Panasonic TH-50PX60U Review

What the reviewers like:
While experts concede that there are better performing sets on the market, reviewers generally like the Panasonic TH-50PX60U's combination of picture quality and price. Connectivity is excellent, with two HDMI inputs. Colors are accurate and natural, and experts like the well-designed remote control. This Panasonic plasma TV doesn't have a lot of extra features, but some users won't miss things like picture-in-picture or a CableCard slot anyway.

What the reviewers don't like:
While black levels on the Panasonic TH-50PX60U are good, reports say that they fall short of the best plasma TVs. Although colors are mainly accurate, some testers say greens can have a bluish tinge. Compared to others, the Panasonic TH-50PX60U doesn't have many features, and the audio quality isn't a particular highlight in reviews.

Panasonic TH-50PX60U review highlights

Although reviews say that there are better performing plasma TVs in its size and price range, the 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PX60U HDTV holds its own with accurate colors and black levels that are rich and deep. Plus, the Panasonic TH-50PX60U is considerably less expensive than the higher-rated and more full-featured Pioneer PDP-5070HD (*est. $2,600). The Panasonic plasma TV's connectivity is better than with many other plasma TVs, but there's no PC input, no picture-in-picture and no CableCard slot. This plasma TV is being discontinued, so you may now see it selling at clearance prices.

We found several detailed and credible reviews for the 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PX60U plasma HDTV, including a comparative review at Consumer Reports. Although CNet.com did not test the TH-50PX60U, it did test the smaller, but essentially identical Panasonic TH-42PX60U, noting that the two should perform comparably. Plasma TV Buying Guide.com lacks the professionalism of other reviewers, but its report on the Panasonic TH-50PX60U plasma TV is detailed and appears to be fairly done. While better than some of its other efforts, Consumer Guide's review of the TH-50PX60U seems to rely too heavily on manufacturer-supplied information to be of much value.

Also see full report: Plasma TV

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

1. Consumer Reports
>> Details/Subscribe
Plasma TV Reviews
Editors of Consumer Reports
Feb. 2007

Consumer Reports includes the Panasonic TH-50PX60U in its latest round of testing, adding its scores to its running ratings chart. While the discussion of individual TVs is shorter than most other reviews, the testing is competent, and the ratings chart makes it easy to see which plasma TVs score best overall.

2. CNet.com
Panasonic TH-50PX60U Preview
Editors of CNet.com
Apr. 28, 2006

CNet.com has not reviewed the Panasonic TH-50PX60U, but editors did cover the 42-inch version of this TV. Editors say both TVs should perform comparably. In addition, over 70 users have rated the Panasonic TH-50PX60U at CNet.com, and the overwhelming majority are pleased with the TV.

3. PlasmaTV Buying Guide.com
Panasonic Plasma TV Review: TH-50PX60U 50" Flat Panel Plasma TV
Paul Doran
June 2006

This site's reviews aren't as sophisticated as those at CNet.com, and the site goes a long time between updates, but the reviews seem to be fairly done and offer lots of detail. The Panasonic TH-50PX60U is the most highly rated 50-inch plasma TV because of its picture quality and price.

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

Since one of this site's functions is to provide user-to-user help, you'll see a number of posts discussing problems and fixes for plasma TVs. This user forum site has a huge thread on the Panasonic TH-50PX60U. While many comments are insightful and helpful, it takes a long time to weed through the posts.

5. CircuitCity.com
Panasonic 50
Contributors to CircuitCity.com

CircuitCity.com has far and away the most user feedback for the Panasonic TH-50PX60U. Site visitors are invited to add ratings and reviews for products on the site, and scores are aggregated into an average rating for each model. Reviews vary in quality, but are helpful for assessing user satisfaction.

6. Amazon.com
Panasonic TH-50PX60U Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

The Panasonic TH-50PX60U is the subject of dozens of customer reviews at Amazon.com -- enough to give a pretty good idea of its overall performance, along with any recurring problems noted by owners.

7. Epinions
Panasonic TH-50PX60U Reviews
Contributors to Epinions

Reviews posted to Amazon.com are usually detailed, with some approaching the quality of professional reviews. Although we found only a handful of reviews here for the Panasonic TH-50PX60U, most of them are relatively useful and worth reading.

8. Consumer Guide.com
Expert Review: Panasonic TH-50PX60U 50-inch plasma HDTV
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Oct. 9, 2006

Although Consumer Guide has been improving recently, this review of the Panasonic TH-50PX60U is a bit of a throwback. It relies too heavily on published specifications with no clear indication that anyone has tested -- or even seen -- the Panasonic plasma TV.

Also see full report: Plasma TV

Panasonic TH-50PX60U Review