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Samsung PS50C96HDX Review |
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Reviewed: 10 May 2007
Note
The Samsung PS50C96HDX is virtually identical to its stable mate the Samsung PS50Q97HDX. The differences include 1 less HDMI (side), 2 x 10w rather than 2 x 15w speakers and 'FilterBright' rather than 'Ultra FilterBright' technology.
Design
Apart from the absence of an HDMI input along the side of the panel, the Samsung PS50C96HDX is identical to its stable mate, the Samsung PS50Q97HDX.
Taking a leaf out of Panasonic's design book, Samsung have decided that less is more and have given the PS50C96HDX a minimalist look and feel which nevertheless adds a touch of style to any living space.
Features
As mentioned, the PS50C96HDX has lost an HDMI input taking its count down to 2 which are complemented with 2 Scarts, component video and PC input. The Samsung PS50C96HDX also has a built-in digital Freeview tuner with 7-day Electronic programming Guide (EPG).
Screen size & shape: 50in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound system: Stereo Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels HD Ready: Yes Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1 Brightness: 1500cd/m2 OTHER FEATURES: DNIe picture processing, Natural True Colour, Real Motion Studio. SOCKETS: 2 HDMI , 2 SCART, Component Video, PC input.
With the C96 series, Samsung have focused much of their technical expertise on improving fast motion response.
Their 'Real Motion Studio' is a suite of technologies for achieving this aim. Movie Mode has been designed to eliminate 'Motion Judder' and 'Silhouette Editor' is aimed at retaining the sharpness and detail of a fast moving image.
Samsung have used another proprietary technology 'Natural True Colour' which complements their 'Real Motion Studio' suite to achieve balanced realistic colour, especially on fast moving sequences.
A new 18-bit processor has increased while increasing the responsiveness of all the technological components on this screen, has also been designed to increase the range and depth of colours.
Samsungs trusty Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe) forms the picture processing heart of the PS50C96HDX. The technology focuses on improving black levels, improving colour saturations and tone and sharpness and tone.
DNIe has four main feature areas, Motion Optimizer, Contrast Enhancer, Detail enhancer and Colour Optimizer, and has a track record of producing impressive results on previous Samsung screens.
With the PS50C96HDX Samsung have addressed a long-standing problem with plasma screens in their problems with displaying pictures in daylight conditions. Samsung's 'FilterBright' actually reduces contrast ratio down to 1000:1 in brighter conditions and can bump it back up to 15,000:1 when the viewing environment becomes darker.
Samsung are obviously thinking seriously about the longevity of the PS50C96HDX with 'anti-burn-in' technology which is used to combat the bug bear of plasma screen, screen-burn.
Two 10-Watt speakers form the audio capability of the PS50C96HDX with SRS TruSurround XT technology promising simulated 3D effect enhanced dialog and powerful bass.
Performance
The first thing we notice about the Samsung PS50C96HDX is the truly stunning black level performance, which is way ahead of anything that Samsung have produced in a Plasma unit before now, and at least matches the best that Panasonic and other class leading manufacturers are currently offering.
We have to say that we didn't notice a great deal of difference from the FilterBright technology, but things like this can be very subjective depending on your surroundings and perceptions.
The Samsung PS50C96HDX is notable for its huge array of available manual adjustments. We judged this screen on factory presets, but from a little foray into the screens manual adjustments we are pretty confident that you would be able to tweak the PS50C96HDX to suit most circumstances - you can even switch DNIe off completely.
It looks like Samsung have sorted out their niggling colour problems with the PS50C96HDX. On previous Samsung Plasma screens, skin tones have looked decidedly green around the gills with a colour imbalance in this direction. Not so the PS50C96HDX which shows a colour composure that is hard to match for a 50in plasma. The depth and richness of colours is impressive, and skin tones now look natural in all situations.
High Definition (HD) sources are where this screen comes into its own. The depth clarity and detail displayed is truly astounding. The proprietary motion compensating technology is doing its job with fast motion sequences will bring gasps of delight from onlookers.
Many consumers will buy this unit for its HD performance, but will be more than pleasantly surprised with its Standard Definition (SD) capabilities. On close inspection there is some digital noise and a slight trace of motion blurring, but with Sky TV (1080i) as the source this doesn't detract too much from the overall experience.
As with most large panels however, hook up terrestrial Freeview and things start to deteriorate, and a 50in screen highlights that deterioration with the main culprit being a ghosting effect.
As you would expect the picture deteriorates slightly with Freeview as opposed to Sky, but this is still the most composed plasma we have come across.
Finally, with 2 x 10w speakers, the acoustic abilities of the PS50C96HDX don't really rise to the 50in panel occasion. The output is just not powerful enough to do the screen justice. Many consumers will be planning to feature the PS50C96HDX as part of a home cinema system and will upgrade the sound system, but for those who don't, the lack of bass will detract from the overall experience of this panel.
Conclusion
The Samsung PS50C96HDX is one of the most accomplished 50in Plasmas we have come across for the price. Not only is it a superb HD performer, the SD performance is surprisingly good.
