Product face-offs
Samsung PS50Q96HD
| Diagonale écran | 50'' |
| Résolution | 1365 x 768 |
| Compatibilité HD (1080i/720p) | Oui / Oui |
| Certification HD Ready | Oui |
| Tuner TNT intégré | Oui |
| Luminosité | 1300 |
| Taux de contraste | NC |
| Puissance sonore | 2 x 15 W |
| Connectique | 3 HDMI / 1 VGA / 1 YUV / 2 Péritels... |
| Dimensions | 1231 x 849 x 316 mm |
| Poids | 33,2 kg |
A new anti-burn-in function
Samsung is well aware of image persistence problems which arise when a fixed image remains on the screen too much, and they developed a specific menu for this in their plasmas.
Now, there is a new and innovative protection to counter pixel burn-in. You have the choice between several methods to erase persistent images, which are well conceived and efficient.
Gregory Bleton
Test date: 2007-07-30
Test date: 2007-07-30
The PS50Q96HD integrates several new technological advanced including Ultra FilterBright for reinforced contrast, the Silhouette Editor function for sharper borders and Smart Frame Plus functioning in 75Hz. Movie Plus is still active on this model and this was the occasion to verify if it rendered movements better than what is currently available on this brand’s LCD televisions.
Connections prove that this is product from the latest generation with triple HDMI inputs in version 1.2, a YUV, and VGA. Finally, a digital TV tuner is integrated TNT and this plasma can be inclined back and forth 20°.
What can we use this TV for?
With digital TV or DVD sources, results are surprising for such a big screen. Without any noticeable stair effects (aliasing), this 127cm is very satisfactory if you respect the recommended distances. This can most likely be explained due to the fact that we have a simple HD panel which requires less processing than a Full HD. By the way, HD, HD DVD or Blu-Ray sources should be configured to a maximum of 1080i as with 1080p there’s a black screen, nothing is displayed. We also noted that nuances were excellently rendered.
However, we didn’t have total perfection on our hands and we did notice a few defects. In dark areas, we could sometimes see horizontal lines and in tracking shots there are still some cuts in fluidity. Finally, overall the image has a certain tendency to flicker or even turn on and off. Here is a video to illustrate this problem:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2nhc4_samsungps50q96hd2_tech
It’s a defect inherent to plasma technology and the Smart Frame Plus function in 75Hz unfortunately doesn’t change anything. Therefore, we can’t really recommend this plasma for PC use, (despite the zoom, which is very useful for a complete image) because it quickly causes eye strain. In addition, it suffers from a defect common to all plasmas with dots systematically appearing in uniform as well as graduated color spaces.
This screen has native colors that are almost perfect. Only temperature is a little high, with a tendency to lean towards blue in most shades. Grays are a little green, but they remain lively. For this reason, details are noticeable from the start and we don’t have to adjust brightness. Overall, rendering is good in this area with the display of many nuances (the gamut was extended). The contrast level is excellent just like its black colors.
Fine tuning this television
This Korean manufacturer added special functions especially destined for plasmas like an anti burn-in capability which is entirely adjustable (see box). For image adjustments, we recommend the following:
(Translation Image1: Luminosité=brightness, Netteté=sharpness, Teinte=tint, Nuance coul.=color temperature. Image2: Rouge=red, Vert=green, Bleu=blue, Réinitialiser=reset)
Colors will be slightly more natural (but not with perfect color fidelity) and the dominance in blues will be remedied.
As for the Movie Plus function, it hasn’t improved. This means that there are still random cuts in fluidity which can be very bothersome. And finally, despite the anti-reflective treatment, the panel is a virtual mirror. We therefore recommend use in a room where light is minimal.
As for the Movie Plus function, it hasn’t improved. This means that there are still random cuts in fluidity which can be very bothersome. And finally, despite the anti-reflective treatment, the panel is a virtual mirror. We therefore recommend use in a room where light is minimal.
- Image sharpness (a lot of detail)
- Rich connectivity (triple HDMI)
- Natural color rendering (we’ve seen better on LCDs)
- Base pivots +/- 20°
- Bright points
- Movie Plus isn’t natural with a lack of fluidity
- HDMI inputs aren’t 1080p or 24Hz compatible
- Buzzing of power source typical of plasma screens
- HDMI not 1080p or 24Hz compatible typical of plasma screens
This product is good in its class but falls short of our standards for us to recommend it. Also, there is no 1080p compatibility (or even less 24Hz), which doesn’t seem to be a sound investment for the future.
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