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"Amazing Image Quality" on by tjones548
Pros: Beautiful images, easy menus, low-profile appearance, SD card reader
Cons: Stand is a little spartan, remote works great but is not much to look at, you also have to select the input source manually
Summary: I picked this up at Best Buy as soon as it arrived. I had trouble with a Samsung unit and took it back and traded for this. The unit had just been put out on the floor when I saw it. It was clearly as good as anything around it. I compared closely to the Pioneer, Samsung and Sony. I have to say it's difficult to really quantify the differences. The images on all units were fabulous. I did feel like the Panasonic and the Pioneer were slightly better than the others. The blacks were "blacker" and the skin tones and colors were richer, more vibrant. I also really like the glare reduction screen, it seems to work better than the others. There was a lot of glare on the other screens.
Setup was incredibly easy. I simply plugged in the HDMI cables and powered it on. The unit is lighter than the previous one I had. This is 82 lbs and the previous was 99 lbs. You can really notice the difference. Sliding it around in the entertainment center is much easer.
The SD card reader and display system is killer. It was actually the first thing we used after turning on the unit. Simply slide in an SD card with pictures on it and it gives the option to run a slide show. How cool is that? My photos never looked better!
So far so good. This is a great plasma. If you're torn between 1080p and 720p, don't be. I've learned that there simply isn't a whole lot of media out there yet that is Blue-ray. All of the satelite providers are going to stay with 720p for at least 5 years. The only place you can tell the difference is when you actually play a Blue-Ray disc. The image is slightly better, but not a $1000 better. I really think the value of 720p's is hard to beat. It will be a couple of years yet until the 1080p's become reasonably priced. -
"Great TV- No Complaints" on by johnbuker
Pros: Stunning picture- Nice variety of inputs- Easy to set up
Cons: Only con would be no 1080p, but see review
Summary: I finally decided to take the plunge and purchase an HDTV. I had been perfectly happy with my old SD 32" Toshiba for the last 12 plus years, but then I got an Xbox 360 and any text in games was hard to read while sitting on my sofa about 14' away.
I picked a price range and after doing a lot of online research, I finally decided I was interested in either this 50" Panasonic Plasma or a similar model that offered 1080p. Most of the more current reviews I've read state that if you're going with a HDTV that is 50" or less, spending the extra money on 1080p over 720p is a waste. I wasn't sold until comparing this TV side by side with the similar Panasonic 1080p model and not seeing any discernible difference.
One of the things that concerned me was that some of the older plasmas that friends own do not do a very good job handling standard definition sources. I was immediately impressed with how well this set does handle 480i sources, but was totally blown away after getting a HD/DVR box from my cable company. Standard definition sources still look good on the set as long as you are at least 5 feet away, but HD sources are amazing regardless of where you sit/stand. The set is also easily viewable from an angle unlike some of the older LCDs I've seen.
My only true HD sources of video for this set are that cable box and an Xbox 360 (hooked up via HDMI) and I can't imagine either looking any better on a different monitor.
I got a deal at Circuit City on this and a Panasonic Viera link Home Theater system (model SC-PT760). The TV speakers sound great and are more than loud enough on their own, but my set up does sound noticeably better when listening through the linked Home Theater surround sound system.
I really couldn't be happier with this TV.
My advice others who are considering this TV:
1) Shop around for the best price and print off any internet deals that you find if shopping at the box retailers (if you're a AAA member, they currently have a coupon that can be accessed via their website for Circuit City for 8% off, but Circuit City wouldn't honor the coupon or the internet deal I found at the store- I saved over $400 buying through their website and picking it up at the store instead of paying at the store).
2) With this TV I'd strongly advise against paying the fee that most sellers try to charge to set a HDTV up for you. It did take me about 2 hours to set the TV and Home Theater system up and I've done quite of bit of tweaking since reading the manual, but it looked great without all the tweaking.
3) Use HDMI cables for any hookup that you can. HDMI cables are far less cumbersome and are higher quality than any other hookups (and shop for HDMI cables online as you can find high quality cables for a fraction of the cost of those Monster cables the retailers try and sell you for big $).
4) If you are a current cable subscriber and need an HD box, consider picking it up yourself instead of having an installer come out. Hooking up my HD/DVR from the cable company took all of 2 minutes- unplug the coax cable from the TV, hook it up to the Cable box, plug the HDMI cable into the cable box and TV and you're done- saved me $50 over having a professional installer come and do that. -
"Excellent Quality Picture, Styling. Outstanding Value." on by Force10
Pros: Great Picture, Easy Set Up, Low Price
Cons: None. Lack of PC input is non issue. Just use DVI to HDMI cable. Any decent PC graphics card or laptop today now has DVI out. $19.
If you need more HDMI, you can get external switch.
This TV has 2 rear and 1 Front. Plenty for me.Summary: Excellent Packing. Bought at Best Buy for $997. Picked it up with Minivan. Box has four plastic carrying handles that pop out and then the box just lifts of the base. 4 Screws total set up stand and secure to TV. Easily lifted with two people.
Set has nice styling, proportional dimmensions It just looks good even when off.
Used $17.95 6' HDMI cables from Optimized Cable.
2 HDMI inputs, one from Cable Box and one From Sony DVD.
With HDMI cable TV automatically swithes to DVD when you play a disc. Slick!
Optical audio cable out to $200 Sony Surround Sound system. Sound is awesome. Highly recommend a surround sytem to get good sound for movies and sports.
If I want to hook a PC, I will use DVI to HDMI cable off a laptop of PC graphics card. If you need more HDMI inpputs, you can buy a 4X1 or 5X1 from Optimized Cable.
We sit at 12-20 feet. Size is perfect. If you a 8-12 feet, go 46 or 42 inch.
No glare on screen. Used to get with 36 inch Flat screen tube but not with this box.
1080P not worth it. We mostly watch sports and DVDs. Current sports would have to downconverted. This box displays ESPN, and othe 720P broadcasts perfect! -
"Awesome Plasma!" on by 305Sony
Pros: price,name brand,picture,sound!
Cons: no cons for this Panny!
Summary: I have been in the market for a new plasma for a good while. I have a Sony crt HDTV and a samsung lcd tv. I wanted a nice 50" to watch sports and HD movies. I went to a local brandsmart with the intent to buy a samsung 450 plasma,but when I saw the new Panasonis I was blown away. I went home and ordered the Panasonic from Buydig.com. I am very happy with my tv and the service. I also bought a extended warranty from mountAVision,great customer service and price!
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"Very good for the price" on by wa4cqz
Pros: Plenty of hookups, some in front, good picture control, SD card reader on front,
Cons: Heat - it gets hot which appears normal, Goes black for a second when switching between input resolutions.
Summary: This is a very nice 720P television and I recommend it highly. The picture quality is very good and is easy to customize. Standard definition pictures are better than some TVs I looked at, but not perfect. Controls are intuitive on the TV and the remote and menus are easy to use.
When I looked at 50" TVs in the store I couldn't tell the difference between 1080P and 720P. I hope it's that way when I get a Blu-ray player, but I can't imagine a clearer picture. I did notice nominal difference when I changed from Component to HDMI input.
For what I paid, I am very happy.
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