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| Date Reviewed: 01/21/2005 |
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Strengths: Picture, ease of set up, amount of inputs.
Weaknesses: PiP only works on tuner inputs, not cable/satellite component input. Must cycle thru different modes, rather direct select of specific input.
Summary: Researched lcd/dlp/plasma reviews quite a bit before purchasing in March '04, and have never regretted the decision, especially for the relative price. "Plugged and played" immediately, with no problems, as of yet. Only nitpick is that cable provider remote has more functions (e.g., "stretch" and "zoom" options for analog broadcasts, PiP, etc.) than Panasonic remote -- of course, I've never read the instructions, so there could be some user error and ignorance influencing that issue. I have digital cable, home theater/dvd, computer, and x-box all hooked up to the same set, and simply cycle thru the inputs to use each option. At only 75 lbs., have done 1-person set up 3x already, without much trouble.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/25/2003 |
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Strengths: - Looks extremely sleek - better than Sony wega LCDs!
- Lot cheaper than a 50" plasma and performs better
- 2 sets of RGB inputs and DVI/HDCP input
- Comes with DVI cable
- Quick aspect scaling
Weaknesses: - Does not come with composite cables
- Standard Cable (even just plain digital) looks just so-so.
- Lacks a built-in HD Tuner
- Need to set the TV to Cinema mode
- can take 1 min for startup
Summary: 2003-11-25 18:05:37 Having researched a lot of HDTVs including DLP, Plasma etc., the Panasonic PT-50LC13 represents the best out of the lot out there!
Both from a quality and price perspective, it represents a great buy - purchased mine from Circuit City for $3000 and was delivered the next day (would NOT recommend buying from an online retailer even if it is $500 cheaper, since LCD TVs can have some bad pixels sometimes - easier to exchange at your local supplier vs. dealing direct with Panasonic! Most online retailers - you canNOT do the exchange with them and have to deal with the manufacturer).
The TV itself is quite stunning to look at - a lot better than the Sony WEGA LCD which looks quite terrible at the base and the sony does not have RGB input either. It is a whole lot cheaper than a 50" plasma tv and does not suffer from the same problems as a plasma tv does.
Very easy to handle (compared to a regular CRT or projection or even a Plasma).
The depth is only 16 inches and tapers off sharply at the top. Does not suffer from a convergence problem like most projection TVs do.
Does not suffer from the Plasma TV burn - most Plasma TVs will last only 20,000 hrs and need to watch out for burn-in if you have constant bars at the side or at the top.
LCD TVs do not suffer from this.
Plasma TV - cannot be fixed if they have the burn-in.
LCD PTVs can have a lamp burnout after 10,000 hrs - but the lamp can be replaced for around $300.
Does 1080i/720p well.
Can connect laptop as well!
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| Date Reviewed: 01/03/2005 |
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 PLEASE NOTE WHEN YOU READ REVIEWS THAT ALL REVIEWS ... Strengths: GREAT PICTURE AND FEATURES WHEN RUNNING
Weaknesses: POWER SUPPLY BAD AFTER 8 MONTHS BULB BURNED OUT WITH LESS THAN 4000 HOURS OF USAGE
Summary: PLEASE NOTE WHEN YOU READ REVIEWS THAT ALL REVIEWS OF 30 DAYS USAGE OR LESS ARE EXCELLENT WHILE ANY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS TELEVISION FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME IS COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED. REPLACEMENT PARTS BACK ORDERED FOR OVER 6 WEEKS THEN WERE INCORRECT. LAMP LIFE WILL NOT LAST FOR EVEN HALF ITS SUGGESTED 10,000 HOUR LIFE SPAN (I THINK MY LAMP LASTED LONGER THAN MOST AT 4000 HOURS)
86% of People (6/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/10/2004 |
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Whe we purchased our tv we thought it was great, t ...
Strengths: great picture when it works
Weaknesses: doesn't ever work. very very very bad customer support and service
Summary: Whe we purchased our tv we thought it was great, then only 13 days later, it died, after being told it would take more than 30 days for repair, we asked best buy, for a replacement, they replaced the tv with no problems, because it was, within 30 days of purchase. Then 22 days later the set died again. It has now been 73 days and the set is still not working. This is after a repair has been made. when the repair man left the set was still not working, and we are still waiting for it to be fixed. We have been denied both a refund, and replacement, because Panasonic thinks it is ok for a customer to wait for an UNLIMITED amount of time, as long as they are making an attempt to repair the set. This is just bad customer service!! I will NEVER buy another Panasonic product again!!! I have spent over 6 hours on the phone concerning this problem with no end in sight. It looks as though I have purchased a 3000.00 dollar paper weight.
DO NOT BUY A PANASONIC PRODUCT, AS THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS
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| Date Reviewed: 12/10/2003 |
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Strengths: Clear and Colorful Picture.
Weaknesses: None that I have discovered.
Summary: I am quite happy with this purchase. With a delivered price at $2700, I just couldn't find a better deal. The picture on this television is clear and vibrant. Although I have read others who complain about the sound, I found it to be quite good as well. I do, however, turn off the speakers and opt for my 5.1 system. All in all, I highly recommend this television.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/12/2003 |
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Loved this TV for nearly 1.5 months until when it ...
Strengths: Good picture quality, affordable, sleek and lightweight
Weaknesses: Less than satisfactory manufacturers Service Plan
Summary: 2003-11-14 20:08:44 Loved this TV for nearly 1.5 months until when it went totally dead on me. Had to shell a few hundred dollars more to buy another TV just to watch all the NFL and the college football games. Been without it for almost 20 days now. Talked to customer service at Panasonic several times and was advised that all they could do was provide the name and phone number of a local service store. Surprised to see a company as big and as reputed as Panasonic has contracts with such unaccountable service centers. One service center said they simply cannot help me and the other one Panasonic advised me to call, kept me waiting for almost 10 days. Never lived upto their promise of calling me and scheduling an appointment with me. Good (even average) service plan goes a long way in making a product successful but the one that comes with this product...Well my story tells it all. My only hope is the store where I bought it from..they have promised to go out of their way to get this fixed.
So Widescreen TV lovers, one bit of advise for you..if you are willing to spend this kind of money on something that you think you'd cherish..please spend some more if you have to and buy something that comes with a good service plan.
Again, the product is good, but only as long as it lasts.. which was not too long for me.
74% of People (26/35) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/19/2004 |
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The picture was nearly as good as the 50 inch DLP ...
Strengths: Very Good Picture
Weaknesses: Only worked for 5 months.
Service may take months to get parts for repair.
Summary: The picture was nearly as good as the 50 inch DLP projection TV. But the tv is breaking down within a few months. Panasonic aparently does not have sufficient repair parts for this high voltage problem. You should not be without a new TV for several months waiting for parts.
You may want to research the reliability of the projection tv befor you buy.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/22/2003 |
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Strengths: The picture is awesome , dvd's , hdtv , and digital cable.
Weaknesses: none that I can tell
Summary: I had a 42 inch plasma in the living room. I bought this one and moved the plasma into the bedroom. The panasonic kicks the gateway plasma's butt. The plasma is still a great picture but the 50 inch panasonic is clearer. Don't waste your money on a 50 inch plasma or a dlp , this set is the way to go.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/24/2003 |
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Strengths: Incredible value, Styling, Picture quality, Weight/Size
Weaknesses: None that I have found
Summary: 2003-10-28 17:15:46 I looked into buying either a projection or a plasma TV. The Plasma units were still a bit too expensive for my wallet (Or too small when they fit my budget) and the projection TVs were just too big and clunky for my high-tech home cinema. Then I came across this incredible TV. 50" screen yet under 80 Lbs and such a flat profile that my guests mistake it for a plasma screen until they look behind it (It's only 1" thick at the top and flares out to 14" at the bottom). The picture is as crisp and bright as a plasma screen and the resolution using DVD input is incredible. I've run it through the 2 LoTR, Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot, Gladiator and a few other epic movies with 5:1 THX sound and the experience is truly theater-like.
I can't comment on the built-in speakers as I have never used them.
The only thing that is less than incredible is the resolution when using VHS tapes and digital satellite input, not because the TV is flawed, but because the resolution is so high with DVDs that the other sources just don't match up.
As far as inputs and setup options it has everything anyone could ever ask for, but I only use the component and S-video input jacks because I run everything through an Onkyo THX A/V receiver.
For $2,299 you cannot buy a better TV!
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| Date Reviewed: 10/03/2003 |
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Strengths: The strengths of this unit without question are the clear, sharp immages it produces from the DVD player! It handles motion without artifacting, can be viewed in a bright room, and at steep angles.
Weaknesses: The only weakness that I find worth mentioning is the speakers. They have a 10%THD which is less than desirable but not terrible. Run it through a receiver and it's fine.
Summary: I would recommend this TV to anyone who is looking for an excellent picture that does not take up much room, and can't afford a plasma. Although the speakers are a bit of a weakness it is not really an issue because most everyone will run it through a nice surround receiver anyway. I have had visitors at my home and say I am crazy to complain about the sound. Maybe I'm too particular. Thanks Panasonic for giving me a great option to the more expensive Samsung. Also, the progressive scan doubler for cable signal does an excellent job on the digital channels, and good on the analog ones. If one is just watching broadcast TV on this unit I'm certain they will find a great deal of improvement over their old 480i set.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/23/2004 |
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Strengths: Great Picture, many inputs, light weight and easy to move
Weaknesses: A little humming from the projector and some boot up time but after all it is a monitor.
Summary: This TV is great. The amount of inputs are ridiculous. The split screen is great and the fact that I can watch a show on one side and work on my computer on the other is a nice feature. I have my computer set up through the digital port and the picture is crystal clear. I did my research and know the types of problems these TV's can have so I purchased the warrantee plan and I feel very secure with this product.
57% of People (8/14) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 11/24/2003 |
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Strengths: Picture quality, plasma look, and affordable price.
Weaknesses: Fans noise, and take several steps to turn on caption.
Summary: I compared the Sony Wega LCD 50'' and the Panasonic LCD 50'' at Fry's Electronic several times and made decision to get the Panasonic with the following reasons:
- Incredible pictures (side by side compare the same movie pictures).
- Save about $600 over the Sony (to purchase HD receiver).
- Sleek looks (plasma style).
I also compared the Standard Video Component versus Monster HDTV 3 Video Component cables when hooked up to a DVD component. With Monster cables, the picture shows sharp and beautiful.
Overall, I'm very satisfy with the TV I bought.
56% of People (14/25) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 09/22/2003 |
- notreal
from VA
- Member Since:
Sep 2003
View Member's:
Reviews
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Strengths: Light, easy to control, superb picture with DVD, excellent service.
Weaknesses: Standard Cable's poor picture amplified.
Summary: I bought this TV about a month ago from Best Buy. I have throughly enjoyed the large picture and sound. Because of the wide viewable angle it is clearly seen from anywhere in my living room. I did end up calling the help line with a question, and it was quickly answered by a real person. I was disapointed by the standard cable picture, and this TV does not make any effort to improve it. It's no worse than my old 27" JVC but when its 2x the size it is noticable. DVD's are breathtaking, easily showing off the HQ resolution. Blacks are black, and colors are bright and vivid. The room has lots of windows and the picture still stands out.
Buy a stage two power filter ~$150. I hate "add-ons" when buying something, but it was worth the piece of mind.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/20/2005 |
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 premature bulb failure Strengths: Exceptional picture quality and features.
Weaknesses: Premature projector bulb failure.
Summary: It may appear to be the nature of High Intensity Discharge lamps used in rear projection TV's to deteriorate much earlier than thier ratings suggest. Abrupt shutoff due to a brown out may have contributed to my bad luck. But paying $300 a pop per bulb for maybe one years normal use, more or less, is hard to swallow. I've replaced three in the space of 19 months. Totally unacceptable. I've noticed that the replacement cost for other brands cost even more! Is the rear screen projector type of TV (specifically LCD and DLP types) prone to premature bulb failure? I wonder. However, this TV has such exceptional picure qualities that I'm seriously considering leaving the TV plugged into an uninteruptable power supply in the hopes of eliminating power failure induced premature bulb life. For all I know, premature bulb failure may be a common problem to all bulb illuminated TVs. I think a publication like Consumer Reports should look into this issue with more scrutiny.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/01/2005 |
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Strengths: Great picture. Solid performance.
Weaknesses: BULB Life!!!
Summary: I purchase this TV like most people after doing my fair share of research and trusting the Panasonic name. I have owned several Panasonic product without any problems and great customer service, when needed. This time around, yes, I'm still happy with the product and support but, I am dis-satisfied with the bulb performance. I was lucky and got about 1 year service out of the bulb before it blew. Waited for 20+ minutes for a customer service rep and they said no problem, we'll ship a replacement out today. I received the part in a couple of days and it corrected the problem. My only complaint is.... Why advertise in the manual that the bulb will last 10000 hours when in reality about 4000 max? Panasonic needs to find a better supplier for their bulbs, simple fix.
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