Samsung PN58C8000 Review - 3D Capable 1080p Plasma TV

Model: Samsung PN58C8000
Description: Full HD 1080p 58" Plasma TV 3D TV Compatible
Includes Table Top Stand. Does not include 3D glasses.
Date: Late Summer/Fall 2010

This shot from the Blu Ray of Blood Diamond shows good shadow detail and definition in the hills in the background.

The PN58C8000 represents the top of the line for Samsung's 2010 plasma lineup and includes some fantastic upgrade features including 3D compatibility, sleek sophisticated aesthetics, a superb new remote control, a thorough Internet Suite, and excellent picture quality.

This shot from The Big Labowski shows great contrast, flesh tones and light from a standard definition DVD.

Picture Quality: The Samsung PN58C8000 displays wonderfully balanced color information and uniformity. Images are presented in a clean and clear manner devoid of artifacts, with colors properly saturated. Colors may seem a slightly washed out and weak at first but further viewing reveals them to be extremely accurate and realistic while plenty saturated. We recommend leaving the Motion Judder Controller feature off due to unintended consequences in taking out natural background blur. However, with this feature off we did note some judder/jerky effects in side to side panning scenes – common with most all TVs due to difficulty in converting 3:2 pulldown. Motion related content was extremely smooth and the TV presents an incredibly film like experience. See the full review here including 3D coverage here.

A shot from 3D Blu Ray Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs taken through one camera lense (and yielding half 3D)

3D TV Glasses: We liked the optional Samsung 3D glasses for two reasons. First, they look natural like a large pair of sunglasses with their burgundy frames and they are rechargeable. They are not included with the TV.

The rechargeable Samsung 3D shutter glasses are charged through the USB out on the TV or a computer.

Internet: Samsung has expanded the Internet lineup on the PN50C8000 to include Yahoo!, Netflix, Blockbuster, twitter, Facebook, USA Today, Pandora, Napster, You Tube, Google Maps, Daily Motion, and Samsung Apps which gives options on gaming and sports and other material. This is an impressive list of Internet options for the C8000 series, probably the most complete in the marketplace. Samsung is adding new options at a faster rate than many TV manufacturers. See the full features review here.

A shot of Internet YouTube option on the Samsung PN58C8000

At around $2600 this TV is a super deal. Hopefully you can get the Blu Ray 3D and 3D glasses in some sort of package with it. I would buy this TV even if I was not planning on using the 3D compatibility. Competition comes from the Panasonic TC-P58VT25 and a host of LED TVs with 3D capability but in different size such as the Samsung UN55C8000.