Samsung's F8500 PDP owners thread with reviews

[Bruisermoore]

Originally Posted by Godzilla71

Robert,
Think I may have just did a complete turn around. I was originally thinking of getting the 55f7100 LED as you know from my PM but I researched more and have been reading more about the f8500 series plasmas and then went and actually checked one out as well. I think I just might go with the 51F8500 instead. It will be my first plasma so I am a little hesitant about IR etc. I think I'll be fine with proper precautions though. It seems to be more bang for the buck with the quad core processor etc even though a slight smaller screen and about the same price as the led i was looking at first. I'm looking forward to some calibrations and more reviews and buyers experiences and thoughts. I am surprised there is not alot of activity on here about it though. I have been reading nothing but wows and other positive things about this series from owners so far. It seems to be the best of both worlds with the brighter screen.
Bruisermoore, good luck with your purchase I am pretty excited and I am looking forward to the difference between the new set and my soon to be moved to the bedroom LCD.

Thank you, and good luck with your as well. I'm now just trying to decide if I should wait for reviews of the ZT or not. I honestly just can't seeing looking "better" than this set. If all things are basically equal (PQ, price) then I will definitely go with the Sammy because I love the styling and the brushed aluminum frame. The only Panny I've seen so far was that ST60 and it looked very bland and the chrome strip around the outer edge was very cheesy and reminded me of the same stuff people use on the edges of their car doors . The lone review I've read for the ST60 was very complimentary about the set's brightness and black levels as well, so, as I suspected, the one I saw at Best Buy was just not set up at all since it looked terrible, especially after seeing the F8500 in action. Of course, that isn't quite fair of me comparing the flagship Sammy to the mid-level Panny though.

I know one thing, it looks like everyone (including myself) that put off purchasing a plasma for the last couple of years because they were waiting for a suitable Kuro replacement, is going to be extremely happy since their patience has apparently paid off.

And to think, I almost pulled the trigger on a 5 year old used Kuro a month or so ago.

[Godzilla71]

Well I am now an official owner of my the 51" sammy 5800. It's my first plasma and so far so good. I have only been able to watch and check out a little bit so far due to my work schedule but I am enjoying the little bit of time i have had with it so far. I checked out a exploring 3d app today for a little bit. I watched an undersea doc they had and it was pretty cool. I would feel a little uneasy when I checked out set ups at BB and Costco so I assumed 3d was not going to be for me but I actually was ok and quite enjoyed it when I checked it out today for 20 min or so on the app. I have not had the time to try out any blus yet but I will soon enough. All in all I am pretty happy so far.

[Mr. Joshua]

I looked at the PN648500 in Best Buy on Tuesday. WOW what a great picture. They were playing Avatar on the 64" and playing The Dark Knight on the 60". I'm definitely getting the 64". Going shopping around town tomorrow and see if I can get a better deal at a local AV store. I'm in need of a new stereo system for a 86' K5 Chevy Blazer I bought so maybe I can get a deal buying both at same A/V car stereo store.

[Majoran]

Originally Posted by Mr. Joshua

I looked at the PN648500 in Best Buy on Tuesday. WOW what a great picture. They were playing Avatar on the 64" and playing The Dark Knight on the 60". I'm definitely getting the 64". Going shopping around town tomorrow and see if I can get a better deal at a local AV store. I'm in need of a new stereo system for a 86' K5 Chevy Blazer I bought so maybe I can get a deal buying both at same A/V car stereo store.

Samsung has "fixed" pricing since 2012 I think, thats why you see the same price usually no matter where you go. The only time this usually doesnt count is when they release pridce restirctions at various promotion times and or end of model year....Good luck though maybe someone will give you a deal when you buy both, never hurts to try, but just want you to be prepared

[Mr. Joshua]

Originally Posted by Majoran

Samsung has "fixed" pricing since 2012 I think, thats why you see the same price usually no matter where you go. The only time this usually doesnt count is when they release pridce restirctions at various promotion times and or end of model year....Good luck though maybe someone will give you a deal when you buy both, never hurts to try, but just want you to be prepared

Thanks for the heads up. I bought the Samsung PN64F8500 today for $3200. I should have it next week, either Tuesday or Wednesday delivery.

[Majoran]

Originally Posted by Mr. Joshua

Thanks for the heads up. I bought the Samsung PN64F8500 today for $3200. I should have it next week, either Tuesday or Wednesday delivery.

Great Price! and lower than what most are listing it for, good luck with your new TV

[Mr. Joshua]

Originally Posted by Majoran

Great Price! and lower than what most are listing it for, good luck with your new TV

Thanks! I should have it by Thursday at the latest. The A/V shop was supposed to order it today. I'll post pics as soon as I'm up and running.

[Mr. Joshua]

No TV yet. it shipped out late. Should have it sometime today I hope.

[chewi]

Originally Posted by Mr. Joshua

Thanks for the heads up. I bought the Samsung PN64F8500 today for $3200. I should have it next week, either Tuesday or Wednesday delivery.

If not a secret, where you have been offered such price?

[Mr. Joshua]

Soundtronics in Wilmington, NC. However, I'm on my second TV and I'm going tomorrow and complain about this one. The picture on my first PN64F8500 flickered and the cabinet was damaged. The second one the picture flickers also. I've tried different HDMI cables, different blu-ray players and still flickering. I give up and I'm going back to Sony. More expensive but it works the first time!

Just curious anyone else having trouble with flickering?

[Robert Zohn]

The problem ^^ is likely an incorrect setting in the "Picture" options. Turn off "Cinema Smooth" and your flickering should go away.

-Robert

[Mr Kite]

HDTVtests review of the Samsung F8500 is up:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/samsu...1305012945.htm

[Majoran]

as is CNET:

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...-35731512.html

[Majoran]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

The problem ^^ is likely an incorrect setting in the "Picture" options. Turn off "Cinema Smooth" and your flickering should go away.

-Robert

Robert have you heard anything back from Samsung regarding the firmware that was released vs the one that was suppsoed to fix the fluctuations\pops issues owners are seeing...Thank you for any information you can share.

[endlessender]

Originally Posted by Majoran

Robert have you heard anything back from Samsung regarding the firmware that was released vs the one that was suppsoed to fix the fluctuations\pops issues owners are seeing...Thank you for any information you can share.

I'm wondering the same thing. The brightness fluctuations on this TV, especially in 3D, are making me seriously consider some other option. Cinema Smooth fixes it in 3D but then introduces flicker.

I would be so grateful to Robert if he could check the opening of Prometheus in 3D with his firmware and see if it fluctuates. It's very obvious from the waterfall panning up to the spaceship to the scenes of the engineer. I don't expect Robert to take the time to do it, but boy would I be grateful (I mean seriously).

[cooknl]

I have a curiosity, I would like to know how firmware updates are implemented.
Is it that the whole electrically eraseable ReadOnlyMemory is erased and then rewritten with the new update?? Or are only certain sections in the ROM erased and rewritten.
If anyone know how this works for the firmware in the samsung ??xxF8500 series displays I sure would appreciate an answer.

Thx

Rob

[Mr Kite]

Originally Posted by cooknl

I have a curiosity, I would like to know how firmware updates are implemented.
Is it that the whole electrically eraseable ReadOnlyMemory is erased and then rewritten with the new update?? Or are only certain sections in the ROM erased and rewritten.
If anyone know how this works for the firmware in the samsung ??xxF8500 series displays I sure would appreciate an answer.

Thx

Rob

I think and this is only a guess, that certain parts of the EPROM are rewritten.

[cooknl]

Originally Posted by tele1962

I think and this is only a guess, that certain parts of the EPROM are rewritten.

It would almost have to be that way if there are different types of firmware that can be updated, but I am not sure, thats why I posted the question.

Thanx for youre attempt to answer tele1962
Rob

[Mr Kite]

Originally Posted by cooknl

It would almost have to be that way if there are different types of firmware that can be updated, but I am not sure, thats why I posted the question.

Thanx for youre attempt to answer tele1962
Rob

Is there a reason you need to know how it's done mate?

[cooknl]

Originally Posted by tele1962

Is there a reason you need to know how it's done mate?

Nahh just curious

Rob