Customer Video Review Length:: 0:49 Mins

I purchased this marvelous television after countless research and first-hand looks at B&M stores. The PN597000 is a slight step-down from Samsung's flagship 8000 model, but it's also plagued with the same issues, most notably a "peeling" issue.

Samsung devised a solution to eliminate most of the glare from the 7000/8000 series sets, calling it the Real Black Filter. The RBF is a sheet of thin plastic laminated on the inside of the front set glass to mitigate glare caused by direct incoming light for those rooms with a lot of ambient light present. Kind of like a tint for a car window. Is it effective? Yes.

Does it at a huge price? Absolutely.

You see, what Samsung failed to predict and discover - and, more disturbingly, what they refuse to acknowledge even at this stage - is that this plastic sheet can PEEL on its own from the inside, possibly due to the considerable heat generated from the plasma set, creating air bubbles... Read more

I just got the TV and have had it 2 days. My other TV's are a 42in Samsung LCD and a 50in sony rear proj. LCD.
I read about plasma vs. LED and went for the plasma. It is in the livingroom which has full height glass windows on one side. We get direct morning sun as windows face S/E.
I bought the set over internet shipped free. Need 2 people to move very large box into home. Need 2 people to hang the set. I unboxed and mounted hanger by myself.
If considering plasma, here are my comments:
1. 3D is excellent. Get the largest set you can afford/ fit in home.
2. Picture on this set is very very good. Very vivid, yet realistic color and contrast.
3. Remote is good, but not a high end look. Possibly because many use other combo remotes.
4. Glare is not an issue. The sony used to be in livingroom and glare was more of an issue.
5. Off axis viewing is outstanding. 2D excellent. 3D excellent from any angle.
6. I bought the light... Read more

Background:

I come from the land of LCD, and I have had this TV for about a month. This replaced a several year old Sharp Aquos 37" LCD. As is typical with electronics, this 51" brand new 2011 plasma costs significantly less than my 37" 2 year old (at the time) refurbished model.

I have limited space, and my choices to fill it included the LG 47" LED TV's, Samsung 46"LED TV's, and the Samsung 51" Plasmas. (Just for the record, an LED TV is just an LCD with LED lights behind it instead of flourescent bulbs. I use the term LED TV only because it's easier to type and read than LED-backlit LCD TV.) While I would have preferred an LED TV for my situation (which is a very bright room), The LG's were not impressive. Though the Samsung LED's were (to my eyes) the best looking TV's on display at my local BB, 51" is a lot larger than 46 and the seating is about 17' away from the TV. The new 2011 "Plus 1" models add an inch of screen, but are actually smaller... Read more