Samsung PN51F4500 & PN43F4500 Plasma TV Comparison

Samsung’s F4500 series of plasma TVs rounds out their entry level offerings and consists of only two models, the PN51F4500 and PN43F4500. As you might be able to tell from the models numbers, the two sets are 51” and 43”, respectively. We wrote in depth overviews of their flagship F8500 series and midlevel F5300 series, but there isn’t too much to talk about here.

As the price of a product decreases, so does the number of features it has, which means there’s simply less to write about. So, we’ll give you the short and sweet of it.

Samsung PN51F4500 Plasma TV

The F4500 series is one of the least expensive plasma TV lines you are going to find. That’s because it’s only 720p and lacks any smart features, like WiFi or internet apps. However, it still retains Samsung’s Clear Image panel for better use in well-lit areas and a nearly flawless 178 degree viewing angle. It also has two HDMI inputs, a USB port for viewing photos/movies, and 600hz Subfield Motion. While many people might automatically turn away at finding a 720p set, such a TV can be good in certain situations. If you are sitting far enough away from a TV, about 8’ on a 50” set, your eyes can’t tell the difference between 720p and 1080p resolutions. Furthermore, this 720p set will still produce deeper blacks and have a better viewing angle than most LED/LCD TVs in the same price range. With that said, if a 720p TV receives a 1080p signal, it will have to scale down the resolution, which could introduce artifacts into the image.

We would advise against trying to go any cheaper than the F4500 series. Currently, the 51” can be had for around $580 and the 43” for about $420. If you try go any cheaper than this, you risk getting into a TV that may have some major drawbacks. For example, we have found that many “bargain bin” products have remotes that only work under a very limited range, can be less reliable, are made from B stock parts (that were rejected from use in nicer products), or have horrid user interfaces.

In short, if you are looking for the cheapest way to get a 43" or 51" TV in your home and are sitting far enough away, the F4500 is a fine option.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.