58+ Plasma TV (58" and Over)
Top Recommendations for 58" and Over Plasma TVs for 2010
(chosen by editors Robert Wiley, Jack Burden and Phil Conner)
Following are our top 58+ Inch recommended plasma TVs based upon quality, price,value and feature set (in no particular order). Editors choice designations may be given for one or more of these three criteria.
What size TV is right for you? See our HDTV Screen Size Calculator
Samsung PN63C7000
63" Plasma TV 
Samsung's C7000 line up of plasmas for 2010 feature 1080p Clear Image Panels in a Brushed Black Touch of Color bezel. These televisions are 3D ready like many of the TVs at CES this year. Though we are still on the "wait and see" bandwagon when it comes to 3D TV, it's readily apparent that the manufacturers are fully on board with 3D this year. That said we've been very impressed with the picture performance of recent Samsung plasma TVs, see our review of the 5 series plasmas here.
Samsung's proprietary 3D enabled system allows compatibility with multiple 3D formats to provide access to 3D content from many sources. As we note often, the TV will obviously perform regular two dimensional duties, but is enabled for 3D should you introduce some 3D content.
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LG 60PK550 Editor's Choice: Value
60" Plasma TV
The PK550 series plasmas from LG feature a 1080p panel in a slim, 2" deep case with a bezel under 1" in size. The Intelligent Sensor feature will automatically adjust the brightness to match the brightness and color temperature of the room lighting. While these automatic adjustments sensors provide marginal energy savings we have found in the past that they sacrifice a calibrated picture to do it. Most viewers will be more concerned with picture quality than a slight power savings but if you want to trim a few dollars off the monthly power bill this feature can do that for you in a room that allows the TV to run at lower brightness levels.
Samsung PN58C7000
50" Plasma TV
Samsung's C7000 line up of plasmas for 2010 feature 1080p Clear Image Panels in a Brushed Black Touch of Color bezel. These televisions are 3D ready like many of the TVs at CES this year. Though we are still on the "wait and see" bandwagon when it comes to 3D TV, it's readily apparent that the manufacturers are fully on board with 3D this year. That said we've been very impressed with the picture performance of recent Samsung plasma TVs, see our review of the 5 series plasmas here.
Samsung's proprietary 3D enabled system allows compatibility with multiple 3D formats to provide access to 3D content from many sources. As we note often, the TV will obviously perform regular two dimensional duties, but is enabled for 3D should you introduce some 3D content.
Panasonic TC-P65V10 Editor's Choice: Quality
65" Plasma TV
The TC-P65V10 has a slim 2" depth. It will contain a new color system that we are interested in testing dubbed "Digital Cinema Color." This new feature is designed to provide "movie-essential" colors. Not sure what that means but we'll see. Once calibrated to D6500 the TV should provide that color information free of charge, without a new color system But who know? Maybe it's an unforeseen improvement.
The TC-P65V10 also contains the Viera Cast menu system which allows video rental from Amazon through online connection. The new NEO plasma display design features 1080p resolution, deeper blacks and 40:000:1 stated contrast ratio. It also has the new 600Hz sub-field drive presumably for fast processing especially during video game playback.
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Samsung PN58B550 Editor's Choice: Price
50" Plasma TV
See Review Plasma is known for it's outstanding picture quality, unfortunately it is also known for it's high power usage. Samsung is claiming the new PN58B550 will use 50% less power than previous models while retaining the picture quality that plasma is known for. The B550 series plasmas are slim at only about an inch thick and boast Energy Star 3.0 compliance.
For movie night the B550 will display your films at a natural 24p and 600Hz processing should mean smooth motion all the time.
