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by David Katzmaier
CNET continues to review a good number of plasma TVs, with the very best winding up on this list. Reports aren't as detailed as those on some other sites, but the essentials are covered in a way that… doesn't overwhelm readers who are less tech-savvy. The discontinued but still available Pioneer Pro-111FD gets the best grades here. However, the Panasonic Viera TC-P50V10 (and other sets in the V10 series) are singled out as Editors' Choice for delivering the best picture quality of any set yet tested in 2009. Samsung's PNB650 series sets are also excellent performers, and rate close enough to the very best to be "a viable alternative." The Samsung PN50B850 and the similar Samsung PN50B860 are a choice for those that covet a thin design.
by David Katzmaier
While the listing above honors the best plasma TVs in terms of pure performance, CNET also recognizes that economic realities often play a role in finding the perfect TV, hence this listing that includes… plasma TVs that deliver a decent, if not perfect, picture and terrific bang for the buck. Unfortunately, only one listed set is currently available, but it's the top-rated Panasonic TC-P50X1, "which delivers the best black-levels-to-dollars ratio of any HDTV" CNET has tested to date.
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
by Gary Merson and Michael Fremer
Long-time consumer-electronics journalist Gary Merson writes this blog on everything in the realm of high definition. Reviews are relatively rare and finding them on this site can be a challenge, but it is… worth the effort as all are extremely thorough and backed by well-documented testing. One of the site's most recent reviews is an "exclusive" first report on the super-thin Panasonic TC-P54Z1. It, along with the Panasonic TC-P54V10 (reviewed earlier), are called impressive performers and receive the site's highest rating. The Panasonic TC-P50G10 also impresses.
by Editors of PCMag.com
PCMag.com reviews plasma TVs in reasonably detailed single-set reports and occasional multi-TV round ups. To date, however, the site has only reviewed two 2009 plasma TVs, with the Samsung PN50B850 getting… a generally positive write-up despite some picture quibbles. The Panasonic TC-P42S1 rates somewhat lower because the TV has trouble upconverting standard-definition signals from DVD players and the like, though overall picture quality, energy efficiency and value are good.
by David Elrich
by Editors of Sound & Vision magazine
by Editors of Home Theater magazine
Home Theater magazine covers plasma TVs in single-set reviews, multi-TV roundups and as part of home-entertainment systems. The reviews are highly opinionated and most include objective ratings. Among… current plasma TVs, the Panasonic TC-P46G10 draws praise and is identified as one of the magazine's top picks for its excellent picture quality and relative value. The very high-end Panasonic Premiere TH-65VX100U monitor also gets a review and a recommendation.
by Editors of TelevisionInfo.com
The technically obsessed will appreciate the highly detailed, well-illustrated reports here. Testing is extensive and well documented, and no detail is left to the imagination. Comparisons to competing sets… are often made. Judgments are unflinching, and essentially no TV emerges unscathed. Among 2009 plasma TVs, only the Panasonic Viera TC-P42S1 receives a good rating -- the best of any TV of any technology in its size class -- but you wouldn't know it from the tepid recommendation it receives.
by Editors of Wired
Wired offers brief, breezy reports on plasma TVs that won't satisfy the technically demanding, but they do boil down sophisticated testing into language everyone can understand. The Panasonic TC-P42G10… doesn't eclipse the Pioneer Kuro in terms of performance, but it comes close enough that plasma TV fans can "officially stop mourning" the news that Pioneer will no longer make TVs. However, a second report on the TV downgrades it for disappointing Internet features.
by Editors of Home Entertainment magazine
by Robert Wiley
This site isn't the slickest around, but the reports seem unbiased and are clearly backed by appropriate testing. One nice feature is information on setting user controls to obtain top picture quality. All… plasma TVs receive a rating, though a chart that compares them would be more useful if it didn't include so many discontinued plasma TVs. Samsung PNB550 sets, including the 50-inch PN50B550 and the 58-inch PN58B550, are clear favorites, with the combination of price and picture quality called "almost unbeatable." Be aware that a listing of top plasma TVs at this site is based on which plasma TVs sell best, and not on the reviews.
by Contributors to AVSForum.com
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
BestBuy.com has become one of the better resources for user-written reviews. Most of the sets listed get plenty of comments, making this an especially useful place to see how owners rate their TVs. That… said, it is probably most useful as a destination for a second opinion once you've narrowed your choices. Though lots of plasma TVs rate well, the Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1 seems noteworthy for its near-universal praise and almost unanimous recommendations following a significant number of reviews.
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Amazon.com also invites owners to share their experiences with potential buyers. Unfortunately, the listings include many discontinued models, making navigation more difficult. On the positive side,… Amazon.com offers some useful tools, such as a box that contrasts the most helpful critical and complimentary reviews for a set as voted on by site visitors. Among 2009 plasma TVs, the Panasonic Viera TC-P50G10 and Samsung PN42B450 are top choices with good grades and enough feedback to be meaningful.
by Editors of HomeTheaterReview.com
HomeTheaterReview.com reviews a couple of current year plasma TVs in reports that fall short of those by the best reviewers. Based on comments, some testing is clearly being done, but the bulk of the… write-ups are consumed with discussions of features that could just as easily be gleaned from manufacturer literature. High points, low points and a conclusion are provided, but no best TV is clearly identified.
by Robert Silva
This is a list of favorite plasma televisions compiled by Robert Silva, About.com's guide to home theater. Unfortunately, nowhere is the criteria for earning a spot on this list spelled out, and there is no… sign that any actual testing has been done. Though many discontinued plasma TVs remain listed, Silva also includes some of the latest models. There are some good how-to's and videos on this site; topics include how to hang a flat screen on your wall. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
by Contributors to Epinions.com
While Epinions.com also offers users the opportunity to share their opinions about products they own, it gets far less traffic than either Amazon.com or BestBuy.com. Because of that, current models tend to… have very few reviews and ratings, though a few do get one or two reports. Additionally, surfing is tedious because many discontinued models remain in the list, and even filtering for plasma TVs leaves several LCD TVs listed.
by Editors of CleverReviews.com
Normally, we would suggest that most could skip this anonymous blog, but we found a few worthwhile bits about some plasma TVs that don't get a lot of coverage elsewhere, such as the Viore PDP42V18HA. Though… the comments indicate that someone is at least looking at the TV, testing is not detailed and comments tend to be superficial. Ratings are given, but without more information about who is doing the reviewing, it's hard to give this site much credence. Though the reviewer has positive comments about most of the TVs covered, the ratings do show some variation, and readers can chime in with their own opinions.
by Editors of TheBestPlasmaTV.com
This anonymous site grew out of the author's pursuit of an HDTV and his desire to share his opinions -- right or wrong -- with the world. There are descriptive reviews of lots of plasma TVs, but no… information on how -- or if -- testing is done. Pros and cons are listed, but plasma TVs are not rated or ranked. In the end, there's nothing here that can't be learned from sites that are more forthcoming about who they are and what they do.
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This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.
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Samsung PN58B650 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
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Panasonic TC P50V10 - 50" plasma TV - widescreen - 1080p (FullHD) - HDTV
from Amazon.com New: $1885.00 In Stock.
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Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P42G10 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
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Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-P50X1 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock.
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