With its 50-inch screen and 1,080p resolution, the Samsung FP-T5084 is a reasonable option for any home theater, especially if you have more of an indie-film budget than that of a Hollywood blockbuster. This sensible plasma HDTV delivers all of Samsung's bells and whistles for a very reasonable price.

DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine), Samsung's proprietary processing engine, sharpens the picture to deliver crystal-clear high-definition images. While most TV manufacturers bump the contrast ratio up to 30,000:1 or higher, Samsung sets the FP-T5084 at 15,000:1, which it says produces deeper blacks and brighter whites. We agree that the blacks are richer than on many other plasma sets on the market. The FP-T5084 also presents 18-bit processing and Samsung's new Natural True Color algorithm, although some color inaccuracies appear from time to time.

The FP-T5084 is Energy Star-compliant and reduces energy consumption up to 25 percent compared to other similar-sized plasma HDTVs. Part of this reduction comes from Samsung's FilterBright technology, which deploys an antiglare filter to reduce (but unfortunately not eliminate) glare from outside light sources. Power consumption is further moderated by the FP-T5084's power save mode. A blue eye in the front-bottom bezel reads the ambient light in your viewing room and adjusts the set to one of three brightness modes, which is more efficient for both viewing and energy consumption.

Multitasking is one of the FP-T5084's merits. The PIP mode lets you watch a movie and still keep track of the score in the big game. You can also finish your spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation on your computer in the inset window while watching other programming in the larger window.

The FP-T5084 has a pair of 15-watt speakers built into the simple black bezel, which has a stark design that is a bit too lifeless for our tastes. While the speakers are capable of SRS TruSurround XT sound, they fail to deliver much of a punch for movies or even action-packed TV. Your best bet is to link the FP-T5084 to a multichannel home audio system.

The FP-T5084 has an average number of connectivity options. Built into the side panel is an input/output access point that includes an HDMI input, composite video input and other connections. This makes it easy to plug in a camcorder or other temporary device. For more permanent components, the rear of the FP-T5084 has two HDMI inputs, two component video inputs and a PC input, among others.

If you don't have bottomless pockets but must have a big plasma HDTV with true 1,080p display, the Samsung FP-T5084 is a good option.


Pros: Rich black levels, three HDMI inputs, 1,080p display
Cons: Stark design, some color-processing issues, underperforming speakers

Warranty
2 years, parts and labor