Samsung PN50A550 / PN58A550 Owners Thread

[ElwayLite]

Samsung USA website


50A550
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/d...PN50A550S1FXZA

Manual:
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/do...sp_nm=PN50A550


58A550
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/d...PN58A550S1FXZA

Manual:
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/do...sp_nm=PN58A550




Edited 07/09/08 -

PBC's, Hometheater Mag, Ultimate AV Mag reccomended settings:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14128085

UltimateAVMag Review:

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/flatpan...n50/index.html

HomeTheaterMag Review:

http://www.hometheatermag.com/plasmadisplays/808samup/




Edited 03/17/09 -

Compilation of Doug Blackburn's recommended settings:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=677

[ElwayLite]

Originally Posted by madkaw

It will accept it but apply 3:2 pulldown to make it 60 hz. The Pioneer plasmas are the only ones that I know of that will display a true 24f.

Originally Posted by D-Nice

Pioneer is capable of showing 24fps @ 72Hz. The Panasonic 800/850 series will show it @ 48Hz. Panasonic commercial models (10UKs) can show it @ 48Hz and 96Hz.

Couple of quotes from the 2008 Sammy thread, the first states what the A550's will do with 24p.

[Tideas]

since you posted in the pana 85u thread, I assume you have that plasma tv as well?

if you do, I'm looking for a detailed comparison soon

[ElwayLite]

Originally Posted by Tideas

since you posted in the pana 85u thread, I assume you have that plasma tv as well?

if you do, I'm looking for a detailed comparison soon

Sorry, I was having a dilemma today on which one to buy so I was bouncing between threads. Decided to break the trend and buy the Sammy this afternoon.

[Cleveland Plasma]

We just got a PN58A550 The inputs are all the way on the left side of the panel, rather have them in the center. They wasted a few pennies putting nice graphics on the box. More to come.......

[xb1032]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

We just got a PN58A550 The inputs are all the way on the left side of the panel, rather have them in the center. They wasted a few pennies putting nice graphics on the box. More to come.......

When you get it unboxed tell us how the black levels and brightness compare to last years Sammy and Panny. I'm curious if this so called "1,000,000:1" dynamic is slightly accurate or if it's just a numbers game.

[digitalart]

WOW! That looks great. More pictures please. I'm looking into purchasing this model this year. I originally wanted to go with the FPT5084 but now that this new model came along I think I will be pulling the trigger.

What's this 3D technology? How does it work?

[jbutle4]

I just bought the 5084 three weeks ago from Circuit City for $1700, and I love it. But, is there any chance they will have this for roughly the same price (obviously it'll be a little higher), or am I just better off not even thinking about this?

[RobbyTV]

if I was you... I would think about returning it for a 550 even though it only has a one year warranty.

you would have to spend an extra $300 to get the 550.

Originally Posted by jbutle4

I just bought the 5084 three weeks ago from Circuit City for $1700, and I love it. But, is there any chance they will have this for roughly the same price (obviously it'll be a little higher), or am I just better off not even thinking about this?

[jbutle4]

Originally Posted by RobbyTV

if I was you... I would think about returning it for a 550 even though it only has a one year warranty.

you would have to spend an extra $300 to get the 550.

I'm not arguing with you, but what exactly is so much better about it. On the comparison chart on the Samsung site, their specs are exactly the same except for the 10,000:1 vs. 30,000:1 contrast ratio (or 1,000,000:1 dynamic...). But is that really enough difference to warrant a return and at least $300-$400 more?

More than likely, if I were really considering this, I'd have to see it in person first, and it'd have to be a significant improvement for me to go through with it.

[bpmurr]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

We just got a PN58A550 The inputs are all the way on the left side of the panel, rather have them in the center. They wasted a few pennies putting nice graphics on the box. More to come.......

I look forward to your feedback on the set.

[Tideas]

question, does this TV have an RSS feeder like their new LCDs?

[iatacs19]

I am pleasantly surprised that it does not have any fans in the back my Panny 50PZ85U has 5 fans in the back.

[Cleveland Plasma]

^^^^I am sure there are fans somewhere.

Originally Posted by jbutle4

I just bought the 5084 three weeks ago from Circuit City for $1700, and I love it. But, is there any chance they will have this for roughly the same price (obviously it'll be a little higher), or am I just better off not even thinking about this?

I would think about it. Don't kill yourself over it, but think about it.

[partyon]

how much did you get it for . i had the 84's last year's model and as soon as i heard then new one was coming out i returned it and now waiting for this one to come out in canada. i played with the 84 a lot and will be able to tell the difference with the 550 when i get it . i know its going to be better .cant wait.

[etw926]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

^^^^I am sure there are fans somewhere.

Not necessarily true. The Maxent 50x3 didn't have any fans in it.

[Italia99]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

We just got a PN58A550 The inputs are all the way on the left side of the panel, rather have them in the center. They wasted a few pennies putting nice graphics on the box. More to come.......

Can u show us more Pictures??

[etw926]

When someone gets settings for these, could you please post them? Thanks.

[Tideas]

heh, seems like Elway, the thread starter, has switched back to the 85u

[partyon]

I recently downloaded the manual for the 550 and NO where does it have any reference to the 3D feature. Why is that.

[msam22]

Why are there 1,000 posts about the new 2008 Panasonics, including the pz85u's but so few posts about the 2008 Samsungs?
I am very interested in the new PN50A550, but not much information out there to compare it with the Pannys.

[TrueDis]

Probably because the Pannys are already shipping and it doesn't seem that anyone has the Sammy yet...

[AlexInvision]

Originally Posted by partyon

I recently downloaded the manual for the 550 and NO where does it have any reference to the 3D feature. Why is that.

http://www.samsung.com/us/system/con...0A550_spec.pdf

I found the PDF file that does talk about the 3D options in the 550 series.

[xb1032]

I guess Cleveland Plasma wasn't impressed enough to come back and give his impressions

[RobbyTV]

how do you even know he tried one out?

Originally Posted by xb1032

I guess Cleveland Plasma wasn't impressed enough to come back and give his impressions

[NathanC]

Originally Posted by RobbyTV

how do you even know he tried one out?

Well he posted a picture of the set turned on and said more to come, so the logical conclusion is that he would try displaying some content on it.

[TrueDis]

Originally Posted by NathanC

Well he posted a picture of the set turned on and said more to come, so the logical conclusion is that he would try displaying some content on it.

Actually it wasn't turned on in the 3rd photo, that's just a sticker on the screen ;-)

[xb1032]

Originally Posted by RobbyTV

how do you even know he tried one out?

From Post #6 of this thread he wrote this:

Originally Posted by ClevelandPlasma

We just got a PN58A550 The inputs are all the way on the left side of the panel, rather have them in the center. They wasted a few pennies putting nice graphics on the box. More to come.......

... and he showed us pics of one that he had unboxed. Just teasing everyone I suppose

[xb1032]

I had a quick glance at a 550 and a 450 at lunch at BB. The sets are noticeably brighter than the Kuro's at least. As far as black levels on these sets go that 1,000,000:1 Dynamic CR is a JOKE !!!! The Kuros and the 71 and 650 series Samsung LCDs had noticably better blacks in only a slightly dimmed area. I find it rather odd that Samsungs own 650 series are brighter and have better black levels than the 550 series plasmas yet the 650 LCDs only have a CR of 50k:1. I'm not saying the 550 series are bad at all. But those CR numbers are a complete joke!

[AlexInvision]

Originally Posted by xb1032

I had a quick glance at a 550 and a 450 at lunch at BB. The sets are noticeably brighter than the Kuro's at least. As far as black levels on these sets go that 1,000,000:1 Dynamic CR is a JOKE !!!! The Kuros and the 71 and 650 series Samsung LCDs had noticably better blacks in only a slightly dimmed area. I find it rather odd that Samsungs own 650 series are brighter and have better black levels than the 550 series plasmas yet the 650 LCDs only have a CR of 50k:1. I'm not saying the 550 series are bad at all. But those CR numbers are a complete joke!

I agree 100% with you on that. The funny things is the average person believes that is the most important thing when buying a set. I have also seen this set and you describe just the way I would have. The Kuro in my mind still sets the standard.