Samsung PN50C680 3D Plasma - better bang for the buck 3D?
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:50 am
I just want to give everybody a heads up on the new Samsung PN50C680 3D plasma. These just hit the market in the last couple of weeks. Basically, it's a 50 inch 1080p plasma with 3D abilities. The thing that makes it unique, is the fact that it's priced pretty aggressively compared to the other 3D displays out there. I was able to get it for $1338 out the door. This even included the Samsung 3D starter kit that includes 2 pairs of glasses and the Monsters vs. Aliens 3D Blu Ray. Since buying this C680, I've seen it even cheaper at $1299 shipped ( only $38 cheaper but still ).
Basically, I was looking to either buy the PN50C680 or the cheaper PN50C490. The C490 has a native resolution of 1360 x 768, which I thought would be kinda problematic for watching 3D Blu Ray's, as they would have to be downscaled to that resolution. Still, I was very much considering either a C490 or a C680. (it's about a $350 difference between the two, when you factor in the Ebay price for Monsters vs. Aliens). A few places out there have the C490 for $990 shipped, and they are included 2 free pairs of the Samsung battery powered shutterglasses. You don't get the Monsters vs. Aliens Blu Ray, but still....
So, I heard that Fry's Electronics had both the C490 and the C680 in stock. I decided I was going to bring my PS3 to Fry's, and see if I can try out some 3D gaming, and some 3D videos on both the C490 and C680. ( I have some 3D side-by-side videos loaded onto my PS3 hard drive ). So I get to Fry's, and they have the C680 on display, but they don't have a C490 on display. So I was only able to test out the C680. I hooked my PS3 up to it, and got everything setup properly, and started playing Super Stardust HD in 3D on it. I was very blown away by the results. It pretty much seemed exactly the same as the Panasonic VT20 that I owned temporarily. This was surprising to me, because the VT20 costs quite a bit more than the C680. I though for sure that I'd notice a downgrade in the 3D picture quality. Also, I've heard lots of Samsung owners complaining about ghosting on their Samsungs.
I also played the 3D demo for Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, and I played Wipeout HD in 3D. I also tried some side-by-side videos. Everything looked awesome, and basically looked pretty much the same as the Panny VT20 that I had owned. I tried to get Fry's to match the deal that Vanns.com was offering, but they said they couldn't go that low, so I went home and ordered the C680 from Vanns.
I have the TV now, and I'm running it thru the break-in process with a special break-in dvd. I figure I'll run the break-in for the first 150 to 200 hours, so I can have the phosphors burned in evenly during that first 200 hour period. As soon as my break-in period is over with, I can start evaluating the quality of the TV much more, but so far I'm very satisfied with it.
Basically, I was looking to either buy the PN50C680 or the cheaper PN50C490. The C490 has a native resolution of 1360 x 768, which I thought would be kinda problematic for watching 3D Blu Ray's, as they would have to be downscaled to that resolution. Still, I was very much considering either a C490 or a C680. (it's about a $350 difference between the two, when you factor in the Ebay price for Monsters vs. Aliens). A few places out there have the C490 for $990 shipped, and they are included 2 free pairs of the Samsung battery powered shutterglasses. You don't get the Monsters vs. Aliens Blu Ray, but still....
So, I heard that Fry's Electronics had both the C490 and the C680 in stock. I decided I was going to bring my PS3 to Fry's, and see if I can try out some 3D gaming, and some 3D videos on both the C490 and C680. ( I have some 3D side-by-side videos loaded onto my PS3 hard drive ). So I get to Fry's, and they have the C680 on display, but they don't have a C490 on display. So I was only able to test out the C680. I hooked my PS3 up to it, and got everything setup properly, and started playing Super Stardust HD in 3D on it. I was very blown away by the results. It pretty much seemed exactly the same as the Panasonic VT20 that I owned temporarily. This was surprising to me, because the VT20 costs quite a bit more than the C680. I though for sure that I'd notice a downgrade in the 3D picture quality. Also, I've heard lots of Samsung owners complaining about ghosting on their Samsungs.
I also played the 3D demo for Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, and I played Wipeout HD in 3D. I also tried some side-by-side videos. Everything looked awesome, and basically looked pretty much the same as the Panny VT20 that I had owned. I tried to get Fry's to match the deal that Vanns.com was offering, but they said they couldn't go that low, so I went home and ordered the C680 from Vanns.
I have the TV now, and I'm running it thru the break-in process with a special break-in dvd. I figure I'll run the break-in for the first 150 to 200 hours, so I can have the phosphors burned in evenly during that first 200 hour period. As soon as my break-in period is over with, I can start evaluating the quality of the TV much more, but so far I'm very satisfied with it.