Samsung PN50B550 Plasma TV Review

Samsung PN50B550 is not a high end product, but it still can offer plenty of features to satisfy the needs of a customer searching for a reliable mid range plasma TV. Despite the fact that this Samsung plasma TV does not feature extras such as DNLA or internet options, its overall performance offers a good deal for the money spent on its acquisition. As a 50 inch plasma TV, Samsung PN50B550 should be on a best buys list, because its price is reasonable, while image quality is competitive. It belongs to the 5 series from Samsung and it is not on par with the more expensive 650, or 850 series, but it is still a good product, worth of a second look.

Features

• 1080p resolution
• 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• FilterBright
• USB port
• WiFi support

Samsung launched the 5 series, thinking to offer something more over what the 4 series was able to provide. First, Samsung PN50B550 comes with a 1080p resolution, which was not available for the previous series. Then again, Samsung has thought to create a product superior to the older series, by gracing Samsung PN50B550 with extensive connectivity options, USB ports and WiFi capability. By no means, you should expect the same amount of extra features as in a 650 pr 850/860 product, but, for the price, Samsung PN50B550 is a competitive plasma TV.

Connectivity

A positive aspect about Samsung PN50B550 is its extensive connectivity options. Keeping in mind that this is a mid range product, it is quite amazing to see it having no less than 4 HDMI, USB, WiFi capability, much more than it could be found on older series. Little had Samsung to add to the newer and more expensive series, the only features lacking from Samsung PN50B550’s connectivity menu being those related to internet services.

Design

Samsung intended to make a statement, including through the design of its plasma TVs. Samsung PN50B550 is graced with the grey Touch of Color designed, that makes it stand out from other products. This is about all the company decided to add to the product’s looks, the rest being too much 2008 like for some customers’ taste. It is however elegant and it will look good no matter where and how you install it. Samsung PN50B550 features a wider bezel at the bottom and on its sides, but the frame is quite thin, so you can mount it on a wall, if you wish. The controls are on the bottom right, placed vertically on the bezel. They are positioned quite handy and don’t protrude outside of the bezel. Also, the model comes with a swivel stand, one aspect that is particularly useful and practical.

Performance

Overall, the performance of this model is quite exemplary. Samsung PN50B550 exhibits fair black levels, surpassed, however, by the color accuracy, that help rendering the images on the screen in a realistic way. Plus, the model is a good high definition performer. Unfortunately, not the same thing can be said about its standard definition performance that encounters some not so easy to overlook issues, obviously sub par to the performance of 650 Samsung plasma TVs. Also, the anti-glare filter does not overcome the product’s inclination to make the image look darker if you watch TV in a brightly lit room.

Black Levels

While the blacks exhibited by Samsung PN50B550 may not be on par with those from Panasonic plasma TVs, they are still incredibly good, and they contribute to a very good level of shadow detail, too. If we take into consideration the fact that Samsung PN50B550, we will easily see why its blacks are nothing to sneeze at. Even if they are very deep, they do not influence color saturation, which is a big plus, as, sometimes, blacks can determine colors to become oversaturated. The intensity of black levels contribute to the overall good performance of Samsung PN50B550.

Colors

Color accuracy is a big plus for Samsung PN50B550, as is for the models the company has released this year. A thing they should be praised for is that they acquire their saturated, crisp and clear form, without having to rely heavily on deep blacks. This also cause the colors, primary and secondary alike, to avoid looking too oversaturated, which can be a problem on other plasma models. Samsung PN50B550’s great color accuracy shows incredibly realistic skin tones, and the overall picture looks crisp and clear. This is more praise worthy, especially since the model has a contrast ratio inferior to more expensive Samsung models.

Video Processing

Samsung PN50B550 can solve easily any high definition signals, 1080p or 1080i, with great results, the native resolution being the main contributor to this performance. Motion blur is not at all an issue, as Samsung PN50B550 comes appointed with the 600Hz subfield motion technology, but this is merely a marketing buzz term more than a true enhancer, as this model comes from a long line of plasma TVs that never had to deal with motion blur, like LCD TVs do.

Anti-Glare Performance

In order to avoid the common problem of plasma, that of not being able to fend off glare, when the room is filled with light, Samsung PN50B550 comes equipped with a new anti-reflective screen. While this feature does a decent job in reducing glare effects, the model is still prone to reflections. Plus, Samsung PN50B550 tends to darken the image in order to compensate, which may not be to everyone’s liking. There are other plasma TVs doing a better job than this, so the performance of this model is average, at best.

Standard Definition (SDTV) Performance

Upscaling from lower resolution is far from being perfect on Samsung PN50B550. A few issues appear if you try to watch standard television programs, or DVDs. You may become bothered by the graininess appearing on the screen, but your HDTV will try to make up for it with more color information. Because it can still maintain the crispness of colors, one may overlook the general average SD performance for this model.

Conclusion

All in all, Samsung PN50B550 is a good deal for the money you are going to spend on it. Its general performance is above average, its connectivity options are nothing to sneeze at, and, if we take into consideration the fact that the 5 series is composed of mid range plasma TVs, we can easily see why the quality offered for the price is quite good. Especially its realistic and clear colors recommend this model, despite the fact that it is not the best standard definition upscaler around. The bottom line is that Samsung PN50B550 will not disappoint it, if you decide to acquire it for your home.