Panasonic TH-50PH9UK Review

What the reviewers like:
When it comes to image quality, reviews say that the 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PH9UK industrial plasma display has few rivals among 720p plasma TVs. Reviews say black levels are the best of any plasma display. Although the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK doesn't have tuners, a stand, speakers or many other features, it's a great value if you get cable or satellite TV and have your own speakers.

What the reviewers don't like:
Like all monitors, the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK lacks its own tuners, so you’ll need to rely on an external cable or satellite TV box for that, and you won't be able to get over-the-air TV with just an antenna. Speakers and a stand or wall mount are not included. Connectivity is limited, and an HDMI input is an extra-cost option.

Panasonic TH-50PH9UK review highlights

The 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PH9UK is consistently lauded by critics for its top-notch black level performance and excellent color rendition. But because it is a professional monitor, it has few features and no tuners or speakers. Still, the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK is an excellent choice if you are a cable or satellite subscriber and plan to use your own speakers. If you do need a plasma HDTV with tuners, speakers and more features, the Pioneer PDP-5070HD (*est. $2,600) adds lots of features, tuners, speakers, more inputs and a stand, with black levels that are only slightly behind the tuner-less Panasonic TH-50PH9UK monitor.

We found the most credible and detailed review for the 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PH9UK plasma HD monitor at CNet.com. The site reports on lots of plasma TVs, subjecting each to a standard battery of tests. Each plasma TV gets a rating, which lets readers compare results. Audioholics.com, an Internet site catering to high-end audio and video enthusiasts, also does a nice job reviewing the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK. However, the site has only reviewed a handful of plasma sets and, while ratings are given, there's no easy way to see which ones actually are the best in the editors' eyes. We found a number of user reviews at CNet.com and Newegg.com, as well as user discussions at AVSForum.com.

Also see full report: Plasma TV

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. CNet.com
Untitled
Kevin Miller
Oct. 9, 2006

CNet.com's electronics editors maintain a list of top performing plasma TVs, constantly updating their ratings as new models are tested. The Panasonic TH-50PH9UK is professional-series plasma display that lacks any tuners, and it offers little in the way of features -- even an HDMI input, speakers and a stand or wall mount are extra cost options -- but the picture is called superb by veteran reviewer Kevin Miller. The Panasonic TH-50PH9UK has also received a smattering of user reviews.

2. Audioholics.com
Untitled
Tom Andry
Aug. 28, 2006

In addition to giving the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK a lengthy and detailed performance review, Tom Andry also compares the TH-50PH9UK to the older Panasonic TH-50PH8UK. He says that the TH-50PH9UK is lighter and sports a higher contrast ratio specification, but in terms of performance and features, the two are pretty much identical.

3. AVSForum.com
Plasma Flat Panel Displays
Contributors to AVSForum.com

This well-trafficked user forum has a lot of information and reviews, but as with all such sites, it takes a while to weed through the many comments. The Panasonic PH9UK series of plasma monitors (including the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK) has its own "official" thread, which is over 3,300 posts long.

4. Newegg.com
Panasonic TH-50PH9UK reviews
Contributors to Newegg.com

Newegg.com is a retail website that allows visitors to post reviews. As with all such sites, the quality of the individual reviews varies, but the reviewers here are often more knowledgeable than those at other retailer sites. So far, a couple of dozen owners have rated the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK plasma monitor.

Also see full report: Plasma TV

Panasonic TH-50PH9UK Review