I have an 86 year old friend that went into Best Buy recently and bought this 50" 1080P plasma. I went to Samsung's web site and can't find it. They show a PN50A530 and PN50A550. Is this an old model. I searched on this forum and it didn't come up.

Jack

It's described here (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8802833&type=product&id=1206141605017).

I was in the same boat, looking for a model that I saw offered at Costco, a PN42A410.
After much searching it turned out to be a previous year's model rebadged for the big box store(s). I'd assume this would be the same, if the price is too good to be true.

I was in the same boat, looking for a model that I saw offered at Costco, a PN42A410.
After much searching it turned out to be a previous year's model rebadged for the big box store(s). I'd assume this would be the same, if the price is too good to be true.

The 510 is the same as the 550, but it has 2 hmdi ports instead of 3. There's some other subtle differences (different anti-glare, etc) but it's the same tv as the 550, not last year's model.

according to samsung home page the speakers are 10w not 20 (who cares I have surround sound) but there also seems to be conflicting reports about the contrast ratio. in top corner it says dynamic is 1,000,000 just like all the other plasmas out there but in other areas it says the dymanic is 35,000 which can't be right but just wanted to confirm this with any one out there more knowlegdable than myself as I bought the TV but haven't opened it yet. thanks. i was on the verge of going with the panny th-46z85 because of the price but to get a samsung 50 incher for virtually the same seems perfect.

Actually I saw this deal at Best Buy with a free 19 in lcd tv and spent a couple of hours critiquing this with a few reps there. I compared this mainly to the PN50a450 which is 720p. Surprisingly, the 450 at 720p looks crisper and contrast is better on the same feed, we all confirmed this but didn't know exactly why. Maybe because the 720p is it's native resolution, just a guess. But the 510 has 30000:1 dynamic contrast, the 450 has 1,000,000:1 which is a pretty noticeable difference there. 450 wins hands down. For some reason, the 510 has kind of a dull gray appearance on the whites too. However, the rep hooked up a bluray player to both tvs and I saw a little bit of difference on the clarity of the 510, not much but the 1080p does give a little more of a sharper clearer 3d image to me. In the end, I just became more confused as the 450 is cheaper at $879, but it's 720p which bugs me a lot. But the deal they're offering for the free 19 in lcd and $200 NFL gift card makes it a tough call. Don't think you lose either way though as any of the Sammy's are the best in the store, period! Also, FYI the rep tried to show me the difference on two of the same model Samsung tvs to promote their Geeksquad calibration service. I thought it was pointless as the default dynamic color settings on the uncalibrated tv was leaps and bounds better IMO even if he stated it was unrealistic color. The only thing that made sense was their energy saving feature which really only dulls the contrast to save your screen life. Hope I didn't confuse your decision any more than I did mine! :D

so the 510 is really only 30,000? how is this possible considering it was selling for over $1500 until recently and all of the 4 series TV's are 1,000,000. this doesn't make any sense.

I think they are clearing the models in prep of the new ones. Check Best Buy online it should be $1149 but sadly no more free 19" lcd. One comment here mentions that this model is strictly a BB only exclusive tv which may have been dumbed down for BB's pricing purposes. But I had no trouble at all noticing the contrast difference between the two sets mentioned above. The 450 has much better white/dark and overall color tone, but again only 720p. I guess some people like myself just shoot themselves in the foot by critiquing too much. :confused: Guess I'll just have to settle for the LN52a750.. :rolleyes:

Here is the link to this model on samsung's website: PN50A510 (http://www.samsung.com/us/support/spec/supportSpecSearch.do?_site_cd=us&group=televisions&group_cd=&type=televisions&type_cd=02010000&subtype=plasmatv&subtype_cd=&model_nm=PN50A510P3F&dType=D&mType=&model_cd=PN50A510P3FXZA&fullspec=F&prd_ia_cd=02010200&disp_nm=PN50A510&menu=&isEqualsY=&sel_model_cd=PN50A510P3FXZA)

According to them, it's 30,000 native and 1,000,000 dynamic.

I purchased this tv yesterday and am very pleased with it so far. Much better overall than the 50PX80U I returned. The anti-reflective coating isn't as good as the panansonic though it seems.

I got this TV Sunday with the great online deal they had briefly and did in store pickup.

very pleased so far. My goal was to get the best 50" plasma at $1k or less, which I basically did thanks to the online deal.

I was thinking i'd have to settle for the PX80 or A450, getting a middle of the road and 1080p set was nice. Especially if the $200 NFL shop thing goes thru with this deal, which I think it will.

That does look like a very good deal. I hope to pick one up this Saturday when I get back to town.

jpniner, how has the picture looked to you? I was considering a LN46a550 but will probably go with this one instead.

Actually I saw this deal at Best Buy with a free 19 in lcd tv and spent a couple of hours critiquing this with a few reps there. I compared this mainly to the PN50a450 which is 720p. Surprisingly, the 450 at 720p looks crisper and contrast is better on the same feed, we all confirmed this but didn't know exactly why. Maybe because the 720p is it's native resolution, just a guess. But the 510 has 30000:1 dynamic contrast, the 450 has 1,000,000:1 which is a pretty noticeable difference there. 450 wins hands down. For some reason, the 510 has kind of a dull gray appearance on the whites too. However, the rep hooked up a bluray player to both tvs and I saw a little bit of difference on the clarity of the 510, not much but the 1080p does give a little more of a sharper clearer 3d image to me. In the end, I just became more confused as the 450 is cheaper at $879, but it's 720p which bugs me a lot. But the deal they're offering for the free 19 in lcd and $200 NFL gift card makes it a tough call. Don't think you lose either way though as any of the Sammy's are the best in the store, period! Also, FYI the rep tried to show me the difference on two of the same model Samsung tvs to promote their Geeksquad calibration service. I thought it was pointless as the default dynamic color settings on the uncalibrated tv was leaps and bounds better IMO even if he stated it was unrealistic color. The only thing that made sense was their energy saving feature which really only dulls the contrast to save your screen life. Hope I didn't confuse your decision any more than I did mine! :D

I nominate this for worst post of the year. I don't even know where to start..

Here is the link to this model on samsung's website: PN50A510 (http://www.samsung.com/us/support/spec/supportSpecSearch.do?_site_cd=us&group=televisions&group_cd=&type=televisions&type_cd=02010000&subtype=plasmatv&subtype_cd=&model_nm=PN50A510P3F&dType=D&mType=&model_cd=PN50A510P3FXZA&fullspec=F&prd_ia_cd=02010200&disp_nm=PN50A510&menu=&isEqualsY=&sel_model_cd=PN50A510P3FXZA)

According to them, it's 30,000 native and 1,000,000 dynamic.

I purchased this tv yesterday and am very pleased with it so far. Much better overall than the 50PX80U I returned. The anti-reflective coating isn't as good as the panansonic though it seems.

How do the blacks compare to the 50px80u? I have that set right now and I am going to be returning it possibly for the 510.

How do the blacks compare to the 50px80u? I have that set right now and I am going to be returning it possibly for the 510.

Compared to the px80u, the blacks seem to be darker with the 510, but that could be due to the better color the 510 seems to produce. The color on the 510 is definitely more natural looking out of the box than the px80u and you definitely notice the resolution difference at 8-9 feet away here. For the slight price difference, i'm very happy that I exchanged the px80u for the 510. I can't wait to get some hours on the 510 so I can fire up the 360.

I saw the PN50A510 next to the LN46A550 at Best Buy just the other day. They both looked very good but the plasma had darker blacks and the LCD had its colors grossly over blown. The LCD was way too bright. Overall I thought that the plasma had much more natural colors and better blacks.

anyone else get suckered into a "special" $49 calibration from best buy. is this worth it?

I don't think that it would accomplish much.

anyone else get suckered into a "special" $49 calibration from best buy. is this worth it?

Not here. I paid over the phone and picked it up at customer service to avoid the extra hassles. You're probably better off doing it yourself or spending a couple hundred having a professional calibrator do it.

The guy at BB told me there are running a special where you get a $200 credit for installation, and you could get the $100 service instead and make $100 back. Then I go online and the deal says UP to $200 off, and you basically get the $100 service for free if you want it but no other credit. I don't think the BB guy knew what he was talking about?

The guy at BB told me there are running a special where you get a $200 credit for installation, and you could get the $100 service instead and make $100 back. Then I go online and the deal says UP to $200 off, and you basically get the $100 service for free if you want it but no other credit. I don't think the BB guy knew what he was talking about?

One of my buddy's coworker got that deal yesterday. I'm going to have to go back and see what I can do. I don't mind saving some money and then just cancel the service so I don't have to deal with them.

^^^^Definitely a YMMV...

well they claimed the calibration was 249 normally. actually that's how they rang it up on my receipt (and thus charged me technically 949 for the TV) hmm I wonder if I could return it and make 200 dollars?

well they claimed the calibration was 249 normally. actually that's how they rang it up on my receipt (and thus charged me technically 949 for the TV) hmm I wonder if I could return it and make 200 dollars?

One step ahead of you. Already tried that, but then the TV is attached to the GSquad order so it gets returned as well, and they make you repurchase the TV at its regular price. See if you can return it for a "cheaper" geek squad tech help. I got the one that costs 100 bucks, 510 ended up being 1050. I wish you could sell those GS visits on eBay. They are a total POS, waste of time crock for anyone who knows the basics on home theater.

for the experts....is it normal if picture doesn't completely fit the screen on Just Scan mode?

for the experts....is it normal if picture doesn't completely fit the screen on Just Scan mode?

Yes it is normal. The t.v. doesn't do anything to the signal coming in on that mode.

I went and picked up my PN50A510 last night and am very glad I picked this over my previous choice of the LN46A550. This tv has an excellent picture especially while viewing Blu Rays or playing PS3. I have no regrets.

what are everyone's thoughts on the best buy extended warranty versus the mack warranty versus no warranty at all? this is my first plasma not sure the odds of something going wrong after a year....

what are everyone's thoughts on the best buy extended warranty versus the mack warranty versus no warranty at all? this is my first plasma not sure the odds of something going wrong after a year....

The only positive point I heard is that BB covers burn-in. Other than that, I would check out this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1027267

I ended up paying the extra for the BB warranty mainly because of the burn in portion and the fact that if I destroy the tv in the next 4 years it will be replaced.

i didn't realize best buy covered burn in. thanks. but the samsung warranty doesn't cover that so that's strange.