Product Description

Samsung’s new 8 Series plasma flat panel HDTV represent our finest innovations in design and performance. Samsung’s 8 Series E-Panel technology combined with our Ultra FilterBrightTM Plus technology provides a stunning high contrast picture even in brighter rooms. It’s not just the images on screen that capture your attention – the Ultra Slim cabinet is only 1.2” deep and gives you added versatility with its stylish vibe. The new Medi@2.0 connectivity package offers customizable online content via user-friendly “widgets,” networking capability via the DLNA standard, and playback of your camera and camcorder via USB 2.0. Add 4 advanced HDMI inputs that feature Samsung’s Anynet+ (CEC standard) technology making system control of compatible A/V devices like a Blu-ray player or HTIB system a one-touch operation. If you’re looking for the best Full 1080p performance and advanced connectivity, Samsung’s new 8 series plasma HDTVs are designed with this in mind.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #75 in Television
• Color: Black
• Brand: Samsung
• Model: PN50B860
• Released on: 2009-05-25
• Dimensions: 29.60" h x 1.20" w x 48.70" l, 57.50 pounds
• Display size: 50

Features

• 50-inch high definition TV with 1080p resolution
• Four HDMI, two component, and one composite video input (2)15W bottom speakers and SRS TruSurround HD for a rich surround-sound experience
• Ultra FilterBright Plus, 600Hz Subfield Motion, .001 response time, and a Mega dynamic contrast ratio for a stunning high contrast picture
• Customizable online content via user-friendly "widgets, networking capability via the DLNA standard, and playback of camera and camcorder via USB 2.0
• One-year parts and labor warranty

From the Manufacturer
From the Manufacturer Manufacturer's Review (April 23, 2009)
Samsung 8 Series plasma HDTVs represents their finest innovations in design and performance. E-Panel technology combined with Samsung's Ultra FilterBright Plus provides a stunning high contrast picture even in bright rooms. It's not just the images on screen that capture your attention--the ultra-slim cabinet with Touch of Color design adds beauty to the bezel and stand. Plus new Medi@2.0 connectivity offers customizable online content right on your TV.

The finest innovations in plasma design and performance. Click to enlarge.

Ultra-Slim Touch of Color Design
Stunning at only 1.2" deep and supported by a unique stand with an elegant, crystal-clear neck, you'll have no trouble finding a place for this plasma in any room. And Samsung's Touch of Color design features a hint of color naturally blended into the traditional piano black frame, transforming their already stylish TVs into a work of art.

E-Panel Advanced Technology
Samsung's e-panel technology makes sure you get superior picture quality. FilterBright minimizes glare and reflections for optimal viewing any time of day. 600Hz Subfield Motion delivers a clear picture for sports, action, and other fast-moving scenes. 1080 Full HD Motion delivers better resolution during fast motion. And .001ms response time minimizes blurring in motion in sports programs and movie content.

Crystal Full HD Engine with Cinema Smooth
Indulge in images with incredible clarity. By unifying all of the TVs advanced imaging technologies, the Samsung Crystal Full HD Engine expands performance, enhances all aspects of the image, and takes picture quality and image integrity to new levels of excellence.Cinema Smooth contributes by creating a picture that's more lifelike and much closer to film quality.

Samsung's Touch of Color design features a hint of color naturally blended into the traditional piano black frame.

600Hz Subfield Motion delivers a clear picture for sports, action, and other fast-moving scenes.

The new Medi@2.0 connectivity package offers customizable online content via user-friendly "widgets," networking capability via the DLNA standard, and playback of your camera and camcorder via USB 2.0.

ENERGY STAR Compliant
By being ENERGY STAR compliant you are assured that your Samsung model is helping the environment by using less energy while saving you money. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy promoting energy efficiency.

Full HD 1080p
Enjoy outstanding clarity and resolution with this Samsung plasma HDTV. Images are crisper, sharper, with superior details.

Built-In Digital Tuner (ATSC/Clear QAM)
All Samsung Plasma HDTVs have an integrated digital tuner. So, whether you're watching over-the-air HD digital broadcasts or connecting to cable/satellite service, Samsung has got you covered.

Medi@2.0
Medi@2.0 lets you enjoy more with Internet@TV1 that allows you to receive content via Yahoo!, Flickr, and other online TV widgets on screen. It also includes Content Library so you can enjoy pre-loaded content, such as cooking recipes and fitness exercises. Plus, DLNA CERTIFIED connectivity lets you remotely access your PC's personal media so that you can download music, video, and photos and enjoy them anywhere in the home your TV is. Finally, USB 2.0 multi-media center lets you connect a thumb drive or a digital camera quickly and easily.

Game Mode
Get in the game with enhanced blacks, sharp picture quality and optimum audio. At the touch of a button, game mode speeds up the image processing response so you get the most out of your gaming experience.

SRS TruSurround HD
Assisted by the PN50B860's two 15W bottom speakers, this creates an immersive, feature-rich surround sound experience from two speakers, complete with rich bass, high frequency detail and clear dialog.

What's in the Box
Samsung PN50B860 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, Remote control, Cable holders and stand, TV stand and hardware, Cover bottom, Program CD, Cloth clean, Quick setup guide, Warranty card

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience. If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get. Minimum size = Viewing distance/3 Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5

Customer Reviews

Samsung PN50B860 50" Plasma...Awesome
Well, I did not buy this TV from Amazon but found an authorized online retailer that had a fantastic price with free shipping. Let me tell you, I researched televisions for about three months straight. I had been debating between the Samsung LN52B750 LCD, which had a razor sharp picture and at the time was priced right. Aesthetically, it was a beautiful television in just about every way. My biggest hang up was that certain movies and shows looked too realistic (distracting) and not movie like, especially when watching animated films or TV shows and even with the 240Mhz refresh rate for motion, the motion in fast scenes felt a bit off or distracting. The picture was/is extremely bright and the features hit the sweet spot.

I had also been comparing the LN52B750 with several different plasma televisions, mostly from Samsung, several Panasonic Plasmas that were/are highly rated from several review websites and the Pioneer Kuro Plasmas. So, I read all of the reviews I could find on about 10 televisions total that were highly rated or new to the market for 2009. My buddy has the 50" Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD which I might add, has a beautiful picture! It is almost unmatched. Then I went to BestBuy and directly compared several lower model number Samsung plasmas and LCDs and the Panasonic TC-P50G10 50" plasma. I honestly do not see what the big deal about the TC-P50G10 TV is. The picture is okay, it even looked okay playing a Blu-ray movie, but I was not impressed. The picture was a bit green, the casing of the TV was not the most eye pleasing design and that huge Panasonic logo on the front "chin" with a grey back ground was not appealing to me. I also compared several LG Plasmas and LCD TV's for 2009 and the new Toshiba Regzas (nice picture for the price I have to admit).

Ultimately, it came down to comparing the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD to the Samsung PN50B850 (which has one feature less than the PN50B860 Samsung, as no one had a PN50B860 on display that I could find) and was amazed at how awesome the picture detail, flesh tones, natural colors, fast motion, contrast, brightness and motion was on the two Plasma televisions. They are very comparable and I consider them dead on as competitors. I ended up choosing the Samsung PN50B860 having seen the PN50B850 in person at BestBuy. The PN50B860 has the Cinema Smooth feature which the PN50B850 does not. I got it for under $2k with free shipping online with the optional 802.11N wireless Samsung Linkstick (WIS09ABGN) for less than $60.

The picture on the Samsung PN50B860 is phenomenal. Not only is the picture on this TV one of the best I've seen after months of extreme research, I got the best price on it and it cost less than the Pioneer and the Samsung LN52B750!!! I've been watching Blu-ray movies on it via my Sony PS3 gaming console for the last few days through HDMI. Movies like Hellboy II and Casino Royale are stunning and unbelievable on this set!!! Motion resolution/rendering is phenomenal. I recommend it over the Pioneer Kuro because I think it is a bit superior in quality (build and picture), features, aesthetic and Energy Star rating. It's SUPER THIN! You would not be sorry for purchasing this set! It's simply stunning. The remote is surprisingly nice as well. I'm not a huge fan of Samsung's remote controls or TV interfaces (Sony and LG rule when it comes to remote control design an TV interfaces) but I'm happy with the one that came with the TV.

Audio is very acceptable in my book on this television. It's not super loud and robust but what television is, but for a small condo or apartment, it's perfect and very usable and enjoyable! The picture from the digital TV tuner for Over-The-Air broadcasts is pretty impressive as well.

Get it! You won't regret it! As for the other review regarding the buzzing...mine does not buzz at all. I'm guessing the person must be at a high altitude or may have received a bad set but this TV is pretty much flawless.

Looks great... but same buzzing problem
I'm extremely disappointed. After reading every review I could find on this TV (and others) I finally settled on the PN50B860 here. I was aware some people were experiencing a buzzing noise, but read many more reviews of people who loved their TVs with no such problem. The TV arrived literally 2 hours ago, plugged it in, turned it on with the delivery guys here and it looked great. The second they set foot out the door and it was quiet in the house I heard the "buzz". And it's annoying enough to the point where I can hear it while watching TV at normal audio levels. So I went to the Samsung website and looked at the FAQs (should have done this ahead of time - but probably wouldn't have affected my decision to buy) and found the following:

"The buzzing sound your plasma TV makes is normal. It's caused by the electrical charges that are used to create the images on the screen. The buzzing, however, should not be so loud that you can hear it when the volume on the TV is set at normal levels.

If your Plasma TV is buzzing loudly, follow these steps:

1. Set the volume of the TV to the setting you normally use.
2. Stand at least 15 feet away. If you do not hear the buzz, your Plasma TV is working normally. "

And this is the case with my TV. However, it's a 50-inch, and as such the optimal viewing distance is 6.25ft - 12.5ft. WTF? So according to Samsung you SHOULD hear a humming (buzz) while watching TV normally. I'm sitting 9ft back and directly in front of the TV (where my couch is located) and the Buzz is very distinct from the moment it turns on.

Anyway, Samsung has a technician coming out to the house to check it out. I hope it's actually defective, but my fear is that they tell me it's normal and I'll have to go through the return process to Amazon. As-is, I cannot keep this TV. Which is a shame because the picture is beautiful. Colors are sharp and crisp and the blacks are deep. Aesthetically the TV is gorgeous, nice lines, super thin, just a very attractive set - I couldn't be happier with the way it looks.

Samsung Customer Service was also very pleasant and agreed to send someone out right away, without giving me the run-around, so that's a huge plus.

Anyway, like many others have mentioned, beware of the buzzing with this TV. If you'll be off-center and 13-14+ feet away it may not affect you. But as even the Samsung website says, there is a buzzing loud enough to hear while watching TV normally.

********* UPDATE *************
Another issue surfaced where the TV would turn off by itself and back on randomly, so it offered more incentive for me to get the TV looked at. Samsung set up a technician to come to my house. The first one they set up called me and said they didn't service my area. I called Samsung and they apologized for the confusion and set me up with another shop. That shop called and said they could come out but had to order parts so they'd call me back when they came in to set up an appointment. Fast foward 2 weeks, no call. I call them back he says they haven't come in yet yadda yadda yadda... forget it.

So I called up Amazon and setup getting a new set shipped out and them picking up the old one. I just did a 1-for-1 swap, so I now have a NEW PN50B860. And..................... it buzzes just like the last one. I did a lot of research on the issue since I found the defect and the bottom line is some people here it, others don't. Samsung has yet to fully acknowledge the issue or own up to soooo many of their 2009 Plasmas having this issue where the 2008 versions did not. For me it's still annoying but I'm not sure if it's annoying enough to replace it again... I'm still sitting on this issue.

So again, for a lot of people depending on TV placement and your own personal hearing, you may or may not hear the buzz. I still hold that it's unacceptable for a $2200 retail TV to have this issue (or all of Samsung's 2009 plasmas for that matter). I still love the look of the TV in my living room and everyone comments on how amazing the picture looks. Not sure if that's quite enough to keep me from returning it though............

Incredible Picture!
I did a lot of research before I purchased a Samsung PN50B860. And I am totally pleased with the purchase! The picture is out of this world. I kept debating between the crisp picture of a quality LCD or the motion handling of a plasma. Because I like sports and action movies, I had pretty much decided on the PN50B550 when I saw the right price. But I went into the store and saw the PN50B860 right next to it, and could obviously see the difference. The picture was so crisp, but it had all the motion handling benefits of a plasma! Plus, it's the latest technology, so it's energy star rated (not the normal power consumption like older plasma's).

It is also DLNA certified and has a cool internet functionallity with Yahoo widgets. I really didn't buy it for the internet functionality--thought that was more of a gimmick. But it's actually pretty neat. I can bring up the weather (today, or extended) for several cities I program in, plus pull major news headlines for politics,business, sports, etc while still watching TV.

One slight drawback are the speakers. Not a deal killer for me, since any movies or sporting events I run through my stereo system. But at 1 1/2 inches thick, it's pretty impossible to put top notch sound in a TV. And the speakers work fine for regular TV. But to get the full movie experience, you'll want to hook to a home theater.

Go look at this set in a store with a quality feed, and you'll be amazed at the clarity, color and definition.