Samsung UN46B8500 LED LCD HDTV Review - Vs Panasonic TC P50U1

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Summary
• Samsung has much better contrast ratio • Evenly matched color performance • Panasonic has a far better viewing angle
	Power Consumption	Page 13 of 18	Vs LG 47LH90

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

Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 9.35

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 9.34

RGB Comparison

Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 8.07

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 7.48

Color Gamut Comparison

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.

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. 

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.