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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No, no #19. Let #17 go save energy. That way, there'll be more for me. Go buy those hybrids so I can have more gas to feed my truck and my bikes.
#19, I don't care about your trees pretard. I sure when yoou move out of your parents basement and start paying bills, you'll understand.
pkn, little brat burp.
#35 I was cleraly right in that you don't know what "direct view" means. From your helpless attempt to cover your initial stupid statement with irrelevant quote from wiki, I conclude that I was also right in that your are bacon challenged, rodeo cowboy, baconeer, dipshit, and burp. And you dull dead-horse jokes indicate that you speak with your ass, and don't think at all.
Direct view = CRT + flat panels.
Flat panels = plasma + LCD.
Direct view TV technology is opposed to "rear projection TVs", and is unarguably superior in PQ. That's picture quality, for your, my poor primary care dropout.
Power consumption for equivalent plasma and LCD displays is roughly the same, you missborn burp. CRTs eat more, and they don't even exist in size more than 36", AFAIR. Or maybe 40", but definetely not more than 40".
And finally, if you judge TV by it's power consumption you better go back into your birth channel and decay yourself back into an ovum and a spermatozoid, because your are afraid of life and life wouldn't do you any good anyway.
#44, I don't know if you eat baconnaise 3 times a day but till now I couldn't find any website mentioning "Direct view" as flat panels too http://tv.about.com/od/glossary/g/directview.htm
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/direct_view_TV.html
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/home-theater6.htm
None of the links from google search mentions flat panel tvs as part of "Direct view" and Wiki doesn't even recognize the word combination.
I never mentioned Plasma TVs have bad picture quality compared to LCD. Also I don't know on what basis you are saying Plasmas and LCDs comsume same amount of power. Do you have the disability of assuming things?
Now every one in here knows what kind of kunt you are. Shove the electronic gun of "Direct view" up your mums ass. She might at least feel proud of her she male son for the first time in her life.
BTW there is a difference between Plasma and Plasma TV same applies to Direct view televisions, there is nothing called Direct view, biology moron. I cannot stop laughing that such rodeo cowboy able to get through life.
You've become the Spitzer of Ben's forums so it's good for you if you quit posting before you make complete ass out of yourself.
Wrap them up and send me 3
fire in a box FTW.
The Anti-Glare feature of the 77u is nice if you are dealing with lots of window light, but it sacrifices picture quality. The anti-glare filter mutes the picture, turning it softer than the 700/750u series. As far a power consumption, the numbers are based on full power potential usage vs. actual usage. While a 50" might list the power consumption as 750w or something, the actual amount of power is likely to 1/2 or less. That's because an all white screen will take full power, but that's not what we watch, we watch moving pictures with lots of blacks and other images that don't require the full power available. That being said, my 50" plasma does put out a bunch of heat. But so does my 32" LCD.
As far as picture quality, Plasma is far superior to LCD. Color rendition, motion, etc generally look better. Finally, image retention or burn-in is a thing of the past with the current generation of Plasmas. I've played hours of FPS and had no issues with my HUD leaving an image. It would take years of a static image to cause harm, but that would happen to a CRT as well.
LCD's have their place, and they are improving, but they are still generally lower in picture quality, and have major issues with motion blur.
Plasma costs more in electricity to operate. Plasma can be viewed up closer, have richer color and not pixelized. My one plasma TV did die after 2 years but that was because of bad parts. There's truly no way to tell how long they will last since they are no available reliable research data out there. Those so-called experts are saying that LCD is outlasting Plasma but what are they basing their opinion on? If the price is right, I would have no qualms about purchasing plasma over LCD. LCD is preferred because they don't suffer burn-in like plasma do.
That TV is mounted way too high.
Now thats some dream TV. Oh man.
I have this TV and I am very pleased with it! The anti-glare works very nicely. 1080p, can't beat the price and the picture is fantastic, nice deep black's!
How are these things? Cause I still have an OLD OLD TV but im not sure if I want to upgrade.
Measured with a Kill-a-watt
50" Plasma with Standard Settings -> ~350-480 watts
50" Plasma with "Vivid" profile -> 450-600 watts
52" LCD probably around 250-350 watts probably full brightness (based on max power consumption and how the technology operates).
As for the price different, I'm guess plasma is typically about 20-40% more power consumption and if you live in Southern California like I do, that can lead to a significant chunk of the power bill.
So power costs are tiered and probably are in most places and these numbers are localized, hitting tier 3 prices are already 17 cents / KWHr with tier 5 prices at 25 cents / KWhr, that means running it 4 hours a day for a month @ Tier 5 (300% past baseline allocation) would be $30 a month or $360 a year.
That is a big chunk of change isn't it?
I can explain in further detail if anyone wants have a nice discussion.