Choosing between an LCD TV and a Plasma TV is one of the toughest decisions when shopping for an HDTV. After all, each have their own good points, and therefore, are equally great choices. If you have a large living room or home theatre, though, you might want to go with Plasma HDTVs which offer a wide viewing angle, and in particular, the Samsung PN50A760, which offers outstanding images and great sound along with other excellent qualities.
Image Quality
Indeed, the Samsung PN50A760 displays great images, not only because it has a full 1080p screen resolution but also because it has a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. This means that it produces deep blacks and bright whites, although not as bright as those of LCD TVs. It also has highly accurate colors and produces smooth motion, and even has an anti-glare filter to reduce reflections which can distract you and hamper your viewing experience.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the PN50A760 lives up to the current standards set by HDTVs, as well, delivering crisp sounds and clear dialogues. Like most HDTVs, it offers virtual surround sound which further improves the sound quality in most situations by adding depth to the sounds. In this way, it eliminates the need for a dedicated speaker system, although many still prefer to buy one.
Design
Most HDTVs have a glossy black frame and the PN50A760 has one, too, although instead of a pure black frame, it has a Touch of Color, which basically consists of stylish red highlights that are subtle enough for those who do not like red. The frame is a bit thicker than other Plasma TVs, too, and has a slick, clear coating, with hidden speakers at each side and rounded corners. The glass stand also has the same subtle red tinges, and even rotates so you can see the screen fully no matter where you are seated in the room. You don't have to use the stand, though, since the TV can be easily mounted on the wall if you like.
Remote
The remote control of the Samsung PN50A760 has its share of pros and cons. Its glossy black finish is easily smudged with fingerprints but this is overshadowed by its ease of use. With its large buttons, backlight, and a jog wheel instead of arrows, the remote is definitely user-friendly, even in the dark. The fact that it is programmable is also a plus.
Menu System
Navigating the menu system is just as easy, especially since it occupies nearly the entire screen with the options appearing in large, legible text against a transparent background. The sub-menus are similar to avoid confusion while the help text at the bottom of the screen is very helpful in understanding each menu option. There is also a context-sensitive menu that pop ups once in a while to give you more options.
Connectivity Options
You can connect a variety of devices to the Samsung PN50A760. These include a Blu-Ray player, a DVD player or even a game console which you can connect to one of the four HDMI ports, a computer which you can connect to the VGA port or a USB flash drive that you can attach to the USB port on the left side. You can even connect the HDTV to your home network via the LAN port so you can easily stream and share your pictures and other computer files.
Other Features
The Samsung PN50A760 also has built-in content, such as scenic photos, children's activities, recipes and various exercises, and even has features to prevent and address burn-in - the most common problem of Plasma TVs. These features include an adjustable pixel shift and light sidebars for 4:3 programs. While all these come with a high price tag, the PN50A760 is still inexpensive compared to some less impressive models, and is definitely worth considering if you're after a Plasma HDTV.
Learn more about the
Samsung PN50A760 and other
Samsung HDTV models at
HdtvReviewLab.com.
