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CNET Editors' Take
March 23, 2006 4:15 AM PST
Panasonic's 2006 line of consumer plasmas is the TH-PX60U series, an update to the popular TH-PX50U series. The two smaller sets--the 42-inch TH-42PX60U and the 37-inch TH-37PX60U--have a native resolution of 1,024x768, and the two larger sets, the 50-inch TH-50PX60U and the 58-inch TH-58PX60U, have a native resolution of 1,366x768. This means they all qualify as high-resolution models, as opposed to lower-resolution EDTVs. Other than the differences in screen size and native resolution, all four sets are virtually identical and should offer similar performance. The 37-inch TH-37PX60U ($2,200), the 42-inch TH-42PX60U ($2,500), the 50-inch TH-50PX60U ($3,500), and the 58-inch TH-58PX60U ($5,500) are all available now. For further information beyond what's presented here, please refer to the full review of the TH-42PX60U.
Upside: Different sized models in the same series of televisions from a major brand usually perform similarly to one another, so the excellent picture quality exhibited by the 42-inch model is a good indication that the 37-, 50-, and 58-inch versions will also perform well. In terms of features, the TH-PX60U series is nearly identical to last year's TH-PX50U series, the major exception being that they no longer have a CableCard slot. This means that you'll need an external set-top box to receive digital cable. They do, however, have a built-in ATSC tuner, which means they will receive over-the-air HDTV signals without any additional hardware. Connectivity is highlighted by two HDMI inputs and three component-video inputs, as well as an SD memory card reader to show digital photos onscreen. That's one more of each type of high-quality input than last year's PX50U series had, which also lacked the reader.
Downside: Digital cable subscribers will lament the loss of the CableCard slot, but since first-generation CableCards can't handle EPG or pay-per-view services, it's really not a big deal (more info on CableCard's shortcomings). There is also no PC input, which could be a drawback for those looking to surf the Web on their new big screen.
Outlook: As usual, we expect Panasonic's plasmas to be very popular, due to their competitive price and historically good performance. However, if you're looking to save even more money, be sure to check out Panasonic's line of "industrial" plasmas. They offer excellent picture quality but lack some extras such as speakers and numerous inputs--although you can add more. Panasonic 2006 lineup also includes the step-up TH-PX600U series (available later in the year) as well as the 42-inch EDTV, model TH-42PD42U.
Upside: Different sized models in the same series of televisions from a major brand usually perform similarly to one another, so the excellent picture quality exhibited by the 42-inch model is a good indication that the 37-, 50-, and 58-inch versions will also perform well. In terms of features, the TH-PX60U series is nearly identical to last year's TH-PX50U series, the major exception being that they no longer have a CableCard slot. This means that you'll need an external set-top box to receive digital cable. They do, however, have a built-in ATSC tuner, which means they will receive over-the-air HDTV signals without any additional hardware. Connectivity is highlighted by two HDMI inputs and three component-video inputs, as well as an SD memory card reader to show digital photos onscreen. That's one more of each type of high-quality input than last year's PX50U series had, which also lacked the reader.
Downside: Digital cable subscribers will lament the loss of the CableCard slot, but since first-generation CableCards can't handle EPG or pay-per-view services, it's really not a big deal (more info on CableCard's shortcomings). There is also no PC input, which could be a drawback for those looking to surf the Web on their new big screen.
Outlook: As usual, we expect Panasonic's plasmas to be very popular, due to their competitive price and historically good performance. However, if you're looking to save even more money, be sure to check out Panasonic's line of "industrial" plasmas. They offer excellent picture quality but lack some extras such as speakers and numerous inputs--although you can add more. Panasonic 2006 lineup also includes the step-up TH-PX600U series (available later in the year) as well as the 42-inch EDTV, model TH-42PD42U.
