I've been thinking about getting a Samsung PN42B450, and I'm now just waiting around to find the best price. I figured Black Friday would be a good time to get a great deal, and I've been scouring the ads that have come out so far. Sure enough, several major retailers (Best Buy, Wal-Mart, among others) have great deals for a 42" Samsung plasma...but for the B400 series, not the B450.

This B400 series must be manufactured in Loch Ness or something because I can't find any specifics on it at all. It's not on Samsung's site, nor does it seem to have an entry online for any of the stores claiming to sell it on Black Friday. The only useful thing I've been able to find is a press release from Samsung, which lists a MSRP and a couple of features.

The gist of that release seems to be that the B400 series is a special "budget-friendly" series created just for the holiday season. I'll admit the price point is tempting, but after doing so much research before deciding on the PN42B450, I just can't feel comfortable with this B400 curve-ball unless I can see some specs and have a better idea what I'm dealing with.

Does anybody have information on this TV?

.. http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/463737613/samsung-pn42b400?s_c=site_search

Interesting, Vann's says 1366x768 and Tigerdirect says 1024x768 for the 450. Every TV I have seen with the 600hz submotion whatever seems to be 1024x768, I'm guessing that they all use the same panel.

Does anybody have information on this TV?

All of the product info is now on Samsung's website at this link:

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/tv-video/televisions/plasma-tv/PN42B400P3DXZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail

Not only do they have some specifications listed there, they also have a "Support & Downloads" tab where you can download both the User Manual and a "Quick Guide" (which will show inputs and outputs among other things)

BTW - although the 400 series set has less inputs and no swivel stand, after comparing both the literature for the 400 and 450 series sets, it does appear that Samsung is using the same panel in both.

If I recall correctly there aren't any currently produced 42" 720p panels that are anything but 1024x768. Maybe I'm wrong but I remember reading it somewhere.

Samsung recently sent out emails on black friday deals for various items including 42" plasmas. I'll check my email if you would like info on specfic models and stores.

im so on the fence with these panels... I notice the screen door effect on the panny x1 so I really liked the pq on the sammy 50b450 better. I would really like to know what the diff is with the 400, 430, 450. From what I can tell from the manual HERE (http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.com/downloadfile/ContentsFile.aspx?CDSite=ca&CttFileID=2265646&CDCttType=UM&ModelType=C&ModelName=PN50B430P2D&VPath=UM/200904/20090428141018218/BN68-02025B-00L02_0310.pdf) The B430 has 2 HDMI no VGA No 3d glasses sync port and it might not have the anti reflective coating. When I looked at the 50B450 and the 50x1 side by side I preferred the 450 because I could see the screen door effect on the x1 does anyone have any opinions on this? Oh yeah I believe the 400 is the 430

.. pn50b450; vanns:

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/cart?action=add&sku=464449213&v_p=BETTER_PRICE

oh yea now we are cooking! I checked earlier and it wasnt ship wasnt included for the 430

All of the product info is now on Samsung's website at this link:

Awesome! Thanks for the link. I'm glad Samsung finally got around to posting that info so we can compare these specs. And indeed it does appear the main difference is that 400 series has a decrease in connection options (no side panel connections at all, no composite or PC connections) and a non-swiveling stand. It also does appear to have a different bezel. The simpler bezel and of course the lower price are pluses in my book, but I'm not sure those outweigh the loss in connectivity options, IMO.

Also, I can't help but feel a little suspicious of the quality of a TV ostensibly made especially for Black Friday. It just seems a little sketchy to me somehow...and not being able to spend a lot of time with it in the store is certainly a drawback as well.

All in all, I think I'll plan on sticking with the 450, and perhaps I'll keep waiting a little while longer and hope to find a deal that puts it closer to the 400 series price.

Interesting, Vann's says 1366x768 and Tigerdirect says 1024x768 for the 450. Every TV I have seen with the 600hz submotion whatever seems to be 1024x768, I'm guessing that they all use the same panel.

1024x768 = 42"

1366x768 = 50"