Panasonic TH50PX600B |
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The Good
Overall picture quality, sound, features, connectivity.
The Bad
Picture could be a little sharper and richer.
Design
As with most Panasonic plasmas the screen is not visually stunning pinned to the wall, but on its stand the slimness of this unit is suddenly emphasized, and with its size makes a stunning centre piece to any room.
Features
Screen size & shape: 50in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound system: Nicam Resolution: 1366x768 HD Ready: Yes Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1 Brightness: n/a Weight: 43kg OTHER FEATURES: V-real processing, 7-day EPG support with genre filtering, HDAVI connectivity, noise reduction, colour management, ambience audio effect, Q-link, postcode security system, digital teletext support, CI slot for top-up tv, colour and contrast management, Real Black drive, picture in picture, MPEG4 playback/recording via SD card SOCKETS: 2 HDMI inputs, 3 Scarts (2 RGB), component video input, composite video input, S-video input, PC input, sterio audio output, headphone jack, stereo audio inputs, CAM slot, RF input, SD card slot
Two HDMI connections are compatible with panasonics HDAVi system which facilitates communication between the screen and other panasonic gear such as the DIGA digital recorders.
Other notable connections include a PC input and a fascia mounted SD card slot for playing JPEGs and MPEG4 movies, or recording TV programmes in MPEG4.
One of the more interesting aspects of the TH50PX600B is its v-real system. Digital remastering is one aspect of the new system, designed to add more fine picture detail, sub-pixel control separates red green and blue, processes them separately for finer control, improved gamma control with greyscale gradation combines to create a claimed colour palette of 29 billion colours.
Performance
As with all Panasonic plasmas, the black levels are superb, and no LCD can yet come close to the grey free appearance.
The Panasonic seems to reach that holy grail of plasma screen technology to eliminate fizzing over horizontal motion, colour stripping or dotting in dark areas. The point here is that it is not only HD sources that look superb, but normal pictures appear far more polished than on many other plasmas.
The colour on the TH50PX600B matches any LCD bar none and most other plasmas, although not as vibrant as some, and there does seem to be a lack of crispness and texture in some instances.
Power and precision from the screens speakers are quite remarkable with huge volume potential, bass and subtle treble detail.
The Panasonic TH50PX600B is not perfect, but it is a hugely satisfying screen, possibly the best money can buy for this price.