Samsung PN50B860

Samsung PN50B860

In the battle between plasma and LCD, the former generally comes out ahead in most areas of our picture quality tests, while the latter has dominated the less-important, but somehow costlier, dimension of depth. LCDs like the Samsung and Sony edge-lit models, and the Hitachi UT37X902 cost a hefty premium for their manufacturers knocking an inch or two from the standard panel's thickness. Now plasma makers want in on that premium, and PNB850 and PNB860 series represent Samsung's less-depth-for-more-money gambit. Like the company's thicker, less-expensive PNB650 series, the PNB850/860 series offers excellent picture quality with accurate color, deep black levels--albeit not as deep as the best plasmas and LCDs--and solid video processing. In fact, we awarded the two Samsung plasmas the same Performance score, although the PNB850/860 gets the nod in Design. If you can stomach the higher price and like the thin profile, however, the PNB850/860 makes a compelling option. Series note: We performed a hands-on evaluation of the 50-inch Samsung PN50B850, but this review also applies to the 58-inch member of the series, model PN58B850, as well as to the two models in the PNB860 series: the 50-inch PN50B860 and the 58-inch PNB58860.