Samsung PS50B560 Plasma HDTV Review

**The News Bot** · 19-07-2009, 11:25 PM

Reviewed by David Mackenzie
The PS50B560 is a display with incredibly accurate Greyscale and Colour, which manages to miss out on a Recommendation due to other issues. If Samsung fix the 50hz video processing issue, then there's likely to be a "Highly Recommended" badge waiting for this display based on its other highly desirable traits.
Read the full review...

Warrior668 · 20-07-2009, 3:28 PM

Hi David,

i had the Samsung PS50A656 and it had the same flaw with 50hz material.
I think that the problem is related to the DNIe+ Engine, so i think that all B4, B5, A5, A6 and the B610 Models are affected.

Now i have the B850 and it doesn´t have this flaw with 50hz material. The B650 and B680 don´t have this flaw either. (Crystal Full HD Engine instead of DNIe+)

And you wrote:

Quote:

One other issue: sometimes during Standby mode, the TV will click and the panel will light up for a few seconds before going off again. Can you fix this? It can be intrusive in some environments.

This "Problem" is related to the "AUTO UPDATE FUNCTION" it can be set to OFF in the menu.

David Mackenzie · 20-07-2009, 4:12 PM

Thanks for the info - I should have figured there was some Auto Update process going on. I've reworded that part of the review.

Hopefully Samsung will fix the 50hz issue - it's pretty obvious with certain material.

Pecker · 20-07-2009, 4:32 PM

David, if they fix this issue we're talking about a reference quality 50" plasma for under a grand.

How would you compare this TV's PQ to a 50" Pio or Panny?

Steve W

David Mackenzie · 20-07-2009, 4:46 PM

It'd be just behind reference quality, but close enough given the cost savings.

How it compares to the picture quality of other displays, ignoring the 50hz issue:

Panasonic: SD video scaling and deinterlacing is definitely behind Samsung. Samsung's processing here is excellent. Greyscale tracking on Panasonic's displays is just as good as Samsung's. The Panasonic picture has a little bit more PWM noise, not really visible from most viewing distances, but mildly irritating if you sit up close. No image retention, unlike on the Samsung display which got it quite a lot. Colour accuracy on the Panasonics is behind the Samsung, because they have no Colour mangement system.

Pioneer: the KRP-500A was reviewed by Phil. I've not done an in depth technical examination of one of those myself, but have spent time with one. Going off the data and my experiences with it, it has better black level (not surprising). Pioneer's colour management system is not as comprehensive as Samsung's, so for example, the colour of green was mildly more accurate (essentially unnoticeable, though) on the Samsung display than it was on the Pioneer. However, the Samsung has a panel limitation which means that Blue is just noticeably off-target. Both displays feature absolutely brilliant colour and are very close.

Pioneer's gamma tracking will certainly better than Samsung's too. Going from what I've seen of the Pioneer, it's SD video processing will be behind Samsung's. Samsung are using edge-adaptive scaling which I find very satisfying for SD sources. I'm not sure how the deinterlacing on the Pioneer compares to the Samsung, but the Samsung's is absolutely excellent.

Other things to consider: with the Pioneer Kuro, the picture was basically reference quality out of the box and it needed almost no adjustment. But, a calibrated Samsung has a hell of a lot going for it in terms of picture quality. I just couldn't live with one because of that 50hz bug. I really hope they fix it.

YellowSphere · 20-07-2009, 8:01 PM

Is there a possibility of reviewing a B650 or B850 plasma to corroborate Warrior 668's findings? Or see if these models offer any other advantages?

Other than that, stunning. Even after paying for a calibration, this is a stunningly cheap set.

Badger0-0 · 20-07-2009, 8:03 PM

What a shame. So close and yet so far at the same time.
A telly close to reference for less than a grand but fundamentally flawed.

Nice review as usual

Collusion · 21-07-2009, 12:28 AM

Just to be sure: What is the calibrated black level of Samsung B560? Can it compete against Panasonic's 0,03cd/m2 minimum brightness?

David Mackenzie · 21-07-2009, 1:10 AM

The measured value I have that makes the most sense is 0.0848 cd/m2. Keep in mind that most meters are not really accurate at 0 IRE, though.

Pecker · 21-07-2009, 8:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Mackenzie

It'd be just behind reference quality, but close enough given the cost savings.

How it compares to the picture quality of other displays, ignoring the 50hz issue:

Panasonic: SD video scaling and deinterlacing is definitely behind Samsung. Samsung's processing here is excellent. Greyscale tracking on Panasonic's displays is just as good as Samsung's. The Panasonic picture has a little bit more PWM noise, not really visible from most viewing distances, but mildly irritating if you sit up close. No image retention, unlike on the Samsung display which got it quite a lot. Colour accuracy on the Panasonics is behind the Samsung, because they have no Colour mangement system.

Pioneer: the KRP-500A was reviewed by Phil. I've not done an in depth technical examination of one of those myself, but have spent time with one. Going off the data and my experiences with it, it has better black level (not surprising). Pioneer's colour management system is not as comprehensive as Samsung's, so for example, the colour of green was mildly more accurate (essentially unnoticeable, though) on the Samsung display than it was on the Pioneer. However, the Samsung has a panel limitation which means that Blue is just noticeably off-target. Both displays feature absolutely brilliant colour and are very close.

Pioneer's gamma tracking will certainly better than Samsung's too. Going from what I've seen of the Pioneer, it's SD video processing will be behind Samsung's. Samsung are using edge-adaptive scaling which I find very satisfying for SD sources. I'm not sure how the deinterlacing on the Pioneer compares to the Samsung, but the Samsung's is absolutely excellent.

Other things to consider: with the Pioneer Kuro, the picture was basically reference quality out of the box and it needed almost no adjustment. But, a calibrated Samsung has a hell of a lot going for it in terms of picture quality. I just couldn't live with one because of that 50hz bug. I really hope they fix it.

Thanks - that's a pretty comprehensive answer.

From what you're saying, if the 50hz problem is fixed, there's not a great deal in it, and this Sammy is substantially cheaper.

Steve W

Monarch · 21-07-2009, 3:29 PM

How does it compare to the LGs in the same price range? (so the PS7000/8000 I guess)

David Mackenzie · 21-07-2009, 3:31 PM

They are very close. Samsung has the edge because of the deeper black level (LG's biggest flaw).

Asides from that, both have great Greyscale and CMS controls.

Monarch · 21-07-2009, 3:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Mackenzie

They are very close. Samsung has the edge because of the deeper black level (LG's biggest flaw).

Asides from that, both have great Greyscale and CMS controls.

Thanks, do you have a calibrated black level number for the LG aswell, I know that the numbers are always a bit shakey, but it would be interesting to see

David Mackenzie · 21-07-2009, 3:41 PM

I don't have one on hand, sorry, but the LG is considerably less black.

Monarch · 21-07-2009, 3:44 PM

ah well, good review anyway, shockingly good TV considering the price point

but that 50Hz issue sounds annoying

warbie · 21-07-2009, 9:24 PM

If the 50hz processing gets sorted I will likely buy this - it looks great value for money.

ertoil · 23-07-2009, 9:06 AM

a good plasma doesnt need to be calibrated out of the box,
if a plasma need that to go better...forget it...go for a Pana G10 or Pioneer

Monarch · 23-07-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ertoil

a good plasma doesnt need to be calibrated out of the box,
if a plasma need that to go better...forget it...go for a Pana G10 or Pioneer

what? To get the best picture out of every TV, you need to calibrate it

David Mackenzie · 23-07-2009, 3:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ertoil

a good plasma doesnt need to be calibrated out of the box,
if a plasma need that to go better...forget it...go for a Pana G10 or Pioneer

Panasonics absolutely need to be calibrated to get the best picture - I have a top of the range TV with me now that has a slight green tint until calibration.

The Pioneers were exceptionally engineered (and I assume also factory-calibrated), but even they could do with a quick touch-up every now and then.

ertoil · 23-07-2009, 6:25 PM

you re right! i mean when you buy a Sony or Pioneer for some reason
they produce from the first impression a perfect focus ,quality colors and contrast
,this happened to me since Trinitrons crt...now i have bought a LG32Pg6000 plasma
and you can reach a great improvement with calibration but if there is not
a perfect colorimetry balance from factory forget it ..just my opinion!

**Phil Hinton** · 23-07-2009, 7:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ertoil

you re right! i mean when you buy a Sony or Pioneer for some reason
they produce from the first impression a perfect focus ,quality colors and contrast
,this happened to me since Trinitrons crt...now i have bought a LG32Pg6000 plasma
and you can reach a great improvement with calibration but if there is not
a perfect colorimetry balance from factory forget it ..just my opinion!

Actually every TV and projector on the market is seriously out of whack if you use the dynamic, vivid or standard modes..... even the Pioneer, Panasonic and Sony's. Of course not a lot of people will notice that.. or even care I suppose. Ignorance is bliss seemingly...

Most cinema modes these days are a lot better for accuracy on most models and of course THX presets or pure modes are even better on some. But they don't ship that way (usually default to vivid on first start up of the display) or get displayed that way in a shop. Then again, even with the factory calibration in the cinema/pure modes, things can be improved again quite noticably with a pro calibration.

ertoil · 23-07-2009, 7:56 PM

dunno why they do things so complicated right now..at the end i ll hate new panels

and return to my good Flat crt days

Welsh Whirlwind · 23-07-2009, 10:27 PM

Damn Samsung! Please fix that 50hz issue and I'll drop the cash on this panel!!

Warrior668 · 24-07-2009, 12:05 PM

Just get a PS50B650.

klaus71 · 25-07-2009, 8:34 PM

does PS50B650 have no problems with 50hz signal?
in previous generation of samsung - models ps a656 and a550 had same issues )like false contouring)

Archie · 25-07-2009, 10:44 PM

hi, excellent review as always.

Can somebody in the know help me out.

How do the black levels on this set compare with an eighth generation pioneers. I see someone has already asked about this issue in comparison to a panasonic (which one?) but how do the cd/m2 figures given translate in terms of real world viewing.

For example if you lined up a pana x10, the reviewed samsung, a pana g10 and an 8G pioneer how would the black levels compare. In what order would they rank on this issue and what sort of margins are we talking between the sets?

Thanks.

Suave · 26-07-2009, 7:00 PM

Hi David!

"Going from what I've seen of the Pioneer, it's SD video processing will be behind Samsung's. Samsung are using edge-adaptive scaling which I find very satisfying for SD sources. I'm not sure how the deinterlacing on the Pioneer compares to the Samsung, but the Samsung's is absolutely excellent."

I was under the impression that pretty much nothing came even close to Pioneer's SD processing out there in other HDTV's - based on the statement above, could you elaborate a little? Does this new samsung set(s) surpass the SD quality of the G9 Kuro's then? It sounds like it & if so, how much of an improvement on SD is there over that of the Kuro? Is this also true of off-air TV broadcasts?

Suave!

Carolus Rex · 31-07-2009, 8:31 AM

Any updates regarding the 50hz bug?

**Phil Hinton** · 31-07-2009, 9:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolus Rex

Any updates regarding the 50hz bug?

No, we are still waiting on Samsung getting back to us on this issue.

Carolus Rex · 31-07-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

No, we are still waiting on Samsung getting back to us on this issue.

If one would compare this set to the Panasonic plasmas that also has problem with interlaced material, wich one would give the best picture on 576i? Mainly the 50X10 as it is in the same price range. Can't afford the G10 in 50"

Also, has this problem been confirmed on the 4-series?