Samsung PS50Q97HDX Review

50in Plasma TV

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

Superb picture and fast motion handling capabilities create a package close to HD perfection.

91%

1366 x 768 pixels

HD Ready

Reviewed: 05 May 2007

Design

Samsung have subtly changed their design direction with the Q97 series, and as much as anything that change has been directed towards altering the impact of their larger screens.

The minimalist approach that we admired on the Samsung PS42Q97HDX has been replicated to give this massive screen a discrete and stylish presence.

Features

The PS50Q97HDX has good connectivity with 3 HDMI (1 on the side of the panel) complemented by 2 Scarts with component video and PC input. The Samsung PS50Q97HDX also has a built-in digital Freeview tuner with 7-day Electronic programming Guide (EPG).

Details

Screen size & shape: 50in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound system: Stereo

Resolution: 1366x768 pixels

HD Ready: Yes

Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1

Brightness: 1500cd/m2

OTHER FEATURES: DNIe picture processing, Natural True Colour, Real Motion Studio.

SOCKETS: 3 HDMI (1 Side), 2 SCART, Component Video, PC input.

It is clear that Samsung have focused on the fast motion capabilities of the Q97 series with their proprietary 'Real Motion Studio' suite of picture processing technologies.

Of the two main components of this suite, 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's 'Real Motion Studio' is complemented by 'Natural True Colour' which has been designed to achieve balanced realistic colour, especially on fast moving sequences.

A new 18-bit processor 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 PS50Q97HDX. 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.

Large plasma screens like the PS50Q97HDX often appear too shiny in daylight conditions. A 50in panel exacerbates the problem as a perfect reflector for daylight or ambient light. Samsung's have attempted to combat the problem with 'Ultra FilterBright' which 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 PS50Q97HDX with 'anti-burn-in' technology which is used to combat the bug bear of plasma screen, screen-burn.

Two 15-Watt speakers form the audio capability of the PS50Q97HDX with SRS TruSurround XT technology promising simulated 3D effect enhanced dialog and powerful bass.

Performance

Samsung's PS50Q97HDX in conception was pitched directly against Panasonic's TH50PX70, and there are many of you out there who may have a short list of these two plasma screens. The all round performance of the PS50Q97HDX is notable in that it places it firmly in the same class that the best Panasonic has to offer.

Again, the first thing we notice about the Samsung PS50Q97HDX is the truly stunning black level performance. On a screen of this size, the results are truly breathtaking. Blacks never looked blacker, but it is the subtle graduation of the darkest scenes to the shadowy that we liked so much.

We have to say that as with the PS42Q97HDX 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 PS50Q97HDX 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 PS50Q97HDX to suit most circumstances - you can even switch DNIe off completely.

As with the PS42Q97HDX, it looks like Samsung have sorted out their niggling colour problems with the PS50Q97HDX. On previous Samsung Plasma screens, skin tones have looked decidedly green around the gills with a colour imbalance in this direction. Not so the PS50Q97HDX 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.

The Samsung PS50Q97HDX was made for High Definition (HD). The depth clarity and detail displayed is truly remarkable. Hook up a HD DVD player and be prepared for the most compelling movie experience this side of your local cinema. Samsung's motion compensating technology does a first rate job with motion sequences and will bring gasps of delight from onlookers. The shear involvement of this level of HD performance has to be experienced to be truly appreciated.

Make no mistake about it, the majority of consumers will be buying the PS50Q97 to form the centrepiece of a home cinema system. However, if this panel is hooked up to a Standard Definition (SD) source, the results are pretty good. The Samsung PS50Q97HDX is no match for the PS42Q97HDX capabilities in this respect, it's just too large - nevertheless, it handles SD sources well enough to make the experience thoroughly enjoyable.

The fast motion capabilities work with SD content just as well as they do with HD. It is only a slight degree of noise and jaggedness that reminds you that standard definition is on display.

Finally, sound is probably the weak point of the package, and is not quite up to rising to the 50in occasion. For those who plan to upgrade the acoustics it won't be problem, otherwise the sound will ultimately detract from the otherwise outstanding performance.

Conclusion

The Samsung PS50Q97HDX will be judged ultimately on its purpose. If it becomes the centrepiece of a full blown home cinema system, it is probably the class leader by a whisker. The HD performance is simply stunning, and is at least a match for anything of this size out there.

If it becomes an all purpose workhorse then its SD performance will relegate it to a member of a very strong leading pack.