Features:

• 1365 x 768 resolution
• 15,000:1 Contrast Ratio
• 16 bit color
• Filter Bright 2 Anti Glare Technology
• 3 HDMI, 2 component, 1 PC input

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
50" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * high-gloss black finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 1365 x 768 pixels * 15,000:1 contrast ratio *

Amazon.com Product Description:
Offering a rich feature set and exceptional quality for its price, Samsung HPT5064 50-inch 720p plasma TV uses the company's latest DNIe enhancement circuitry to deliver outstanding brightness, contrast, and image clarity. Use it for home theater and use it for your PC--it's perfect for both. In addition to a standard-broadcast NTSC tuner, it also features an integrated ATSC tuner that can capture over-the-air digital broadcasts from local network affiliates (the set will still require a set-top tuner for receiving non-terrestrial HD broadcasts from channels like HBO or Discovery). Other noteworthy features include a 60,000 hour panel life, Samsung's unique auto pixel-shifting technology to prevent burn-in, a gaming mode, cinema progressive film mode, and 3 HDMI connections. This model is also compatible with an Auto wall-mount Samsung will release this year that is controllable in 3-dimensions via the HTDV's own remote control.

Samsung currently offers two 50-inch 720p plasma models; this one and the lower priced HPT5054. this model is set apart from the HPT 4254 by its cosmetic design and by the inclusion of a USB 2.0 connection for playing photo files or MP3s. Both models offer the same high level of digital image processing, 15,000:1 contrast ratio, and HDMI connectivity. If you don't need the USB connection, you may want ot consider the the HPT4254.

The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) Video Enhancer refines all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe improves contrast, white level, picture detail and incorporates digital noise reduction to improve lower quality video inputs. Thanks to the new 13-bit processing capability of DNIe, the HP-S4253 can produce over 549 billion colors (compared to the one billion colors that TVs with 10-bit processing can produce.

Single-tuner Picture in Picture
This HDTV has a picture-in-picture feature, but it only has a single tuner which does not allow POP to function n the same mode. For example, you can't watch one TV channel in the main screen and another channel in the PIP screen. You can watch a tv channel in one screen and view contnet from your computer or a DVD in another. This tends to be the functional limitation of PIP in most HDTVs currently available.

Connections:

• HDMI connections: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
• S-Video Inputs: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
• Component Video A/V Input: 2 (rear)
• USB 2.0 Connection: (1 side)
• PC (RGB) input: 1 (rear)
• Composite video input: 1 (side)
• Headphone Jack: 1 (side)
• RF input: 2 (rear)

What's in the box Plasma HDTV, Remote control, 2 AAA batteries, Power cord, Owner's Instructions/Quick Setup Guide, Warranty Card, Registration Card, Safety Guide Manual, Cloth-Clean.

Rating : - A great TV for a normal to large room
After doing TONS of research and going back and forth on 1080 vs. 720, I went for this beauty. I don't have a Blue-Ray player and I don't own a PS3 (yet) so I couldn't take advantage of 1080. Broadcast HD TV is 720 anyway. I have owned this set for about 10 months and at the time the same size LCD was $500 more and the screens on the LCD's of the day just were not as bright as plasma IMO.

Best thing to do, go to your local electronic store, compare TV's side by side and then buy it on Amazon. First of all Amazon rocks! Customer service is awesome. 2 weeks after we bought the TV it dropped $150 and when I called Amazon they gave me the difference back! This is only good for up to 30 days after your purchase date. No tax for us in CA, and Free white glove delivery. TV came on time, delivery company called me to schedule an appointment for delivery. The delivery guy brought the TV in and help set it up and even cleaned up the mess.

TV was a breeze to setup. I have HD Comcast cable running in via composite cables, a Wii via composite, a media center PC into the VGA port and a DVD player plugged in through one of the HDMI pots. Couldn't get coax to work directly connected to the TV but no big deal, I watch it through my cable box anyway.

I read online that you had to "break in" a plasma or you would have burn in early on. I had the TV's settings dialed in to my room brightness but still kept it at 50% brightness. Even at that setting the TV was still VERY bright! Yes it is a plasma TV and YES there will be burn in at some point. After playing Guitar Hero III for hours with friends yes there is a ghost of the game burned into the screen. Flip the channel to any HD FULL SCREEN channel and in about 10 minutes, its all gone.

Early on we would run the anti-burn feature on the TV when we went to bed to keep burn in from being permanent. Set the sleep timer for 30-60 min, and start the scrolling anti-burn feature. The next morning when we turned on the TV, it was all gone.

All in all, I love it!

PROS:
Great picture
Great color
Looks good on or off
Sound is impressive for such small speakers
Lots of inputs

CONS:
Burn in after gaming or when watching sports (score board or news ticker)
Plasma uses alot of energy vs LCD
Plasma puts off alot of heat for a TV. Keep airflow open around TV
VERY heavy, need two people to move safely