Samsung PN50A450 50 Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
Samsung PN50A450 50 Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
50" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * high-gloss black finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 1365 x 768 pixels * 30,000:1 contrast ratio (1,000,000:1 dynamic) * 175?(H) x 175?(V) viewing angle *
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Big Bank for the Buck
Big TV, low price, great color, great blacks... if you want to save some money and hold off on getting the 1080p television, you can't go wrong with this 720p monster. And the white glove delivery service was 10 times better than hauling it home from the local electronics store.
5 Stars Great
It's simply a great TV, I compared it to my friends 52 1080 LCD Touch Of Red Samsung, and not even for a moment did I regret this purchase.
Phenomenal value/price ratio!
Just be aware of burn in limitations of Plasma TV (zoom in picture when watching 4:3) and have your brightness/contrast settings on 50% or less, an you will be very happy! I had it for over 3 months now and no problems at all.
4 Stars AMENDED: If you think you need 1080P in a 50 inch think again !
Coming from the graphics industry I've always known the spec wars are total ego feeders. At 50 inches 720P is fantastic. 65 inches in the same room and you would be able to see the difference of a 1080P. But not at this size.
If you want amazing HD that is so sharp it will make your eyes bleed... this is your set ! 
If you want a TV that displays the free HD Cable channels your cable provider provides WITHOUT a cable box... this is the set.
If you want a set not too big to still watch your SD DVD collection... this is the set.
If you buy products based on proper spec for the format rather than EGO... this is your set.
If you don't already own a surround system and want a reasonable cost system... Buy at least a nice self powered computer speaker system though cause the speakers on this set stink. I recommend the Logitech THX rated 5500 series DOLBY/DTS surround with optical input. In a small living room this will rock the couch at $200.
Amazon's delivery was 2 days early... called for an appointment... showed up on time.
UPDATE (10/31/2008): I almost want to remove a star. I want to keep my system simple. Have a PC Media Center and a DVD player connected via HDMI. TV has an Optical Out so a single connection for my sound from TV to Surround system seems to be indicated for TV, DVD or PC watching.
WRONG... This TV will pass my Cable TV 5.1 digital sound to the Surround system. But it limits DVD & PC to 2 channel stereo only. I am now forced to have independent sound connections to audio system. Every time you change a source you need to do it twice. This just should not be the case. The HDMI should carry sound to the TV and TV should pass it through the optical interface that I paid for.
WORK AROUNDS... Buy a HDMI switcher that I should not need to buy. Or buy a programmable remote and spend two days setting it up to run all my devices and teach it to change video source on TV and Audio source on Audio system simultaneously.
BOTTOMLINE... The TV should allow digital sound to pass through the HDMI to the Optical Output on the TV. Why they thought passing through 5.1 for a cable TV channel matters more than passing through digital audio for our HD & DVD sources is beyond my understanding. I'm disappointed.
5 Stars Great Flat Screen TV For The Money!!!
I looked at all the TV's, both plasma and LCD in the $1,500 or less price range. The Samsung PN-50A450 is the best TV for the money. I would have to give Panasonic Viera plasma the number 2 spot, but I have yet to find it in a 50" for $999 with free shipping and no tax. The Samsung's picture was better than the Panasonic Viera's when looking at them side by side. The Vizio is not even an option anymore since you can get the Samsung for less than $1000. I am extremely satisified with my purchase and my friends can't believe I got a TV this size with a picture this good for what I paid for it. Also, pay the extra $$ and get the HD package from your cable company. It makes night and day difference. I don't even watch the non-HD channels anymore.
1 Star Really Upset over this TV
We had this Samsung 92 days.......and now burn in? Already? The manual states no fixed images more than 5% of the time? well, every station out there has their logo fixed to the screen.
I am really disappointed and mad, feel the tv was just a waste of money.
Have burn in on the bottom and on the left side.
Nice picture though but not worth it if it gets burn in only after 90 days. I also own a 32" Samsung HD LCD that I have in the bedroom, really makes me wonder if it will do the same. The manual for that says the same thing about burn in/image retention......waaaaaa!
