. Acturate, lifelike colors that are not over saturated and look as natural as I’ve ever seen. Sound on this set is much better than many reviewers give it credit for as long as your not expecting 5.1 theater type sound from a tv. Plenty loud, no humming or hissing or problems for my family. There’s plenty of hookups (4 HDMI, PC, Componet and composite for most everyones needs.
I’ve mounted mine on the wall using a mount from monoprice and it’s now it’s like the home theater I always wanted. Great picture from about 10′ viewing distance. For under $1200, I feel like I stole this set. If your looking, make sure you give this one a try.
One last thing is to READ the manual. there are a few tips inside that are priceless. One is that the “pixal orbiter” that prevents burn in requires a certain setting (can’t remember it exactly since I set it up and forgot it). I used the settings in the Most Helpful Post in this forum and then tweaked slightly to the lighting conditions of my room. I’m currently running well below max brightness to help break the set in but it looks great so I doubt I’ll turn it up any once I get a 1000 hours on it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Unlike reviews I have read on this model and last years Plasma model I have not experienced ANY buzzing. I have had the TV installed for around 2 weeks and I love it.
Pros
1. Excellent picture. I used the settings another poster recommended and I concur, they really provide a great overall experience with a few modifications
2. Great features for the price: I have a number of movies that are in AVI and being able to watch them directly from my TV is a nice plus. I plan to finish ripping my DVD collection so I don’t have to shuffle around disks anymore.
3. Looks great with my Xbox 360. Nuff said.. Really, it’s very nice and RPG’s like Call of Duty 2 and Mass Effect are sharp and no issues. Even better in game mode.
4. Cable placement. This is a tricky one. I like the overall layout of the connections on the back panel of the TV. I’m using the TV on the included mount, so this layout allows me to centralize the cables before bring them down. If I wall mount it, you couldn’t as for better position.
Cons
1. None.
This TV is an excellent value and has all the features you would need. I compared this with LCD’s and LED’s and I feel that the cost difference and minor features some models add didn’t overcome their price difference.
1. None
Rating: 5 / 5
After our excellent big screen buying experience with Amazon for the downstairs TV (a 63″ Samsung PN63A650), we decided to dive in again when it came time to update the bedroom set. We’re more than satisfied with the picture on the 63 incher, Amazon’s delivery service had done a great job getting it to us, and this PN50C550 is priced and sized right, so the choice was easy.
Our 63″ set was reliably delivered by Ceva and this 50″ example by Pilot Freight Services. Pilot contacted me ahead of time to schedule an appointment and followed through right on time. Their driver was beyond courteous and accommodating. He helped me hook up the set and the picture was beautiful right out of the box. In fact, I still haven’t changed any picture settings. Like our downstairs set, it’s quiet and crystal clear. No complaints whatsoever.
Another terrific buying experience – courtesy of Amazon and Pilot.
Another terrific TV – courtesy of Samsung.
Two thumbs up!
Rating: 5 / 5
I just got my tv yesterday. TV was manufactured in April 2010. First day, has very light buzzing noise, second day, is getting louder. I think Samsung has not fix their buzzing noise for sure in this 2010 models. I just think this is very annoying even though Samsung will not admit as they say it is normal to have the buzzing. I hate to the return and I don’t think Samsung will have a fix either if I report this issue to their repair support. When I complained about this noise, they said it is normal but I could try to contact their ECR (Executive Customer Relation) Dept to escalate the issue which I am doubtful they will do anything about it. So anyone wanting to buy a plasma tv, please consider the buzzing noise as I know some people do get non-buzzing (hit and miss) but most likely you will get a buzzing one. Picture quality. overall is great not excellent but just great especially for the money. Heat produced is very minimal.
Screen is very glossy and reflective. So if you have an open room or windows behind your seat, I would not recommend this tv. I have been a big fan of Samsung products from cell phone, monitor, refrigerator, LCD TV and my last purchase a plasma tv is very disappointing. However, I hope their tech support will do something about it to make the buzzing less apparent. My first LCD tv purchased also do make the buzzing noise but since I bought Best Buy extended warranty, they took care of it by replacing the power supply board or something which I was not quite sure but since then the buzz was gone.
Samsung has to really make their plasma better in my opinion by minimizing their buzz issue otherwise a lot of people will be very disappointed. Boo….Samsung plasma!!
I will post an update once I have hear back from their ECR dept. to see what they plan to do to resolve this issue but my guess most likely they will say it is normal by doing the 15 feet test listening at normal volume.
Rating: 3 / 5
Having reviewed Consumer Reports, AV Forums, CNET etc I determined that plasma was the best choice given that picture quality is the most important factor in a TV purchase in my opinion.I had been carefully reviewing the Panasonic G10 but passed when the black level “scandal” came about. I trust CNETs reviews and the AV forums. I watch a lot of films and black/low light scenes are an important consideration for me as this is an area where LCDs struggle. We upgraded from a reference level Sony 34XBR960. The picture quality is excellent on the PN50C550. Black levels are very good although not the absolute best possible. For that i would have had to spend 4k+
I did the Spears and Munsil Bluray calibration. It needed some adjustment from the factory settings to get very close to reference levels of contrast, blacks, color saturation etc. The factory settings aren’t awful but if you want test bed/reference quality then I suggest spending the $25 for this disk and doing it yourself. Very easy to work within the Samsung menus to achieve the best picture quality. It took about 15 mins to make all the slight adjustments. Most factory settings are too bright and over saturated colors. I want reality not hyper colors. Especially when watching sports. I know what the court at Staples center looks like, the grass at Qualcomm Stadium and the colors better match at home. They definetly do.
It does have that slight hum or buzz. This is not audible unless you are within 4-6 feet or less of the TV with no other sounds in the room. I don’t use the built-in speakers. The hum is coming from the power supple I believe. It’s a constant buzz similar to a computer.
We didn’t need all the bells/whistles of the higher levels in this series as we can plug an ethernet or wireless router into the Tv if we want internet or picture streaming.
Bottom line: Best bang for your buck under $1200, heck I would put it against a 2-3k LED/LCD in a testbed showdown! Amazon has the best price and delivery was easy/on-time with CEVA. I picked it up from the dock in Los Angeles as I didn’t want to wait an extra day for them to home deliver since I live down the freeway from CEVA.
Jeff
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Rating: 4 / 5