EmailBest Reviewed
Plasma TV
- Best 58-inch plasma TV Samsung PN58B650 *Est. $2140
- Best 50-inch plasma TV Panasonic Viera TC-P50V10 *Est. $2100
- Best 42-inch plasma HDTV Panasonic Viera TC-P42G10 *Est. $950
- Budget 50-inch plasma HDTV Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 *Est. $750
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Best 50-inch plasma TV
- Deep blacks
- THX-certified
- Great styling
- More energy efficient than earlier plasma HDTVs
- Colors outside of THX mode not the most accurate
- LCD HDTVs more energy efficient still
Now that Pioneer is leaving the field, critics say Panasonic is the go-to choice for those who demand terrific blacks for the most cinematic picture quality. The Panasonic TC-PV10 series of sets, including the 50-inch TC-P50V10, have a panel that uses less energy than plasma displays of the past (though LCD TVs use even less energy for the most part). A THX mode lets viewers see movies and other content exactly as intended without resorting to extensive and expensive professional calibration, though there are enough picture controls for dedicated tweakers to set things to their own preferences. The single-glass-sheet design is striking. Other screen sizes in the series include 54 inches, 58 inches and 65 inches. The less costly 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50G10 (*Est. $1,300) uses the same plasma panel and includes many of the same features, including THX certification, but sports more conventional styling, less sophisticated video processing and fewer user-accessible picture adjustments. However, it is also notably less expensive.
CNET has a nicely detailed report that compares the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50V10 to the step-down Panasonic Viera TC-P50G10. ConsumerReports.org's report is briefer but is also testing based. A fairly long thread at AVSForum.com discusses the TC-PV10 series at length. Amazon.com is the best destination for user reviews.
Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P50G10 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
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Our Sources
1. CNET
This report extensively examines the Panasonic Viera TC-P50V10 50-inch HDTV and compares it to the cheaper TC-P50G10. David Katzmaier particularly likes the better video processing, which can handle 1080p/24fps video (mainly from Blu-ray discs) more smoothly. He says the increased picture controls also make it superior to the TC-P50G10. The styling is a notable upgrade too. Blacks are as deep or deeper than any other current HDTV, though colors outside of the THX mode could be -- and should be -- more accurate. Energy efficiency is better than in the past, but still doesn't top most LCD TVs. CNET is impressed enough to name the TC-P50V10 an Editors' Choice.
Review: Panasonic TC-P50V10, David Katzmaier, June 8, 2009
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
The Panasonic TC-P50V10 is among the 50-inch plasma TVs evaluated by ConsumerReports.org. Testing is conducted and impressions are shared, but discussion falls miles short of what's available at CNET and the results are available only to subscribers.
Review: Plasma TVs, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
3. AVSForum.com
This thread dedicated to the Panasonic TC-PV10 series of plasma TVs is lengthy and includes thousands of postings. You'll find problems, fixes, settings, comparisons, advice and overall opinion. You'll need to spend time reading it all, but the thread does provide a good overview of how videophiles view the TC-P50V10 and other sets in the series. Feel free to ask questions, as most users that frequent this forum seem both knowledgeable and willing to help.
Review: Panasonic V10, Contributors to AVSForum.com
4. Amazon.com
Amazon.com is home to a handful of user reviews of the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50V10. Though there isn't enough feedback to gauge user satisfaction accurately, reading these first-hand reports is still useful.
Review: Panasonic TC-P50V10, Contributors to Amazon.com
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Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P50G10 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
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Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
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Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-P42X1 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
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Panasonic Viera TC-P54V10 54" Full HD 1080p w/600Hz Sub-field Drive Plasma TV
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Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P46G10 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
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Samsung PN42B450 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
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