FEATURED Samsung PN51F5500 51-Inch 1080p 600Hz 3D Smart Plasma HDTV
- 1080p Plasma HDTV: Best picture quality
- 600Hz Refresh Rate: Best for general viewing, video games, action movies, and sports
- Smart TV with Voice Controls: Interact with streaming content and the web
- TV without stand (Width x Height x Depth): 46.9” x 27.9” x 2.2”, TV with stand (Width x Height x Depth): 46.9” x 31.4” x 12.1”
- Power: ENERGY STAR® Compliant, Energy Star 6.0: Energy Guide Label, Power Supply (V): AC110-120V 60Hz, Typical Power Consumption: 83W, Maximum Power Consumption: 299W, Standby Power Consumption: Under 0.3 W
Samsung PN51F5500 51-Inch 1080p 600Hz 3D Smart Plasma HDTV
Comments
3 comments
A. Webster
August 10, 2013
Great TV with a few small annoyances.,
I bought this to replace my pn58c500. So my impressions are based off of the differences of these 2 models. I also have a 46″ Samsung LCD in my bedroom to compare with.
First impressions are WOW what a difference in picture quality. I thought my pn58c500 had a good picture but this is way more cleaner and clearer overall. Watched some of a Monster vs. Alien show on Netflix and it looked amazing. Everything is clear and vibrant. The sound seems fine to me. I have it mounted on the wall at an angle, so maybe the speakers sound better that way. The sound is robust, clear, and has decent surround depth to its output. Now would it sound as good as the surround sound turned on and up, NO. But I watch mostly at late night when everyone is sleeping and only use the surround sound on weekends.
Now some of the annoyances are
#1 – the remote is not very good, it only has a handful of buttons and most of the ones you need and want to use are buried in sub menus that you must use the touch pad to access. Which is hit or miss on selecting the correct item(will probably take more time to figure out the sensitivity). This is not for someone who has never used a smartphone or rarely uses a computer or mouse. They would probably chuck the remote through the TV within 5 min of use.
#2 – There isn’t a power off button on the front of the display bezel(at least that I can find). The buttons are on the back of the display. My kids have learned to turn on the TV with the front buttons and then just turn on the xbox. Helps with keeping track of the remote. Especially now that it is so small and easy to misplace.
Now some more points:
– 2d-3d conversion seems pretty good. I have been watching some regular netflix shows and playing some games(Battlefield 3 and Halo 4) and they all look decent in 3d. Reminds me of the 3DS 3D output.
– 3D seems good I can’t really compare as this is my first home experience with 3D, I do seem to think it is something I won’t use on a regular basis.
– Input lag isn’t a problem, I was going to get the Panasonic ST60 but saw that it was having input lag issues, so got this instead since I game alot on my TV. No problems so far in COD:BO2, BF3, or Halo 4.
– Wireless is built in, I have hooked it to my Wireless N network with no problems and have also used a wired connection. No noticeable difference between the two.
– I have no problem with it turning onto HDMI 1 when powering on, unlike previous reviews mine never starts in smart hub.
– Reflection is no more than my previous TV and I have a large window directly to the right of the TV.
– Motion and movement scenes are very clear and smooth
– The smart hub when I first setup the TV wouldn’t do anything, I had it wired into my router. I could see all the apps names but no pictures for the apps and nothing would work. I though something was wrong but it was just downloading everything, wish it would have given a notice so I didn’t waste 15min trying to get netflix to open.
– The xbox360 netflix app is alot better than the smart tv app, but if it is all that you have it will be ok. One weird thing I have noticed is it seems that each app has its own settings and some can’t be adjusted and some can’t do 2d-3d conversion.
Overall very pleased with my purchase, picture is great, sound is great. I just wish the remote had more buttons for quick actions for example: a button to change picture size, picture mode, quick 3d menu, and they need to make remotes that have programmable buttons without buying another remote.
Extended Impressions……July 14th 2013
After some more time I figured I would add some more info. The remote is absolutely terrible, from the awkward button placement to the size and shape. I don’t know how many times I have turned the power off when trying to adjust the volume. I have very large hands so that may have something to do with it. Also this remote gets lost on a daily basis and can seem to slip and slide down into the deepest abyss of your couch. The sound now seems messed up almost like the speakers are blown because with any bass sound it comes out distorted and blown sounding. Not sure if they are blown or not but need to call and have it looked at. The screen seems to ghost almost immediately upon powering on, it goes away once the screen changes but just seems weird to ghost even after a couple of seconds of an image up on the screen. I have not had problems with burn-in or IR. I have taught the kids to use the Scrolling bars after every use of them playing Xbox. Unlike my earlier review the TV now DOES start in smart hub every single time it powers on, very annoying and can’t find any way to switch it directly to the input upon powering up. I still find it annoying that each app has different picture settings and you can’t adjust all the settings for the apps…
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|Richard L. Wasserman
August 10, 2013
Overall, very satisfied,
Updated 4/19
For the price I paid, it’s a steal.
Day 1.
The good
– 1. Setup was super easy.
– 2. The default settings on the TV had a very good picture.
– 3. Black performance & 3D was very good.
– 4. Speakers were tinny, but way better than decent – a big surprise.
A few annoyances
– 1. THE BASE IS NOT CHROME OR ALUMINUM. IT IS GRAPHITE PAINTED PLASTIC! IT LOOKS CHEAP. THE TV IS BLACK AND BASE IS GRAPHITE. NOT A FAN.
– 2. as a small beep when you raised or lower the volume.
– 3. I couldn’t get the TV to burn in as it would shut off every few hours without activity. I thought I changed all that in the settings but it didn’t work. Could be user error.
– 4. When you turned on the TV, it would go directly into SmartHub. I am not going to use SmartHub much and would rather use my standard DirecTV remote. I cannot find a way to “default” it into HDMI1. An updated DTV remote code can fix this but you will have to flip the DirecTV Remote switch to TV, press Select, then move the DirecTV switch back to the box. Pretty annoying. If you buy a Harmony, you can program the remote to fix this.
– 5. The remote is kind of weird. It was this multitouch old school laptop trackpad thing. I’m no sure if I like it yet.
For ordering – I recommend 270 degree HDMI port savers.
After a few days.
– 1. I added a Samsung HW-E450C sound bar. It worked immediately with the TV. Wireless connectivity (SoundShare) worked great. No discernible difference from optical to wireless. It takes about 20 seconds for the wireless to kick in.
– 2. After break in, the blacks were pretty impressive. Watched Van Helsing on blu-ray to test blacks and was very happy with the level of detail.
– 3. I have witnessed only 1 distorted image in several viewing days. It lasted for only a split second.
– 4. I am not a fan of the smart remote for changing channels. When using SmartHub, it’s good.
– 5. Like all plasmas, the screen is super reflective. Even in a mildly lit room, you will see the light source. With the brightness turns up, the TV does power thru it.
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|Aiden
August 10, 2013
Incredible picture! With only 1 passable flaw.,
I’ll keep this review simple. The TV is incredible with great picture and 16×9 movies with black bars standout ,making the black bars not noticeable. I came from a samsung 2 year old 50 inch to this 60. Its very noticable the picture increase. The frame on the newer models (2013-F5500) is thinner, with more screen real estate vs more of a noticeable frame.Blacks are great! and Pure! Colors pop out even with reflections from light sources.
Ill add some of the features which I had to dig for because the Samsung rep was not aware or hidden in the online manual. Im more of a feature person, started to notice Samsung online limited the technical information regarding their televisions.
PRO:
NO remote lag, quick menu transitioning.
Built in Wireless N 2.4ghz and 5ghz.
Streams 5.1 from Netflix, Amazon video, hulu plus etc
Clear speakers-I set mine to clear voice.
Colors stand out even with ambient light cancelling out any reflections.
Great TV from any angle.
DARK Blacks , vibrant WHITES, and Greys blend in with black well, it also enhances the color and images because the TV has great black reproduction.(typical plasma)
HDMI 1.4 (no internet pass threw) Samsung rep had no idea just said “the newest standard” and wasn’t listed in there online booklet.After some digging and verified at home, it is HDMI 1.4 just no internet pass threw.
MHL connection from the side. (Mobile High def link) ie Roku stream sticks and mobile devices. (it powers the item) Samsung site kept this information hidden.I had to dig for it.Future ready.
NO HEAT. My 2 year old Samsung Plasma gave off a ton of heat. This one barely anything.
Built in Wifi direct for Samsung products Galaxy Line and tablets or get a 3rd party app from Android play store . File transfer big files almost instantly.You phone/Tablet needs Wifi direct.
Vibrant picture, deep blacks, and non-16×9 movies stand out to the point you no longer notice the black bars. 3D is okay, but ive only messed with a few games having it built in like Uncharted 3, Wipeout HD and its noticeable gaming layer. Have not tried a film with it.
3D glass’s use a battery watch , which last 150 hours, easy to replace. The batteries cost about $2. Replacement glasses are $17 comes with 2.
Remote is easy to use, has a skip the main screen ability instead of going application to application. One quick swipe on a stand out bar in the track pad jumps to the next screen by passing the constant swiping.ie pictures, movies, applications etc instead of going one by one on the screen. Voice guidance you need to talk into the remote , not just into the TV. (my mistake lol). Has a setting to have all applications, including firmware auto download.Remote is bluetooth , so the signal is better than any television ive own that had , so far no dead spots.Very accurate even when sitting down.
Thin frame, you notice the big picture screen real estate instantly coming from a 50 inch. Which had wider frames making the TV larger than what it actually was. On this TV is more of a pure picture experience.
60 pounds without a stand and 66 with floor stand.
As listed, Amazon video built in, Hulu PLUS, Netflix etc
CONS:
The screen reflects, so it takes a little getting use to. I adjusted after a few hours of watching TV off in the living room. The trade off of such a good picture is 100% worth it and when its on, reflection go away. the reflection only kicks in when the television is off. Typical of a plasma set, but once you go plasma, its hard going to LCD/LED which have issues reproducing blacks and greys.
Instruction for the 3D glass is clumsy. When the glasses are on, the screen LCD in the glasses turn on making them darker. (visual cue its on). When the TV set is on (the 3D) glasses auto turn on after they are synced to the set. To make sure its completely off, is leave the TV 3D effect on and manually shut the glasses on while the 3D effect is on the screen. They give no indication its on or off. No blinking light etc.By having a 3D image on the TV (3D mode), at least gives you the chance to shut the glasses because the 3D effect will not work and the LCD lens on it ligtens up. Even when glasses are off, the TV pops an image on the screen saying synced. Which can give an idea its on, instead of off. Its better to rely on the glasses to no longer giving you 3D as a cue its 100% powered off.
No Wireless AC (new standard) Hopefully they will release an add on like a stick to be able to use the new speeds. Wireless N in 5ghz and 2.4 is excellent still . (id rather have all , plus wireless AC) This is newer tech , so its expected.
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Those were my only annoyances with the sets.. which is really…
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