What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
03 JAN 2008
Samsung PS50P96FD
No longer just a budget option, this Samsung is easily good enough to justify the price tag.
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Samsung is becoming rather bullish about the quality of it's TVs - and with good reason. Unlike in the past, the company isn't aiming at the lower end of the price range. This 50in set might be a touch cheaper than similar products from the other big brands, but Samsung seems happy to go pretty much head to head on price with its rivals.
The compnay also manufactures a more expensive 52in LCD screen, but this 50in set is a plasma. And, having handed out awards to 50in Samsung plasmas in the past, we have high hopes.
As with most screens of this size, it boasts the full complement of pixels required for Full HD 1080p video, while offering three HDMI connections. It loooks smart in a glossy black finish and comes complete with a swivel stand.
It all seems to be pulling in the right direction as you watch the Freeview TV tuner (there's an analogue reciever, too).
The picture is clean and crisp, while Sky Sport's News' rolling tickertape shows motion is smooth and stable. Only the deepest black suit jacket on one of the presenters gives you the feeling you're missing a hint of detail.
Switch to video content, and whether watching the brutal Blood Diamond on DVD or the rather less disturbing Die Hard 4.0 on Blu-ray, pictures are smoothly handled and full of deep, stirring colours. Not for Samsung wishy-washy reds, or indeed the brightest white. Instead you get full-bodied vibrant images that are packed with detail. A smidgeon of noise is apparent if you look hard enough but it rarely detracts from your enjoyment.
HD has even more impact
Black levels, while accurate, lack the ability to peer in to the gloomiest corner, but contrast levels and the depth and dynamism are arresting. The speakers impress too, delivering a clear, balanced sound with plenty of breadth.
Things get even better with some broadcast TV HD content. We watched some fast-moving sporting action, compete with plenty of wide panning shots- which can cause lesser big- screens all kind of judder problems - but the Samsung was consistently good. You're so drawn into the action, you find noting picture problems ends up taking a definite second place. Blu-ray movies are equally good, if not better.
A great big-screen all-rounder
So, we've got another impressive Samsung on our hands, and one that can happily lay claim to a five-star verdict. Not only does it perform very well in its own right - it also saves you a couple of hundred quid compared to the Sonys and Panasonics of this world.
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