2011 Samsung Plasma 3D PS51D550

[Naveen_Reloaded]

None. They differ by 6k in cost which is justified by the panel only.
If they removed the lable, I would be unable to tell the difference for HD.

For SD, My 'guess' is D490 will be better based on my experience with my B450 plasma. With samsung's image processing, D550 will not be far behind either.

BTW, Same image processors behave differently for upscaling SD to 720p and 1080p.
Additionally, 1080p need to be downscaled to 720p in D490. 720p videos will also be scaled in D490 because of the panel dimensions.

I think we will be able to make out some difference in extended auditions in dark rooms. For 6k more, you should pick up the D550 though.

D550 is my first option as of now.

Tomorrow before i leave to nearby City I will experiment with my current dell xps 15 L502x which too has a glossy screen and will help me out how much reflection is there from the Tv`s POV.

On sidenote : My current 15.6" LED FHD screen reproduces black level @ 0.3 cd/m2 , and D550 from review gives out 0.04 cd/m2 , almost 10 times lower. The black level I am seeing on my Laptop screen is simply awesome , compare that to my current LCD(40").. so Blacks wont be much of an issue for me i suppose.

Also from this quote :

The PS51D550?s most direct competitor is the Panasonic TX-P50ST30, which now costs around 160 more and does have some advantages over this cheaper Samsung, including a superior (and consistent) black level: Panasonics 3D plasma goes as dark as 0.03 cd/m2 in all modes, compared to the D550?s 0.04, 0.06, or 0.07 (depending on the video format). The ST30 also has a superior light rejecting screen coating, allowing it to produce a richer picture even when ambient light is present in the room, and slightly better colour accuracy, resulting in picture reproduction which is that bit closer to what was intended by the filmmakers and colourists. However, not one of these categories is actually bad on the PS51D550 its just that theyre slightly better on the Panasonic

I am seeing reviews of ST30D 50" and other models . technologies like neoplasma / better cross talk reduction etc are good . Based on tomorrows position , I will be able to decide which one to go.

 

[BLASTO]

I am seeing reviews of ST30D 50" and other models . technologies like neoplasma / better cross talk reduction etc are good . Based on tomorrows position , I will be able to decide which one to go.

Dont go to brand shops.
Go to reliance digital (after calling)

They display both panasonic D550 and ST30. Do the below.

1) Switch off the TV and stand in front. See if you can see your image.
2) See if the lights in the showroom are distrcacting.
3) Check out which is more black.
4) Switch them on and do the same.

ST30's reflection/black level in the room with lights cannot be compared to D550.
VT20 goes for 74k now and has better performance than ST30. If you can compromise on colour accuracy and SD upscaling, these are far better performers.

I have both B450 and VT20 plasmas.

Edit: BTW, VT20's black level is 0.009.

 

[Naveen_Reloaded]

Dont go to brand shops.
Go to reliance digital (after calling)

They display both panasonic D550 and ST30. Do the below.

1) Switch off the TV and stand in front. See if you can see your image.
2) See if the lights in the showroom are distrcacting.
3) Check out which is more black.
4) Switch them on and do the same.

ST30's reflection/black level in the room with lights cannot be compared to D550.
VT20 goes for 74k now and has better performance than ST30. If you can compromise on colour accuracy and SD upscaling, these are far better performers.

I have both B450 and VT20 plasmas.

Edit: BTW, VT20's black level is 0.009.

Thanks for the procedure. I will try to demo them , if they were kept. If its chennai or coimbatore , all models might be displayed.but sadly not in my place. Even i am not sure whether they will ahve D550 here or take order to get delivered.

I am seriously considering all options as of now to be prepared for tomorrow.

Will PM you soon regarding few doubts on Panny.. I dont want to hijack this thread..

 

[pmkpal]

What will happen to SD picture quality if the upscaling is done by the DTH STB? ( i came to know that these STB's do upscaling also.)

In this scenario which is better, Samsung or Panasonic?

 

[madhavk8]

Upscaling is done very well by D550 tv itself !! Samsung is very strong in upscaling SD content.

 

[amol12]

Upscaling is done very well by D550 tv itself !! Samsung is very strong in upscaling SD content.

It depends on the STB/source settings. If source is set to upscale, it WILL upscale and the panel will upscale/downscale if the signal does not match its (panels') native resolution.
for e.g. if tata sky HD STB is set at 1080i then there wont be any upscaling in a FHD panel. A HD ready panel will infact downscale in such situation.

 

[pmkpal]

Do we hv any choice as to who will do upscaling if the DTH STB is connected to TV via HDMI?

 

[BLASTO]

Do we hv any choice as to who will do upscaling if the DTH STB is connected to TV via HDMI?

Yes. You can set the STD to send 1080i or 576p.
The STBs will not send 1080i for HD channels and 576p for SD channels. You have to do this manually everytime you move from HD to SD or vice versa.
IMO STB upscaling is not quite upto the mark.

2nd option is to connect RCA/Component along with HDMI and use HDMI for HD alone.

 

[amol12]

Do we hv any choice as to who will do upscaling if the DTH STB is connected to TV via HDMI?

Not sure about others but in tata sky HD + there is a option to output 576i/p 720p, 1080i (and some others may be).
I would have liked a option to output HD as 1080i (or p!) and SD as 576i automatically though. This way AVR/ TV can do the upscaling without fiddling with tatasky settings everytime.

 

[pmkpal]

Assuming STB is doing upscaling, which would display better SD channels, 51D550 or 50V20/50VT20?

 

[amol12]

Assuming STB is doing upscaling, which would display better SD channels, 51D550 or 50V20/50VT20?

From my demos in showroom I would rate them the same. May be 550 a bit better.
From my 1 day experience of watching 50vt20 I would say it does not matter much. I am addicted to HD channels as of now:clapping:!

 

[pmkpal]

In my case SD viewing is going to happen 70-80% of total viewing time as most general entertainment, news, cartoon and regional channels are in SD. (Family requirement) Also i do not forsee all these being converted to HD in near future.

Hence was deliberating over 51D490 or 51D550/50VT20

 

[BLASTO]

In my case SD viewing is going to happen 70-80% of total viewing time as most general entertainment, news, cartoon and regional channels are in SD. (Family requirement) Also i do not forsee all these being converted to HD in near future.

Hence was deliberating over 51D490 or 51D550/50VT20

51D490 is your best bet. 2nd would be 51D550.
These need controlled environment as they have quite a bit of reflection.

 

[pmkpal]

Thanks madhavk8, amol12 & BLASTO.

r there any other options worth considering for my above requirements?
Also is 1024 firmware available for india as it is supposed to fix some important bug in 51D550?

 

[amol12]

If your viewing distance is >14 feet, SD appears reasonable on 50VT20 as well. If lesser (or even otherwise) I would respect BLASTOs opinion as he owns a Samsung plasma and the VT20 as well.

 

[pmkpal]

My viewing distance would be around 10 feet.

 

[dr_jimit]

Hello Friend..
What a nice and informative thread......
I am seriously considering buying this D550 before diwali.
I am interested in Few features that are still unanswered in this thread.

1. does this TV supports X.V. Color ? ( a feature on my Sony Handycam )

2. Does it support 1080p/ 50 p Mode (PAL)???? [ 1080p/60p in NTSC] ( as my sony handycam supports, And i have recorded many videos in this format )

3.Does it support ONLY Samsung wifi USB adaptor ? ( yes then whats the price of it in india ? Can i stream movies from my old wifi b/g router or i hve to buy a new wifi N router?

4. What media files can the USB port suppoort ? ( XVID/XVID HD
/ mkv / wmv/ avi / mpeg/ and to what max resolution ? Please mention what u have already tested.

5. Charging of Samsung 3D GLASSES SSG-3100GB ???? single use battery or rechargable? What about charger ??

6. I am interested in getting It from Letsbuy Online with very attractive Diwali offer,

Samsung 5 Series 51" 3D Plasma TV PS51D550 +
FREE Two Samsung 3D GLASSES SSG-3100GB +
A diwali Gift (?????)
@ Rs.64,499 /-

Apply Coupon Code 5% = iluvletsbuyhm = Rs.3,224 /- DISCOUNT

Cart Total Rs.61,275/-

---> Surely looks good. but any1 tried online Flat TV buy ?what about return policy. My 2 purchases from the same site are so satisfactory.
PLEASE ADVICE REGARDING ONLINE BUY OF THIS TV.

 

[madhavk8]

Hello Friend..
What a nice and informative thread......
I am seriously considering buying this D550 before diwali.
I am interested in Few features that are still unanswered in this thread.

1. does this TV supports X.V. Color ? ( a feature on my Sony Handycam )

2. Does it support 1080p/ 50 p Mode (PAL)???? [ 1080p/60p in NTSC] ( as my sony handycam supports, And i have recorded many videos in this format )

3.Does it support ONLY Samsung wifi USB adaptor ? ( yes then whats the price of it in india ? Can i stream movies from my old wifi b/g router or i hve to buy a new wifi N router?

4. What media files can the USB port suppoort ? ( XVID/XVID HD
/ mkv / wmv/ avi / mpeg/ and to what max resolution ? Please mention what u have already tested.

5. Charging of Samsung 3D GLASSES SSG-3100GB ???? single use battery or rechargable? What about charger ??

6. I am interested in getting It from Letsbuy Online with very attractive Diwali offer,

Samsung 5 Series 51" 3D Plasma TV PS51D550 +
FREE Two Samsung 3D GLASSES SSG-3100GB +
A diwali Gift (?????)
@ Rs.64,499 /-

Apply Coupon Code 5% = iluvletsbuyhm = Rs.3,224 /- DISCOUNT

Cart Total Rs.61,275/-

---> Surely looks good. but any1 tried online Flat TV buy ?what about return policy. My 2 purchases from the same site are so satisfactory.
PLEASE ADVICE REGARDING ONLINE BUY OF THIS TV.

*It supports 1080p50, 1080p60, 1080p24 etc etc nd pretty much everything supported by hdmi 1.4a
*As i know it only supports samsung wifi adapter to stream movies through wifi. It costs around 3k in india. But better would be you just buy a big ethernet cable and stream everything through that, thats cheaper
*It plays every friggin format through usb except some rmvb files. Samsung has best codec support ever.
*SSG-3100 glasses use those small batteries which cost 5-10 rupees and one battery comes for around 70 hours .No need to charge it.
*I have bought stuff from letsbuy before and service has been good. But i have not bought stuff more expensive than 10k from there as i didnt want to take any risk.

 

[bv_abhi]

Hello Friend..
What a nice and informative thread......


6. I am interested in getting It from Letsbuy Online with very attractive Diwali offer,

Samsung 5 Series 51" 3D Plasma TV PS51D550 +
FREE Two Samsung 3D GLASSES SSG-3100GB +
A diwali Gift (?????)
@ Rs.64,499 /-

Apply Coupon Code 5% = iluvletsbuyhm = Rs.3,224 /- DISCOUNT

Cart Total Rs.61,275/-

---> Surely looks good. but any1 tried online Flat TV buy ?what about return policy. My 2 purchases from the same site are so satisfactory.
PLEASE ADVICE REGARDING ONLINE BUY OF THIS TV.

I feel bad omen against letsbuy.com cause they don't keep their promises for free items

 

[dr_jimit]

Thank u both 4 reply.

does this TV supports X.V. Color ?

& does it plays 3D from USB pendrive ?