Samsung PN58B860 Plasma TV Review

Samsung PN58B860 is an expensive product, and, as a luxury plasma model, its price reflects all that the company has invested in its making, performance, looks, and extras. Large screen HDTVs, like this 58 inch plasma TV, are usually aimed at an audience willing to spend loads of cash. Here are some aspects that qualify this Samsung plasma TV as one of the best released in 2009. Its overall performance is great, even though just a tad over previous series, the colors are extremely accurate, and the sleek design is guaranteed to have everybody glue their eyes to it, attracted by its design.

Note: We recommend that you also read Samsung PN50B860 review, which is a bit more in-depth compared to this one. Both PN58B860 and PN50B860 are the same, except for their size.

Features

• 1080p Full-HD native resolution
• 3,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• Ultra FilterBright Plus
• 24p cinema mode
• USB
• Ethernet
• WiFi
• Internet@TV
• Picture In Picture
• Wide Color Enhancer Pro

Performance

The design Samsung PN58B860 exhibits makes everything else about the product seem insignificant. Yet, this is not true, as its performance is great as well. You can use your plasma TV to get connected to several Internet services, and the model also comes appointed with the 600Hz subfield motion technology, meant to remove any signs of motion blur from the picture. The picture is completed by solid blacks and great video processing capabilities.

Black Levels

Black levels are very good on Samsung PN58B860, but some tests have shown that this expensive product falls a little behind the 650 models, which is not very commendable of a product sold with such a hefty price tag attached. Yet, the differences are minor, and shadow detail is great, due to the great blacks the model features.

Colors

No one could ever complain about the level of quality Samsung PN58B860 has achieved through its colors. Not they are only accurate, but they are also saturated enough, crisp, and clear, all these characteristics making for an incredible viewing experience. Saturation may be considered a problem by some, as Panasonic does better in this area, because of its deeper blacks, but, basically, Samsung PN58B860’s colors do not need it oversaturation to look great.

Video Processing

Any kind of high definition content can be watched on Samsung PN58B860 with great results. 1080p and 1080i signals are solved without a glitch, and Blu-ray discs can also be watched in all their glory. If you add to these the 600Hz subfield motion technology, one can easily be convinced of the model’s solid video processing capabilities.

SDTV Performance

Samsung PN58B860 can also be used for watching standard definition content, meaning regular television programs and DVDs. This may count as a big plus, for many buyers, as there is still plenty of SD content around that people want to watch. No artefacts mar the competence of Samsung PN58B860 in this area, also due to some solid noise reduction capabilities.

Conclusion

With Samsung PN58B860 installed in your living room, anyone will notice that you are living large. Not many can afford such a gorgeous plasma TV, that comes with the looks to match a performance that the model has nothing to be ashamed of. But, if you want to enjoy the performance of a top of the line series, without having to pay so much, it is better to go for the 650 series, which is on par with these expensive gizmos, in terms of quality and overall performance.