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Panasonic TC-P55VT50 review
$2,149.00 to $2,499.99
The good: The Panasonic TC-PVT50 series
produces some of the best pictures ever, with exceedingly deep black
levels, highly accurate color, and perfect screen uniformity and
off-angle performance. It can get brighter than competing plasmas and
performs better in well-lit rooms. Although expensive, it costs much
less than comparable LED and especially forthcoming OLED models. Its
styling makes it as attractive as any plasma TV I've ever seen.
The bad: The
VT50 isn't as strong in terms of value as Panasonic's excellent midtier
plasmas. It uses more power than competing LCD TVs, and doesn't perform
as well in bright rooms as those with matte screens. It doesn't come
with 3D glasses and its 3D picture shows more crosstalk than that of
some competing TVs.
The bottom line: The Panasonic TC-PVT50 series represents the pinnacle of current flat-panel TV picture quality
By "not cheap" I mean "$1,000 more than an ST50" as of press time. And while the VT50's picture is amazing enough to drop even the most jaded of jaws, the ST50's isn't much worse. It's certainly not a Cleveland worse, at least to most viewers. If you, however, count yourself among the few who might actually consider spending that much extra to get the best TV since the Kuro, the Panasonic VT50 is a tempting target for a big chunk of living-room wall. If you count yourself value-conscious, the ST50 is a pretty good way to settle.
Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 65-inch TC-P65VT50, but this review also applies to the other screen size in the series. The two have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
| Models in series (details) | |
| Panasonic TC-P55VT50 | 55 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P65VT50 (reviewed) | 65 inches |
For the last couple of years Panasonic has fronted its best "V" series plasmas with a single sheet of glass that visually merges the picture and the frame into a single plane. On the VT50 the effect is beautiful, enhanced by the thinner bezel around the screen and the slim edge of silvery metal. I think this is Panasonic's best-looking plasma ever even when it's turned off, and one finally able to compete with the flagship designs of LG and Samsung. In fact, I like the VT50 best among the three.
The VT50 comes with two remotes: the standard clicker found on
models like the ST50 and a little puck with a thumb touch pad just like a
laptop computer's. Unlike the touch remote included with Samsung's high-end TVs,
this one's actually as responsive as I'd expect from a modern touch
pad, making it fun to use in many circumstances. It was at its best
zooming through groups of thumbnails on the Netflix and Vudu apps; for
browsing the Web, while better overall than the standard remote, it has
its issues (see below). It's also Bluetooth instead of infrared, so it
doesn't need a line of sight to operate.
There's a sensitivity adjustment (I stuck with medium) but
even so I can envision people who aren't touch-pad veterans becoming
frustrated with it. And, of course, if you're keen to minimize coffee
table clutter with a universal remote, the puck will probably just end up gathering dust.
Panasonic also tried to jazz up its standard remote this
year, but the newly glossy face serves mostly to show fingerprints. We
like the rest of the changes, though, from the nicely differentiated
button sizes and groups to the extensive backlighting to the new
dedicated Help button.
Panasonic's menus remain unchanged: an all-business yellow-on-blue that still seems a bit dated compared with Samsung's or Sony's UI, but gets the job done. One great addition is the Help section with an onscreen user manual, which isn't as complete as the included print version but still covers most of what new users will want to know.
Features
Panasonic's best plasma for 2012 gets a few extra features over the less-expensive GT50 series. There's an Infinite Black Ultra Panel with a new predischarge spark intended to help achieve even deeper black levels, and an improved louvre filter for keeping black areas of the picture darker under bright overhead lighting. Panasonic also reserves its 96Hz refresh rate, designed to better handle 1080p/24 sources, for the VT50 alone.
Both the VT50 and the GT50 offer THX certification, which the step-down ST50 series doesn't. Both also get a couple of more esoteric picture-quality-related extras, namely double the "shades of gradation," a 24p smooth mode (not to be confused with a higher refresh rate), "facial retouch," and "pure image creation."
Beyond features aimed at picture-quality snobs, the VT50's
flagship cred is established primarily by the touch-pad remote. Like the
GT50 it also has a dual-core processor and more connectivity than the
ST50.
I was disappointed that, despite its high price, the VT50 does not include any 3D glasses; Samsung's flagship PNE8000 plasma, for example, comes with four pairs. Like all 2012 Panasonic active-3D TVs, the VT50 complies with the Full HD 3D standard, so in addition to Panasonic's own 2012 specs it also plays well with others, including the $20 Samsungs. Check out my comparison of active-3D TV glasses for reviews of each.
Smart TV: Last year I ranked Panasonic's Smart TV interface, called Viera Cast, highest
for its simple layout and ease of use. The company didn't change much
about Viera Cast for 2012. I like that you can easily shuffle the
services you want most, like Netflix, into prominent positions, and
navigation was faster than on the ST50 -- likely thanks to the dual-core
processor. The VT50 also gets multitasking; when I hit the tools key a
virtual page flips up to reveal the most recently used apps, providing
quick access.
Panasonic's content selection is top-notch since it added Vudu, although I'd like to see a dedicated 3D app like the ones LG and Samsung offer. There's a new-ish Social Networking app that can combine live TV, Twitter, and Facebook on the same page. Audio gets relatively short shrift, with just Pandora, Shoutcast, and a karaoke app as of press time.
The Viera Market has a solid selection of apps, although I didn't appreciate having to sign in to an account to download even the free ones. There's also a real shopping section with overpriced Panasonic gear and other sundry hardware like keyboards (which help if you're the one guy who really enjoys tweeting on your TV).
The company says it will add new apps soon, including a partnership with MySpace touted at CES and an exclusive with Disney digital books. It also offers a remote-control app for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry.
The Web browser is almost as good as the ones on Samsung and LG TVs as long as you use the touch-pad remote, but that's not saying much since no TV browser can hold a candle to any phone, tablet, or laptop browser. Clicking over to CNET.com, I found I couldn't navigate down the page until it finished loading, which took forever (about a minute). I tried to scroll down by moving the cursor to the bottom of the page but it wouldn't respond. Instead I had to use the scroll bar on the far right.
Entering text via the onscreen keyboard, a painful necessity, was actually much easier via the standard remote since the touch clicker has a tendency to overshoot, and the lack of autofill is incredibly annoying. Load times were hit or miss, and while I actually did get a video at comedycentral.com to load eventually (after an even longer forever), about a minute in the audio dropped out and then the video quickly followed. At Hulu.com an ad loaded after about 20 seconds but my clip didn't arrive at all.
Finally it's worth noting that, like many TV makers, Panasonic now reserves a spot on smart TV home page for an ad (currently Shutterfly on my VT50 sample). For the first time I've seen, however, the TV also shows you a banner ad when you first power up. It popped up and lasted about 3 seconds, but it was still annoying. I was happy to see I could disable it (here's how), but the banner is turned on by default.
Picture settings: The VT50 offers more picture
settings than any other TV I've tested in its Custom mode, but its THX
modes are also quite good by default. I really appreciated that both THX
Cinema and THX Bright Room offer basic adjustments -- an improvement
over LG's nonadjustable THX. Unfortunately both are capped for light
output on the 65-incher I tested, so there's no way to get either one
any brighter.
The Custom mode houses the 2- and 10-point grayscale, a full color management system, and even a 10-point gamma adjustment. The advanced controls didn't work as well for me as Samsung's, but they outdid LG's.
Connectivity: Plenty of inputs, including four HDMI and a PC input (step-ups over the ST50), grace the VT50's back.
Picture quality (How we test TVs)
The VT50 is the best-performing plasma I've tested since 2008, beating out the Samsung PNE8000 and Panasonic's own ST50 and GT50. I don't expect any other 2012 plasma to beat it. Its black-level performance, shadow detail, color accuracy, and bright-room picture quality outdo the Samsung's handily, and while the ST50 puts up a stronger fight than the Samsung, it also ultimately falls short of the VT50's picture quality, if not value. I haven't fully reviewed the GT50 yet but it's a closer match to the ST50 than to the VT50 from what I've seen so far.
The only TVs that can compete with the Panasonic VT50 are the Sharp Elite and, yes, that hoary veteran the Pioneer Kuro (circa 2008). Ignoring size differences (the Kuro maxed out at 60 inches) and the fact that you can't get one anymore, I actually would still rather watch the Kuro than this Panasonic -- but it's very close. The VT50 is a better TV overall than the Sharp Elite, however, despite the latter's arguably superior black-level performance. My vote goes to the Panasonic for its more accurate color and perfect screen uniformity.
Of course if you sit anywhere but the sweet spot in front of the middle of the screen, the Panasonic's advantages increase. The only reason I'd recommend the Sharp Elite instead is if you need the Elite's better light output to combat ambient light in the room, you really value 3D performance, or you really want the 70-inch Elite's larger screen.
In the United States these days the word "Elite" has a negative
connotation evoking snooty haves vs. gritty have-nots, Wall Street vs.
Main Street, and them vs. us. The Sharp Elite PRO-X5FD, the first result
of Sharp's licensing agreement with Pioneer to use the Elite name, won't do much to dispel those associations. This ridiculously expensive television is basically "The wealthiest 1 percent" distilled into flat-panel TV form, and we're betting very few of the 99 percent will splurge on one, especially with perfectly excellent alternatives available for half the price or less.
But if you're reading this review, you couldn't care less. What you came to find out is whether we think the Sharp Elite PRO-X5FD has better picture quality than those alternative TVs or even than the legendary and now extinct Pioneer Elite Kuro from 2008. Almost and no, respectively. The X5FD deserves a 10 in picture quality, tying the score of the Kuro and the 2012 Panasonic TC-PVT50 and beating every other TV we've ever reviewed.
The Kuro still produces a better picture overall, especially from off-angle, but that hardly matters anymore since you probably can't get one. And if you could, you'd still lose certain bragging rights to deep-pocketed Sharp owners since the X5FD is the only Elite TV that can handle 3D sources and comes in a 70-inch size. Panasonic's 2012 VT50 plasma, on the other hand, delivers very slightly lighter blacks than either but bests the Elite in other areas, particularly off-angle and color. If you don't mind paying any price to get the deepest black levels of current flat-panel TV, the Sharp Elite is for you.
Editors' note, June 12, 2012: The rating on this review has been modified from 9.4 to 8 to reflect a change in our ratings process to incorporate value. A few of the comparative statements in the Introduction and Performances sections of this review, as well as the Bottom Line, have been changed to reflect publication of related reviews, including the Panasonic TC-PVT50 series.
Series information: We performed a hands-on evaluation of the 60-inch Sharp Elite PRO-60X5FD, but this review also applies to the other screen size in the series. Both have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
Design
Although it's not quite as impressive as Sony's Monoliths or the thin-bezel Samsungs, Sharp's design is better than Pioneer's in most ways. The frame is matte textured metallic, not glossy plastic, and measures just 1.25 inches thick--exactly half that of the frame Pioneer's 50-inch PRO-111FD. The X5FD's perfect rectangle shape is marred by an extra skirt along the bottom edge, however. We'd feel remiss if we didn't mention the lack of a swivel stand, but on this TV we'd bet most buyers will ditch it anyway in favor of a mount.
The remote also harkens back, and is better than, the 2008 Pioneer
Elite's. The keys are well-differentiated by size and shape, the sense
of clutter is minimized by a flip-up cover on the bottom end, and a fat
Netflix key--which snobbier users may pooh-pooh but we love--gets
prominent placement beneath the cursor control. We like the three
programmable keys providing direct access to your other three "favorite"
apps.
The clicker can control external devices via infrared but, incredibly, controllable brands are limited to only Sharp and Pioneer. One interesting piece of trivia: our old Kuro remote also controlled the Sharp Elite TV, and vice-versa.
By this point we were expecting the old Kuro menus to appear when we hit the Home, er, Menu key, but no dice. Once we drilled past the main page the design was reminiscent of other Sharp models, albeit with a face-lift of metallic-looking highlights. Happily the TV image doesn't shrink to one side on most menu operations; instead there's the standard semi-transparent overlay, and picture controls obediently recede to the lower-left corner during adjustment to offer minimal interference with measurements.
We appreciated the full manual--a carbon copy of the PDF version, complete with table of contents--available in the Aquos Advantage help section.
Features
The Elite has the kitchen sink. The most important feature here is the full-array local dimming LED backlight, shared with only two other 2011 TVs: the Sony XBR-HX929 and LG LW9800.
We asked Sharp to pinpoint the exact number of dimming zones but the
company declined, saying only that the 60-inch Elite has more than 216
zones--the number LG quoted us for the LW9800--while the 70-inch Elite has "significantly more" than the 60-incher.
The Elite has a native 120Hz refresh rate augmented to "more than 240Hz" via a scanning backlight according to Sharp. It also offers the same extra yellow pixel found on Sharp's Quattron-based LCDs like the LC-LE830U series.
The inclusion of two pairs of 3D glasses outdoes that of any active TV model. Sharp's spectacles have a 2D option in case some viewers want to forgo the 3D effect while leaving the TV in 3D mode for others. Otherwise they're similar to Panasonic and Sony active glasses in that they use Infrared to sync to the TV, as opposed to Samsung models that use Bluetooth. They're rechargeable via an included USB cable, and Sharp told us there's no difference between the "Elite"-branded glasses and those without the moniker (model KOPTLA002WJQZ, also $99).
Even though built-in Wi-Fi is expected at this price, it's still worth mentioning. IP control is designed to interface with custom installation remote control systems, such as Control 4, AMX, and Crestron, that can operate over Ethernet as opposed to RS-232. Sharp's excellent live help feature, Aquos Advantage Live, is onboard, too, and rebranded "Elite."
Sharp's selection is a step behind the 2011 suites from other major makers
(Amazon Instant and Hulu Plus are missing) and design. The main Apps
menu appears as a strip overlaid along the left side of the screen, and
in addition to the streaming options it provides a shortcut to Aquos
Advantage Live, and USB and DLNA access.
Unlike other connected Sharp TVs, the Elite doesn't get "Aquos Net," but that's no big loss since Vudu Apps has a superior selection and interface. Its apps are generally well-implemented, although they occupy the whole screen so you can't watch TV while using them (the exception is a stock ticker). Standouts include access to numerous full episodes of PBS staples "Nova" and "Nature," albeit in painfully low quality; Wikipedia; and a solid selection of podcasts. We love the fact that apps show star ratings, although we couldn't figure out where they came from, and we wish categories were finer given the numerous choices. Check out the Vudu Apps site for a full listing of available apps, but know that most of the premium show-based apps (such as for "Dexter" and "True Blood") have clips and not full episodes.
The Elite has as much control over the picture as any TV on the market.
A couple of the picture modes, like Elite Pure and Optimum, may sound
familiar to Pioneer Kuro veterans; the latter uses the room lighting
sensor to automatically adjust the picture. Sharp's rep told us that THX
Movie provides the most videophile-friendly image out of the box, and
we love that it allows access to all of the advanced settings, including
10-point grayscale and the color management system. The other
candidates--Elite Pure and Movie--are less desirable from a purist
perspective since they employ Sharp's Intelligent Variable Contrast by
default.
IVC, according to a company engineer we talked with, takes standard local dimming a step further by boosting the light output of the brighter areas in addition to darkening dark ones. It's available in three strengths (Low, Medium and High), or you can leave it off and select standard local dimming or even turn local dimming off. For what it's worth, THX mode eschews IVC and uses standard local dimming by default. See below for more details.
We appreciated that full picture settings are available when watching streaming sources (we checked Vudu and Netflix). Four picture modes are available for 3D, including THX.
Last year after reviewing numerous TVs, my holiday recommendation for "bang for the buck" was the Panasonic ST30
series. This year I won't be surprised if -- after reviewing however
many other 2012 TVs that come down the pike -- that recommendation will
go to the ST50 series. Yes, you can get a cheaper TV, but the ST50 is
pretty affordable even now, and worth the money for any buyer serious
about picture quality who can't wait for holiday price drops.
The ST50 handily outperforms its predecessor, with deeper blacks, more accurate color, and an improved bright-room image. The picture is so good, in fact, that it scored the same as the flagship VT30 I lauded last year, and in person it's tough to tell the two apart. If anything, the ST50 looks better. It sets a lofty standard for HDTV picture quality this year, and one I feel confident only a few TVs will approach. I doubt any of them will do it for less money.
Editors' note, June 12, 2012: The rating on this review has been modified from 8.8 to a 9.2, and its Value subrating changed from 9 to 10, to reflect recent reviews since the time of publication. The product was also awarded CNET's 2012 Editors' Choice in the plasma TV category.
Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 55-inch Panasonic TC-P55ST50, but this review also applies to the other screen sizes in the series. All sizes have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
Design
My first thought upon unboxing the ST50 was, "Man, that looks just like a
Samsung plasma, just not quite as nice." And that's an improvement over
past Panasonics. The edge of the frame is that jewel-like transparent
plastic pioneered by Samsung and LG. Panasonic differentiates the shape
of its frame with a thicker bottom edge and slightly angled bottom
corners; I prefer normal corners and edges of equal width, so, yeah,
Samsung's still looks a tad nicer to me. The ST50 is plenty sleek and
modern-looking, however, from its slim panel (1.8 inches deep) to its
silver-topped stan
Panasonic also tried to jazz up its remote, but the newly glossy face serves mostly to show fingerprints. I like the rest of it though, from the nicely differentiated button sizes and groups to the extensive backlighting to the new dedicated Help key that takes you straight to an easily navigable onscreen version of the full user manual.
Aside from the great help section, the rest of Panasonic's menus remain unchanged: all-business yellow-on-blue that still seems a bit dated compared with Samsung or Sony, but gets the job done.
Features
The ST50 is missing the THX mode and dual-core processor of the GT50, but otherwise their feature sets are very similar. Unlike the step-up VT50, it lacks a 96Hz refresh rate, but according to our test, the ST50 still delivered proper film cadence on 1080p/24 sources anyway (I wouldn't be surprised if the VT50 performed better in other ways, however). The main step-up over the UT50 series is Panasonic's Neo plasma panel and an improved screen filter, both said to improve picture quality. Panasonic has added dejudder processing to its plasmas; see the performance section for more details.
Like all plasmas the ST50 uses active 3D technology. New for this year Panasonic's active 3D glasses support the universal standard. In practical terms that means other companies' glasses that also support the standard might work with this Panasonic, and also that no 2011 or earlier Panasonic glasses will work with this TV. At $65 each the new Panasonic 2012 3D glasses cost twice to three times as much as Samsung's cheap models (the $25 SSG-3050GB and $20 SSG-4100GB), so I wouldn't be surprised if that price fell soon. All universal glasses use the Bluetooth standard; check out the CES write-up for more, and keep an eye on CNET for an upcoming test in which I check out which new glasses actually do work with which new TVs.
Smart TV: Last year I ranked Panasonic's Smart TV interface, called Viera Cast, highest
for its simple layout and ease of use. The company didn't change a
thing for 2012 on the ST50 (although other models I saw demoed with app
folders and a gallery view). I like the ability to easily shuffle the
items you want most, like Netflix, into prominent positions; I didn't
like that navigation felt a bit pokey. The company's dual-core models
(the VT50 and GT50 plasmas and WT50 LED) should be more responsive.
Panasonic's video content selection is top-notch since it added Vudu to last year's lineup, although I'd like to see a dedicated 3D app like the ones LG and Samsung offer. There's a newish Social Networking app that lets you combine live TV, Twitter, and Facebook on the same page. Audio gets relatively short shrift, with just Pandora, Shoutcast, and a karaoke app as of press time. The Viera Market also has a shopping section with overpriced Panasonic gear and other sundry hardware like keyboards (which helps if you're the one guy who really enjoys tweeting on your TV).
The company says it will add new apps, including a partnership with MySpace touted at CES and an exclusive with Disney digital books, soon. It also offers a remote control app for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry. The ST50 also includes a Web browser, although it wasn't accessible until I downloaded the app from the marketplace (it's under News & Lifestyle). I didn't get the chance to test it by press time.
Update June 11, 2012: The latest software update causes the TV to show you a banner ad when you first power up. It popped up and lasted about 3 seconds, but it was still annoying. I was happy to see I could disable it (here's how), but the banner is turned on by default.
Picture settings: Panasonic barely changed its options on the
ST50 and remains one of the least-adjustable TVs on the market. The
Cinema setting, which provides the most accurate default settings,
doesn't allow tweaking much and now comes with the abhorrent Motion
Smoother engaged by default. Turning it off rids the picture of
smoothness, but I wish that weren't necessary.
The only mode to offer advanced controls is Custom, which unlike the others also allows different settings for each input. Its Pro section gets a two-point grayscale control and a few gamma presets, along with a bunch of less useful stuff like Black Extension and AGC, both of which should be set to zero. LG and Samsung offer 10-point (or higher) grayscale settings, along with full color management, in their plasmas, and the latter would be particularly helpful in Panasonic's case. It's also worth mentioning that the step-down UT50 series lacks the Pro section.
Connectivity: These days just about every TV has four HDMI ports,
so while I don't think the ST50's total of three will cramp most users'
hookup plans, it's still notable (as is the lack of a VGA input for
analog computer connections). Included breakout cables support the one
analog composite/component input, and there's a pair of USB ports and a
rare SD card slot for media.
Picture quality
The Panasonic TC-PST50 series not only improves upon its predecessor ST30's picture quality in every way, it actually deserves the same lofty 9 I gave to the flagship VT30. Its black levels are just as deep as the VT30's -- and deeper than any other 2011 plasma -- its color accuracy and gamma are superb, albeit not quite reference-level, and its bright-room performance is better than we've seen on any plasma TV, ever. Color isn't quite perfect, and matte-screen LCDs are still a better choice for very bright rooms, but I found few faults with the ST50's 2D picture. The 3D picture quality was very good as long as you remember to put the TV on the 48Hz setting (see the update below).
If you're shopping for a 2012 TV and picture quality is your highest
priority you should, in ascending order of financial recklessness, get a
good plasma, splurge for an Elite or wait and buy an OLED. If getting the best picture for your money is your highest priority, you should get the Panasonic TC-PST50 plasma -- although the Samsung PNE6500
is a very close second place. At press time both cost hundreds less
than the Panasonic TC-PGT50 reviewed here, and offer picture quality
that's just as good.
That's not to say the GT50 isn't worth recommending; it's just a tweener whose reputation suffers the tarnish of comparison -- both at the hands of better values like those two, and better performers like its bully of a big brother, the VT50. I love baby G's styling; its feature set is all I could ask for, and its picture quality is among the best of any TV I've tested. Its one seeming advantage over the ST50, a THX mode that promises picture quality similar to a professional calibration, just isn't good enough to be worth the extra money. If you have other priorities however, such as premium design in screen sizes beyond those of the VT50 series, the GT50 still has plenty of appeal.
Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 55-inch Panasonic TC-P55GT50, but this review also applies to the other screen sizes in the series. All sizes have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
Design
I called the VT50 the best-looking Panasonic plasma TV yet, but the GT50 isn't far behind. It eschews the comparatively chintzy transparent edging of the ST50 for metallic, sharp-edged silver that makes a beautiful accent around the thin black bezel. It lacks the VT50's impressive single-pane face, and unfortunately keeps its stand's lame two-tone fade color scheme, but the GT50 still ekes out a minor win over Samsung's excellent plasma designs in my book.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
The GT50 includes the same remote as the ST50 and it's one of
my favorites, although the newly glossy face shows fingerprints. I like
the rest of the changes, though, from the nicely differentiated button
sizes and groups to the extensive backlighting to the Help button.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
Panasonic's menus remain unchanged: an all-business
yellow-on-blue that still seems a bit dated compared with Samsung's or
Sony's UI, but gets the job done. One great addition is the Help section
with an onscreen user manual, which isn't as complete as the included
print version but still covers most of what new users will want to know.
Features
The GT50's main step-up over the ST50 comes in the form of two THX picture presets for 2D and a third for 3D. It also has a couple more esoteric PQ-related extras, namely double the "shades of gradation," a 24p smooth mode (not to be confused with a higher refresh rate)," facial retouch" and "pure image creation." The flagship VT50, meanwhile, gets an Infinite Black Ultra Panel, improved louvre filter, 96Hz mode and touch-pad remote that the GT50 lacks.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
Like the VT50 it also has a dual-core processor and extra
connectivity over the ST50. I was disappointed in the lack of 3D
glasses; even Samsung's least expensive 3D plasmas come with two pair.
Like all 2012 Panasonic active-3D TVs the GT50 complies with the Full HD 3D standard, so in addition to Panasonic's own 2012 specs it also plays well with others, namely the $20 Samsungs. Check out my comparison for reviews of each.
Smart TV: Last year I ranked Panasonic's Smart TV interface, called VieraCast, highest for its simple layout and ease-of-use. The company didn't change much beyond the name -- it's now VieraConnect -- for 2012. I like the ability to easily shuffle the items you want most, like Netflix, into prominent positions. Navigation and app launching was a bit faster than on the ST50, likely thanks to the dual-core processor, but once I was within an app I didn't notice any differences in reaction time. The GT50 also gets "multitasking"; when I hit the tools key a virtual page flips up to reveal the most recently used apps, providing quick access.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
Panasonic's content selection
is top-notch since it added Vudu, although I'd like to see a dedicated
3D app like LG and Samsung offer. There's a new-ish Social Networking
app that lets you combine live TV, Twitter, and/or Facebook on the same
page. Audio gets relatively short shrift, with just Pandora, Shoutcast,
and a Karaoke app as of press time.
The Viera Market has a solid selection of apps, although I didn't appreciate having to sign in to an account to download even the free ones. There's also a real shopping section with overpriced Panasonic gear and other sundry hardware like keyboards (which help if you're the one guy who really enjoys tweeting on your TV).
The company says it will add new apps, including a partnership with MySpace touted at CES and an exclusive with Disney digital books, soon. It also offers a remote control app for iOS, Android and Blackberry.
The Web browser is severely limited when you use the standard remote. It's a step below Samsung's and LG's in any case, and of course no TV browser can hold a candle to any phone, tablet, or laptop browser. Clicking over to CNET.com, I found I couldn't navigate down the page until it finished loading, which took forever (about a minute). Entering text via the onscreen keyboard was a painful necessity and lack of no-brainer conveniences like autofill or a single button for ".com" is incredibly annoying. Load times were hit or miss, and while I did get an ad to load at Hulu.com, my video clip didn't arrive at all.
VieraConnect has more advertising than other TV makers' Smart
TV systems. The TV actually shows you a banner ad when you first power
up. It popped up and lasted only about three seconds, but it was till
annoying. Here's how to disable it. Like many TV makers, Panasonic also reserves a spot on the Smart TV home page for an ad, and there's no way to remove it.
Picture settings: The GT50's THX modes are quite good by default, and unlike on the 65-inch VT50 I reviewed, their light output is not limited overmuch. That's more a function of screen size than any difference between the two series, I'm guessing. Either was I really appreciated that both THX Cinema and THX Bright Room offer basic adjustments -- an improvement over LG's nonadjustable THX.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
The only mode to offer advanced controls is Custom, which
unlike the others also allows different settings for each input. Its Pro
section gets a two-point grayscale control and a few gamma presets,
along with a bunch of less useful stuff like Black Extension and AGC,
both of which sound be set to zero. Along with the VT50 from Panasonic's
own line, LG and Samsung both offer 10-point (or higher) grayscale
settings, along with full color management, in their plasmas -- making
the GT50 the least calibration-friendly plasma at its price point.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
Connectivity: Plenty of inputs, including four HDMI
and a PC input (step-ups over the ST50), grace the GT50's backside.
Component- and composite-video connections require use of the included
breakout cable.
Picture quality
There's no meaningful difference between the GT50 and the ST50's picture after both are properly calibrated. Both are outstanding performers, among the best plasma TVs I've ever tested, and just shy of the picture afforded by the much less affordable TC-PVT50 series. Samsung's PNE6500 and PNE8000 scored the same as ST50 and the GT50 in this category, but I'd pick the Panasonics because of their slightly better light output (at least compared with the 60-inch Samsungs).
For
many years, Samsung was the answer to the question, "Which LCD should I
get?" While the company also manufactured plasmas, they seemingly
weren't a priority for Samsung or the public. But beginning in 2011 with
the superb D8000 and D7000,
for example, the company demonstrated that it was serious about the
technology's picture-quality potential. That newfound determination
continues into 2012.
The Samsung PNE6500 is an excellent television, with all of the features you need and few you don't. In picture quality it's every bit the equal of the phenomenal Panasonic ST50 series. The PNE6500's picture quality is also basically identical to that of its significantly more expensive Samsung stablemate, the flagship PNE8000, with the same performance in key areas such as black levels and color accuracy -- making the E6500 an excellent value.
If you were looking to spend between $1,000 and $1,500 on a videophile-grade TV, the Panasonic TC-P50ST50 and the Samsung PN51E6500 are the two you should be looking at (no LCD comes close -- you'd need to spend a big chunk more on something like the Sony KDL-HX850 to get near this level of picture quality). With online prices only $50 apart for the 50/51-inch versions, which should you choose? Brand loyalty plays a part here, but each TV has its own unique strengths. If you're looking for something a little bigger, the 60-inch models of each will obviously cost you more, but they're still worth consideration at under $2,000.
If I were buying a TV now, I would seriously consider the PNE6500 for its more mature styling and better bright-room performance, but some may prefer the overall contrast boost that the Panasonic ST50's brighter screen is able to bring, or want a 55- or 65-inch option. Regardless, both series offer the best picture quality for the buck on the market today.
Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the
60-inch Samsung PN60E6500, but this review also applies to the other
screen size in the series. The two sizes have identical specs and
according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture
quality.
Design
While Samsung's LEDs have gone the skinny, skinny bezel route, technology dictates that its plasmas still have about an inch between the edge and the screen. While competitor Panasonic is still experimenting with its plasma designs, Samsung is sticking with its template of the last few years. The 6-, 7-, and 8-series plasmas all look the same, and as such the 6500 features a brushed black-plastic bezel and a black "octopus" stand (the other two have silver stands). The effect is understated, and while it's unlikely to win design awards the lack of flashy, reflective surrounds means you can concentrate on the picture.
The TV features a standard remote with a cheerful Smart Hub button in the center. Compared with the minimalism found in some modern remotes, there are plenty of buttons here, but we'd give up simplicity for more functionality in this case.
Features
When it comes down to it, the E6500, E7000, and E8000 share nearly identical styling and picture-quality features. All three offer the same Real Black Pro panel, which involves both a change to the panel structure over the previous year and some software improvements.
Unlike the flagship E8000, the 6500 and 7000 are missing Smart Interaction. If you don't need a TV you can talk to or wave at, save yourself a bit of cash and get the E6500 instead. The E7000 and E6500 are almost impossible to tell apart judging from Samsung's Web site; the only noncosmetic differences I can discern are that the E7000 has a dual-core processor and a slightly thinner cabinet: 1.9 inches deep versus 2.2 inches.
Like all 2012 Samsung TVs, the PNE6500 comes with two pairs of active 3D glasses. It's also compatible with the Full HD 3D standard, so it works with other companies' compatible glasses. Check out this comparison for more.
Smart TV: Samsung's Smart Hub looks largely the same as last
year. The main difference is that Samsung's home-grown apps are front
and center -- Family Story, Fitness -- while the ones most people
actually care about, such as Netflix, now appear smaller up at the top.
The interface is as easy to use as any of the others, but I prefer the simplicity of the uncluttered Panasonic or Sony interface to this. For me, it's about how easily I can start up Netflix -- and based on some tests among this and other TVs, it works out to about the same amount of time whether you boot into the Smart Hub interface and choose it or use a dedicated Netflix button as on the Sony TVs.
The content selection is very good in terms of major apps, with the exception of Amazon Instant. The extensive app store offers more than the usual amount of trash and treasure.
Samsung offers a Web browser, but using the standard remote control to navigate it isn't the most enjoyable experience. Thankfully, the TV supports the optional $100 Bluetooth keyboard, but as most people now have phones or tablets nearby, there isn't much need for a TV browser anyway.
Picture settings: Samsung offers three modes -- Vivid (yuck),
Standard (dim), and Movie (a bit blue but workable) -- and each is
adjustable. A number of advanced settings are available, namely a
10-point grayscale, which I found problematic this time around, and a
great color-management system. The CinemaSmooth setting is designed to
take advantage of 1080p/24 content, but there isn't a dedicated 100Hz
antijudder circuit.
Connectivity: The PNE6500's three HDMI inputs are ample, if one
fewer than some competitors offer. If you're wall-mounting the set, it's
worth noting that the TV has rear-facing ports rather than downward
ones (found on the thinner 8 and 7 series), which could restrict the
analog and one HDMI port from being used.
Panasonic's menus remain unchanged: an all-business yellow-on-blue that still seems a bit dated compared with Samsung's or Sony's UI, but gets the job done. One great addition is the Help section with an onscreen user manual, which isn't as complete as the included print version but still covers most of what new users will want to know.
| Key TV features | ||||
| Display technology | Plasma | LED backlight | N/A | |
| Screen finish | Glossy | Remote | Standard and touch-pad | |
| Smart TV | Yes | Internet connection | Built-in Wi-Fi | |
| 3D technology | Active | 3D glasses included | No | |
| Refresh rate(s) | 96Hz, 60Hz | Dejudder (smooth) processing | Yes | |
| DLNA-compliant | Photo/Music/Video | USB | Photo/Music/Video | |
| Other: Optional 3D glasses (model TY-ER3D4MU, $65 each), Skype camera/speakerphone (TY-CC20W, $125), network camera (wired BL-C210; $199; Wi-Fi BL-C230, $299); compatible with USB keyboards |
Panasonic's best plasma for 2012 gets a few extra features over the less-expensive GT50 series. There's an Infinite Black Ultra Panel with a new predischarge spark intended to help achieve even deeper black levels, and an improved louvre filter for keeping black areas of the picture darker under bright overhead lighting. Panasonic also reserves its 96Hz refresh rate, designed to better handle 1080p/24 sources, for the VT50 alone.
Both the VT50 and the GT50 offer THX certification, which the step-down ST50 series doesn't. Both also get a couple of more esoteric picture-quality-related extras, namely double the "shades of gradation," a 24p smooth mode (not to be confused with a higher refresh rate), "facial retouch," and "pure image creation."
I was disappointed that, despite its high price, the VT50 does not include any 3D glasses; Samsung's flagship PNE8000 plasma, for example, comes with four pairs. Like all 2012 Panasonic active-3D TVs, the VT50 complies with the Full HD 3D standard, so in addition to Panasonic's own 2012 specs it also plays well with others, including the $20 Samsungs. Check out my comparison of active-3D TV glasses for reviews of each.
Panasonic's content selection is top-notch since it added Vudu, although I'd like to see a dedicated 3D app like the ones LG and Samsung offer. There's a new-ish Social Networking app that can combine live TV, Twitter, and Facebook on the same page. Audio gets relatively short shrift, with just Pandora, Shoutcast, and a karaoke app as of press time.
The Viera Market has a solid selection of apps, although I didn't appreciate having to sign in to an account to download even the free ones. There's also a real shopping section with overpriced Panasonic gear and other sundry hardware like keyboards (which help if you're the one guy who really enjoys tweeting on your TV).
The company says it will add new apps soon, including a partnership with MySpace touted at CES and an exclusive with Disney digital books. It also offers a remote-control app for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry.
The Web browser is almost as good as the ones on Samsung and LG TVs as long as you use the touch-pad remote, but that's not saying much since no TV browser can hold a candle to any phone, tablet, or laptop browser. Clicking over to CNET.com, I found I couldn't navigate down the page until it finished loading, which took forever (about a minute). I tried to scroll down by moving the cursor to the bottom of the page but it wouldn't respond. Instead I had to use the scroll bar on the far right.
Entering text via the onscreen keyboard, a painful necessity, was actually much easier via the standard remote since the touch clicker has a tendency to overshoot, and the lack of autofill is incredibly annoying. Load times were hit or miss, and while I actually did get a video at comedycentral.com to load eventually (after an even longer forever), about a minute in the audio dropped out and then the video quickly followed. At Hulu.com an ad loaded after about 20 seconds but my clip didn't arrive at all.
Finally it's worth noting that, like many TV makers, Panasonic now reserves a spot on smart TV home page for an ad (currently Shutterfly on my VT50 sample). For the first time I've seen, however, the TV also shows you a banner ad when you first power up. It popped up and lasted about 3 seconds, but it was still annoying. I was happy to see I could disable it (here's how), but the banner is turned on by default.
The Custom mode houses the 2- and 10-point grayscale, a full color management system, and even a 10-point gamma adjustment. The advanced controls didn't work as well for me as Samsung's, but they outdid LG's.
Picture quality (How we test TVs)
The VT50 is the best-performing plasma I've tested since 2008, beating out the Samsung PNE8000 and Panasonic's own ST50 and GT50. I don't expect any other 2012 plasma to beat it. Its black-level performance, shadow detail, color accuracy, and bright-room picture quality outdo the Samsung's handily, and while the ST50 puts up a stronger fight than the Samsung, it also ultimately falls short of the VT50's picture quality, if not value. I haven't fully reviewed the GT50 yet but it's a closer match to the ST50 than to the VT50 from what I've seen so far.
The only TVs that can compete with the Panasonic VT50 are the Sharp Elite and, yes, that hoary veteran the Pioneer Kuro (circa 2008). Ignoring size differences (the Kuro maxed out at 60 inches) and the fact that you can't get one anymore, I actually would still rather watch the Kuro than this Panasonic -- but it's very close. The VT50 is a better TV overall than the Sharp Elite, however, despite the latter's arguably superior black-level performance. My vote goes to the Panasonic for its more accurate color and perfect screen uniformity.
Of course if you sit anywhere but the sweet spot in front of the middle of the screen, the Panasonic's advantages increase. The only reason I'd recommend the Sharp Elite instead is if you need the Elite's better light output to combat ambient light in the room, you really value 3D performance, or you really want the 70-inch Elite's larger screen.
.
Sharp Elite PRO-60X5FD review
$4,349.95 to $5,499.95
Average User Rating
The good: The picture of the Sharp Elite PRO-X5FD LED TV
delivers deeper black levels and better contrast than any other LCD or
plasma on the market. Unlike other full-array local dimming TVs, it
maintains its superior picture from normal viewing angles and blooming
artifacts are virtually nonexistent. Color is relatively accurate,
shadow detail is excellent and video processing does everything we
expect. The screen maintains black levels well under ambient light.
No-nonsense styling, best-ever energy efficiency and a nearly-complete
feature set, including two pairs of 3D glasses, ice the cake tastefully.
The bad: Even
with its superb performance, it's impossible to call the gratuitously
expensive Elite a good value. Blue/green areas are less accurate than we
expect from a TV of this caliber, uniformity and off-angle aren't quite
as good as plasma, and its screen creates relatively bright
reflections.
The bottom line: The overpriced Sharp Elite LED-based LCD produces the second-best overall picture quality of any TV we've reviewed since 2008.
But if you're reading this review, you couldn't care less. What you came to find out is whether we think the Sharp Elite PRO-X5FD has better picture quality than those alternative TVs or even than the legendary and now extinct Pioneer Elite Kuro from 2008. Almost and no, respectively. The X5FD deserves a 10 in picture quality, tying the score of the Kuro and the 2012 Panasonic TC-PVT50 and beating every other TV we've ever reviewed.
The Kuro still produces a better picture overall, especially from off-angle, but that hardly matters anymore since you probably can't get one. And if you could, you'd still lose certain bragging rights to deep-pocketed Sharp owners since the X5FD is the only Elite TV that can handle 3D sources and comes in a 70-inch size. Panasonic's 2012 VT50 plasma, on the other hand, delivers very slightly lighter blacks than either but bests the Elite in other areas, particularly off-angle and color. If you don't mind paying any price to get the deepest black levels of current flat-panel TV, the Sharp Elite is for you.
Editors' note, June 12, 2012: The rating on this review has been modified from 9.4 to 8 to reflect a change in our ratings process to incorporate value. A few of the comparative statements in the Introduction and Performances sections of this review, as well as the Bottom Line, have been changed to reflect publication of related reviews, including the Panasonic TC-PVT50 series.
Series information: We performed a hands-on evaluation of the 60-inch Sharp Elite PRO-60X5FD, but this review also applies to the other screen size in the series. Both have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
| Models in series (details) | |
| Sharp Elite PRO-60X5FD (reviewed) | 60 inches |
| Sharp Elite PRO-70X5FD | 70 inches |
The Sharp brand is basically invisible on the new Elite.
| Design highlights | ||||
| Panel depth | 3 inches | Bezel width | 1.25 inches | |
| Single-plane face | No | Swivel stand | No |
Sharp Elite PRO-X5FD series
Sharp's homage to Pioneer's TVs begins here. The PRO-X5FD has the same
ultraserious air, with a sharply angled black frame adorned only by the
gold "Elite" moniker. Intentionally, the word "Sharp" is nowhere to be
found until you squint hard at tiny manufacturing label on the back. Although it's not quite as impressive as Sony's Monoliths or the thin-bezel Samsungs, Sharp's design is better than Pioneer's in most ways. The frame is matte textured metallic, not glossy plastic, and measures just 1.25 inches thick--exactly half that of the frame Pioneer's 50-inch PRO-111FD. The X5FD's perfect rectangle shape is marred by an extra skirt along the bottom edge, however. We'd feel remiss if we didn't mention the lack of a swivel stand, but on this TV we'd bet most buyers will ditch it anyway in favor of a mount.
A skirt on the bottom edge spoils the completely rectangular look.
| Remote control and menus | ||||
| Remote size (LxW) | 9.25 x 2 inches | QWERTY keyboard | Y/N | |
| Illuminated keys | 66 | IR device control | Yes | |
| Menu item explanations | Yes | Onscreen manual | Yes | |
| Other: Three programmable 'Fav App' keys on remote |
The clicker can control external devices via infrared but, incredibly, controllable brands are limited to only Sharp and Pioneer. One interesting piece of trivia: our old Kuro remote also controlled the Sharp Elite TV, and vice-versa.
By this point we were expecting the old Kuro menus to appear when we hit the Home, er, Menu key, but no dice. Once we drilled past the main page the design was reminiscent of other Sharp models, albeit with a face-lift of metallic-looking highlights. Happily the TV image doesn't shrink to one side on most menu operations; instead there's the standard semi-transparent overlay, and picture controls obediently recede to the lower-left corner during adjustment to offer minimal interference with measurements.
We appreciated the full manual--a carbon copy of the PDF version, complete with table of contents--available in the Aquos Advantage help section.
The menus retain Sharp's font and heritage.
| Key TV features | ||||
| Display technology | LCD | LED backlight | Full-array with local dimming | |
| 3D technology | Active | 3D glasses included | 2 pair | |
| Screen finish | Glossy | Internet connection | Built-in wi-fi | |
| Refresh rate(s) | 120Hz | Dejudder (smooth) processing | Yes | |
| DLNA compliant | Photo/Music/Video | USB | Photo/Music/Video | |
| Other: Optional 3D glasses (model AN-3DG20-EL, $99); IP Control; Aquos Advantage Live help and remote troubleshooting |
The Elite has a native 120Hz refresh rate augmented to "more than 240Hz" via a scanning backlight according to Sharp. It also offers the same extra yellow pixel found on Sharp's Quattron-based LCDs like the LC-LE830U series.
The inclusion of two pairs of 3D glasses outdoes that of any active TV model. Sharp's spectacles have a 2D option in case some viewers want to forgo the 3D effect while leaving the TV in 3D mode for others. Otherwise they're similar to Panasonic and Sony active glasses in that they use Infrared to sync to the TV, as opposed to Samsung models that use Bluetooth. They're rechargeable via an included USB cable, and Sharp told us there's no difference between the "Elite"-branded glasses and those without the moniker (model KOPTLA002WJQZ, also $99).
Even though built-in Wi-Fi is expected at this price, it's still worth mentioning. IP control is designed to interface with custom installation remote control systems, such as Control 4, AMX, and Crestron, that can operate over Ethernet as opposed to RS-232. Sharp's excellent live help feature, Aquos Advantage Live, is onboard, too, and rebranded "Elite."
Sharp throws in two pairs of 3D glasses.
| Streaming and apps | ||||
| Netflix | Yes | YouTube | Yes | |
| Amazon Instant | No | Hulu Plus | No | |
| Vudu | Yes | Pandora | Yes | |
| Web browser | No | Skype | Optional | |
| Yes | Yes | |||
| Other: Blockbuster, CinemaNow, Alphaline, Napster streaming; Vudu apps include Facebook, Pandora, Wikipedia, The New York Times news clips; Skype requires optional speakerphone/camera (Freetalk for Elite, $130) |
Unlike other connected Sharp TVs, the Elite doesn't get "Aquos Net," but that's no big loss since Vudu Apps has a superior selection and interface. Its apps are generally well-implemented, although they occupy the whole screen so you can't watch TV while using them (the exception is a stock ticker). Standouts include access to numerous full episodes of PBS staples "Nova" and "Nature," albeit in painfully low quality; Wikipedia; and a solid selection of podcasts. We love the fact that apps show star ratings, although we couldn't figure out where they came from, and we wish categories were finer given the numerous choices. Check out the Vudu Apps site for a full listing of available apps, but know that most of the premium show-based apps (such as for "Dexter" and "True Blood") have clips and not full episodes.
More useful than most so-called apps, the Elite's built-in support suite is the best in the biz.
| Picture settings | ||||
| Adjustable picture modes | 8 | Fine dejudder control | No | |
| Color temperature presets | 5 | Fine color temperature control | 10 points | |
| Gamma presets | 5 | Color management system | Yes | |
| Other: THX certified for 2D and 3D, Intelligent Variable Contrast, |
IVC, according to a company engineer we talked with, takes standard local dimming a step further by boosting the light output of the brighter areas in addition to darkening dark ones. It's available in three strengths (Low, Medium and High), or you can leave it off and select standard local dimming or even turn local dimming off. For what it's worth, THX mode eschews IVC and uses standard local dimming by default. See below for more details.
We appreciated that full picture settings are available when watching streaming sources (we checked Vudu and Netflix). Four picture modes are available for 3D, including THX.
The Elite allows plenty of tweaking, even in THX mode.
| Connectivity | ||||
| HDMI inputs | 5 | Component video inputs | 1 | |
| Composite video input(s) | 2 | VGA-style PC input(s) | 1 | |
| USB port | 2 | Ethernet (LAN) port | Yes | |
| Other: RS-232 port |
Panasonic TC-P55ST50 review
$1,297.18 to $1,699.99
Average User Rating
The good: The affordable Panasonic TC-PST50
series exhibited outstanding overall picture quality, characterized by
exceedingly deep black levels with great shadow detail, accurate colors,
and solid bright-room performance. Unlike LCDs, as a plasma it has
superb off-angle and uniformity characteristics. The styling is
attractive and the feature set well-chosen, including excellent onscreen
help options.
The bad: The
ST50 uses more power than competing LCD TVs, and doesn't perform as
well in bright rooms as those with matte screens. It doesn't come with
3D glasses, and it showed more crosstalk in 3D than some competing TVs.
The ST50 is only available in 50-inch and larger sizes. Three HDMI
inputs is one fewer than most midrange TVs offer.
The bottom line: With
flagship-level picture quality for a midlevel price, the Panasonic ST50
series sets the value standard among videophile-grade TVs.
The ST50 handily outperforms its predecessor, with deeper blacks, more accurate color, and an improved bright-room image. The picture is so good, in fact, that it scored the same as the flagship VT30 I lauded last year, and in person it's tough to tell the two apart. If anything, the ST50 looks better. It sets a lofty standard for HDTV picture quality this year, and one I feel confident only a few TVs will approach. I doubt any of them will do it for less money.
Editors' note, June 12, 2012: The rating on this review has been modified from 8.8 to a 9.2, and its Value subrating changed from 9 to 10, to reflect recent reviews since the time of publication. The product was also awarded CNET's 2012 Editors' Choice in the plasma TV category.
Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 55-inch Panasonic TC-P55ST50, but this review also applies to the other screen sizes in the series. All sizes have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
| Models in series (details) | |
| Panasonic TC-P50ST50 | 50 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P55ST50 (reviewed) | 55 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P60ST50 | 60 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P65ST50 | 65 inches |
Transparent acrylic and an angled edge set the thinner ST50 apart.
Panasonic also tried to jazz up its remote, but the newly glossy face serves mostly to show fingerprints. I like the rest of it though, from the nicely differentiated button sizes and groups to the extensive backlighting to the new dedicated Help key that takes you straight to an easily navigable onscreen version of the full user manual.
Aside from the great help section, the rest of Panasonic's menus remain unchanged: all-business yellow-on-blue that still seems a bit dated compared with Samsung or Sony, but gets the job done.
| Key TV features | ||||
| Display technology | Plasma | LED backlight | N/A | |
| Screen finish | Glossy | Remote | Standard | |
| Smart TV | Yes | Internet connection | Built-in Wi-Fi | |
| 3D technology | Active | 3D glasses included | No | |
| Refresh rate(s) | 60Hz, 48Hz | Dejudder (smooth) processing | Yes | |
| DLNA-compliant | Photo/Music/Video | USB | Photo/Music/Video | |
| Other: Optional 3D glasses (model TY-ER3D4MU, $65 each), Skype camera/speakerphone (TY-CC20W, $125), network camera (wired BL-C210; $199; Wi-Fi BL-C230, $299); compatible with USB keyboards |
The ST50 is missing the THX mode and dual-core processor of the GT50, but otherwise their feature sets are very similar. Unlike the step-up VT50, it lacks a 96Hz refresh rate, but according to our test, the ST50 still delivered proper film cadence on 1080p/24 sources anyway (I wouldn't be surprised if the VT50 performed better in other ways, however). The main step-up over the UT50 series is Panasonic's Neo plasma panel and an improved screen filter, both said to improve picture quality. Panasonic has added dejudder processing to its plasmas; see the performance section for more details.
Like all plasmas the ST50 uses active 3D technology. New for this year Panasonic's active 3D glasses support the universal standard. In practical terms that means other companies' glasses that also support the standard might work with this Panasonic, and also that no 2011 or earlier Panasonic glasses will work with this TV. At $65 each the new Panasonic 2012 3D glasses cost twice to three times as much as Samsung's cheap models (the $25 SSG-3050GB and $20 SSG-4100GB), so I wouldn't be surprised if that price fell soon. All universal glasses use the Bluetooth standard; check out the CES write-up for more, and keep an eye on CNET for an upcoming test in which I check out which new glasses actually do work with which new TVs.
The new 3D glasses (not included) are lighter and Bluetooth-enabled, but still expensive at $65.
Panasonic's video content selection is top-notch since it added Vudu to last year's lineup, although I'd like to see a dedicated 3D app like the ones LG and Samsung offer. There's a newish Social Networking app that lets you combine live TV, Twitter, and Facebook on the same page. Audio gets relatively short shrift, with just Pandora, Shoutcast, and a karaoke app as of press time. The Viera Market also has a shopping section with overpriced Panasonic gear and other sundry hardware like keyboards (which helps if you're the one guy who really enjoys tweeting on your TV).
The company says it will add new apps, including a partnership with MySpace touted at CES and an exclusive with Disney digital books, soon. It also offers a remote control app for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry. The ST50 also includes a Web browser, although it wasn't accessible until I downloaded the app from the marketplace (it's under News & Lifestyle). I didn't get the chance to test it by press time.
Update June 11, 2012: The latest software update causes the TV to show you a banner ad when you first power up. It popped up and lasted about 3 seconds, but it was still annoying. I was happy to see I could disable it (here's how), but the banner is turned on by default.
Panasonic's Smart TV home page keeps it simple, and I love the ability to customize which apps appear where.
The only mode to offer advanced controls is Custom, which unlike the others also allows different settings for each input. Its Pro section gets a two-point grayscale control and a few gamma presets, along with a bunch of less useful stuff like Black Extension and AGC, both of which should be set to zero. LG and Samsung offer 10-point (or higher) grayscale settings, along with full color management, in their plasmas, and the latter would be particularly helpful in Panasonic's case. It's also worth mentioning that the step-down UT50 series lacks the Pro section.
As Advanced picture menus go, the ST50's is pretty basic.
If you need more than 3 HDMI inputs, you'll need to add an external switch.
The Panasonic TC-PST50 series not only improves upon its predecessor ST30's picture quality in every way, it actually deserves the same lofty 9 I gave to the flagship VT30. Its black levels are just as deep as the VT30's -- and deeper than any other 2011 plasma -- its color accuracy and gamma are superb, albeit not quite reference-level, and its bright-room performance is better than we've seen on any plasma TV, ever. Color isn't quite perfect, and matte-screen LCDs are still a better choice for very bright rooms, but I found few faults with the ST50's 2D picture. The 3D picture quality was very good as long as you remember to put the TV on the 48Hz setting (see the update below).
| Comparison models (details) | |
| Panasonic TC-P50ST30 | 50-inch plasma |
| Panasonic TC-P55VT30 | 55-inch plasma |
| Samsung PN59D7000 | 59-inch plasma |
| Pioneer PRO-111FD | 50-inch plasma |
| Sony KDL-55NX720 | 55-inch LED-based LCD |
| Sharp Elite PRO-60X5FD series (reference) | 60-inch LED-based LCD |
Panasonic TC-P55GT50 review
The good: The Panasonic TC-PGT50
series exhibited outstanding overall picture quality, characterized by
exceedingly deep black levels with great shadow detail, accurate colors,
and solid bright-room performance. Unlike LCDs, as a plasma it has
superb off-angle and uniformity characteristics. The high-end styling
outclasses just about every other TV I've seen. The feature set is
well-chosen, including excellent onscreen help
options.
The bad: The
GT50 isn't as strong a value as some competing plasmas. It uses more
power than LCD TVs, and doesn't perform as well in bright rooms as those
with matte screens. It doesn't come with 3D glasses. The GT50 is only
available in 50-inch and larger sizes.
The bottom line: Superb
picture quality and beautiful design place the Panasonic GT50 in the
top tier of plasma TVs, but it's more expensive than others with similar
performance.
That's not to say the GT50 isn't worth recommending; it's just a tweener whose reputation suffers the tarnish of comparison -- both at the hands of better values like those two, and better performers like its bully of a big brother, the VT50. I love baby G's styling; its feature set is all I could ask for, and its picture quality is among the best of any TV I've tested. Its one seeming advantage over the ST50, a THX mode that promises picture quality similar to a professional calibration, just isn't good enough to be worth the extra money. If you have other priorities however, such as premium design in screen sizes beyond those of the VT50 series, the GT50 still has plenty of appeal.
Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 55-inch Panasonic TC-P55GT50, but this review also applies to the other screen sizes in the series. All sizes have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
| Models in series (details) | |
| Panasonic TC-P50GT50 | 50 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P55GT50 (reviewed) | 55 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P60GT50 | 60 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P65GT50 | 65 inches |
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
I called the VT50 the best-looking Panasonic plasma TV yet, but the GT50 isn't far behind. It eschews the comparatively chintzy transparent edging of the ST50 for metallic, sharp-edged silver that makes a beautiful accent around the thin black bezel. It lacks the VT50's impressive single-pane face, and unfortunately keeps its stand's lame two-tone fade color scheme, but the GT50 still ekes out a minor win over Samsung's excellent plasma designs in my book.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
| Key TV features | ||||
| Display technology | Plasma | LED backlight | N/A | |
| Screen finish | Glossy | Remote | Standard | |
| Smart TV | Yes | Internet connection | Built-in Wi-Fi | |
| 3D technology | Active | 3D glasses included | No | |
| Refresh rate(s) | 96Hz, 60Hz | Dejudder (smooth) processing | Yes | |
| DLNA-compliant | Photo/Music/Video | USB | Photo/Music/Video | |
| Other: Optional 3D glasses (model TY-ER3D4MU, $65 each), Skype camera/speakerphone (TY-CC20W, $125), network camera (wired BL-C210; $199; Wi-Fi BL-C230, $299); compatible with USB keyboards |
The GT50's main step-up over the ST50 comes in the form of two THX picture presets for 2D and a third for 3D. It also has a couple more esoteric PQ-related extras, namely double the "shades of gradation," a 24p smooth mode (not to be confused with a higher refresh rate)," facial retouch" and "pure image creation." The flagship VT50, meanwhile, gets an Infinite Black Ultra Panel, improved louvre filter, 96Hz mode and touch-pad remote that the GT50 lacks.
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Sarah Tew/CNET)
Smart TV: Last year I ranked Panasonic's Smart TV interface, called VieraCast, highest for its simple layout and ease-of-use. The company didn't change much beyond the name -- it's now VieraConnect -- for 2012. I like the ability to easily shuffle the items you want most, like Netflix, into prominent positions. Navigation and app launching was a bit faster than on the ST50, likely thanks to the dual-core processor, but once I was within an app I didn't notice any differences in reaction time. The GT50 also gets "multitasking"; when I hit the tools key a virtual page flips up to reveal the most recently used apps, providing quick access.
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Sarah Tew/CNET)
The Viera Market has a solid selection of apps, although I didn't appreciate having to sign in to an account to download even the free ones. There's also a real shopping section with overpriced Panasonic gear and other sundry hardware like keyboards (which help if you're the one guy who really enjoys tweeting on your TV).
The company says it will add new apps, including a partnership with MySpace touted at CES and an exclusive with Disney digital books, soon. It also offers a remote control app for iOS, Android and Blackberry.
The Web browser is severely limited when you use the standard remote. It's a step below Samsung's and LG's in any case, and of course no TV browser can hold a candle to any phone, tablet, or laptop browser. Clicking over to CNET.com, I found I couldn't navigate down the page until it finished loading, which took forever (about a minute). Entering text via the onscreen keyboard was a painful necessity and lack of no-brainer conveniences like autofill or a single button for ".com" is incredibly annoying. Load times were hit or miss, and while I did get an ad to load at Hulu.com, my video clip didn't arrive at all.
American Airlines is one of a few advertisers that appears on Panasonic TVs' new banner ads.
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Sarah Tew/CNET)
Picture settings: The GT50's THX modes are quite good by default, and unlike on the 65-inch VT50 I reviewed, their light output is not limited overmuch. That's more a function of screen size than any difference between the two series, I'm guessing. Either was I really appreciated that both THX Cinema and THX Bright Room offer basic adjustments -- an improvement over LG's nonadjustable THX.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
Picture quality
There's no meaningful difference between the GT50 and the ST50's picture after both are properly calibrated. Both are outstanding performers, among the best plasma TVs I've ever tested, and just shy of the picture afforded by the much less affordable TC-PVT50 series. Samsung's PNE6500 and PNE8000 scored the same as ST50 and the GT50 in this category, but I'd pick the Panasonics because of their slightly better light output (at least compared with the 60-inch Samsungs).
Samsung PN60E6500 review
The good: The Samsung E6500
plasma TV offers some of the best black levels we've seen at this or
any other price. The TV offers excellent value for money, particularly
the 51-inch model. Its styling mostly lacks ostentation -- apart from
the stand -- and will suit a variety of living spaces. The apps suite is
usable and the Smart TV interface is quick and easy to use.
The bad: Despite
the deep blacks, the E6500 isn't able to get as bright as other TVs and
so contrast suffers ever so slightly. The TV is merciless with noisy
sources and presents them as is.
The bottom line: The Samsung E6500 series is an excellent television that offers classy looks, outstanding picture quality, and a great price.
The Samsung PNE6500 is an excellent television, with all of the features you need and few you don't. In picture quality it's every bit the equal of the phenomenal Panasonic ST50 series. The PNE6500's picture quality is also basically identical to that of its significantly more expensive Samsung stablemate, the flagship PNE8000, with the same performance in key areas such as black levels and color accuracy -- making the E6500 an excellent value.
If you were looking to spend between $1,000 and $1,500 on a videophile-grade TV, the Panasonic TC-P50ST50 and the Samsung PN51E6500 are the two you should be looking at (no LCD comes close -- you'd need to spend a big chunk more on something like the Sony KDL-HX850 to get near this level of picture quality). With online prices only $50 apart for the 50/51-inch versions, which should you choose? Brand loyalty plays a part here, but each TV has its own unique strengths. If you're looking for something a little bigger, the 60-inch models of each will obviously cost you more, but they're still worth consideration at under $2,000.
If I were buying a TV now, I would seriously consider the PNE6500 for its more mature styling and better bright-room performance, but some may prefer the overall contrast boost that the Panasonic ST50's brighter screen is able to bring, or want a 55- or 65-inch option. Regardless, both series offer the best picture quality for the buck on the market today.
| Models in series (details) | |
| Samsung PN51E6500 | 51 inches |
| Samsung PN60E6500 (reviewed) | 60 inches |
The Samsung E6500 features a brushed-plastic bezel and black stand.
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Sarah Tew/CNET)
While Samsung's LEDs have gone the skinny, skinny bezel route, technology dictates that its plasmas still have about an inch between the edge and the screen. While competitor Panasonic is still experimenting with its plasma designs, Samsung is sticking with its template of the last few years. The 6-, 7-, and 8-series plasmas all look the same, and as such the 6500 features a brushed black-plastic bezel and a black "octopus" stand (the other two have silver stands). The effect is understated, and while it's unlikely to win design awards the lack of flashy, reflective surrounds means you can concentrate on the picture.
The TV features a standard remote with a cheerful Smart Hub button in the center. Compared with the minimalism found in some modern remotes, there are plenty of buttons here, but we'd give up simplicity for more functionality in this case.
The remote control looks friendly enough, but we preferred last year's.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
| Key TV features | ||||
| Display technology | Plasma | LED backlight | N/A | |
| Screen finish | Glossy | Remote | Standard | |
| Smart TV | Yes | Internet connection | Built-in Wi-Fi | |
| 3D technology | Active | 3D glasses included | Two pairs | |
| Refresh rate(s) | 96Hz, 60Hz | Dejudder (smooth) processing | No | |
| DLNA-compliant | Photo/Music/Video | USB | Photo/Music/Video | |
| Other: AllShare Play; optional wireless keyboard with touch pad (VG-KBD1000, $99) |
When it comes down to it, the E6500, E7000, and E8000 share nearly identical styling and picture-quality features. All three offer the same Real Black Pro panel, which involves both a change to the panel structure over the previous year and some software improvements.
Unlike the flagship E8000, the 6500 and 7000 are missing Smart Interaction. If you don't need a TV you can talk to or wave at, save yourself a bit of cash and get the E6500 instead. The E7000 and E6500 are almost impossible to tell apart judging from Samsung's Web site; the only noncosmetic differences I can discern are that the E7000 has a dual-core processor and a slightly thinner cabinet: 1.9 inches deep versus 2.2 inches.
Like all 2012 Samsung TVs, the PNE6500 comes with two pairs of active 3D glasses. It's also compatible with the Full HD 3D standard, so it works with other companies' compatible glasses. Check out this comparison for more.
The Smart Hub interface is still a little cluttered in comparison with some rivals'.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
The interface is as easy to use as any of the others, but I prefer the simplicity of the uncluttered Panasonic or Sony interface to this. For me, it's about how easily I can start up Netflix -- and based on some tests among this and other TVs, it works out to about the same amount of time whether you boot into the Smart Hub interface and choose it or use a dedicated Netflix button as on the Sony TVs.
The content selection is very good in terms of major apps, with the exception of Amazon Instant. The extensive app store offers more than the usual amount of trash and treasure.
Samsung offers a Web browser, but using the standard remote control to navigate it isn't the most enjoyable experience. Thankfully, the TV supports the optional $100 Bluetooth keyboard, but as most people now have phones or tablets nearby, there isn't much need for a TV browser anyway.
The TV offers the usual picture controls with 3 main presets.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
The Samsung has three HDMI inputs and two USB inputs.
Ref:reviews.cnet.com
Thanks 60 inch tv store
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