Product: Panasonic TH-50PZ77U 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV
Manufacturer: Panasonic
MSRP: $2,799.95
Lowest Historical Price: $1599 [History]
Introduction
Buying a new television these days can be a tough job. There has been a definite shift from Plasma to LCD, with some manufacturers exiting the Plasma arena entirely. However, if you're looking for a TV above 42-inches, Plasma can still be a regret-free choice. Here we review one of Panasonic's latest entries into the large Plasma marketplace, the Panasonic TH-50PZ77U 50" 1080p HDTV.
Specs
50" Class (50.0" diagonal), 1080p 1920 x 1080 Full HD Resolution
1080p/1080i/720p/480p Compatible, Up to 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio
Integrated ATSC Tuner, SD Card Slot for Photos, EZ Sync HDAVI Control
Inputs: 2 HDMI, 2 Component, 3 S-Video, 3 Audio. 20W Stereo Speakers
Why Plasma?
Plasmas are generally known to be more capable of reproducing deep black levels that are a challenge for LCDs. The Panasonic TH-50PZ77U is no exception, as it has exceptional blacks that enhance the look of other deep, dark colors. [Wikipedia]
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Shiny Screens = Bad
One of the main concerns that we had while shopping for the television was that the TV should have a capable anti-glare filter, as there are windows in the back of the room. Few things are as annoying as having your viewing obscured by the reflection of your own gut. The Panasonic TH-50PZ77U sports an Anti Glare Filter that virtually eliminates reflections from the backlighting in the room. The screen itself has a somewhat matte texture, more akin to LCDs than to shiny glass Plasmas we've seen in the past.
Picture Quality
A full compliment of inputs, both HD and SD, allow you to hook up your home theater & entertainment devices to the TH-50PZ77U. Video delivered over HDMI was glorious at full 1080p 1920x1080 resolution, and upconverted videos were handled easily as well. While we usually avoid SD programming (something perhaps learned from our previous HDTV that didn't fare so well with SD signals), we were pleasantly surprised by how the TH-50PZ77U handled these low resolution signals. You can adjust the display mode to appropriately stretch the displayed image to eliminate letterbox bars, etc.
HDAVI Control
The Panasonic TH-50PZ77U also sports a nifty new initiative called HDAVI Control. Aside from being a scheme to get you to buy all compatible Panasonic products for your HT, it allows you to control your entire HDMI interconnected system with one button. Think of it as Harmony functionality natively integrated into the components. Like most users, we do not have the compatible equipment and so this feature went untested.
Form Factor
The TH-50PZ77U comes with a basic tabletop stand, but we opted to wall-mount the TV for a more integrated look. It weighs over 100 lbs (111.3 lbs according to Panasonic) so you're going to want to have at least two guys to move it around, or three if you plan to hoist it up for wall mounting. The display itself is about 4" deep so it does protrude from the wall quite a bit, especially if the wall mount you choose adds significant offset.
Conclusion
This TV happened to be an exceptional price ($1599) when we picked it up, and the regrets are really non-existent. When compared to the TV it replaced, the 3-year old Panasonic TH-50PHD6, the upgrade factor is immediately apparent. The blacks are deep, contributing to excellent contrast unseen in LCDs, the anti-glare filter greatly reduced reflections from the screen, and the black bezel gives it a contemporary, sleek look. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this set to anyone who is over their fear of Plasmas and is looking for a 50-incher with full 1080p capability.
Image Gallery
Compare Prices
Manufacturer: Panasonic
MSRP: $2,799.95
Lowest Historical Price: $1599 [History]
Introduction
Buying a new television these days can be a tough job. There has been a definite shift from Plasma to LCD, with some manufacturers exiting the Plasma arena entirely. However, if you're looking for a TV above 42-inches, Plasma can still be a regret-free choice. Here we review one of Panasonic's latest entries into the large Plasma marketplace, the Panasonic TH-50PZ77U 50" 1080p HDTV.
Specs
Why Plasma?
Plasmas are generally known to be more capable of reproducing deep black levels that are a challenge for LCDs. The Panasonic TH-50PZ77U is no exception, as it has exceptional blacks that enhance the look of other deep, dark colors. [Wikipedia]
    Â
Shiny Screens = Bad
One of the main concerns that we had while shopping for the television was that the TV should have a capable anti-glare filter, as there are windows in the back of the room. Few things are as annoying as having your viewing obscured by the reflection of your own gut. The Panasonic TH-50PZ77U sports an Anti Glare Filter that virtually eliminates reflections from the backlighting in the room. The screen itself has a somewhat matte texture, more akin to LCDs than to shiny glass Plasmas we've seen in the past.
Picture Quality
A full compliment of inputs, both HD and SD, allow you to hook up your home theater & entertainment devices to the TH-50PZ77U. Video delivered over HDMI was glorious at full 1080p 1920x1080 resolution, and upconverted videos were handled easily as well. While we usually avoid SD programming (something perhaps learned from our previous HDTV that didn't fare so well with SD signals), we were pleasantly surprised by how the TH-50PZ77U handled these low resolution signals. You can adjust the display mode to appropriately stretch the displayed image to eliminate letterbox bars, etc.
HDAVI Control
The Panasonic TH-50PZ77U also sports a nifty new initiative called HDAVI Control. Aside from being a scheme to get you to buy all compatible Panasonic products for your HT, it allows you to control your entire HDMI interconnected system with one button. Think of it as Harmony functionality natively integrated into the components. Like most users, we do not have the compatible equipment and so this feature went untested.
Form Factor
The TH-50PZ77U comes with a basic tabletop stand, but we opted to wall-mount the TV for a more integrated look. It weighs over 100 lbs (111.3 lbs according to Panasonic) so you're going to want to have at least two guys to move it around, or three if you plan to hoist it up for wall mounting. The display itself is about 4" deep so it does protrude from the wall quite a bit, especially if the wall mount you choose adds significant offset.
Conclusion
This TV happened to be an exceptional price ($1599) when we picked it up, and the regrets are really non-existent. When compared to the TV it replaced, the 3-year old Panasonic TH-50PHD6, the upgrade factor is immediately apparent. The blacks are deep, contributing to excellent contrast unseen in LCDs, the anti-glare filter greatly reduced reflections from the screen, and the black bezel gives it a contemporary, sleek look. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this set to anyone who is over their fear of Plasmas and is looking for a 50-incher with full 1080p capability.
Image Gallery
Compare Prices
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LCD is totally baconnaise. They have the most ridiculously artificial whites, and awful blacks. LCD is like the Sansa / FujiTronics F31fd / HD-DVD / Philips Refurb all combined into one huge great big pile of baconnaise. Ben, you made an excellent purchase... don't feel bad just because all these lesser peon poor people can't afford the superior technology.
#19 how about if your get $20-25 more per month on electricity bill?
Power consumption 50PZ77U = 693W (average, depends on picture)
This is 2.5-3 times as much as a 52" LCD TV
m0f0 why don't request/advice/beg Steve jobs to make Apple notebooks with plasma screens?
#22, you seem like just another person who is willing to settle for a cheaper, but inferior technology. I am more than happy to pay more for a superior technology, and sleep smugly at night safe in the knowledge that I am better that people like you.
#23 assuming things and feeling happy from the illusions will at least keep you away from not converting into a psychopath criminal. If people like you start realizing truth that you are worth a million dollars divided by hundred million dollars this world might become unsafe to live because of the crimes you would commit.
Plasmas only suck a lot of power in torch mode. At my picture settings, my 42" plasma sucks half as much power as my 34" CRT did and it gets about half as hot as the CRT did. LCD is crap. Long live plasma.
#5, #15 - Ben didn't mention calibration. I assume he uses it with the factory settings - the infamous "torch mode".
>#17 jklyank - Posted 5:36 pm PDT 03/13/08 (68 Posts) Plasma is nice for sucking all the power from the electric grid, 2 to 3 times that of LCD.
burp rodeo cowboy, RTFM.
>Also, tell us about plasma and gray scale?
burp rodeo cowboy^2. Scratch the first advise, don't read anything, it wouldn't help even if you actually could read.
>#22 Wand - Posted 9:09 pm PDT 03/13/08 (219 Posts)
>Power consumption 50PZ77U = 693W (average, depends on picture)
>This is 2.5-3 times as much as a 52" LCD TV
Ha! Another burp rodeo cowboy. Could you spell "direct view"? Do you even know what it means, you burp bacon challenged? Or do you really think your cheap-baconnaise rear projection 52" LCD TV gives you *picture*? Go burp you AC outlet and STFU.
Man these are still expensive
what are you guys talking about lcd being cheap and plasma expensive? it's the other way around. LCD for the same size is more expensive than plasma.
Ignoring the bacon eye for the straight guy's comments on Ben's house I agree with the posters that say this is an outstanding TV.
I dont see any benefit from plasma unless you are going to replace your tv every 3 years or so. I have heard of SO many problems.
Best bang for the buck is still DLP/LCOS - and the picture is still BETTER than either lcd or plasma if you set it up right.
I have the plasma that Ben replaced with the new model, the TH-50PHD6 (purchased it 4 years ago for $6000) and it has been flawless. Consumer Reports has noted that Plasma and LCD TVs appear to be largely trouble free. Note that the service life of an LCD backlight is about the same as a plasma panel.
PLASMA MYTHS DRIVE ME CRAZY!!
1. burn-in - not a problem anymore...pixel shifting and much improved prosperous
2. Price - The comparable LCD's by Sony and Samsung are over $3000, and inferior to the Panasonic Plasma.
3. Power consumption? - I won't even go there..dumb argument.
4. Life - Again, old Plasmas had issues with their life. The new Plasmas half life is around 20 years if on 7 hours a day every day for 20 years!
I'm not sure what technology will reign in 10 years, but for now Plasma is still superior to LCD. DLP is good, but still not as good as Plasma.
#28, get a life and stop burp the woman who gave you birth, your comment clearly shows you are complete bacon challenged, I have no clue why you even wrote "direct view" (another rodeo cowboy trying to be a "smart ass" by using stupid uncommon terminology) What a tube tv has to do with plasma or lcd, moron? Did you know plasma and lcd fall in flat panel TV category?
"picture" is a right word and don't get so high when you read something which you don't know, reduce swallowing your own chowder that might help you.
"Power consumption varies greatly with PICUTRE content, with bright scenes drawing significantly more power than darker ones" -Wiki
According to Crutchfield.com the average monthly cost of electricity for a plasma vs. an LCD is less than $3. Where can I get it for $1599?
#36, check out frys.com($1677 now). Mine's getting delivered today.
Uh-oh all the LCD huggers came out of the woodwork to protect thier bad investment in an inferior technology.
I particularly like the guy who says plasmas go out in 3years, then says how good DLP is, like an oxymoron.
hey now people can't we all just get a lawn?
Is plasma really more expensive then LCD?