50in Plasma Picture Sound Features Usability Value The 'cut down' edition of Panasonic's Full HD plasma range loses little in all round performance while offering better value. HD Ready: yes Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Rating: 91%

Reviewed: 10 December 2007

Design

With a glossy black frame and matte black pedestal, the TH50PZ70 is identical in looks to its older brother, the TH50PZ700 and Panasonic's PX700 range of plasma screens. The PZ70 is not currently available with Panasonic's custom built cabinet (CAB) or wall mounting (WALL) option.

Either side of the screen are very neat inlaid speakers about an inch wide which distinguish this model from Panasonic's PX70 range of Plasma screens. The TH50PZ70 is an impressive and imposing unit, and while it doesn't quite have the wow factor exhibited by the likes of Samsung or Pioneer, it has enough presence to induce a certain amount of envy amongst friends and neighbours.

Features

The TH50PZ70 comes with 2 HDMI inputs (one less than the PZ700) and a less powerful sound system. Closer inspection however reveals that this 'cut down' version has a few tricks up its sleeve, suggesting that along with a £300-£400 saving over its bigger brother, the TH50PZ70 is an excellent buy - especially since it retains a Full HD native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The extra pixels allow the TH50PZ700 to resolve every detail of 1080i and 1080p sources, rather than scaling these pictures to fit.

	Screen: 50in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1 Other Features: Vreal Picture Processing, Deep Black Filter, Real Black Drive. Sockets: 2 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input.

 

The contrast ratio of the 50PZ70 actually comes in at a quoted 10,000:1 (higher than the 50PZ700's 5,000:1) and the 50PZ70, unlike the PZ700 is actually able to accept a 1080/24p source.

The important part of the package, the panel itself comes in the shape of Panasonic's completely new 10th generation of plasma screens, the G10.

At the heart of the TH50PZ70 is the latest incarnation of Panasonic's picture processing technology, Vreal2. Vreal2 brings together an impressive range of technological picture processing wizardry adapted for the 10th generation screens. A Digital Optimiser has been designed to reduce digital noise originating from the video source itself, and also motion pattern noise which produces false contouring during motion.

Complementing Vreal technology is Panasonic's 'Deep Black Filter' and 'Real Black Drive' technologies which build upon the companies already legendary black level performance capabilities.

Panasonic's impressive 'Viera Link' technology is present on the TH50PZ70 and uses high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connections to automatically control similarly enabled devices using a single remote.

Performance

Combine Panasonic's latest 10th generation screens with Vreal processing and Full HD and in the TH50PZ70 you have a high definition performance that is rivaled only by the much more expensive Pioneer PDP-508XD. The level of sharpness and detail is absolutely stunning, showing impressive levels of detail.

Standard Definition (SD) performance should be placed in the context of a 50in screen, but is surprisingly good given that the TH50PZ70 has to do a fair amount of upscaling to reproduce terrestrial Freeview on its Full HD screen. As a result of its sheer size, the SD picture is not as good as the TH42PZ70 with slightly more video noise, but far better than we had expected from such a large screen. With terrestrial Freeview, you will need to keep your distance to keep the experience pleasurable, but sources such as Sky (1080i) bring the benefits of the extra pixels which the screen can make full use of.

Fast moving sporting action or movie scenes in general are handled by the TH50PZ70 with aplomb, displaying none of the motion pattern noise that afflicts many plasmas. Even with the fastest moving action, the TH50PZ70 manages to retain its composure.

The TH50PZ70's black level handling abilities are excellent, displaying a subtelty of graduation from dark to the darkest scenes which few plasmas can match. Again, the new range of Full HD plasmas from Pioneer are the new class leaders in this respect, but the fact that the TH50PZ70 is less than half the price illustrates just how impressive its performance is in this respect.

The Colours on the TH50PZ70 are another strength, displaying superb vibrancy, with impressively subtle delivery of colour detailing with areas such as skin tones.

Acoustically, the TH50PZ70 delivers a less than convincing performance. Although we weren't exactly bowled over with TRS Tru Surround sound on the TH50PZ700, the absence of this technology renders a rather tinny sound on the PZ70. Panasonic assume rightly or wrongly that screens of this size will invariably form the heart of a home cinema system with consumers adding their own sonic upgrades.

Conclusion

As a 'cut down' version of the TH50PZ700, the TH50PZ70 looses little in overall performance. With a price tag which places it firmly in the mid range price category, this panel comes highly recommended - in fact, it is quite possibly the best 50in buy currently out there.