Samsung PN58B650 Plasma TV Review

The general opinion about Samsung PN58B650 is that it comes appointed with about everything you look for in a plasma TV, if you intend to stick to image quality and you are not all that crazy about having a HDTV with the latest looks. This Panasonic plasma TV is gifted with the Touch of Color design, but, otherwise, its appearance is not on par with that granted by the company for the more expensive B850 & B860 series. Samsung PN58B650 performs well in many areas, such as black levels, color accuracy, video processing, and it does come appointed with extras such as Internet@TV and Wide Color Enhancer 3. If you are looking for a 58 inch plasma TV, this model may be a great choice, as its image performance is on par with top of the line products, even if it does not display the same sleek and cool design.

Note: Samsung PN58B650 review is brief, giving only an overview of this model. To find out more about this model please also read Samsung PN50B650 review which takes an in-depth look at the 50 inch brother of PN58B650. Both TVs are part of Samsung PN B650 series and have the same features and performance.

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

Overall Performance

Performance is no laughing matter for Samsung PN58B650. It displays very good levels of blacks, and, what is more surprising, it can surpass the blacks in 850/860 models which are more expensive, as some professional tests attest for. The model has the best colors ever seen in 2009 plasma TVs, and these are not just big words, as Samsung PN58B650 is even better in this area than Panasonic’s V10 series, so far considered the winners of the competitions. Its video processing is solid, but some minor issues mar its overall reputation when watching 24 frames per second content in Cinema Smooth mode, as we will see later on.

Black Levels Performance

Samsung may not be as good as Panasonic in delivering the best levels of blacks on its 2009 plasma models, but it would be unfair to deem Samsung PN58B650 as an inferior performer. The truth is just the opposite, with this model being capable of rendering some incredible black levels, only slightly weaker than those from Panasonic models. The great level of blacks influences positively the overall image quality and the shadow detail.

Colors

Samsung has managed to beat Panasonic when it comes to colors, though. While it is still behind ‘the Kuro’, Samsung PN58B650 displays accurate colors, that cannot be matched by products from other companies, released in 2009. Both primary, and secondary colors are crisp, clear, and compose images with a touch of realism that could hardly be obtain on any other plasma, despite being less saturated than those seen on V10 series from Panasonic.

Video Processing

There is one flaw that draws back the general performance of Samsung PN58B650 as a high definition performer. We are talking here about what is happening when the Cinema Smooth mode is engaged for watching 1080p/24 video content (delivered by sources such as Blu-ray discs). Samsung PN58B650 will darken the blacks, and you will not be able to tweak them back, unless you give up to the Cinema Smooth mode.

SDTV Performance

Another thing that may convince you to invest your money in Samsung PN58B650 is the fact that, unlike other plasma TVs, including the top performer from Panasonic, this one is able to upscale from lower resolution with no problems whatsoever. You will not get any jaggies, or moire, or any artefacts when watching your regular DVDs or television programs.

Bottom line

The design of Samsung PN58B650 may not match the gorgeousness of the 850/860 series, but its overall performance and image quality do. If this is not enough reason for you to buy this model, it means that you do not mind spending extra just for the sake of looks, which is nothing but a matter of personal choice.