Samsung FP-T5084 Review

The Samsung FP-T5084 is a 1080p 50″ Plasma HDTV. It has amazing picture that is extremely crisp when viewing it from any angle. The 18-bit video processor along with the 15,000:1 contrast ratio gives you an amazingly sharp image even in fast-action. Plasma HDTV’s have always been said to be the best option for movie watching or gaming. The FilterBright anti-reflection filter makes it the best option for watching in a room that lighting cannot be controlled or if it is well lit. It has two hidden 15-watt speaker on the sides that offer SRS TruSurround XT which is a technology Samsung has developed to make simulated surround sound. This TV is pretty small for a 50″ widescreen. It measures only 50.8″ x 29.1″ x 3.7″ although it weighs 106.9 pounds which isn’t too bad, but more than a LCD of similar size.

Plasma Technology on the Samsung FPT5084 50 inch

The Plasma Display Panel (PDP) is a flat panel display that lots of HDTV’s use. It has lots of small cells that are between two panels of glass. These cells hold usually xenon and neon gases. Electricity is used to turn the cells into a plasma which excites phosphors and emits light which makes the picture we see.

Advantages to this type of display are it has very high contrast and high brightness which makes for extremely well defined pictures. It has a high refresh rate and good color accuracy which makes it a good choice for watching HD movies or playing HD games.

Disadvantages to this type of display are the dreaded phosphor burn-in and they are generally heavier than LCD’s. Phosphor burn-in is what they call it when an image is permanently burnt into the screen because it sat there too long without the picture changing. Luckily with advancements in technology the FPT5084 is next to impossible to get this to happen. An image would have to sit on the screen for days before it was burnt in.

Display on the Samsung FP-T5085 Plasma 1080p TV

The Samsung FP T5084 has a large 1920 x 1080 resolution which is displayed in 1080p high definition. This is deemed “full HD” because it is the highest available. If you ever wondered what the 1080p meant it is the number of horizontal lines (1080) scanned progressively (p). Progressive scan means all the lines are refreshed together as opposed to interlaced (i) which refreshes every odd line then every even line separately. Progressive is better because it refreshes each line twice as often.

Because the FPT5084 is a widescreen it has a 16:9 aspect ratio which is standard for all widescreen televisions. A standard television has an aspect ratio of 4:3. All TV’s fall into one of these two categories.

Plasma HDTV’s have very high contrast ratios. The FPT5084 is no exception. It has a ratio of 15,000:1 which is the brightest color compared to the darkest color. This makes for very sharp images that have much more detail even in dark scenes.

Audio System on the Samsung FP-T5084 50″ Plasma HDTV

The stereo sound from the two hidden 15 watt speakers on the sides of the Samsung FPT5084 is amazing. There are audio controls for the balance, treble, and bass. It even has a 5-band equalizer and a sound mode to optimize the sound even further.

SRS TruSurround XT is what Samsung is calling their new technology they have on their new TV’s that offers a simulated surround sound. To make this 3D effect they use 3 audio enhancements. TruBass amplifies bass in a way that makes it sound like tones are a lower frequency than the speakers can actually play. Then there is dialog clarity which amplifies talking over other noises to bring it to the focus. Last there is the SRS WOW that widens the soundstage to produce a better all around sound.

The Samsung FP T5084’s Connections

2 x HDMI ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) – Rear

1 x HDMI ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) – Side

The best choice for carrying a Full HD signal. The High-Definition Multimedia Interface can connect things like HD DVD players or Xbox 360’s.

1 x VGA input ( 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ) – Rear

The Video Graphics Array input can connect a computer or laptop to your HDTV.

2 x Component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) – Rear

The component input splits the signal into three parts for more bandwidth and higher quality. It can transmit HD signals.

1 x Composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) – Rear

1 x Composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) – Side

The composite a/v input is a single signal that is a little lower quality because of decreased bandwidth.

1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) – Rear

1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) – Side

The S-Video also connects a computer or laptop to your HDTV but it has less bandwidth so the quality is lower.

1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) – Rear

1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) – Side

3 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) – Rear

1 x Digital audio output (optical) ( TOS Link ) – Rear

The Digital audio output sends the digital audio to an a/v receiver or home theater system.

1 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ) – Rear

Used for connecting your HDTV to a stereo or home theatre system.

1 x USB ( 4 pin USB Type A ) – Side

The USB connection on the side can connect devices that have a USB cord. This TV can show pictures or play audio.

Features of the Samsung FPT5084

Some features worth mentioning are:

The picture in picture that can play two things at once.

The swivel stand that is remote controlled and can turn the TV for an optimal viewing angle.

A 2 year parts and labor warranty.

Closed captioning capability.

A parental channel lock.

FilterBright which is an anti-reflective filter to reduce glare in bright rooms.

On-screen menu.

ATSC, NTSC, Clear-QAM tuners

Game mode that enhances graphics, sound, and response time.

V-Chip with V-Chip control.

Freeze Memo

The EPA Energy Star

Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) that improves the picture quality of any incoming signal.

Color Temperature Control with 5 options: Warm1, Warm2, Normal, Cool1, Cool2

Picture adjustment with 4 options: Standard, Dynamic, Movie, Custom

Screen modes: 16:9, Just, Wide, Zoom, Conventional (4:3)

A menu to help with screen burn protection. There are options to help fix any burn-in that has already happened along with options to prevent it from ever happening.