Samsung Plasma TVs — Winning Designs At Winning Prices
Posted by hdtv buying guide on August 20, 2009 under HDTV Reviews, Plasma HDTV, Samsung | 
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Ask any HDTV guru about picture quality, and they’re likely to rave about plasma.
Because of the nature of plasma’s physical characteristics, it can produce a cleaner, more color-saturated picture than LCD. Additionally, plasma screens are typically the model of choice when creating a high-dollar home theater setup because of their ability properly render fast-paced action.
Despite all that, plasma screens are losing ground to LCDs. However, Samsung — an LCD leader — has four separate plasma lines aimed at changing that.
The Series 8 line has two screen sizes — 50 inches ($2,399.99) and 58 inches ($3,499.99). They represent the peak of Samsung’s offerings in an ultra-thin package. The screen depth is just 1.2 inches; a far cry from earlier plasma models.
Additional features include a 600Hz refresh rate, meaning the screen refreshes 600 times per second. Internet connectivity options make the Series 8 line a one-stop media hub.
The Series 6 models also check in at 50 inches ($1,799.99) and 58 inches, the PN58B650 ($2,899.99). They’re not as thin as the Series 8 choices, and they lack the extra “color enhancing settings.” But they feature the same 600Hz refresh rate and internet options.
Both Series 6 models listed on the Samsung website are early 2009 models, so there’s a chance they could be found for significantly less at various online retailers.
The next step down the line is Series 5, which still has the 600Hz panel but lacks any internet connectivity. That means no streaming, no news widgets and no downloading. If those things weren’t a priority anyway, Series 5 is a good way to save money.
Prices start around $1,500 for a 50-inch model and climb to $3,799.99 for the new 63-inch model. Though there are several different model numbers available (B540, B550, B560, B590), they’re all mostly the same. Go for the one that fits your size and budget wishes.
The final plasma entry in Samsung’s stable is the Series 4 line. Unlike the higher series, these models are 720p, which is still high definition, but not as high as the other models, which are 1080p.
Two sizes are available: 42 inches, the PN42B450 ($799.99) and 50 inches ($1,099.99), and both are solid choices for those who want a standard HDTV set up. Both have the same fast-refreshing screen as the others, but without the extra picture-enhancing settings.
While that could be a deal-breaker for some, it’s more than enough for most buyers.
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