Samsung Plasma

Samsung is one of only a few major manufacturers that still produce plasma TVs. Plasmas produce better blacks and less motion blur than LCDs, but struggle to match the brightness of the competing technology, meaning they're only really suitable for use in a dark room. Nevertheless, Samsung produces some excellent models, with higher series offering multimedia playback and even internet access. In the 5 and 6 series, Samsung plasma TVs manufactured from September onward will also support CI Plus encryption technology.

Samsung Plasma: 4 Series
This series, the cheapest among Samsung plasma TVs, offers a lot of picture for not a lot of money. The 100-hertz technology is supposed to eliminate large-area flicker on this type of screen. Buyers of 4-series models will have to live without Full HD resolution and fancy extras. The TVs do at least have built-in tuners for DVB-T and DVB-C, although they lack CI Plus support.

Samsung Plasma PS 42 B 430, 42 inches (107 cm), 470 GBP
Samsung Plasma PS 50 B 430, 50 inches (127 cm), 650 GBP

Samsung Plasma PS 42 B 450, 42 inches (107 cm), 600 GBP
Samsung Plasma PS 50 B 450, 50 inches (127 cm), 1,100 GBP

Samsung Plasma: 5 Series
The 5 series is the cheapest series of Samsung plasma TVs to offer Full HD resolution. The 550-model additionally offers a USB connection for playback of photos and music. All TVs in this series have 100-hertz technology, and the 550 model will support CI Plus from September - look out for "WP" instead of "WW" in the model number.

Samsung Plasma PS 50 B 530, 50 inches (127 cm), 800 GBP

Samsung Plasma PS 50 B 550, 50 inches (127 cm), 730 GBP

Samsung Plasma: 6 Series
All 6-series Samsung plasma models have 100-hertz technology, as well as a tuner for both DVB-T and DVB-C. The plasma TVs can play back various types of multimedia via USB or across a network and, furthermore, can access internet services provided by Samsung and partner-firm Yahoo. The same goes for CI Plus here as did for the 5 series (above).

Samsung Plasma PS 50 B 650, 50 inches (127 cm), 1,100 GBP
Samsung Plasma PS 58 B 680, 58 inches (147 cm), 1,900 GBP
Samsung Plasma PS 63 B 680, 63 inches (127 cm), 2,350 GBP