Samsung PN58B550 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Product Description

The PN58B550 plasma HDTV is perfect for action-packed sports and movies. It uses e-panel technology which reduces blurring and produces crisp, clear images. And 1080p high definition brings out the brilliance and clarity in everything you see. Plus its unique Touch of Color design turns it into a beautiful work of art. Enjoy a more realistic, thrilling movie night at home with this Samsung plasma HDTV.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45 in Television
• Color: Black
• Brand: Samsung
• Model: PN58B550
• Released on: 2009-03-20
• Dimensions: 33.90" h x 3.90" w x 55.90" l, 137.80 pounds
• Native resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Display size: 58

Features

• 58-inch high definition TV with 1080p resolution
• Four HDMI, two component, and one composite video input; two 15W bottom speakers and SRS TruSurround HD for a rich surround-sound experience
• Samsung E-panel technology like Ultra FilterBright Plus, 600Hz Subfield Motion, .001 response time, and Mega dynamic contrast ratio
• Anynet+ (CEC standard) technology makes system control of compatible A/V devices like a Blu-ray player or HTIB system a one-touch operation
• One-year parts and labor warranty

Customer Reviews

Great Picture...loud buzz.
This is a great TV that has fantastic picture quality. However, there is a moderately loud buzz that comes from the power units behind the panel. At first it didn't bother me that much. But over time it became increasingly noticeable and annoying. I called Amazon and told them that I'd like to return it. Before I could, they asked if I would have Samsung take a look at it. Not only did Samsung look it...they actually replaced the entire plasma panel (which includes the power units). Unfortunately, this did not fix the buzz...it actually became a little bit worse. So I am returning the tv and buying the Samsung LN555B650 LCD instead. I've always been a plasma guy...but it seems that the larger screens all have this kind of buzz. Hopefully the LCD will be better!

Best Buy
I just got the Samsung PN58B550. I've had the TV now for about 3 days and so far I am very pleased with my purchase. Blacks levels are very good. Remote and menu is fairly easy to use. There's no professional reviews out there right now only because the set was released in January of this year. As a result I was a little concerned about buying this set. I'm hoping the reviews will be favorable. How different could this unit be compared to the top rated PN58A550?

The only negative is there's a slight buzzing coming from the back of the set. No big deal. If you stand in front of the TV you can't hear it at all. I'm sure it's part and parcel of the electronics.

one of the best in 58 inch plasmas
I purchased this unit at HH Gregg for $1340 out of box special. Few small scratches especially on base which I do not use base and don't watch the frame. I also had/have previously another Sammy and a Panny plasmas. I also own 2 flat panel LCD's. You can get super deals on these last year models and the difference between older A and newer B models is not worth over a $1000 to me maybe to you. They had this and the Panny 58" (TH-58PZ800U) side by side along with the newer B model. They were hooked up to same source, inputs and this beat the Pannys picture by a smidge. Better blacks much better contrast. Both sets were set to same pix setting. I'always preferred the Pannys but it appears Samsung has caught up and surpassed the Pannys. The B model also displayed looked a tad better side by side but I don't believe you would be able to tell the difference if you saw one then the other. I Also have an older Panny 42" and this set is equal to the Panny if not a little better. The Sammy has much more controls for adjusting pix sound off air tv etc. If you get your signal Off Air for HDTV then the Samsung has a much better ATSC tuner. It will pick up stations and lock them in that the Panny doesn't even see.
The pix from Blu Ray is awesome one of the best I've seen to date. The Satellite HD from Dish Net also excellent just a tad softer then over air sources. Off Air HDTV is just a notch under Blu Ray but very close. Cable HD very good also but varies a good bit on different channels. Now for upgraded SD off air varies widely from very good to just good on some of the older movies and sub channels. This also depends on the channel if it is a sub channel 1 or 2 or 3 they get worse the more they have. The main channel example (19-1) SD looks very good. 19-2 still good 19-3 (much less bandwidth) looks like an old news reel footage. Still not bad considering they were originally shot to display on at best a 25 inch TV.

Some have reported a loud buzzing sound. I have not had this problem. This unit does have fans and if hooked up inproperly (ground loop problems) maybe subject to AC hum from different video sources. All plasmas's make a slight noise but I don't think you going to be watching silent movies. I'm not saying that this is the problem which others who wrote about this but there's no loud buzzing from this or others I've seen. The above maybe the reason some complain about buzzing sound. Different sets can perform differently. My Panny doesn't like a bad ground loop but still displays a good picture and it's quiet but the Sammy seems to be a little bit more particular in this area.

Summary - Sammy PQ HD off air (antenna) or Sat excellent picture Blu Ray totally awesome.
PQ SD off air or sat (dish net)excellent to very good(unless on a third or more sub channel off air only).
Cable excellent to acceptable depending on source and cable company. You probably have to try it on your cable system and see if you can live with it. Channel to channel seems to very on some systems.IMO Comcast (MUS fibernet city owned cable company)seems to be much better then Charter. These are the only 3 in this area that I have compared.

Sound is good nothing to write home about but you'll probably want a good surround system with a pix this big to get a theater like experience.

I'd recommend this set especially at some of the prices it is presently going for. You will not be dissappointed with the PQ from this unit. Below is a list of the models I considered and the reason I choose differently. MY take in ( ) for what it's worth and reason ruled out.

LG 60 inch Plasma 60PS60(excellent choice very high marks - price could not get a good deal $2200 +)I really liked this set PQ very close.

Panny 58 inch plasma TH-58PZ800U(excellent choice best deal I could find $1700 - price not an issue Pix Quality/featurers just a tad less then Sammy.

Sammy LED/LCD 55 inch UN55B6000 ( appears to be excellent choice). This set had great blacks contrast etc. The best I ever seen for a LCD but a tad cartoon-ish look. You will have to play with settings to get a film like picture. Price was main reason for not purchasing this one. $2900 + for 55 inch. Smaller pix models maybe worth a look. This is a LCD side lite by LED not a true LED or OLED still a few years out.

Pioneer 60 inch. If money grows on trees for you or is not an issue this set has the BEST picture flat out! The only reason to rule out this set is price. Best I could do even on a refurb was well in the low $3000 mark. I may have even pulled the trigger for this one but was concerned Pioneer is getting out of the TV business. Parts and service down the road may become an issue and at this price I don't want to send to scrap yard for quit a while. OLED in about 5+ years ( maybe less) may make all these look bad and that's a lot of green for just a few years.