Samsung F8500 plasma anticipation thread

[BenLaw]

Trouble is, I'm certain there's a more productive use of my time than scanning every tech website for scraps of information. It's become an obsession. Even I'm bored of it all now. I just want a TV that works properly!

Sure, but it's a very productive use of my time if you're putting all that work in

Then this is my last post here on this year's plasma TVs. If you can't even pretend to pitch in...

Sorry strapped, I promise I'll pretend to pitch in from now on!

 

[strapped for cash]

You have to bear in mind too that all the facts and figures (however impressive) are just that until a good concensous can be garnered from reviews, we really need to see how all the major reviewers rate the tv first to get a grip on just how good the tv is in the flesh and perhaps then we can celebrate a tv that can finally be called a Kuro killer. I'm certainly excited to see those reviews just to see if the good news continues from the few bits you have managed to dig up thus far...i've got my fingers crossed that later in the year Samsung tempt me to buy a new tv.

I also hope that you finally get a tv you are happy with and just hope that you get the chance to see the F8500 for yourself very soon, i've registered my interest too by the way so you can count me as interested!

The F8500 readings were taken by Kevin Miller who, along with Robert Zohn, arranges the annual HDTV Shootout. Kevin Miller is up there with D-Nice of Cnet fame when it comes to expertise as a calibrator. In other words, I have as much faith in the measurements as in HDTV Test and AV Forums reviews.

It remains to be seen how much Panasonic has improved on last year's TVs. However, as you know, I've lost all confidence that their TVs will be relatively problem free out of the box and remain that way long term.

Whether the F8500 is regarded as a genuine Kuro killer will remain a matter of opinion. Pioneer fanboys that believe black level is the only marker of image quality may quibble over imperceptible differences. In other regards, including functionality, the last-gen Kuros are outmatched. In any case, buying a four year old TV seems a false economy now.

Keep your interest levels up, Oldboy. We're finding out more with each day that passes!

 

[strapped for cash]

Sorry strapped, I promise I'll pretend to pitch in from now on!

Well, that's probably the most I can hope for!

 

[strapped for cash]

I would pitch in if I had 2k laying around

You could join in, just for the fun of it!

Admittedly, as per my post above, researching my next TV purchase is giving me a headache rather than any sense of fun.

 

[BenLaw]

I would pitch in if I had 2k laying around

You could join in, just for the fun of it!

Admittedly, as per my post above, researching my next TV purchase is giving me a headache rather than any sense of fun.

Yes, but in a utilitarian sense it is well worth it

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Definitely getting me interested too.

What does it mean by black level is 400 per cent better! How can that be, 400 per cent?

See, I knew you'd come around in the end!

With creative mathematics, advertisers can pretty much say anything they like. Just look at manufacturers' LED TV contrast claims. Samsung's F8500 black level claim was relative to the E8000's performance, and the F8500 certainly goes much blacker than that.

Bear in mind that the 0.001 and 0.004 ANSI figures in the review are foot lambert readings (rather than the candela per square metre readings used in UK reviews). Converted, and using the UK review figures for comparison, those figures equal in candela per square metre:

F8500: 0.0034 (full black screen) and 0.013 (ANSI checkerboard)

VT50: 0.009 (full black screen) and 0.012 (ANSI checkerboard)

If we use the ANSI reading, which of course we should as this reflects black level with content on screen, there's essentially no difference between these TVs. All of that assumes no variance between tests in different environments (albeit using the same meter).

I honestly don't think the black level conversation is worth having. The TVs seemingly match each other in this regard and it would be impossible to tell them apart. That said, the F8500 reading is out of the box and may be lower once the TV has bedded in.

In other regards, motion and shadow detail especially, the F8500 looks a better TV than the VT50. 3D performance is better, too, as the F8500 can produce much brighter 3D images. While many people don't care, it's good to know that the TV will get the best out of 3D Blu-rays.

It seems we're in a position now where Panasonic and Samsung plasmas are so close in terms of performance that any decision comes down to small preferences, or problems reported. If the F8500 has perfect screen uniformity and better motion, I think that's where my money will go.

I also think the F8500 looks sexier than the VT50/60. And there's no annoying, distracting light on the front when the power is turned on. A small detail, yes, but in a dark room that green light can be annoying.

Excuse the mini-essay! These are really just my thoughts spilling onto the page...

Cheers Strapped.

Do Samsung plasmas buzz?

 

[Paul.]

Mine does, but only if you go to Hoth...

 

[Oldboy]

There is some loud buzzing evident in the vids linked to at the beginning of this thread but it's unknown if that is evident of a genuine issue with buzzing from this particular tv, only time and reviews from both experts and customers will tell us the answer to that question. I think it's far more unlikely than the chances of getting buzzing from a Panasonic plasma though which seem to really suffer here unless you are very lucky and get a quiet one.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

What about sound quality? I bought a Samsung 46D8000 about a year and a half ago, and that was seriously poor, kept distorting when ever you turned it up remotely high!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Guess all we need then is:

 

[Paul.]

I think it's safe to say all TVs sound rubbish since thin TVs became a priority. My Samsung is ok, it sounds about the same as my big fat LCD panasonic which had speaker columns on the side.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Guess all we need then is:

Try again!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Anyone up for a petition?

I am sure we could get lots of votes.

 

[bigboss]

Anyone up for a petition?

I am sure we could get lots of votes.

Petition for what? Improving sound? It's impossible, given the preference for slimmer TVs. Speakers need airspace within the cabinet to sound decent.

 

[simonlewis]

Anyone up for a petition?

I am sure we could get lots of votes.

Petition for what? Improving sound? It's impossible, given the preference for slimmer TVs. Speakers need airspace within the cabinet to sound decent.

See this thread.

 

[simonlewis]

Personally i like red, like they used to do.

 

[Paul.]

Isn't it metal not grey plastic? I would wait until you see it in person before judging. May look pants who knows, I just remember seeing those leaked photos of the iPhone 4 and thought it looked crap, but in person it was delightful.

 

[Oldboy]

I quite like the industrial grey look...am I the only one then? Makes a change from the almost universal black boxes out there and would blend in with most set ups imo.

 

[simonlewis]

I've seen metal rimmed tv's before & they look quite nice,

 

[strapped for cash]

Based on what I've read, which essentially means a couple of owners' thoughts over on AVS, buzzing isn't audible unless you stick your head round the back of the TV.

Sorry Gel, but it doesn't come in black. I like the gun metal grey look. The V20 has this finish and I prefered it to the glossy black GT50. I though mine looked really classy.

Owners have reported very temporary IR (this clears within a couple of mins at most). Hopefully this is a non issue, as Samsung plasmas have performed better in this area than Panasonic plasmas in recent years. See this:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57449881-221/samsung-plasma-wins-cnets-accidental-burn-in-test/

To be honest, there's only so much you can take from new owner reports, since they haven't lived with the TV for long. In addition, new owners of an expensive plasma TV are likely to offer comments that justify their expensive purchase.

All that said, I'm still thinking this is the one. If someone dropped another two grand through my letterbox, I'd start considering the ZT65. I'm guessing that's not going to happen...

 

[strapped for cash]

Mine does, but only if you go to Hoth...

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Based on what I've read, which essentially means a couple of owners' thoughts over on AVS, buzzing isn't audible unless you stick your head round the back of the TV.

Sorry Gel, but it doesn't come in black. I like the gun metal grey look. The V20 has this finish and I prefered it to the glossy black GT50. I though mine looked really classy.

Owners have reported very temporary IR (this clears within a couple of mins at most). Hopefully this is a non issue, as Samsung plasmas have performed better in this area than Panasonic plasmas in recent years. See this:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57449881-221/samsung-plasma-wins-cnets-accidental-burn-in-test/

To be honest, there's only so much you can take from new owner reports, since they haven't lived with the TV for long. In addition, new owners of an expensive plasma TV are likely to offer comments that justify their expensive purchase.

All that said, I'm still thinking this is the one. If someone dropped another two grand through my letterbox, I'd start considering the ZT65. I'm guessing that's not going to happen...

That is good news on the buzzing side of things. Just hope my call for a petition for them to change the colour in the next few years works.

At the moment very happy with my GT50 still, but in a couple of years who knows. Asked in John Lewis today did they have any Samsung plasmas on pre-order, but got told nothing yet, but suspected they might be getting the cheaper plasma one, the 6500 I think but was not sure about the flagship. Not sure how reliable this info is though.

 

[strapped for cash]

Hi Gel,

Cheers for asking. There isn't a Samsing 6 series plasma this year -- it's either budget or flagship. For me, that means F8500 or Panasonic.

Since this year's plasmas aren't on sale yet, it's looking increasingly like I'll need to get a refund and live without a TV for a while.

I want to audition the F8500 and ST60 side-by-side. I might also consider the VT60, depending on price and performance. If I go Panasonic, I want a 55" TV. I might have to flog my subwoofer, but this doesn't get any use, so I'll hardly miss it.

I read another F8500 pro-cal review today that just gave the nod to the VT50. There's so little between mid-to-high-end plasma TVs now that the decision will come down to which TV has the least irritating quirks. I could very happily live without the 50Hz bug, so if the F8500 does a better job with motion and other differences are impossible to see by eye, I'll take the TV that can correctly display 50Hz content.

I'm watching the England game right now. Still not enjoying the vertical bands...

 

[Oldboy]

Hi Gel,

Cheers for asking. There isn't a Samsing 6 series plasma this year -- it's either budget or flagship. For me, that means F8500 or Panasonic.

Since this year's plasmas aren't on sale yet, it's looking increasingly like I'll need to get a refund and live without a TV for a while.

I want to audition the F8500 and ST60 side-by-side. I might also consider the VT60, depending on price and performance. If I go Panasonic, I want a 55" TV. I might have to flog my subwoofer, but this doesn't get any use, so I'll hardly miss it.

I read another F8500 pro-cal review today that just gave the nod to the VT50. There's so little between mid-to-high-end plasma TVs now that the decision will come down to which TV has the least irritating quirks. I could very happily live without the 50Hz bug, so if the F8500 does a better job with motion and other differences are impossible to see by eye, I'll take the TV that can correctly display 50Hz content.

I'm watching the England game right now. Still not enjoying the vertical bands...

Strapped I can't beleive you are seriously considering another Panasonic plasma...what has changed your mind after all the issues with the GT50??

You are right about the refund though, I can't see any other way forward with still no info regarding release dates of any of this years sets and despite the hassle of not having a tv for a while it will give you the extra time to weigh up your choices and audition for yourself. The 50hz bug really annoyed me on my GT30 and most of all with sport and gaming, I can't beleive this bug has gone on for so long with Panasonic plasmas and I have my doubts it will be resolved this year either.

On the other hand most tvs have some sort of issue or quirk so it can be a case of choosing the one with least evils or what one best suits and you can live with despite the issues. I would still favour the Samsung personally over any Panasonic plasma simply because of the numbers of reported issues over at least the last 3 years, I think it's well worth considering the reliability factor in your decision too and we both know Panasonic haven't been great in this area of late.

I don't envy your position because on the one hand you must be biting at the bit to replace the GT50 but on the other hand you are sitting right at the start of the next wave of tvs with all the uncertainties that brings, taking your time may well be the best way forward and try to resist jumping in too early??

 

[strapped for cash]

Strapped I can't beleive you are seriously considering another Panasonic plasma...what has changed your mind after all the issues with the GT50??

I'm not ruling anything out at this stage. I hoped the F8500 would be notably better than last year's plasmas. Based on the information that's trickling in, the F8500 is very much on a par with with VT50.

Meanwhile, I've read positive things about the ST60, such as the inclusion of a 10 point colour management system in its most adjustable picture mode. The possibility of getting a 55" TV is also a factor. Since I'd be paying a premium for the F8500, if there's visibly no difference between that and the ST60, it makes sense to get the larger screen and save money.

I know how to test for uniformity problems and it seems I'll be able to arrange a meet with a pro-calibrator to do side-by-side testing of this year's plasma TVs. I honestly want to keep an open mind. My main gripe with the GT50 is of course the dirty screen effect. As long as this year's Panasonic plasmas are free from this issue, they'll remain on my radar.

It's really going to come down to the audition. I'd like to get this all over and done with as soon as possible. I'm simply looking for a TV I enjoy watching, rather than feeling my heart sink each time I turn it on...