In a word, Excellence
Written: Jan 30 '06
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Pros: Picture Quality for HD and DVD is SUPERB! No problems so far.
Cons: No PIP. Not enough HD programming currently.
The Bottom Line: This TV rules. Unbelievable picture quality for HD and DVD. Plenty of features. Only drawback, no PIP.
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| daveberriman's Full Review: Panasonic TH-42PX50U 42 in. HDTV TV |
I've had the Panasonic TH-50PX50U for almost a month now. It is fantastic. The HD (High Def) picture quality is nothing short of incredible, and DVDs look perfect...movies you haven't watched in ages suddenly take on new meaning. Especially eye-popping are "computer" animated moves like Toy Story 2 and Shrek. You won't believe your eyes.
Now, if SD (Standard Def) will be the vast majority of what you will be watching, I definitely wouldn't bother spending this much money on a large-screen plasma....because, quite frankly, while the SD picture quality is more than adequate, one can save tons of money and just get a quality tube TV that will perform as well, or even slightly better, for SD programming. The SD picture is huge and thus, "grainier" than what you're probably used to. But this TV has excellent, easy to access "aspect ratio" settings that make watching SD programming pleasant enough...approximately equal to my 32" Toshiba CRT.
Having said that, I reckon that anyone researching an HD plasma TV has every intention of using it to a large degree for HD programming and DVDs. And in this regard, this TV is superb. (ok, so I've already used the words "fantastic", "superb", "incredible", "perfect", "eye-popping", and "excellence"....get the picture?)
I engaged in a near-obsessive 2-3 month research process of visiting store after store after store, and reading website after website about TVs, plasmas, LCDs, DLPs, CRTs, HD, satellite, cable, everything.... I finally purchased this set due to its overwhelmingly good reviews across the board (Consumer Reports' top rated), its very reasonable price (paid $2400 flat, out the door), and the fact that no matter where I compared this TV's picture quality to others, it was equally as good, and most often better, than anything else I saw...even the ones in the much higher price ranges and resolutions.
The first night I got it home, I plugged the cable directly into the back of the TV (regular analog cable) and did a full channel search. The TV found several HD stations (yes, the rumors are true...a TV with a built-in ATSC/QAM tuner CAN get SOME HD and digital channels without upgrading your cable service)....and the hometown Detroit Pistons were on against the San Antonio Spurs on TNT HD, and my jaw nearly hit the floor. It was that remarkable. You could literally see the pimples on the faces of the fans in row 6!...not that you'd want to. lol The color and clarity is stunning.
anyway, this TV has everything built in...speakers, tuners, a stand, cable card slot, HDMI input...so no "upgrading" is required, as is the case with some of the "industrial" models. Some folks say "But I don't need internal speakers, a tuner, a stand", etc...and that's fine. For me, I'm glad to have them. Although I'm not currently using the internal tuner (because I have upgraded to digital cable with the HD pak), it may come in handy if say, cable ever goes out...or if cable stops carrying a local in HD, for example. I do use the stand, and I use the speakers from time to time. I have my 5.1 surround system hooked up, so when watching a DVD or HD program, I certainly use that...but when I'm just casually watching something, especially SD programs, it's nice to be able to just turn the TV on without engaging the surround system and "wearing" that baby out needlessly.
My only complaint is that there is no PIP (picture in picture) with this model. For a few hundred more, you can get the 500U model....which has PIP, front-panel inputs, and a digital camera slot for watching slide shows directly from the camera. (One can do the same simply by saving a slide show to disc and watch it that way anyway).
One other complaint: I sure wish there were currently a LOT more HD channels / programs. Yes, the VAST majority of network prime-time shows ARE in HD (24, CSI, Desperate Housewives, etc.....), but I personally do not watch much of those.
I'm a sports nut, so when a game is on in HD, be it football, basketball, hockey, golf, tennis, etc...I'm in heaven. MANY events are in HD, and that's great. Still, many of the local teams' games are on non-HD channels like "FoxSportsNet", WB, or UPN. And still, many national broadcasts of sporting events are also only in SD. What a drag. : (
And stations like FoxNews, CNN, CNBC, BRAVO, HGTV, Comedy, USA, etc.. are also NOT offered in HD at the moment. While I do wish they were in HD, it doesn't bother me that much because I find myself not wanting to watch them much these days anyway. Now, more often than not, it's an HD channel or a DVD.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2400.00
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Epinions.com ID:
daveberriman
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Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 2 members
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