Samsung PN50B650 Plasma TV Review

Samsung PN50B650 is part of the mid to high-end series that has many good points, determining many buyers to throw a second look. The best part of this 50 inch plasma TV is that it already comes equipped with all the features of the previous series, and something more, such as DNLA support and internet features. It may not share the same sleek design as the more advanced series, PN B850 and PN B860, but if you’re in for performance, rather than looks, there is hardly any reason for you to spend more on the newer models, than on this Samsung PN50B650 plasma TV. It is worth mentioning that its price is considerably less expensive considering the picture quality, a strong argument, especially for the budget minded customer.

Specifications

• 1080p native resolution
• 3,000,000:1 contrast ratio (dynamic)
• FilterBright Anti-Reflective Screen
• 24p cinema mode
• USB
• Ethernet
• WiFi
• Internet@TV
• Wide Color Enhancer 3

Samsung is a renown manufacturer of LCD TVs, but, with the 6 series of plasma TVs, the company shows that they do have a thing to say about this, too. As any plasma manufacturer trying to conquer the market – yet, they still are behind Panasonic in that respect – Samsung has tried to offer series for any taste and wallet. New features were brought forward for the B650 series, such as Yahoo! Widgets, more internet options, extensive connectivity, and new technologies. The 600Hz subfield motion technology is just an example.

Connectivity Options

Samsung PN50B650 has solid connectivity options, the only thing dragging it back being the lack of an S-video input. The company didn’t bother to install one on the latest models, either, so it seems that this is something that Samsung has overlooked altogether, and not particularly for this model. There are plenty of any other options in terms of connectivity, present on Samsung PN50B650, like 4 HDMI ports, one VGA input, one RF input for cable or antenna, one Ethernet port, one stereo analog input and one optical digital audio output, plus two USB ports and an AV input with composite-video.

Appearance

The appearance of Samsung PN50B650 is graced with the amber Touch of Color design, made noticeable in the red tint adorning the glossy finish of the frame. That is about all that the company implemented new in terms of design for the 650 series, as the look is generally more 2008 like. This also means that you cannot expect the gorgeous looks of B850/B860 series, or something like the stylish one sheet of glass gracing Panasonic V10 models, but you may be pleased by the minimalist design.

Performance

Overall performance is great for Samsung PN50B650, especially since the manufacturer has put a lot of work into producing plasma models able to compete with those produced by Panasonic, the current market leader. On the bright side, Samsung PN50B650’s colors are crisper and more accurate than the ones seen on V10 models. It seems Samsung is trying to compensate for the fact that black levels are still behind those achieved by Panasonic. Still, with this mid range series, Samsung has succeeded in achieving a personal peak in black levels, as even the latest series, B850/B860, still cannot equal, at least according to some professional tests, the level of black encountered in Samsung PN50B650. A damp on Samsung PN50B650’s good reputation is given, unfortunately, by some issues encountered when engaging a mode for 1080p/24 content, yet, all in all, the model’s performance is difficult to equal by many HDTV competitors.

Black Levels

Black level performance is very good, overall, except for some minor issues. First, while the black levels on Samsung PN50B650 are indeed deep and cause the picture to appear life like, they are still not on par with what Panasonic has come up this year for all its series. This especially affects shadow detail, which is less striking than seen on Panasonic’s winning series, but it is still great, and only an extremely picky customer could say that black levels are not excellent on Samsung PN50B650. The thing that is yet annoying when evaluating the black level performance for this model is related to what happens when the Cinema Smooth mode is engaged in order to watch Blu-ray discs. The blacks are turning darker and they don’t look calibrated. Also, you cannot get rid of this glitch unless you disengage the mode.

Colors

When Panasonic was trying to achieve Kuro-like blacks, Samsung was doing the same thing with the colors. Since Kuro is no longer produced, any other plasma manufacturer tries to come up with models closer to that product’s perfection. Panasonic almost did it with its incredible levels of black, and Samsung seems to be the champion as far as color accuracy is concerned. Samsung PN50B650 can boast about great primary and secondary colors, complemented by a solid greyscale. While it may not achieve the same saturated colors as Panasonic, Samsung PN50B650 still manages to overcome what it lacks in black levels, and this is indeed an achievement. Its colors are punching and realistic, and the whole watching experience is greatly improved by their quality. If we also mention that Samsung PN50B650 lends its almost perfect colors to the superior series B850/B860, we said about everything about the color accuracy this model exhibits.

Video Processing

The aforementioned glitch happening when engaging the Cinema Smooth mode really affects the general video processing capabilities of this model. It is the one thing that differentiate Samsung PN50B650’s overall performance from the latest series’ performance, as this issue has been addressed and it is not repeated on B850 & B860 models. Except for this issue, Samsung PN50B650 is perfectly capable of displaying high definition content, like 1080p, 1080i, and Blu-ray content, as well.
Samsung has also entered in another competition with Panasonic regarding technologies that might improve video processing capabilities. Unfortunately, its 600Hz subfield motion feature seems to be less effective than the 600Hz subfield drive feature from Panasonic. This actually amounts to nothing, as these technologies are merely used as marketing vehicles, and they do not truly offer noticeable changes in motion blur reduction, as plasma TVs usually don’t share this kind of problem with LCD TVs.

Anti-Reflective Performance

Plasma TVs generally have a problem with glare, one that is not experienced so badly by LCD TVs. Watching television programs or any other content on Samsung PN50B650 in a room scalded with light will be marred by reflections. Even with the new anti-glare filter in place, your plasma will still not be able to cope with this issue if there is a lot of light. The blacks are maintained, at least partially, and they seem to hold better than on Panasonic models, which may be counted as a victory for this Samsung plasma TV.

SD Performance

Samsung PN50B650 is, at the same time, a great performer for high definition content, and for standard definition content, as well. This is, indeed, a great plus for the series, as even the most expensive and competitive plasma TVs, like V10 models from Panasonic, still display an image marred by artefacts when SD content is involved. There is no such thing happening with Samsung PN50B650 that offers great picture quality, with no “snow”, moire or other artefacts affecting the screen. Whether you want to watch HD content, or SD content, Samsung PN50B650 is a great choice for you.

Conclusion

Samsung PN50B650 is a great product, with crystal clear image, wonderful colors, great connectivity, and overall good performance. All these come packed and tagged with a price that is less than what is offered. What we are trying to say is that this plasma is a great deal for your money. As a mid to high end range product, it delivers more than would be normally asked of it.