Samsung PS50A556S

DICKIEDUVET

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Does anyone have any info on this new 50" Sammy Model, According to Dixons, Currys and Pixmania (The only UK suppliers) The TV features a full 1080P Panel, 20,000:1 contrast (100,000 Dynamic), 24p movie mode, 3x 1.3 HDMI connections, sounds great.

Was tempted to pick up the Panny PZ70B, But this sounds as if it supports everything we need now and the near future too. Can anyone confirm the specs ??? was going to wait for the new Panny 50PZ80 but with no reliable release date I might just go for the Sammy.

Thanks
 
Its not a 1080p panel but it does accept 1080p input signals. Hope this helps.
 
It has 1920 x 1080 pixels, does this not make it a native 1080 panel ??
 
I'm very confused with this one. Did a search using Zettavolt yesterday for 50" Samsung full HD plasmas & it comes up with these four results:

Samsung PS50P96FD, Plasma 50in, 1920x1080, 15000:1 Contr.Ratio, 3xHDMI 1.3
Samsung PS50A558S, Plasma 50in, 1920x1080, 3xHDMI
Samsung PS50P96FHD, Plasma 50in, 1920x1080, 15000:1 Contr Ratio, 3xHDMI
Samsung PS50A556S, Plasma 50in, 1920x1080, 20000:1 Contr Ratio, 3xHDMI

Now going onto the Samsung website the PS50A556S which looks the better TV with its 20:000 contrast ratio is not listed there. However, searching for suppliers for this one seems to confirm it is a full 1080 display.
 
So it does look like a 1080p panel then :)

Off to Currys in a bit to see if they have one on display, Sounds ideal but would love to find an online review.

The only details available are from Dixons, Currys and PC World. :rolleyes:
 
Does anyone have any info on this new 50" Sammy Model, According to Dixons, Currys and Pixmania (The only UK suppliers)

I'm going to take a look down at Curry's this afternoon, seems as though it's a special from Samsung for the Dixon's group. Maybe a re-badged PS50P96FD with the service settings tweaked to give a higher contrast ratio. Incidentally the PS50A558S looks identical, also has 20000:1 contrast ratio.
 
I'm going to take a look down at Curry's this afternoon, seems as though it's a special from Samsung for the Dixon's group. Maybe a re-badged PS50P96FD with the service settings tweaked to give a higher contrast ratio. Incidentally the PS50A558S looks identical, also has 20000:1 contrast ratio.

Hi Julie,

This isnt a rebadged set, it is Samsungs brand new Series 5 plasma which replaces last years P96FD set.

Myself and another member of the forum got ours about 3 weeks ago. Check out the owners thread:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=751532&highlight=a556

So far I am very impressed with the set, although I'm getting a replacement tomorrow due to a misaligned panel.
 
Hi Julie,

This isnt a rebadged set, it is Samsungs brand new Series 5 plasma which replaces last years P96FD set.

Myself and another member of the forum got ours about 3 weeks ago. Check out the owners thread:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=751532&highlight=a556

So far I am very impressed with the set, although I'm getting a replacement tomorrow due to a misaligned panel.

Thanks for that Slingshot,
That explains all, seems like Samsung are as guilty as Panasonic in not updating their product range on their website as soon as their new stuff becomes available.

Off down to Bristol Cribbs Causeway this very minute to see if I can spot one in Curry's

Julie
 
I'm very confused with this one. Did a search using Zettavolt yesterday for 50" Samsung full HD plasmas & it comes up with these four results:

Samsung PS50P96FD, Plasma 50in, 1920x1080, 15000:1 Contr.Ratio, 3xHDMI 1.3
Samsung PS50A558S, Plasma 50in, 1920x1080, 3xHDMI
Samsung PS50P96FHD, Plasma 50in, 1920x1080, 15000:1 Contr Ratio, 3xHDMI
Samsung PS50A556S, Plasma 50in, 1920x1080, 20000:1 Contr Ratio, 3xHDMI

Now going onto the Samsung website the PS50A556S which looks the better TV with its 20:000 contrast ratio is not listed there. However, searching for suppliers for this one seems to confirm it is a full 1080 display.

The A556, A557 and A558 are all the same set - the only difference being the colour of the bezel:

A556 - Black
A557 - Silver
A558 - Titanium

The P96FD is last years 1080p model and as you point out has a lower contrast ratio of 15:000.
 
Thanks for that Slingshot,
That explains all, seems like Samsung are as guilty as Panasonic in not updating their product range on their website as soon as their new stuff becomes available.

Off down to Bristol Cribbs Causeway this very minute to see if I can spot one in Curry's

Julie

Very true and very frustrating.. Currys, Dixons et al were taking orders and then delivering but there was no information on the UK Samsung site. You had to trawl German forums and European Samsung sites to find snippets of info.

Amazed they still aren't promoting their new series 5 models.
 
Looks a nice Tv, They had it in Currys playing Happy Feet Blu-Ray. I have to say it, Even the LG Plasma's looked good in the Empire Direct store I visited as did the Panny 58PZ700.

Slingshot do you know if the Sammy 556 has HDMI 1.3

Thanks
 
They are 1080p sets.
You can find a review of the US equivalent of the TV on CNET : http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-pn50a550/4505-6482_7-32887581.html

The head reviewer for plasma TVs there called it the best TV for gaming and the best plasma under $2k.

the samsung A556 does have HDMI 1.3 (to my knowledge on all three inputs). the previous versions also had hdmi 1.3.

officially it is the successor to the PS50-Q97 but with a FullHD panel but in reality it is more like a second generation P96 without the UltraFilterBright. There will be a A650 series which will add the UltraFilterBright and one or two enhancements.
 
Looks a nice Tv, They had it in Currys playing Happy Feet Blu-Ray. I have to say it, Even the LG Plasma's looked good in the Empire Direct store I visited as did the Panny 58PZ700.

Slingshot do you know if the Sammy 556 has HDMI 1.3

Thanks

Hi mate,

Yes it does.
 
They are 1080p sets.
You can find a review of the US equivalent of the TV on CNET : http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-pn50a550/4505-6482_7-32887581.html

The head reviewer for plasma TVs there called it the best TV for gaming and the best plasma under $2k.

the samsung A556 does have HDMI 1.3 (to my knowledge on all three inputs). the previous versions also had hdmi 1.3.

officially it is the successor to the PS50-Q97 but with a FullHD panel but in reality it is more like a second generation P96 without the UltraFilterBright. There will be a A650 series which will add the UltraFilterBright and one or two enhancements.

Do remember that the A550 is a different set though as it has a contrast ratio of 30:000 and I'm not sure what other differences there might be. I'd like to know that though.
 
Ok, Crunch time. Should I pull the trigger on the Sammy 556 at £1240 from Dixons online (5% discount - BIGTV) Dont forget 3% Quidco too.

or perhaps get the older Panny 50PZ70B for the same price....Or wait for the Panny 50PZ80 due next month.


Thing is I have a weeks holiday next week and want something to play with :D
 
Ok, Crunch time. Should I pull the trigger on the Sammy 556 at £1240 from Dixons online (5% discount - BIGTV) Dont forget 3% Quidco too.

or perhaps get the older Panny 50PZ70B for the same price....Or wait for the Panny 50PZ80 due next month.


Thing is I have a weeks holiday next week and want something to play with :D

Man thats cheap! God they go down so quickly. I ordered mine in the middle of last month for £1499 with £100 discount plus quidco. So cost me £1350 in total.. Can't believe it's dropped again.

Great price! Go for it.
 
i think it is the same set just the us version. but the panel should be the same and the videounit should be. not sure whether the CR is just US marketing or whether the sets are different.
 
Am I correct to say this is not a 100hz set? ... and if so - would that be a deal-breaker?
 
only the 450 series has 100Hz. no idea why the 550 does not but it does not seem to be needed.


p.s.: samsung switzerland shows the A556 and A557 as 30.000:1, so I guess Samsung just does not sync their websites properly.
 
Hi Folks,

Still undecided on my choice, Narrowed it down to the Sammy 556 or the Panny 50PZ70 both can be purchased for around the same Price at the mo £1200.

Any thoughts, I am upgrading from a Panny 42PX60 so was swinging toward the PZ70 but the 556 has better connectivity, any ideas how the 1080/24p compares on the 2 panels ???

Any input appreciated,

Thanks
 
Hi Folks,

Still undecided on my choice, Narrowed it down to the Sammy 556 or the Panny 50PZ70 both can be purchased for around the same Price at the mo £1200.

Any thoughts, I am upgrading from a Panny 42PX60 so was swinging toward the PZ70 but the 556 has better connectivity, any ideas how the 1080/24p compares on the 2 panels ???

Any input appreciated,

Thanks

That A556 accepts 24hz but there is slight judder.
 
Gents,

Bought my Samsung PS50A556S a few weeks ago from Currys. I never pay the sticker price, so got a discount on the set and extended warranty at the same time. I'm pleased with the set, but the 24p setting is disappointing, as it drops a frame every second. This was unexpected, but it does make sense. I'm using it with a PS3, and had to set the PS3 to play all BluRay at normal rates, as it seemed to default to 24p for everything for some reason.

Anyway, the set started muting the sound randomly, and it has now rebooted a couple of times all by itself, which is obviously not acceptable.

I called the Currys helpline, who gave me a ref number for the fault and said to call the local store. They're coming round next week with a replacement TV, nice and easy, so I can't complain about Currys aftersales service at all. If the replacement set is faulty too, then I'll be ******-off and get on to Samsung.
 

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