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| Date Reviewed: 01/31/2006 |
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Strengths: * Picture quality
* Wide angle of view-ability without degradation of picture.
Weaknesses: * One HDMI input
Summary: I've had this set since September; it has performed flawlessly. I would recommend this model to anyone - with high definition in mind. Analogue and standard definition stations can't produce high enough quality video data to make it worth it otherwise. On HD channels, the picture is so incredible, that you'd think you were there in person. Colors are very crisp. Contrast is good and dark scenes are not lost. Details in movies and shows that you didn't see before, pop out at you. Unit is easily movable by two individuals. Setup was a snap. Remote control is well laid out.
I read a lot of reviews and looked at lot of TVs before purchasing this unit. For the price range, it can't be beat in my opinion as well as those professionals making comparisons.
Do consider getting yourself a power conditioner if you don't own one. It made a noticeable difference in our reception (particular down at the analogue end). Good cables are a must and do use the HDMI input if your source is HDMI capable. If you have more than one HDMI and/or DVI device to attach to this set, you'll want an HDMI switcher as well.
Talk to your television service provider before purchasing this set to make sure they have enough High Definition stations that meet your viewing preferences. Also, do they offer HD recording on your DVR, if you're so inclined to use, as not all do!.
 100% of People (16/16) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 09/20/2005 |
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Strengths: Size, weight, video in high def, remote control features
Weaknesses: video when no hi def signal present, draws 525 watts of power... no other weakness
Summary: 2005-10-31 13:55:56 I was very excited about getting this plasma tv. I had a Jvc 32" for 13 years and the picture was showing signs of wear. I watched probably 8-10 hours a day on that tv. So I studied for a couple of years which tv would be best for me. Initially I was going to go with an Lcd tv. But after I read that the 8th generation of plasma tv's should go 60,000 hours, that was the clincher. I spent about a year chosing the features i wanted and the price i wanted to spend. Initially i was going to buy a Panasonic without a tuner for less money. But after almost pulling the trigger on an online purchase, i got turned off when i called and they said that model did not come with the stand for the tv and quoted me $195.00 for that part. So i realized over labor day weekend that the Circuit City sale price of $3600, was going to be as good a deal as i would get. Circuit City delivered the tv for free( i had an entertainment coupon for free delivery. When they hooked it up to my cable, i realized that the analog cable signal(digital cable not available in my area) was as I expected, unacceptable. So, as planned, i contacted Dish Network to install a satellite dish on my house. 5 days later, i was ready to go. My conclusion- This tv has easy to operate controls, and if you are going from basic cable to dish, there is an adjustment period of a couple of days to get used to the setup. But make no mistakes, the high definition signal that this tv gives you on the high definition stations will take your breath away. Watching a high def movie on this 50" tv is worth every penny this tv cost. On the non high def stations it is a little trickier. Some of the stations seem almost as good as the high def stations... But the typical show not in high def has a certain blurryness to it. You can improve it slightly by changing the aspect control to 43, or turning up brightness.. but it is still a little blurry. When you factor in that it is a big picture, that is an offset to me, but the quality of the non high def stations could use some improvement. As more stations go to high def, this will be less of a problem. For now, i will be watching more of the Voom Channels, Hbo, and Cbs hi def channels, which are in high def., then the other networks which are not in hi def. Probably in a few years they will all switch to high def( i cant wait for that). One more thing. Using a vcr with your satellite dish produces a picture worse than on a regular tv. Perhaps it would be a better signal if i had opted for the DVR($5.00 a month). But Dish told me that those signals the dvr records are not in high def either. Just make an infomed choice before you plunk down the $3600. In my opinion it is worth it....
93% of People (77/83) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/19/2005 |
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Strengths: Beautiful picture. Lots of inputs. A good value for the price
Weaknesses: Marginal audio quality. No front inputs
Summary: 2005-08-19 16:35:49 The image quality of this unit is outstanding. In high definition mode it seems sharper than real life. The color balance is accurate with only the greens being a little pronounced. Standard broadcast quality is also outstanding, surpassing the quality of the 40 inch CRT set it replaced. The menu is straightforward and easy to use, as well as the remote. It would be nice if there were more HDMI inputs, now I have to unplug devices to switch from satellite to DVR to Mac mini.
91% of People (42/46) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/15/2005 |
- rich2004
from IL
- Member Since:
May 2004
View Member's:
Reviews
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Strengths: Great picture in HD and easy to operate.
Weaknesses: Could use one more HDMI input.
Summary: I got the Panasonic TH-50PX50U 2 days before the company Christmas Party. Ordered through ABTelectronics.com and they priced matched for $3500 with another online company. No tax and free shipping. THis plasma picture is awesome. When I first compared the picture to other plasmas such as the Samsung and the LG at circuit city, there is no equal. ALso this Plasma was rated #1 in Consumer Reports. While the product does lack an additional HDMI input, this is not necessary as the picture carried but component cables is just as good.
I initially had trouble with red streaks on my screen, but that problem went away when dish network sent a replacement HD 811 receiver. Component cables never had a problem.
Now the picture provided is only as good as the input source. So yes it is true you get a crappy picture if the OTA input is local channels. But I think as there become more HD programs, this TV will be ever more awesome.
89% of People (8/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/01/2005 |
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Strengths: No view angle dependence, superior HD picture via HDMA input, acceptable SD picture
Weaknesses: Horrible picture via composite input, only 1 HDMI input
Summary: Originally I thought to by a Samsung DLP or Sony SXRD TV. After visiting a number of stores, however, I observed that all of those sets (DLP especially) have a very narrow vertical view angle (if you look at a TV screen with you eyes leveled with the top edge of the set, you will see that the bottom part of the screen is darker than the upper part). Plasma sets, as this one, are free from this problem. Thus, after reading very positive reviews by reviews.cnet.com, amazon.com and Consumer Reports magazine I bought this TV.
After a week watching it I am deeply impressed with its High Definition picture using HDMI connection – amazing colors and incredible details. My experience watching DVDs is mixed (I have Philips DVP 642 progressive-scan DVD player). When I first tried to watch DVD using composite input, I almost returned the TV – the image was horrible with apparent ghosting and bad colors. Fortunately, when I used component cable and enabled progressive-scan mode of the DVD player, the picture became significantly better, but not as good as DH broadcast via HDMI. I also have Explorer 8300HD DVR provided by my cable company. After playing with it, I believe that it is much better to pass 480i signal though the DVR unchanged and let the TV upscale it than use DVR to do the upscaling. You will get much better SD picture. The TV also provides better SD image stretching options than the DVR box. The SD picture produced by this TV is not something to brag about, but it is still acceptable. In fact it is better than the one produced by any other TV (including Sony KDS-R50XBR1) that I saw at Best Buy and Circuit City stores.
85% of People (11/13) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/07/2005 |
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 TV crashed after only 2 months Strengths: Image quality
Weaknesses: Not reliable - failed 2 months after purchase and repairs are very slow
Summary: In August of this year, I invested a considerable amount of money to purchase a 50” Panasonic plasma TV. So I was shocked and disappointed when after only 2 months in operation, the TV failed completely! Just went dark. To make things worse, it took 3 weeks for Panasonic to repair it. You can then imagine our frustration when the TV failed again only one day after the repairs!! It’s now out for repair again and I can easily see us being without a TV for at least several more weeks.
71% of People (15/21) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 11/01/2005 |
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 Panasonic 50" Plasma Strengths: Hi Def picture good
Weaknesses: All other channels bad
Summary: Be very, very careful before you buy a big plasma tv of any brand. What you see in the stores is NOT what you will see when you get it home. The stores have a looped Hi Def feed. There are only a few Hi Def channels available at home. If you plan on channel surfing and getting even a half way decent picture on most channels, you will be dissapointed. Practically all regular channels will be blurry. Blurry enough to not want to watch. I have found out the hard way. Panasonic has picked mine up today to try and "tweek" it but will not make any promises. They say that the tv is designed to perform best with a Hi Def input and nothing else. Needless to say i'm sick to my stomach. The 27" Zenith is now sitting in the plasmas spot. Sure it's too small but at least its clear.
69% of People (35/51) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/29/2005 |
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Strengths: BEAUTIFUL PICTURE!! Paired with a 5.1 (or better) Dolby Digital Surround Sound system you'll think you're in a theater.
Weaknesses: Best picture when getting an HD signal, could use one more HDMI input but that's being picky.
Summary: Have looked at plasma displays for about a year before my old Sony 53" rear projection unit bit the dust. Went to all the ratings sites and got more confussed than informed. Spent a month learning about all the different HD formats and looking at all the major manufacturers lines. Have always purchased Sony in the past but when setting side-by-side the Panasonic blew it away! I know, video stores have Hi-Def video looped and what you see is not "real world" but when you're going to shell out the big bucks why not go for the best? Let your eyes make the decision, after looking at a few different set-ups at multiple vendors and asking them to play a few different DVD's on the unit if possible (if they don't want to take your business elswhere). You ain't buying this technological marvel for watching daytime soaps, there are much cheaper TV's for doing that.
63% of People (5/8) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/17/2006 |
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It is a great unit - BUT!
Strengths: Great Picture
Weaknesses: No digital audio output on other than local channels when used with a cablecard.
Summary: It is a great unit - BUT! If you intend to use the unit with a cable card on Comcast digital cable and use digital audio output to a receiver, consider another brand. Due to a copy protection setting in the unit, Panasonic does not output digital audio on other than local channels when used on Comcast. I don't know about other cable systems.
60% of People (3/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/15/2006 |
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Strengths: Great picture, very good digital up converter and down converter
Weaknesses: remote is not learnable, no inputs on the front or sides
Summary: The picture is one of the best. I use digital cable and have the cable box send 1080i to my TV set. The TV's down conversion to its native resolution is outstanding. HD shows are unbelievable. Standard shows still give a good quality especially since the picture is expanded to fit the 16:9 screen. The up conversion for 480p DVDs to the native resolution are outstanding as well.
The remote is nice as it illuminates, but has very limited functionality when programed to use other devices, so would not be a remote control for a home theater.
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| Date Reviewed: 01/20/2006 |
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Strengths: NA
Weaknesses: NA
Summary: This is my first plasma tv and my first flat screen. I have been very impressed by the sharpness and clarity of the picture. It is almost lifelike in HD. I am not a "techie" but I found the setup very easy to do myself. I purchased it through Plasma Professionals at www.plasmatvs.com and was very pleased with their responsive service.
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