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Introduction
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01.Tour & Design
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02.Blacks & Whites
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03.Color Accuracy
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04.Motion
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05.Viewing Effects
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06.Calibration
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07.Remote Control
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08.Connectivity
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09.Audio & Menus
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10.Formats & Media
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11.Power Consumption
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12.Vs Panasonic TC P50U1
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13.Vs LG 47LH90
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14.Vs Sony KDL 52XBR9
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15.Conclusion
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16.Series Comparison
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17.Ratings & Specs
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18.Comments
Samsung UN46B8500
Previous: Page 11
Power ConsumptionNext: Page 13
Vs LG 47LH90
Panasonic TC-P50U1 Summary
• Samsung has much better contrast ratio
• Evenly matched color performance
• Panasonic has a far better viewing angle
Value Comparison Summary
The Panasonic TC-P50U1 is a plasma TV with a big screen, a great viewing angle, and capable of deep, deep black levels. However, there were weaknesses in the performance, particularly the contrast ratio. Due to the DLNA support, LAN connections, and multiple USB ports, the Samsung is a better for for high-end home theaters.
| Comparison Specifications | ||
 |
 |
|
| Samsung UN46B8500 | Panasonic TC-P50U1 | |
| Size | 46 inches | 50 inches |
| Price | $3599 (MSRP) | $1299 (MSRP) |
| Type | LED-Backlit LCD | Plasma |
| Format | 1080p | 1080p |
| Other | Internet connectivity | None |
Blacks & Whites
The Panasonic TC-P50U1 was not able to produce sufficiently bright whites, which hurt its contrast ratio. The black levels were impressively dark, but it's not likely to give the same grand contrast ratio as the Samsung UN46B8500.
| Blacks & Whites Comparison Chart | |
 |
|
| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: Black Level: 8.48 Peak Brightness: 9.03 Contrast: 8.96 |
Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: Black Level: 9.99 Peak Brightness: 0.95 Contrast: 5.86 |
Color Accuracy
Both the Panasonic TC-P50U1 and the Samsung UN46B8500 offer excellent color temperature consistency, regardless of the signal intensity. By contrast, neither TV was matched up all that well to the rec. 709 color standard.
| Color Temperature Comparison | |
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|
| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 9.35 | |
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|
| Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 9.34 | |
| RGB Comparison | |
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| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 8.07 | |
   |
|
| Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 7.48 | |
| Color Gamut Comparison | |
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|
| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 4.22 | |
 |
|
| Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 4.27 | |
Motion
The Samsung UN46B8500 and Panasonic TC-P50U1 are pretty evenly matched when it comes to motion performance.
| Motion Scores | ||
| Samsung UN46B8500 | Panasonic TC-P50U1 | |
| Motion Smoothness | 6.25 | 6.5 |
| Motion Artifacting | 5.25 | 6.25 |
Viewing Effects
The Panasonic TC-P50U1, as a plasma TV, completely blew away the competition with its viewing angle. It maintains better than 50% of its contrast as wide as 77 degrees from center. Compare that to the Samsung UN46B8500, which reached the same threshold at only 19 degrees.
| Viewing Angle Comparison | |
 |
|
| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 2.48 | Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 10.21 |
Connectivity
The Panasonic TC-P50U1 has a lot of ports, far more than the Samsung UN46B8500. It's a bit strange that such a high-end TV as the Samsung has so few ports, but all the necessary holes are there. The Samsung, however, has a LAN port for internet connectivity.
| Connectivity Comparison | ||
| Samsung UN46B8500 | Panasonic TC-P50U1 | |
| HDMI | 4 | 3 |
| Component | 1 | 2 |
| Composite | 1 | 2 |
| S-Video | 0 | 1 |
| VGA | 1 | 0 |
| Analog Audio In | 1 | 4 |
| Digital Audio Out | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio Out | 1 | 0 |
| LAN | 1 | 0 |
| USB | 2 | 0 |
| Memory Card | 0 | 1 (SD/SDHC) |
| Other | Ex-Link, DLNA Support | None |
Other Comparisons
The Samsung UN46B8500 has a lot of bonus features, including all the internet and extra digital content add-ons. These unquestionably drive up the price. However, you may never end up using these features if you're limiting yourself to normal TV and movie watching. Consider that before you spend all the extra money on the Samsung.
Shop for the Samsung UN46B8500
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