Picturesque
pleasure in three dimensions
Samsung’s LED-backlit HDTV offerings has earned the
lion’s share of consumers’ interest so far, and it is quite a pity little
attention has been showed in the direction of their plasma lineup. The
PS51D8000 on test this month is a Samsung fourth-generation plasma product
fitted with 3D and Smart TV under their Series 8 range. The D8000 PDP also
bears Samsung’s Plasma+1 design. By trimming its bezel’s breadth, you get an
additional inch of screen estate in what was supposed to be a 50-inch panel.
Apart from this, the 51-inch D8000 is visually a dead
ringer to its C8000 predecessor. The Full-HD TV features a brushed-metal bezel,
framed by a transparent glass lining along the outer rims. The quad stand makes
another appearance here. Most of the digital slots, including four HDMI and two
USB ports, are aligned by the side. The composite and component options share
the same analog jack, and in typical Samsung fashion, breakout cable is
required. With a 37mm depth, this model is well suited for wall-mounts too.
The D8000’s HDMI and USB ports are aligned by
the side for easy access
Of all the major HDTV brands, Samsung has produced one of
the sleekest and lightest active-shutter glasses to date. In fact, the
USB-rechargeable SSG-3700CR looks more like a pair of vogue shades rather than
stereoscopic eyewear. The remote, on the other hand, remains clad in a humdrum
outfit. There are redeeming attributes, however, such as a dedicated button for
Samsung’s Smart Hub, plus a backlight option to illuminate the keys.
Web browser and DLNA networking features still apply,
while a Samsung Smart Hub ID is required for social networking apps like
Facebook and Twitter. On top of that, fans of English and Mandarin drama series
can stream content via the SingTel Video Store. Noticeably, the D8000 does not
feature any THX presets like Panasonic’s VT30S, but it does offer a variety of
advanced picture adjustments such as 10-point White Balance under the Movie
mode.
Performance wise, the Series 8 delivered excellent color
gradations with minimal banding (or compression) on our DisplayMate test
patterns. It also demonstrated respectable video de-interlacing, scaling,
motion processing, and noise reduction capabilities with SD and HD material.
Details were nicely retained without compromising black
depths as compared to the LG PZ950. On the whole, the D8000 is a laudable
improvement over last year’s collection, although Samsung has yet to top the
Panasonic VT30S in this area. Observably, the PDP’s black levels can be further
enhanced by priming the TV’s Black Tone to Dark as well. The Series 8 also
performed admirably in the 3D aspect, where crosstalk is almost absent. The
display’s Cell Light (phosphor brightness levels) and Contrast are set to the
maximum by default when in 3D mode.
On the other hand, minor image retention can be a
niggling factor, plus the panel’s glossy treatment doesn’t make it suitable for
viewing in brighter environments despite the presence of Samsung’s Real Black
filters.
|
At a glance
Display area: 51-inch
Panel type: Clear
image Plasma panel
Native resolution: 1920x1080
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Price: $3,499
Specifications
Tuners: Analog
and DVB-T
Engine: 3D
HyperReal Engine
Features: Smart
Hub, Samsung Apps, Web Browser, 2D to 3D Conversion, 24p Real Cinema,
Skype-Ready
Connectivity: 4x HDMI
1.4a, 2x USB, Component, Composite, VGA, LAN, Optical Audio Out, Headphone
Out, PC Audio-in
Speakers: 2x 10
watts with Dolby Digital Plus
Standby power: Under
1-watt
Dimensions:
1196x802x310mm (with stand)
Weight: 25.4
kg (with stand)
|
Verdict: 9.0
Physique: 9.0
Features: 9.0
User-friendliness: 8.5
Performance: 9.0
Value: 8.5 |
