Samsung F8500 plasma anticipation thread

[strapped for cash]

Blimey, it is even cheaper here - £1300!

http://www.hispek.com/panasonic/3d-televisions/panasonic-tx-p50vt50b-50-premium-full-hd-3d-plasma-smart-viera-tv-with-2-x-3d-glasses-free-5-year-in-store-warranty-pd-11003.php?gclid=CKeUnrea_7UCFcHHtAodzCIAKQ

I honestly think I need to look forward rather than back. If I had any confidence that another 2012 Panasonic would be OK, it'd be worth considering. Unfortunately, experience has taught me that the odds are heavily against me getting a "good one."

As tempting as that price is, if I'm going to gamble, I might as well bet with fairer odds.

 

[rocketrazor]

Your DSE must be really bad, sorry dude

It really depends on the content. When I can't see it, the picture's great. When I can, I find it a huge distraction.

Some people say the dirty screen effect is visible on less than one percent of content. This hasn't been the case with any of the three GT50s I've owned.

When watching football, I can see it 100 percent of the time; nature documentaries, maybe ten percent; any drama that's a bit subdued in look with pastel shades, probably ten percent again. Brightly lit studio programmes, such as game and chat shows, are perfectly fine.

I'd say something in the region of ten percent of content is affected overall. Since that's an average of six minutes every hour, it's beyond what I'd consider acceptable.

I'd agree with that, if its that bad its unacceptable. Maybe your 20/20 vision isn't such a good thing! I would say you haven't had the best of luck then. I can only see mine if I really look for it, so I don't, but then I have a completely different issue which drives me crazy instead |(

I didn notice on a thread here that someone else had the same issue and reported it through the warranty, I think a new screen was fitted and the issue was gone. Maybe the assembly isn't as good as it should be and when a new panel is fitted probably the issue is gone. Unfortunately it took him 6 weeks to get that sorted which takes you out of your 28 day money back guarantee

 

[Nick_Shepherd]

I'm trying my 3rd GT50 (delivery date to be arranged) and hope its ok.......if not, maybe the GT60 will be out and I may change for that......the Samsung is almost double what I paid for my GT50 and I personally would see the VT50 as a better buy for me (if JL have any left) than pushing to almost double for a first attempt high end plasma from Samsung which is likely to drop in price pretty quickly given who their main retailers are.....?

 

[Oldboy]

Blimey, it is even cheaper here - £1300!

http://www.hispek.com/panasonic/3d-televisions/panasonic-tx-p50vt50b-50-premium-full-hd-3d-plasma-smart-viera-tv-with-2-x-3d-glasses-free-5-year-in-store-warranty-pd-11003.php?gclid=CKeUnrea_7UCFcHHtAodzCIAKQ

I honestly think I need to look forward rather than back. If I had any confidence that another 2012 Panasonic would be OK, it'd be worth considering. Unfortunately, experience has taught me that the odds are heavily against me getting a "good one."

As tempting as that price is, if I'm going to gamble, I might as well bet with fairer odds.

Agreed. It's worth upgrading to a 2013 model if you are going to do it and as tempting as the VT50 is I wouldn't go for it but that's just a personal opinion but it seems you are thinking along the same lines...at worst I think my previous advice is the way to go. Take the refund before you run out of time and start a fresh unless the F8500 is in stock before then of course.

The problem is that you are right in the middle of manufacturers announcing their 2013 models which means you are going to need a bit more time to make a decision so I think the refund may end up being your only real option, a shame as you would have better room for negotiation if you were to be purchasing a replacement from JL.

With what you have been through I just wouldn't entertain another tv from the Panasonic 50 range and I would be looking at the Samsung if I was in your situation, the only other option is to go to LED/LCD...you are in a difficult situation which i've been in myself so you have my complete sympathies mate

 

[Deleted member 2457]

The black levels do look good:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VhuMzsPCDHi/learn/video-samsung-f8500-plasma-hdtvs.html

I guess we will have to wait and see whether it lives up to the hype.

 

[Oldboy]

The black levels do look good:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VhuMzsPCDHi/learn/video-samsung-f8500-plasma-hdtvs.html

I guess we will have to wait and see whether it lives up to the hype.

That does look promising!

All we need now is a WHF supertest of the F8500 and GT50 (or VT50).....FIGHT!!

 

[strapped for cash]

The black levels do look good:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VhuMzsPCDHi/learn/video-samsung-f8500-plasma-hdtvs.html

I guess we will have to wait and see whether it lives up to the hype.

If Samsung's figures are correct and not just marketing, the F8500 will go blacker than a 9th gen Kuro. Historically, black level has been Samsung's major stumbling block. If that's no longer the case, Panasonic should be concerned.

It's not just black level that's drawing me to this television.

The F8500's dynamic contrast should be considerably higher than any plasma we've seen. Samsung TVs upscale brilliantly, too. There's no 50Hz bug, either (which is still an issue with Panasonic plasmas). Samsung plasmas have also outperformed Panasonic plasmas for the last two years in terms of screen uniformity and IR.

Now we need to see if Samsung has sorted out issues with brightness pops, buzzing, and frame-skipping in 3D.

 

[strapped for cash]

All we need now is a WHF supertest of the F8500 and GT50 (or VT50).....FIGHT!!

I may be proved wrong, but I don't think it would be a fair fight. The F8500 should be squaring up to the ZT65.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

The black levels do look good:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VhuMzsPCDHi/learn/video-samsung-f8500-plasma-hdtvs.html

I guess we will have to wait and see whether it lives up to the hype.

If Samsung's figures are correct and not just marketing, the F8500 will go blacker than a 9th gen Kuro. Historically, black level has been Samsung's major stumbling block. If that's no longer the case, Panasonic should be concerned.

It's not just black level that's drawing me to this television.

The F8500's dynamic contrast should be considerably higher than any plasma we've seen. Samsung TVs upscale brilliantly, too. There's no 50Hz bug, either (which is still an issue with Panasonic plasmas). Samsung plasmas have also outperformed Panasonic plasmas for the last two years in terms of screen uniformity and IR.

Now we need to see if Samsung has sorted out issues with brightness pops, buzzing, and frame-skipping in 3D.

Am I correct in saying this was their last attempt?

http://www.whathifi.com/review/samsung-ps51e8000

I know from what I have seen Samsung's LEDs are not too clever from what I have seen with motion, and I am pretty sure I have heard their plasmas have had a few issues before too (but not 100 per cent sure), have you heard or seen what has been the case with motion?

 

[Deleted member 2457]

This one not too clever with motion either:

http://www.whathifi.com/review/samsung-ps51d8000

There don't seem to be much difference in price with the new one either, but all off a sudden one of the best TVs ever! I can't see it.

 

[strapped for cash]

But aside from the badge, the TVs you've linked to have little in common with the F8500.

The TV has been redesigned from the panel and phosphor up. I'm not saying that automatically rectifies any issues experienced with past Samsung plasmas. We won't know until we see one in action and reviewers put the TV through its paces.

Most tech reviewers were happy to split the difference between top end Samsung and Panny plasma TVs last year (see HDTV test reviews, for instance, which awarded both Sammy and Panny plasmas a highly recommended badge).

Panasonic doesn't seem to have made much progress this year, with the exception, potentially, of the ZT65. But the F8500 is pitched as revolution, not evolution. Again, I'm not stating anything definitively about the F8500. I can't. But I remain optomistic, based on what I've read.

AV Forums, AVS Forums, and HDTV Test reviewers all claim that it's a shoot out this year between the ZT65 and F8500, after being granted extended auditions of both. That's enough to keep me interested for now.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

But aside from the badge, the TVs you've linked to have little in common with the F8500.

The TV has been redesigned from the panel and phosphor up. I'm not saying that automatically rectifies any issues experienced with past Samsung plasmas. We won't know until we see one in action and reviewers put the TV through its paces.

Most tech reviewers were happy to split the difference between top end Samsung and Panny plasma TVs last year (see HDTV test reviews, for instance, which awarded both Sammy and Panny plasmas a highly recommended badge).

Panasonic doesn't seem to have made much progress this year, with the exception, potentially, of the ZT65. But the F8500 is pitched as revolution, not evolution. Again, I'm not stating anything definitively about the F8500. I can't. But I remain optomistic, based on what I've read.

AV Forums, AVS Forums, and HDTV Test reviewers all claim that it's a shoot out this year between the ZT65 and F8500, after being granted extended auditions of both. That's enough to keep me interested for now.

That does sound good. I did demo this one quite heavily in the past, but in the end decided it did not live up to the hype AVForums gave it:

http://www.avforums.com/reviews/Samsung-D8000-(PS-64D8000)-3D-Plasma-TV-Review_213/Review.html

They have been saying on their black levels are up there with the best when this one was out I couldn't see it.

Just, Pioneer produced the best plasma for years, Panasonic have always been good, now know for being the best but taken a while. It would be great if this Samsung is as good as they are saying, it will be interesting to see what WHF think for me.

 

[bigboss]

Well, Samsung has produced some cracking plasmas as well, like this:

http://www.whathifi.com/review/samsung-ps50b650

It also won the best buy award in 2010:

http://www.whathifi.com/review/samsung-ps50c6900/specs

If there's one TV manufacturer that can produce a leap in performance over its predecessors, it's got to be Samsung. No other TV manufacturer spends even close to what Samsung does, in R&D.

 

[Alantiggger]

Well, Samsung has produced some cracking plasmas as well, like this: http://www.whathifi.com/review/samsung-ps50b650 It also won the best buy award in 2010: http://www.whathifi.com/review/samsung-ps50c6900/specs If there's one TV manufacturer that can produce a leap in performance over its predecessors, it's got to be Samsung. No other TV manufacturer spends even close to what Samsung does, in R&D.

The Samsung-PS51E6500 blows Panasonic out of the water, it is a quite amazing TV ... and cheaper too. :bounce:

 

[strapped for cash]

Steady on Alan.

The E6500 is a good TV, but let's not get carried away. The E6500 still has double the MLL of all Panasonic's 2012 plasmas, floating blacks, brightness pops, buzzing, and frame-skipping in 3D. The E6500's out of the box accuracy is bettered by all Panasonic's 2012 plasmas, too.

On the other hand, a large percentage of 2012 Panasonic plasmas have uniformity problems, quite a few suffer in term of image retention, and many buzz too much as well.

At best I'd call it a tie, though I'm not sure I'd want to live with any of those issues long term. The statement that the E6500 "blows Panasonic out of the water" is more than a little contentious.

 

[bigboss]

The statement that the E6500 "blows Panasonic out of the water" is more than a little contentious.

Come on strapped, now don't be a spoilsport! Let Alan remain proud of the TV he owns.

 

[strapped for cash]

Come on strapped, now don't be a spoilsport! Let Alan remain proud of the TV he owns.

He should be, it's one of the very best TVs out there and genuinely fantastic value for money. I'm just not sure it's the undisputed heavyweight champ.

It beats 2012 Panasonic plasmas in certain areas of performance, but not in others, making it a points decision at best. (I've already stretched the boxing metaphor too far.)

 

[Alantiggger]

My Samsung TV is pretty good and I have none of the problems mentioned..... so far, hope it stays as good as it is just now

Sometimes I do get a tad carried away so to speak and I'm sure a lot of Panasonics may well be better.

I recon at times that there's a fine art to typing exactly what you are really trying to put across and in all honesty I was really meaning what I said in a quite jovial way though still liking my TV big time. To be honest I'd love to have the ready cash to buy one of the new Samsung TV's that will soon be for sale. I think that my wife would maybe kill me if I did though ... sigh

 

[strapped for cash]

No worries Alan.

You're definitely not the first person to get carried away on here, especially in the early hours of the morning! (I'm no less guilty in this regard.)

I just wanted to redress the balance, as your Panasonic-Samsung comparison sounded like you were pitting a Ford Capri against a Bugatti Veyron.

 

[Paul.]

Edit: Actually, think I read that backwards. So Erm, Sup, how is everyone?

 

[strapped for cash]

No worries Paul.

You're definitely not the first person on here to read something backwards...

 

[Alantiggger]

Quick hijack if that's alright, This TV the Samsung PS51E6500 that I am loving to own... it has two USB slots with different values.... can someone please explain why they are different... as in are they meant for different things to connect to them ?

I'm not too sure whether a full brochure was not sent as I never got much in the way of paperwork in the BIG box so I don't know why they are different ?

A nice review of my TV here: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/samsung-ps60e6500-ps51e6500-201207262022.htm?page=Performance

 

[Paul.]

They should both be the same voltage, but the higher current one is for using external hard disks without power supplys. If you plug in a HD, you can record and pause live TV from the freeview tuner and set timed recordings from the guide mode. It needs to be quite a speedy drive to work, which is why it won't work with USB sticks.

 

[Alantiggger]

Thanks for the info Paul.

I ordered an external HD Drive the other night there and it does have its own power supply ... so would it then matter as to which USB slot I used ?

 

[strapped for cash]

A nice review of my TV here: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/samsung-ps60e6500-ps51e6500-201207262022.htm?page=Performance

HDTV Test's view was that the 6500 was probably the best Samsung TV last year, rivalling Panasonic's plasmas, rather than bettering them. The 6500 outperformed ST/GT/VT50 plasmas in certain areas, but not others.

I've no issue with anyone arguing that the 6500 was a worthy rival for 2012 Panasonic plasmas. Stating that it was outright winner is another matter entirely.

You've got an excellent TV, Alan. I hope you continue to enjoy it!