Samsung PS51D6900DK Pro Reviews

A great-value plasma TV, with a well-designed user interface and plenty of extra features – the PS51D6900 doesn't have the best image quality we've seen, but it's close

The PS51D6900 is another easily recommendable Plasma TV from Samsung. We’re delighted that the Korean manufacturer has been improving its Plasma televisions so much recently – last year we had the feeling that the company had forgotten about this display technology, and was concentrating solely on LED LCD TVs. The D6900 is a highly capable 51-inch plasma 3D television with calibration options galore, excellent picture quality by just about any measure, and Smart TV internet capability, all for around £850 online. A bargain? We think so. Compared to the D550 model we tested last month, the PS51D6900 is a worthwhile upgrade, especially for owners who’ll make good use of its Smart TV functions. For those who won’t, its slightly superior black level and apparently improved screen coating are nothing to sniff at, either.

Samsung’s PS51D6900 isn’t the last word in plasma picture performance. That honour still belongs comfortably to Panasonic’s 2011 GT30 and VT30 models. What the PS51D6900 most definitely does manage to be, though, is easily the best value 3D screen we’ve seen so far, delivering a level of performance and functionality that far, far exceeds anything you’ve got a right to expect of its sub-£1000 price. In fact, we’ve got a feeling that although it’s only May, we might just be looking at the TV bargain of the year.

The PS51D6900 looks lovely in an understated way, its extra inch of picture is appreciated and, most importantly of all, its £1,300 price is very attractive for such a large active 3D TV. What really pleases the most, though, is that it backs its up-front appeal up with a very satisfying performance, be it in 2D or 3D mode.