Customer Reviews

Samsung HL-P5085W 50-Inch Widescreen HD-Ready DLP Television with PC Input

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I feel as though most people make a purchase, and then justify it by raving about it's performance, even if in their heart of hearts they know it is junk.

Just recently, an acquaintance of mine purchased an LCD television that, while asthetically pleasing, has one of the worst pictures I have seen. Trail, ghosting, poor colors, etc... DLP projection is simply the best picture you can buy if dollars spent VS. quality of picture is your goal. If you MUST hang a TV on a wall, KNOW that you MUST ALSO spend at least $7000 for a picture that begins to match the quality of a $2500 DLP. The cheaper flat screens are cheaper for a reason. You do the math.

This Samsung model is just gorgeous. HDTV is simply stunning. Colors are crisp, black levels are INCREDIBLE, and the picture is 95% perfect right out of the box! I had an engineer look at this set and say "it is perfect when you plug it in". So many sets need "tweaking" for days before they look right, so this is an added benefit on this model.

Also, the set has PIP, which can be used for watching TV while also using your computer! Simply run video out from your computer and you have a 50 inch HD Monitor!! Awsome!

This set has HDMI, which no one really uses yet, but it is nice to have for the future. For those who do not know, HDMI is ONE cable that carries HD PICTURE AND SURROUND SOUND. It also has DVI input for the BEST HDTV picture available.

The look (pedestal) is love it or leave it, but if you are here, you obviously find it pleasing.

I can not comment on the sound as I have never used it (I have a home theater system), and this brings me to a slightly offpoint comment, but one that is important. if you DO get a surround system, please do this television justice and do not buy some junky home theater in a box! Sound is actually MORE impotant than picture in terms of a visceral experience, and you do yourself no service to buy this set, and then use garbage sound. Also, BOSE, while nice, is overpriced and simply silly. DO RESEARCH, and find that no respected audio/videophile respects BOSE, when they know better can be had for less.

Sorry...back to my review. This set is wonderful. You can use a nice open-air AV rack to complement it visually, and as far as gaming goes, XBOX in HD is fabulous!!!

ONE NOTE ON DVD's. this television has a native resolution of 720P DVD's only have a maximum of 480P, and as a technology, DVD's are not that great, which is why HD DVD's will be out this year (DVD's that do 480p,720p,1080i,1080p ie. High Definition DVD's) Do not be disappointed if DVD's look a bit fuzzy, pixelated, whatever... they look that way on ALL HDTV's. It is the DVD, not the TV. Still, they look nice.

Well, that's all. You may want to wait until 1080 native resolution sets are available later this year, but mind you they come with a hefty price tag! For now, this is THE set; and I say that not because I own it, but because it is true. Enjoy!

TOP NOTES:

PROS:

Good Clarity

GREAT BLACK LEVELS

Nice Contrast

BEST COLOR ON THE MARKET

It is light...about 100lbs for a 50 Inch TV!!!!!

CONS:

Can't hang it on a wall (it IS only 11 inches deep)

Pedestal not for everyone

I have this TV in my game room over the garage. I'll tell you it is the most awesome piece of AV equipment I've ever owned. The HD Picture quality is breath-taking (I have the HDNet/ESPNHD packages from TimeWarner, the Discovery documentaries shot in HD are just crystal clear and so realistic, feels like you are right there. Best of all, there is no service adjustments you have to do to make the picture quality improve, it's right out of the box top quality. I did adjust the brightness and tuned down the sharpness to fit my viewing taste. I also configured the 1280x702 resolution for my computer viewing pleasure, which is hooked into the DVI port. I am sitting 10 foot from it and it is like I am viewing it right on my office desk, so clear and sharp.

Pros:

1. No service adjustments.

2. Low Fan noise, not noticable at all. Not much heat.

3. Picture quality is amazing.

Cons:

1. Heavy stand, 80 pounds by itself.

2. Not easy to put AV components around.

3. The little shadows sometimes noticable on screen, because the screen hasn't completely heated up yet.

The GUY COMPLAINING about "HD-ready" being deceptive IS AN IDIOT... by his argument, he should give every HD-ready TV a bad review. In fact... very few TVs out there are HD-Integrated, and almost all you'd see in the store are only HD-ready. This guy probably complains about a car with an AUTOMATIC transmission not driving by itself.

This TV has a great contrast ratio, and great black levels. MY X-Box looks just plain awesome on it - of course, you need a HD Video Adaptor(component video) for it ($20 for the Microsoft adaptor - don't waste your money on a Monster Adaptor, even the EB sales reps advise against the Monster component adaptor, but I digress.) No signal delay issues with the X-Box.

The only thing is that there's no where to put stuff, and when you look at the specs of the add-on shelving unit, it's much wider than the TV, ..... but I just got a glass/metal shelf to put next to it to put my cable-box, X-Box, DVD player on.

This TV has the best picture that I have seen so far. Consumer Reports rated this TV as the best of all DLP TV's as of March of this year when they ran their last DLP comparisons. I was in the market for a plasma but many of the plasma's out there are not able to produce deep blacks and whites are sometimes off-white. In my opinion, DLP's offer more bang and value than a plasma or LCD tv. This TV will not dissappoint and if you are trying to research which TV to buy, you will notice that this model gets excellent reviews from professional reviews and owners from numerous different websites.

The picture right out of the box is incredible. I have Dish network HD package. When I powered on the TV and watched the HD channnel, the picture is stunning. The colors are bright and the black levels are excellent. I researched for the TV so long and ended up with this beautiful piece. Just buy it and enjoy. It is stylish. I recommend it.

I have a 32"WegaXBR...awesome TV, but then won a 42"Phillips Plasma in a contest....was given the chance to take a gift certificate instead.....SHOPPED hard for a few weeks and nearly got the Mitsi 50" DLP until I saw this newest version of the Samsung 50"DLP.

Was pleased by the next few comparisons I saw and made the purchase. Excellent HD pictures on my Comcast HD channels. The SD channels are not nearly what my XBR had, but the Sammy allows for an auto 4:3 setup for NON HD channels...which helps a bit.

Anyone looking to educate themsleves, I'd strongly suggest visiting www.highdefforum.com. Since buying I'm on there all the time. Just bought the stand for this TV from circuit city and LOVE the contemporary look and hidden wires....next up...might need a DVR.

Good luck to all who give this a shot...you won't be dissappointed.

DJ

You should rate products based on their quality not your ignorance. "HD ready" is a term used in every store which means that it is capable of producing a HD quality picture when provided with a source (i.e. a HD tuner or HD cable box). If it has "integrated HD" then you know it has a built in tuner. Do some research before you bash a product and a company.

This is an outtake from bestbuy's website

What's meant by "HD-Ready"?

Some HDTV sets on the market incorporate HD-capable displays coupled with a built-in HDTV tuner to receive over-the-air HD broadcasts (currently available only in certain markets, these broadcasts are becoming increasingly common as the 2006 digital-broadcast deadline approaches). Often referred to as integrated HDTVs, these models are indicated on the BestBuy.com Web site by the designation "with Built-In HDTV Tuner."

However, the vast majority of HD-capable TVs on the market are what's known as HD-ready TVs (or HDTV monitors) - high-definition displays, often including one or more built-in NTSC TV tuners for reception of conventional analog TV broadcasts, but which must be connected to a separate HD source in order to realize their full potential. Since most current HD content is delivered via satellite or cable systems rather that over-the-air, some consumers (especially those who reside in areas where over-the-air HD content is not yet available) consider an HD-ready set to be the best solution for their current and future needs. But to experience HD broadcasts (where available) right out of the box with no additional investment, a built-in HD tuner is the ticket.

Like HD-ready models, integrated HDTVs generally provide exhaustive connectivity options, so you can always add cable or satellite sources as well to broaden your HD options. Conversely, over-the-air HD tuners are also available in stand-alone set-top boxes, often combined with cable and/or satellite reception capabilities. Obviously, there are lots of ways to achieve your desired HD viewing experience, so we advise you to weigh various factors (including cost, convenience, and content availability) before making your decision.

I have it for 2 weeks now, and love it from the day one. The picture is very good right out of the box the HD is simply incredible (I have dish HD package + locals...) For the standard definition you will need a little tweaking to make it look good (just look around on the avsforum.com) For the absolutely best picture you will probably need professional to do the final tuning on each input. The pedestal is OK for me, I still find a place behind TV for a small AV rack. The only slight disappointments for me are the shiny speaker panels on each side, they sometimes reflect to much light in a not so dark room. Overall I think it's one the finest TVs around, and probably is the best for the price

My HLP-5085 is 4 years old and still going strong. Over 8000 hours on it and still on the original lamp! I do have a spare ready just in case.

Have had zero service issues with it.

There are, however, two design anomolies.

1. With the integral stand, your component (receiver, DVD Player, etc...) storage options are limited to the funky stand made for this TV.

2. Direct-access to the input ports doesn't work. It makes programming a remote, especially the "too smart for their own good" Logitech remotes, extremely difficult. Attempting any sort of programming to directly switch to the HDMI, DVI or other ports simply doesn't work. You have to use the "Cycle" method, and that also fails most of the time. The best thing you can do is put the "Input Next" button and code on the front page of all your device screens so it's handy.

Other than that I have zero complaints about this TV.

The new 61 LED 1080p units are dropping in price like a rock. Less than $1800 for the top of the line 61" set!

I'm going to wait until it hits $1500 then I will bite. I'll probably give this one to my sister as I'm sure it will be still running strong in a year.

I GOT THIS TV AT A STEAL FROM A CIRUIT CITY DISCOUNT OUTLET FOR JUST 890 DOLLARS IT WAS STILL NEW AND IN THE BOX.
I HAVE HAD IT FOR A YEAR NOW AND STILL CAN SAY IT LOOKS AND WORKS BETTER THAN THE NEW SETS IN THE STORES FOR 2500 DOLLARS OR MORE.
I HAVE MY COMPUTR HOOKED UP TO IT AND THAT IS SO AWESOME I STILL DROOL ON IT WHEN I USE IT THAT WAY MY COMPUTER HAS BLU RAY SO I WATCH BLUE RAY ON IT AND IT IS AWESOME. I HAVE A SAMSUNG HOME THEATER HOOKED UP TO IT AS WELL AND THE ANY NET SYSTEM MAKES THEM WORK AS ONE UNIT THRU THE TV'S REMOTE. WHEN PEOPLE SEE THIS SETUP THEY ALWAYS LOOK DUMBFOUNDED WITH ITS SLICK OPERATION.
IF YOU CAN STILL FIND ONE BUY IT
YOU WONT BE SORRY.