Samsung PN50B650 Owners Thread

[skatalite]

Hey everyone! I got my Samsung PN50B650 today and was wondering what setting recommendations there are for break-in period? I haven't had time to use it much today due to work, but I came home to find my roommate had been using it, thus causing some image retention. I was able to remove it with Scrolling feature on the Burn-in menu.

Right now I have it at:

Movie mode
Warm 2
Cell light: 5
Contrast: 50
Brightness: 50
Sharpness: 5
Color: 50
Tint: 50/50
16:9 aspect
Digital noise reduction: Off
HDMI black level: low
Film mode: Off
Game mode: Off
Energy saver: Off

From what I figure, these settings for 100 hours should be good-to-go. But just want some opinions from people who know what they're talking about.

Also, should I avoid playing widescreen movies? I know I should keep gaming to a minimum. What about TV stations with static images? Should I avoid those or just keep it to a minimum?

Thanks!

[repete66211]

My TV is similar to yours. The CNET review settings were almost identical to the tweaktv.com settings, so that's what I used. I tweaked them a bit with a DVE HD disc. All of that right out of the box, no break in at all. I have had no issues with IR or BI.

[bluskinsfan21]

I have a couple of question about this tv; 1: IR, as bad as people say it is on this set, I know the panny (g10-v10) are better, but I would prefer the more lifelike color reproduction. 2: why is this tv not available at any bestbuys in MD?? I was going to pull the trigger and I can't find it anywhere (Bmore/DC metro area). Does this mean that best buy is phasing it out for new models this fall - I thought the 650 came out the beginning of summer?? 3: What is this tv like with ps3?

Thanks for the input, I've been real happy with my 32 inch samsung; excellent picture. The only issue is size, now that I have all my new speakers hooked up (Monitor 60s, 40s, Cs2), the tv is somewhat dwarfed, and man would I love to have the 24p on movies... so any help would be appreciated.

[skatalite]

Originally Posted by bluskinsfan21

I have a couple of question about this tv; 1: IR, as bad as people say it is on this set, I know the panny (g10-v10) are better, but I would prefer the more lifelike color reproduction. 2: why is this tv not available at any bestbuys in MD?? I was going to pull the trigger and I can't find it anywhere (Bmore/DC metro area). Does this mean that best buy is phasing it out for new models this fall - I thought the 650 came out the beginning of summer?? 3: What is this tv like with ps3?

Thanks for the input, I've been real happy with my 32 inch samsung; excellent picture. The only issue is size, now that I have all my new speakers hooked up (Monitor 60s, 40s, Cs2), the tv is somewhat dwarfed, and man would I love to have the 24p on movies... so any help would be appreciated.

I got mine about three weeks ago. While image retention is possible, I'm not bothered by it. I've had it happen several times, but it always corrects itself. Or, you could use the white/black scroller to remedy the situation.

Not sure why it's not available in your stores. Wasn't available here in the Oklahoma City area, so I ordered it from Best Buy.

I upgraded from a 42-inch Samsung plasma, 720p. I can see the improvement for sure, and I'm loving this TV. I use a PS3 Slim for games and movies, and haven't had any problems with the two components agreeing with one another. Movies look great, games look great.

I calibrated my TV using the THX settings on my "A Bug's Life" Blu-ray. My settings weren't far off, but I'll likely get a calibration disc to see if there's any difference.

The only thing about it that I'm "meh" about is the Cinema Smooth feature. When it's on, it brightens the picture a little bit. You can definitely tell when you're playing a movie with letterbox bars, as the black bars will "soften" in color with Cinema Smooth on. It also caused a small audio syncing issue. Mouths moved faster than the dialogue, but not by much. I noticed it, my girlfriend didn't. So, I just keep it off. No big deal. I hadn't planned on using it anyway, but when I watched "Dark City" with it on, and then several scenes with it off, I noticed the differences.

Hope that helps! I love Samsung plasmas. Colors are righteous.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by skatalite

The only thing about it that I'm "meh" about is the Cinema Smooth feature. When it's on, it brightens the picture a little bit. You can definitely tell when you're playing a movie with letterbox bars, as the black bars will "soften" in color with Cinema Smooth on. It also caused a small audio syncing issue. Mouths moved faster than the dialogue, but not by much. I noticed it, my girlfriend didn't. So, I just keep it off. No big deal. I hadn't planned on using it anyway, but when I watched "Dark City" with it on, and then several scenes with it off, I noticed the differences.
.

You must own the top of the line 860 series. Only the 860 series has Cinema Smooth feature.

According to page 27 of 284 in the Samsung instruction manual, only the PN50B860Y2F and PN58B860Y2F offer the Cinema Smooth feature. To use the Cinema Smooth feature a 1080p/24 HDMI signal has to be present.

Click the following link for Samsung owners manual:
http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.com/downloadfile/ContentsFile.aspx?CDSite=US&CttFileID=2236344&CDCt tType=UM&ModelType=N&ModelName=PN58B860Y2F&VPath=U M/200906/20090619194425781/BN68-02271A-02L03_0618.pdf

[skatalite]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

You must own the top of the line 860 series. Only the 860 series has Cinema Smooth feature.

According to page 27 of 284 in the Samsung instruction manual, only the PN50B860Y2F and PN58B860Y2F offer the Cinema Smooth feature. To use the Cinema Smooth feature a 1080p/24 HDMI signal has to be present.

Click the following link for Samsung owners manual:
http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.com/downloadfile/ContentsFile.aspx?CDSite=US&CttFileID=2236344&CDCt tType=UM&ModelType=N&ModelName=PN58B860Y2F&VPath=U M/200906/20090619194425781/BN68-02271A-02L03_0618.pdf

No. I own a B650, and it has the Cinema Smooth option.

Best Buy link: http://tinyurl.com/np9oex
Samsung.com link: http://tinyurl.com/kmdsko

Screenshot from CNET's B650 review:

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by bluskinsfan21

I have a couple of question about this tv; 1: IR, as bad as people say it is on this set, I know the panny (g10-v10) are better, but I would prefer the more lifelike color reproduction. 2: why is this tv not available at any bestbuys in MD?? I was going to pull the trigger and I can't find it anywhere (Bmore/DC metro area). Does this mean that best buy is phasing it out for new models this fall - I thought the 650 came out the beginning of summer?? 3: What is this tv like with ps3?

Thanks for the input, I've been real happy with my 32 inch samsung; excellent picture. The only issue is size, now that I have all my new speakers hooked up (Monitor 60s, 40s, Cs2), the tv is somewhat dwarfed, and man would I love to have the 24p on movies... so any help would be appreciated.

You might want to considering getting the top of the line Samsung 860 series that offers true 4:4 pulldown at 96HZ for 1080P/24 signals. The CNET review mentions a problem with the 650 series when using the Cinema Smooth feature.

For more information on the Samsung 860 series click the following link
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=2322741&postcount=819

Both the 650 series and 860 series is available at Best Buy. Both are on sale right now. The 860 series are only at Best Buys that have the Magnolia section. You would need to search online for the local Best Buy that includes a Magnolia section. Amazon also has these Samsung plasmas on their website if your local Best Buy does not have them.

Best Buy 650 series

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218075874795

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218075875359

Best Buy 860 series with both 60HZ and 96HZ refresh rate(also 600HZ subfield drive)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9301141&st=pn50b860&lp=1&type=pr oduct&cp=1&id=1218085598966

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9300687&st=pn58b860&lp=1&type=pr oduct&cp=1&id=1218085600732

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by skatalite

No. I own a B650, and it has the Cinema Smooth option.

Best Buy link: http://tinyurl.com/np9oex
Samsung.com link: http://tinyurl.com/kmdsko

Screenshot from CNET's B650 review:

.
To many model numbers. I was thinking about the 850 instead of the 650. The manual for the 860 and 850 is correct. Out of the 8 series only the 860 has Cinema Smooth feature.

[skatalite]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Samsung messed up on their instruction manaul then. Thanks for the info.

No problem.

And the sale price on the 860's is nice. I think it's around $1,700 for the 50-inch. Super thing, good reviews.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by skatalite

No problem.

And the sale price on the 860's is nice. I think it's around $1,700 for the 50-inch. Super thing, good reviews.

The 860 Home Theater review does not mention a problem with the Cinema Smooth feature like the CNET review mentions on the 650 series, so maybe this problem was fixed with the 860 series.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by skatalite

No problem.

And the sale price on the 860's is nice. I think it's around $1,700 for the 50-inch. Super thing, good reviews.

Correction to mistake I made
To many model numbers to remember. I was thinking about the 850 series instead of the 650 series. The Samsung manual for the 860 and 850 series is correct. Out of the 8 series only the 860 has Cinema Smooth feature. Its also nice to know the 650 series offers Cinema Smooth feature also, I did not realize that before.

[bluskinsfan21]

so as a follow up - online it lists that the 650 and the 850/860 are unavailable... completely in the bmore and dc/metro area... this is not a small market, so is there going to be a turn over in models? I know the new samsung 8500 and a couple of new sony's are coming out in the next month or two... so, whats the deal??

[idareyou]

What were your settings repete? And anyone else reading this with a 650 post your settings and room conditions if you don't mind. I just got mine. Thanks.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by idareyou

What were your settings repete? And anyone else reading this with a 650 post your settings and room conditions if you don't mind. I just got mine. Thanks.

I pulled my settings from tweaktv.com and the CNET review. The settings are nearly identical. When I ran the DVE disc I don't think I changed anything but the sharpness.

[Jeff10ct]

Ok, so I just myself received the Samsung PN50B650 last Tue (10/6), and I'm confused as he!! about whether or not I'm supposed to use the break-in DVD or what. I've been leaving the TV on the Cartoon Network when I'm doing something other than watching TV - on zoom 2 setting so the station logo is not visible.

From everything that I have read lately, the settings on TweakTV fromt he link above are more for POST break-in, aren't they? I mean, a contrast of 91 - wouldn't that be too much for the first 150 - 200 hours? This is my first plasma, so I'm in no way trying to say I know anything - just trying to keep from ruining my TV and get it broken in the correct way.

[repete66211]

I never broke in my TV. Some people do and some people don't. I could find no objective, practical (rather than theoretical) data indicating breaking a TV in prevents anything adverse. I have yet to experience any issues with image retention.

[Jeff10ct]

Ok, thanks repete! I think I'm going to slowly bring mine up in brightness. I started with my settings at 40, then went up to 45. I think this week I'll go up to 50. I have a friend who has that plasma DVD, so I think I'll start playing that overnight while I'm sleeping for the next week and see what happens. Thanks for the reply!

[bluskinsfan21]

repete... with your 650, do you ever get any issues with IR and playing ps3? I am looking into switching from LCD over to plasma to get proper 24p display (the 46b750 wasn't good enough for me), but my reservation is keeping contrast so low for so long for break in and the possibility of ir...

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by bluskinsfan21

repete... with your 650, do you ever get any issues with IR and playing ps3? I am looking into switching from LCD over to plasma to get proper 24p display (the 46b750 wasn't good enough for me), but my reservation is keeping contrast so low for so long for break in and the possibility of ir...

I didn't break mine in. I have played PS3 games for hours without any IR at all. I have seen IR a couple of times with MLB 09 the Show, but not with other games. It seems to be related to certain colors and transitions from screen to screen rather than static images. However, it's gone in seconds so it hasn't concerned me. Plasmas don't need to be babied. Just use basic common sense and enjoy it.

[bigbull2984]

I just ordered this tv and it will be here next week. Pilot is the carrier that will deliver. My question is, my last samsung LCD I got, the stand was already attached.
The the stand come attached in the pn50b650 or do I have to do it? Seeing if its really gonna be a two man job?

I got the tv from amazon. Does pilot help set it up?