Samsung PN58B650 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Samsung PN58B650 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Samsung¿s new PN58B650 plasma flat panel HDTV exemplifies the design and performance refinements for those with discerning tastes and a passion for innovation. Picture your favorite room filled with 58 inches of 1080p Full HD picture performance artistically accented in a new Touch of ColorTM design. Samsung¿s 6 Series E-Panel technology delivers improvements with our Ultra FiterBrightTM technology that further reduces glare in brighter rooms and our advanced Crystal Full HD Engine expands the picture viewing experience with less power consumption. The new Medi@2.0 connectivity package offers customizable online content via user-friendly ¿widgets,¿ networking capability via the DLNA standard, and playback of your camera and camcorder via USB 2.0. Add 4 advanced HDMI inputs that feature Samsung¿s Anynet+ (CEC standard) technology making system control of compatible A/V devices like a Blu-ray player or HTIB system a one-touch operation. Experience Full 1080p performance and advanced connectivity on Samsung¿s new B650 series plasma HDTVs that are designed to meet higher pride of ownership expectations and lower the cost of ownership.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Great HDTV
This plasma is just great for watching BD and other high dev content.
Picture is detailed with vivid colors and deep black levels. If you watch movies a lot, you will definately enjoy this great product. Just do not rely on TV speakers, for great experience hook it up with your home theater system.
5 Stars Jaw droppingly beautiful
Let me preface this mini review (mini because I just got this TV a couple of days ago) by saying I spent more time researching plasma TV’s online and in meat space than any normal human being should. An embarrassing number of hours were spent poring through every single morsel of opinion about this TV compared to other similar models.
Finally, finally, I decided to take a chance and order online, realizing full well that many had reported buzzing issues, or worse, a cracked or broken screen upon arrival.
Happy to report that mine is both buzz free AND in pristine shape. Not only that, but the PQ was so gorgeous, I have been kind of sitting in front of it at night, just kind of staring at it and mumbling to myself like a crazy person. Caveat: I have only done minimal adjusting to the settings, like switching to movie mode, turning down sharpness and contrast, etc. so the picture is probably not close to what it potentially can do…which blows me away even more.
PROS: Where to start? PQ is out of this world - colors are so natural you might be tricked into thinking you are looking at the real thing. Black levels are fine (I do plan on tweaking this more), motion resolution is spectacular, size is PERFECT for me at 10′ or so away - I think this is the perfect size to EXPERIENCE a movie rather than just “watch TV”. Hard to describe, but you will just have to see what I mean. Price is LOWER than the comparable Panasonic unit I was considering (54V10) and larger to boot. Love the remote, but won’t be using it long as I also bought a Logitech Harmony One. TV SWIVELS. Most underrated feature imo, and depending on the setup of your room and your viewing habits of course. Man, I could go on forever…let’s just get right to the CONS and wrap this up.
CONS: Spendy (but not relative to what you get imo)! Potential buzzing issue - seems to be a crap shoot whether you get a “buzzer” or not. Lots of people on AVS forums reporting a loud buzzing from normal listening distances. Cinema Smooth function seems to be broken (see CNET review for details on that) and has not been fixed by Samsung yet. Have not tried the Yahoo widgets, but word on the street is they are slow (compared to the zippier Panasonic version of the same thing - VieraCast)
Bottom line: I could not be happier with this TV, and still am in awe at the incredible picture it’s capable of. I bought the Blu Ray disk BARAKA as many people use this as a reference BD, and it is literally breathtaking in some scenes…the size of this TV in conjunction with a pristine anamorphic transfer at 1080p…I thought I was in heaven. I had seen this “documentary” at least 5 times before, on regular DVD, but on HDTV’s (both CRT), and the detail I had been missing on my previous viewings was immediately apparent using the Samsung (some credit to the format to of course)
To sum up, let me save you some time and highly highly recommend you buy this set if you are looking in this range. I have done ALL the homework for you! 
EDITED TO ADD COMMENTS AFTER A WEEK OF USE:
This set DOES indeed have noise coming from it, but it’s more like a hum instead of a buzz as most people describe it. I can easily hear it over the A/C if the volume is relatively low on the TV. BUT, it doesn’t bother me to the point of returning it, and the picture is so amazing, I don’t think I could. I didn’t hear it previously because it was on the floor and I was higher up on my couch (I was building a new ent. center/stand for it). As soon as I put it ear level, sure enough, you could really hear it. I should note that my wife has not said ANYthing about it, and I do know that I have perfect hearing since I just had a hearing test last year, so if you aren’t listening for it, you might not even notice or care even if you do notice.
I consider myself to be pretty sensitive to these kinds of things (I spend a lot of $$ making my PC quiet/silent as possible), so ymmv.
I also watched about half of BARAKA the other night, with recommended settings (MOVIE, reduced contrast and brightness, etc) and I did notice IR where the black bars on top and bottom were. (Noticed them even 30 min after watching movie). I ran the IR tool they have built in to the TV for just a few minutes and it got rid of it no problem at all.
Picture continues to amaze me. I am seeing shadow detail I never knew existed. And even if the black levels are not as good as the ex Pioneers, they are plenty good enough to give you a VERY serious “3-D’ effect when you are watching Hi def content at night or in a reduced light setting. Stuff just pops off the screen. Incredible.
5 Stars WOW Don’t walk, Run to buy this Plasma
I was a little worried ordering a TV of this size / cost online. Amazon came thru. Best price I found on line. $2175.00 deliverd. While I waited for the TV to arrive. I recived the latest consumer report. Read where this B650 was rated #1. My review is as follow’s. First I own at present time 7 LCD TV’s thru out my home. This was my first Plasma. When the TV arrived. I used a Break-in DVD for the first 250+ hours. Just placed the TV near a wall and left the break-in DVD run. When my new 65″ oak TV stand arrived I was ready. After my system was set up. I used a calibration DVD to set the colors etc. All I can say is, WoW. I am in HD heaven now. The black’s are the deapest I have ever seen on any TV period. The whites are pure white. This TV’s picture will take your breath away. The sound is not that bad using stand along. There is no sound from the power supply. What a well built, beautifull TV.
5 Stars Samsung is a Smash!
This is my second big screen Samsung Plasma TV, and i couldn’t be more satisfied. I also researched the price for this particualr TV, and I’m confident that with the free delivery, this was the cheapest option. Set up was quick and painless, and the menu tree is very user-friendly and intuitive.
5 Stars Great TV, you won’t be disappointed!
I bought this TV on June 4th, got it a little less then a week later. And so far so good. I was a little apprehensive at first, you know buying such an expensive item online and all. But, i really gotta say. I LOVE!!!! this tv. it is by far the best i’ve owned. Great picture quality nice vibrant colors and the set just looks nice and big mounted on the wall.
You couldnt ask for a better TV.
Filed under: 1080p HDTV Plasma Reviews, Samsung 1080p HDTV Plasma Reviews