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"Buy a 720p before they're not available!" on by KTate70
Pros: Great picture, easy menu navigation, good-looking cabinet.
Cons: Three HDMI inputs would have been nice.
Summary: I had been waiting for about a year to buy my first HDTV and was going back and forth between plasma and LCD for several months. I'm now glad I waited and weighed the pro's and con's of each. The Panasonic TH-50PX75U's plasma picture is incredible! Even SD (standard def) content looks good. I've yet to upgrade my Directv account to HD but non-HD shows like Letterman and the news look so much more vivid and deep in color.
I suggested that one buy a 720p set before they're all gone as I believe that the current crop of 1080p sets will soon be the standard. Currently, the price difference between comparable sets can be close to $1000 (or more) and I'm told that one can't normally tell the difference on a 50-inch screen anyways. Plus, I called Directv and they have yet to broadcast any of their HD channels in 1080p (they're still in 720). I can only assume that Dish Network hasn't yet begun to broadcast their HD channels in 1080p either. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)
Anyways, the TH-50PX75U looks incredible. As I type this review, I'm watching the BBC Planet Earth series in Blu-ray and some of the scenes actually look better than real life! I don't know how else to say it: It's as though the shots were filmed with optimal lighting from every angle. The colors and detail are unbelievable.
I also mentioned that three HDMI inputs (one for satellite signal, one for Blu-ray player, and one for DVD recorder) would have been nice but I plan to find an AV receiver to take care of this issue. I'll then simply use the receiver to switch between video inputs.
Hope this helps. -
"Panasonic Continues a Great Plasma Tradition" on by AJones4
Pros: Excellent shadow detail; Extremely user friendly remote; Great value
Cons: Only two HDMI inputs; Color is inaccurate; Bland styling
Summary: Panasonic introduces another great, value-focused plasma television with the TH-50PX75U. After initially opening the box, you'll be greeted with a pedestal construction nightmare (I'll give you a hint: the matching arrow and circle do not go where the manual says they do), the manual, power cord, remote, and a plasma concierge brochure. Once connected, the television comes out of the box set at a polarizing brightness level, which I promptly turned down.
My first surprise was the remote. A throwback to Panasonic remotes of the past, the volume and channel buttons fall neatly directly underneath your finger. All of the buttons are massive, with clearly written text indicating what they are. I thought I would wish for a backlit remote, but the human factors were so impeccable that it was entirely unnecessary. The only detriment to the remote is that it lacks control for other components.
Again, the set came out of the box tuned for the visually impared: way too bright for average viewing. Hooking up a Denon DVD2930 and utilizing a third-party tuning disk, I adjusted all of the settings to appropriate levels.
Watching Aon Flux on Blu-Ray, the first thing I noticed was the shadow detail. This plasma seems to excel at showing the subtle details in darker images that other TVs (read: LCDs) just can't handle. Blacks were deep and rich, and the white of a flowing dress came across as natural and realistic. Certainly this television shows off the benefits of plasma techonology to a "T".
The color, however, seemed a bit off. There was a slight red push in flesh tones and greens were overexaggerated. Not surprising for a set at this price point, there was no way to adjust individual colors.
All in all, this is definitely a great set for the money. Despite slight color imperfections, those looking for a value-minded television with the benefit of a thin design, rich blacks, and vibrant whites, the Panasonic should most definitely be on your list of sets to check out. -
"Fantastic value" on by stunpals
Pros: PQ - price
Cons: day time glare
Summary: The PQ when playing movies is otherworldly. The only issue is during the day when I open all blinds in the living room, the glare is noticable. However, close the sunlight out and all is fine. But, you know this going in with this TV. And honestly, the glare is no worse than my old CRT. Great value and awesome picture.
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"Excellent TV" on by vdeleon
Pros: Excellent pics!
Cons: none so far
Summary: Bought this 2 days ago at my local Navy Exchange for $1799(no tax) and found the same exact TV at CC for $-100,I showed the Exchange the price and gave my ther difference back! Love this TV, it's my first plasma and read a lot of reviews from this site and I could not wait anymore and bought it. I stil have to play around with it to get the right viewing pleasure adjustment. HD channels are awesome! highly recommeneded.
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"What a amazing picture" on by jslau
Pros: Price, Picture clarity of standard broacasts
Cons: None so far
Summary: This television is amazing. After doing weeks of research on CNET of narrowed it down to the Pioneer or Panasonic 50". I wanted to go with the Pioneer PRO-HD1140 but my wife talked me out for the less expensive model. I agreed because all of the good ratings CNET gives Panasonics. I started looking for the TH-50PX77U but noticed that most stores were carring the 75U. Aparently the same TV minus the anti-glare screen coating on the 77U. The anti-glare is not a issue where I am mounting this TV so I went with the 75U. Sears (beleive it or not) had a sale price on this TV for $1699. I went to Circuit City and they price matched. Still a little skepticle because I really wanted the Pioneer. When I plugged this thing into my Direct TV HD receiver all my worries went away. Amazing!! My second worry was how the TV would handle non-HD programming. Again, switching the channel to my local CBS, non-HD I was impressed. A definete loss in quality over HD but much better display then my Sony 57" rear projection. Very impressed!!! This TV is a deal for this price and well worth the savings over a Pioneer.
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