
Budget 50-inch plasma HDTV
- Good value
- Great black levels
- Good overall picture quality
- Not as energy efficient as other plasma TVs
- Few features
For those on a budget, it's hard to find a set that delivers better bang for the buck than the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1. At 720p, the TV doesn't deliver the full resolution of pricier 1080p sets, but many experts say viewers won't notice the missing pixels at typical viewing distances. A picture artifact that showed up as a pattern of faint grey lines in lighter regions of an image has been fixed in TVs manufactured since early summer. Otherwise, picture quality is solid, with blacks that are deeper than those on more expensive plasma TVs from other makers. Color accuracy could be better, but picture quality is described as solid by most experts and owners. The TV is also available in a 50-inch screen size. If you have a little more to spend, the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50G10 (*Est. $1,300) delivers blacks that are just as solid, throws in advanced features such as THX certification and interactivity, provides full 1080p resolution and is more energy efficient. In between, the Panasonic Viera TC-P50S1 (*Est. $1,050) offers the same picture quality and energy efficiency as the TC-P50G10, but strips out most of the features.
Professional opinions on the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 are split. Those who consider value as part of the equation, such as CNET, recommend the TV for those who are on a budget. Some sites, however, such as PlasmaTVBuyingGuide.com, are more unforgiving. ConsumerReports.org also weighs in with its opinion. User reviews and discussions can be found at AVSForum.com, BestBuy.com and Amazon.com.
|
Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P50G10 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P50S1 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Stock. New | $838.18 | See It | ||
| In Stock. Free Shipping (promo) Pleasing People...Since 1936 | $999.95 | See It | ||
| In Stock. Free delivery on all TVs | $899.99 | See It | ||
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. CNET
The Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 is the only current set on CNET's list of top "cheap" plasma TVs. Though the editors find plenty of flaws, including an on-screen artifact that shows up as faint lines (since fixed), those are overcome by an "otherwise commendable picture," highlighted by terrific black levels and great value.
Review: Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1, David Katzmaier, April 22, 2009
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org includes the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 among the plasma TVs reviewed in its current update. Testing is comprehensive and unbiased. Discussion is more detailed than in the past, but falls short of what can be found elsewhere.
Review: Plasma TVs, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Write-ups here are not as slick or detailed as other sources, but good technical information is provided and conclusions are drawn based on testing. Though the price of the Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 is compelling, the reviewers are disappointed with the overall picture quality.
Review: Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 Plasma Review, Jack Burden and Robert Wiley, Summer 2009
Plasma TV Runners Up:
5 picks including: Amazon.com, HDGuru.com…
4 picks including: Amazon.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, BestBuy.com…
3 picks by top review sites.
3 picks including: BestBuy.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, Home Theater Magazine…
3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Amazon.com, BestBuy.com…
|
Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P50G10 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-P42X1 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Panasonic Viera TC-P54V10 54" Full HD 1080p w/600Hz Sub-field Drive Plasma TV
from Amazon.com New: $2399.00 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P46G10 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
Samsung PN42B450 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|









