Samsung PN42C430 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)
- Mega Dynamic Contrast
- Anynet+(HDMI CEC)
- ConnectShare Movie
- 600Hz Subfield Motion
Get a true cinematic experience without going to the cinema with a Samsung plasma HDTV. This Samsung PN42C430, with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio makes sure every frame is saturated with dense, rich color. Samsung is also ENERGY STAR compliant so you are assured that your 42 -inch plasma HDTV is helping the environment by using less enery while saving you money.
Rating: 
(out of 21 reviews)
List Price: $ 549.99
Price: $ 535.47
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Review by The Duke for Samsung PN42C430 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)
Rating:
After researching HD plasmas for about a month, I was all set on an LG model from a different website because it was the least expensive 42 incher with the best reviews I could find, but then I came across this model on Amazon for a hundred and fifty dollars cheaper (This was onsale for under $500 then..I dont think it is anymore). This is the least expensive 42 incher I’ve been come across, and I’m very satisfied with the quality. After watching a lot of movies with dark scenes, I was concerned because if I increased the brightness the colors seemed to wash out – well, after selecting the ‘dynamic’ picture setting instead of ‘standard’ that has been resolved – the colors are crisp and dark scenes are sharp and more visible.
I was concerned that this tv might have the ugly red stripe on the base of the tv like some pictures of other samsungs I’ve seen, but thankfully it does not. The tv frame and base are a sexy piano black. My opinion on why it’s inexpensive is because it has the fewwest inputs on it. It only has 2 hdmi inputs. Perfect for an hd cable box and a ps3. This tv also has 2 sets of component inputs, which are ideal for a vcr or other video game system that isnt in hd (like a wii).
I don’t have digital cable, just a plain old basic cable service and the QAM tuner picked up all the digital channels, but they’re not in hd so I’m still thinking of getting a comcast hd box, even though I despise the significant compression comcast utilizes with its signal. Compare comcast hdtv to a blu ray and you’ll notice how compressed the comcast video signal is (tiling and pixelating and motion blur is evident from the comcast signal).
All in all, at this price point, this can’t be beat.
Anyway, feel free to ask any questions on this new model via the comments section and I’ll be happy to respond.
Review by L. K. Huking for Samsung PN42C430 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)
Rating:
I recently purchased this TV from amazon.com. I was a little apprehensive at first because I had never bought something this large, expensive or fragile online before. We had been looking for a new TV and found the exact same one at Best Buy except the model number was one letter off. After calling both Amazon.com and Samsung to find out why that was, I decided to buy it. I spoke with Samsung and found out that the letter C in the model number means it was made in 2010 as oppose to the letter B for 2009(that was in the Best Buy model). I did not pay for the upgraded shipping and received the TV within two business days. The tv is great, exactly what I expected it to be. I too did have the constant buzzing when we first set it up, however once we made sure the co-axle cable was in securely it stopped. I would recommend this TV to anyone, very happy with the experience and outcome!
Review by Jonathan Pinto for Samsung PN42C430 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)
Rating:
I was a little apprehensive about getting the TV after reading some reviews about the 2009 sets having buzzing sound problems and the contrast looking gray rather than black, but decided to pull the trigger because Amazon had it on sale for $494 with free shipping! I received the set earlier today, got it hooked up with an OTA antenna and scanned for channels. I was blown away by the picture quality! Blacks are black and the colors are vivid. The CBS and NBC evening news look fantastic. I’m looking forward to watching other HD channels once I get digital cable hooked up. When playing an Xbox 360 game the picture is awesome! Netflix streaming in HD is fantastic as well. For those wondering, here are some specs on the TV:
HDMI x 2
USB x 1 (allows for playing of photos and music, as well as firmware updates)
Component x 2
DVI Audio In x 1
Ex-Link x 1
Audio In x 1
Digital Audio Out (Optical) x 1
Antenna In x 1
Now for the buzzing sound issue. There isn’t one. I don’t know if I lucked out or what, but the only way I can hear a buzzing sound is by sticking my head right next to the set, and even then it is so low you can hardly hear it.
The sound quality of the TV is excellent. Much better than my old CRT that this replaced. I haven’t had a chance to play around with the picture settings much. There are three factory preset modes (Dynamic, Standard, and Movie). In my opinion Dynamic is way too bright. I have it on Standard right now and am extremely satisfied with the picture. Even the darker Movie mode is nice. I plan on calibrating it eventually though. All in all this is an excellent TV, and in my opinion, a lot better than a majority of the 1080p LCDs on the market today!
Review by Steve for Samsung PN42C430 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)
Rating:
I’m rating this a 3 hoping readers will take a look. I’m going thru the same problem as a previous reviewer; the screws connecting base to TV don’t fit. After the same back and forth with Amazon, Samsung, J&J, and Samsung, it appears the base shipped with the TV was the wrong model. The correct model number according to Samsung is BN96-13016C. Mine came with a BN61-0643A. The model number is on the underside of the base. Samsung is sending me a new one, I’ll report later if this solves the problem.
Review by D. Ferreira for Samsung PN42C430 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)
Rating:
**Updated 3/8 to remove comment on black levels being grey. That had more to do with the lighting and reflections on the screen. After seeing through that I have to say the picture and contrast on the tv is great.**
Picture 5/5
Audio 4/5
I’ve owned 2 LCD tv’s previously. This is my first plasma.
Pros:
- Audio is as good as I’ve heard on a tv.
- Picture is great.
- Design is as good as it gets. This is one sexy beast.
- No noticable ‘motion blurr’ or fuzziness with fast moving scenes.
Cons:
- Loud constant BUZZZZ sound coming from the back of the tv right out the box. I’ve put up with it because I’m used to it now and don’t want to go through the troubles of returning it.
- Reflections on the screen from room lighting make a huge difference on the picture. The screen looks like a mirror. (This is just part of the nature of plasma screens though so its not a huge con. Dimming the lights reduces the effect but this can be really inconvenient at times.)