View Full Version : Samsung 58 B650 Plasma vs Samung 55 B650 LCD


j_dobb
07-17-09, 11:58 AM
Please provide some input on the constant battle. I am limiting myself to Samsung. I am down to the 58 B650 Plasma and the LN55 B650 LCD. My concerns are:
-Glare (the room has some but not great lighting issues), the room has a big window that does get some direct light in the late afternoon.
-Off center viewing (both vertical and horizontal), the tv will be mounted above mantel and seating is off center and slightly to the side.
Any opinions would help.
Essentially, the price for both are the same.
Thanks

zack8322
07-17-09, 02:44 PM
Ok. I have the LN40B650 and a PN50A650. Even off angle a little the LCD 650b loses image quality quite rapidly. It's screen is glossier than my plasma. Also I find the motion to be much better on my plasma.

I can comment more if you have specifics, but I'd say go plasma.

xb1032
07-17-09, 06:07 PM
I have a B650 LCD. The off-axis viewing is more noticeable with less lighting in the room. When you hit a dark room black levels start looking blueish when you are ever so slightly off axis.

Another con of the B650 LCD is that Samsung chose to dim dark scenes to help with black levels. However, dim scenes do just that and look dimmer than a plasma. Typically white levels are a bit brighter on a plasma but if you have something like an all black screen with a small amount of white text it will look really dim due to Samsungs non-defeatable auto dimming on their LCDs.

Despite the LN55B650s issues it's a very nice TV for the price. They are currently on sale now.

Good luck!

Matt L
07-18-09, 01:42 AM
The LNxxB650 in the Movie mode does not have auto dimming. That is the only mode I use and I've never had an issue. That said I'd opt for the plasma, too many issues with LCDs in general.

xb1032
07-18-09, 01:57 AM
The LNxxB650 in the Movie mode does not have auto dimming...

http://www.avforums.com/reviews/Samsung-LE40B651-LCD-HDTV-Review.html

Auto dimming causes noticeable shifts in screen brightness and can't be disabled

The Samsungs auto-dim in movie mode as well. Just pull up a very dark scene and tell me the details aren't dim. BTW, the B651 is the B650 just the European version.

Matt L
07-18-09, 02:53 AM
Nope, never saw any auto dimming. Big discussion in the proper thread, conclusion is all modes EXCEPT Movie have auto dimming. My experience bears that out.

j_dobb
07-18-09, 04:09 PM
Thanks for the input. The off-angle is a deciding issue. I will be on my way for the plasma.