Panasonic Viera TC-P50G25

Pros: -Picture Quality
-Picture Quality
-Picture Quality
-IR is really a thing of the past
-Easy to use menu
-Black Levels, colors, depth of picture, Uniformity
-Picture Quality

(I think Picture Quality is the main reason we buy a TV right!?)

Cons: -1080P/24 flickers (not a huge issue, 60hz mode is fine)
-Speakers (OKAY, they aren't terrible but obviously TV's today are designed to be used with surround sound, which will be coming soon.. until then, the TV speakers are fine for normal viewing)

Summary: I have had this TV for almost a month now. I got it on sale at Paul's TV inside of Jordan's Furniture. My father has a Samsung UN46B8000. Great TV and technology, but it doesn't hold up to the Picture Quality of the Panny Plasma!

The black levels are great, and even if they do rise in normal conditions it will not be noticeable. This is my first plasma and I have to say I was worried about IR but after getting some (I played GTA IV for several hours) and only being able to see it with no ambient light and from 3 inches from the screen where the HUD/MAP was shown I can tell you IR is severely overblown and should not worry you.

I used the THX settings recommended by CNET and love the way movies, sports, and normal programming looks. The dark knight was amazing and the lack of blur makes watching football/hockey/baseball awesome! The only time the screen looks dark to me is on some videogames like MW2 where the realistic colors actually makes it hard to pick out other players because of the camo. Games like this benefit from the "game" mode which boosts color and contrast.

My favorite part of this TV (and Plasma over LCD/LED) is the lack or pixelated areas around text or fast moving objects which is caused by the blur reduction and motion resolution software used on LCD/LED TV's. Since plasma is @ 60hz this is not needed and you still get a clear picture!

If you are a buyer like myself (probably 50/50 Gaming vs TV and Movie) who is looking for awesome PQ and is not interested in 3D... YOU NEED to check this TV out. You would be hard pressed to find a better deal. Plasma is much more cost efficient over 5 years (and even beyond that) if you consider.. I got my TV for $1150... vs my dads comparable LED being closer to $2000. the argument of "it costs more to run plasma" is true... but its about $20-30/year. so for 5 years its an additional $100-150. putting the plasma still below the initial cost of the LED LCD.

Basically, Don't listen to all the marketing (or take it with a grain of salt) and do your own research, read some threads/blogs/reviews, don't think that if it costs more its better, and enjoy your new TV!

Oh, and for anyone looking to buy a TV, my experience at Paul's was great. I went in to ask about the G and VT series (even though i didnt want 3D) and the sales guy actually told me it wasnt worth getting the VT at that point... an honest answer.. unlike my trip to Best Buy.. which was a total sales pitch.

Updated on Sep 22, 2010

sofast1: sorry I never responded. I never got a notification that someone left a comment on my review! Anyway, hope you enjoy the TV and settings! I know I certainly am!