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"This TV can handle pretty much anything you throw at it" on by Big3rd
Pros: Deep natural blacks.
Rich colors.
Great natural motion.
Nice and bright.
Enough settings to get the picture you're looking for.Cons: Blues and yellows can seem a little too electric.
Summary: I've been looking at TVs awhile to really see what is being offered out here. Checked out the Pioneer and yes, the tv was pretty damn nice with rich blacks and accurate colors...but I was not happy with the brightness at all, especially for how expensive the TV was. It's good for blacks to be black, but the whites were not bright white. Another thing that was pretty important to me was the motion and of course, accurate colors. Now with these expectations, I had to pick the one TV that could pull off all of these well with the money I was willing to pay. So I checked out Mr. #2 on the list.
The blacks were deep and makes for great detail, especially since there wasn't a lot of blooming and washing out. After having this TV for a week, I've seen this thing really take on the darkest of scenes and still establish bright whites where they peaked out. There was the cave scene on Ironman that showed, on one half of the screen, a very dark corner in the cave with the smallest of details still being seen in the shadows and on the other half of the screen, there was a blinding light peaking into the cave that was BRIGHT WHITE. That was the balance I was looking for.
The colors are very intense on this TV if you don't tone them down, especially the blues and the yellows. But after some tweeking, I got everything under control and nicely balanced.
Now as far as motion goes, I've read that plasmas have the best motion because of the 600hz processing. Now you'd think they were head and shoulders better than the LCDs because they are only peaking at 240hz. I tested this theory and after my tests, I've found out that nothing could be further from the truth. Many of these manufactures are comparing two different types of processing. I make this claim because of the test I performed. Nothing big but revealing. This was the test. While at Paulson's audio, I was floating the floor and came upon a demonstration being shown on the Sony TV. They had three 42" Bravias running a Sony demonstration disc simultaneously. And the video was of a pendulum in motion. What better way to capture motion, right? But they put one on 60hz, one on 120hz, and one on 240hz. Of course, the first was very choppy, the second was considerably smoother, and the third was perfect. You could see all the detailed writing on the pendulum very clearly on the 240hz set TV. So I wanted to test this with plasmas...the "masters of motion." So I ran that test on Panasonic and it performed slightly better than the 120hz LCD Sony Bravia performed. So yes, you will still see the "clicks" or "jutter" in the motion. However, in all fairness, the motion of the 240hz LCDs are UNNATURAL. How do I know? Test your own eyes in the real world. While driving in your car, look at the motion of the light poles zooming past you. If you notice, it is not an ultra smooth motion because our eyes cannot process that motion that quickly. But the 240hz technology really is just filling in the gaps of what isn't there and therefore, it does not look natural and can at times can make a movie look like a camcorder recording. But it really is a matter of preference. I read on someone else's review that Disney movies were really jerky. I have to admit, I test a Pixar movie, and it was a little jerky. But for the most part, this TV performs well with motion.
I wish the screen wasn't so glossy because there is a nice amount of reflection there when compared to the LCDs or the Pioneer. But it's not a biggie.
I'm not gonna touch on sound because if you have a 50+ inch tv, there is no way you shouldn't have an external sound system.
But all in all, I am extremely happy with this purchase. Probably the best purchase I've made in years. Obviously, the picture was the most important thing for me because I didn't critique the menus, the sound, and the Vieracast feature...but the picture on this TV is REDICULOUS. You WILL be in awe every time you sit in front it. So hopefully, this helped you make a decision. And if you go out, test some of the things I hightlighted. Demand to play with the settings on the TV and if they won't let you, don't give them your money. Move on. -
"4 days with the Panasonic V10..." on by d-test
Pros: Ez to put together out of box; surprisingly light for its size; Nice remote; aesthetically pleasing; great features; HD looks really good, Standard def looks just okay (but that is mostly due to the feed) Sound is decent depending on source also.
Cons: Screen reflection; also screen is greenish when the tv is off; and the screen picks up fingerprints as if they were dipped in pizza; color is noticeably greenish to my eyes in most modes (need to dabble with the loads of adjustments tho)
Summary: I ordered the Panasonic V10 online, and everything worked out perfect. It got delivered on Tuesday and the Fed Ex guy who had the personality of a flounder asked where I wanted him to put the tv while he was standing inside of his giant truck. I said, "Didn't I get curbside delivery?" He said yes, and I said okay... "than can you put it on the curb?" He rolled it passed the curb and to the bottom of the stare well of my apt. building I signed some paperwork indicating that there was a small quarter sized blemish on the box, he phoned in that to his headquarters, I slid his lame ass a few bucks for his efforts, and my boy and I now had to carry the tv up flights of stairs. Not to ruin the story but it was so light that it was almost laughable. Mind you I had carried my old Sony CRT (200 lbs.) down to a friends apt. a half hour before, and that was a nightmare. So right away the fact that it was so easy to carry blew me away. I'd suggest instead of paying extra for any unnecessary fancy deliveries, you go buy yourself a pair of "white gloves" and carry it in with a friend if you're capable of course.
I love this TV. I love THX Mode. I love the swivel. (Which is a major feature to have with any plasma screen because they are reflective around light.) I still have not seen a blu ray on the tv yet & I am blown away by HD; so I still haven't seen the tv perform at its peak. Every one of my friends who has a flat screen compliments the V10 within 5 minutes of looking at it. Once your eyes adjust to the THX Mode, nothing else compares. Not even the setting from David Katzmaier. Altho his setting may sometimes be better for some standard channels that are not up to par with HD.
Put the stand down, slid the tv on; put a few screws here and there and the bad boy was ready like freddy. I put it on top of 2 tv stands from Ikea (Besta) side by side. I swore that 50 inches was going to be too big for my 8 feet eye level viewing distance. It is the perfect size. 46 may work out well for someone into standard definition and dvd's because it will tighten up the image a bit. But I have no regrets with this size and viewing distance.
I have a really big window to the left of the tv, so if you're sitting directly in front of the tv the window is to your left. Initially I was in absolute SHOCK at the reflection that I was seeing, it seriously haunted me for a couple days. I debated on returning it and getting a 46 inch LCD to avoid the reflection that i was seeing. I'm an artist and I know alot about color and I consider myself to have a pretty good eye (or eyes for that matter.) Also the color on the V10 is greenish for sure, even in thx mode. (people say thx mode is dim... yes, it's dim) So all these things were seriously making me sort of regret my purchase. Mind you at this point I had barely broken the Panny at all.
That night (2nd night) I was doing something in the kitchen, and when I looked up and saw Wall-E (HDon Direct TV) my entire thought process did a 360. I was stunned.
When you sit any thing thats THAT big in your living room it takes a couple days for the Pink Elephant In The Room to fade out. And it did. Now I have almost a television crush on this single paned beauty. Now mind you I have been shopping for an entire year for the right tv, and I targeted the V10 off of mostly looks alone. I visited the best buy near me when the 5020 Pioneer and the G10 were literally hanging next to each other on the wall. The 5020 just oozed superiority. It was like a thoroughbred standing next to a really fast donkey. 2 things i did not like about the pioneer was the steep price (even at its dirt cheapest) and the glossy black frame that looked to 90's for my taste. The V10 seemed to be the one to chase at that point. On looks alone the V10 crushes the G10's gaudy plasticy frame with the silvery cheap gradiation spray painted at the bottom. Even if its picture is comparable OR just below OR just above the G10; the V10 is effortlessly slick. And for the PRICE, is one tough plasma not to notice.
I think David Katzmaier gets alot of heat for suggesting price as compared to picture. Listen, I get the argument, but now that I own a pretty expensive plasma I completely understand his point. If u walk up to a guy who test drives sports cars and you ask what car do u suggest to get, its pretty likely he won't suggest a $250,000 car. If money is no object, decisions are always easier. But in general MOST shoppers are looking for a bargain. I found a old STUFF magazine the other day from 2002, and a 50 inch plasma was $15,000. For what I'm staring at in my place right now, Panasonic has put out a truly classy panel for a pretty fare price. Katzmaier points out that the color isn't perfect ,and he's right. But if u think about it. If panasonic made this tv Perfect, it would probably cost as much as a Kuro, and not many people would buy it, and THEY may throw in the towel on making plasmas too. We wouldn't want that to happen now would we? The reflection doesn't bother me any more and the picture quality seems to be getting better and better. So far I have to say that I am happy with my purchase.
If any one has any break in tips or opinions, I'm interested in hearing suggestions. It has been a real pain trying to figure how to break this set in. Some say break in is not necessary on newer plasmas, some say its a must. I've run the tv in HD in zoom mode for a few days now and run slide shows & the white scrolling bar alot. Sincerely, d-test
Updated on Nov 11, 2009
Also, If u have children that can easily access touching the screen u may want to look elsewhere. It is very sensitive to fingerprints & dust. Although it's very well built, that doesn't mean that it can't fall victim to a child with Dorito cheese on their fingers curiously trying to touch Barney on the screen because he looks so REAL on the V10. Otherwise, highly recommended. Good Luck, All. -
"Plasma at its best" on by ShockFactor
Pros: The Panasonic V10 picture quality is incredible.
Single glass style is sure to be copied by others.
Sound is incredible out of the box.
Love the swivel base for easy any adjustments.Cons: Wish the SD card accept was higher than 2 GB
Wish the card reader could accept more formats
Wish there were more color controls.Summary: This is the best TV on the market for the price. I love the style and I wish the review talked more about the sound produced by the speakers. Bottom line is you won't be disappointed, but like one other reviewer said, why no 42 inch version? It seems the North American market is being underserved by not providing more choice.
The internet content is good, but I wish I could surf any site through a browser. But bottom line, is this is a TV and not a computer and as a TV this is the best HDTV I ever seen for the price. -
"This TV is AMAZING!!" on by kmustafa27
Pros: Very Sexy and Sleek Design
Gorgeous Blacks
Great Color
NO BUZZING!!!
Hardly Any IR at all
Swivel Stand
Fairly Light for a TV This Size
Fairly Good on Energy ConsumptionCons: Sometimes there is a glare
Gets fingerprints pretty easily
The sound is decent at best, but thats a given, for a TV like this, i'd hope you would have surround sound or something else.Summary: Well after months of going over reviews on different sites and forums, i decided to go with the Samsung PN50B650. It was said to have better color than the Panasonic and great blacks as well. The bezel i didn't mind much, but i still prefer the classic black bezel. Well when i got the Samsung, i gotta admit, it was sexy. It had very great color right out of the box.
But there was 1 HUGE problem. I'm a fairly picky person when i buy something big, almost everything has to be perfect to me for me to be satisfied. The Samsung had a very annoying buzzing sound that i could not stop hearing. Obviously when i was playing a game or watching a movie, i wouldn't hear it, but the second i had the volume off or down, i'd hear the buzzing. This buzzing wasn't from 5inch away either, it was 7-8 ft!! By the way, i live about 100 ft. above sea level so that wasn't the problem. I thought it was defective, so i exchanged it. Same thing, except this time it was only audible from 5 ft. away or during quiet movie scenes. I had enough and made a change.
I spent the extra $400 and got the Panasonic TC-P50V10 from 6ave.com. They had a great price plus i used a coupon code to drop 6% more!!! (that code is "couponcabin"). The TV came and i broke it in. And the picture is GORGEOUS! It is 1 sleek looking TV too. The remote is decent, but i use a Universal Remote that connects everything together.
One other thing i noticed between this TV and the B650 is that the B650 had a tendency to have higher IR (image retention). After breaking the B650 in, i would still get some IR after 2 hours of gaming for atleast 20-30 min. With the Panasonic, i hardly get any IR, and if there is any, it lasts for 1 minute tops.
The only things i have against this TV is that it gets a little glare with little sunlight in the room. I generally have the blinds closed, but every now and then it sneaks through. This isn't a problem with the TV per se, but more of my living situation. One other thing is that it attracts fingerprints very easily. But there is an easily solution to that, a cleaning clothe, so no biggy there.
I'm not trying to bash the B650, because it did have a gorgeous picture, its just i couldn't get past that buzzing. I've heard others having the same issues and others that haven't, so i guess it all depends if you get lucky. I would definitely consider the B650 as well as this TV. But as far as myself, i'm VERY glad i made the extra $400 purchase. -
"The aesthetics of this set will compliment any room." on by Chrisnonstop
Pros: Slim, Amazing image, lots of extras, well designed, responsive menus/graphics.
Cons: SD card reader lacks support for most major video formats. About 3" thick at the center of the set.
Summary: I'm very impressed with the image quality of this set. Build quality is excellent as well. The web content, especially full screen youtube viewing, is a nice bonus. Video motion is so much better than anything I've ever seen on an LCD. If you like to watch movies, plasma is the only way to go. I've had this set for two days now.
I've had the T.V. for over a week now. I copied the calibration that CNET posted in their review. This is the way it should be set from the factory. Absolutely amazing. Had a chance to familiarize myself with all the features now, glad to say there are no glitches or firmware issues. Everything is rock solid.
Updated on Jun 19, 2009
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