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Panasonic on
12 13th, 2009 |
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The Panasonic TC P50G15 explores new ways to enjoy TV, with a variety of link functions like HDMI.
- 49.9″ screen (measured diagonally)
- widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio
- built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required)
Price:Too low to display
HDTV Price Comparisons
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Like many if you, I have researched (a pompous term, is it not?) and procrastinated over the purchase of a flat screen. My first foray into the chromatic hornet’s nest was a 32″ Sharp LCD. This was a nice product (for which I submitted a fine, prose review); however, it was too small. With the advent of high resolution source material and HD (1080i &p), a large screen (50″ or larger) is a fine addition even for a medium size room.
The first decision: Plasma or LCD? By the way: I am not dismissing rear projection. There are still some splendid sets out there. Indeed I have a 42″ Mitsubishi that I am quite fond of. However, it is an older technology that may, in some cases, be more maintenance intensive.
Back to Plasma/LCD: In large screen formats, Plasma is the more mature technology. To be sure, LCD’s have been utilized for years for computer screens; however, we are dealing with 15″, 17″, etc. In addition, many large screen LCD’s (40″ and up) are made in the same factory (names changed to protect the innocent). This is, I believe, more in the nature of trivia than something that is relevant to a purchase. It allows the egocentric among us to demonstrate his command of useless facts (c’est moi).
Consequently, for a number of reasons, Plasma’s are less expensive, especially when you get to the 40″ + sizes. This may change as LCD’s drop in price; however, for now the difference is noticeable.
Enough of frugality, you say: get to the point. If you insist. I like Plasma. To my eye it is more natural and a pleasure to watch. I went through the usual routine:
-Take your own source material: DVD, Blu-ray, etc. If you are not going to watch Blu-ray, do not test it as such. You will be watching 1080p transmission, which is the highest possible quality on these sets. Even HD TV is “only” 1080i. Therefore, if you fall in love with a 1080p demo’d set at a dealer and you will watch 1080i or, more likely, 480 transmissions at home, a divorce will be forthcoming (from the TV set, not your spouse. Maybe.)
-Stores usually are much brighter than your home, on the order of noon day Sun vs. Twilight (not the teen flick, the lumens). Accordingly, the sets are on “Vivid” or another high color/contrast mode. However, take heart: most can be adjusted to your heart’s content, in the privacy of your own dwelling. Thus, you may curse in private whereas you will be restrained in public. Seriously, it is not that difficult to find a happy medium (the smiling lady at the seance).
-One pragmatic point:if you buy a quality product (”buy quality and you will only cry once”) you are going to be quite pleased, once you get it home. The side by side comparisons, which are psychologically necessary, are completely irrelevant once you are alone with your flat panel. Why? Because you have nothing to compare it to. The overall quality of most of the Plasma’s and LCD’s (Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, etc) is so good that differences, while not unimportant, recede into the subconscious within 10 seconds of start up. Does that mean that comparison shopping is worthless? Of course not, silly. Why do you think I am wasting your time writing this?
-As regards the Panasonic 50″ G15: This is a splendid product with a magnificent picture. Glare is not a problem. Color adjustment was simple and speedy. I started with THX (a bit too dark for my taste), went to standard and upped contrast and brightness a bit. Your results may differ. However, do not be reticent to experiment. Also, do not panic: if all else fails, hit “restore default”.
-A word on sound: no one should be complaining about the sound eminating from the set: if you are going to spend $1,000 or more on a TV, invest in a reasonably priced pair of speakers and an amp/integrated amp/receiver. You want Donald Duck to sound like himself; or, perhaps, you like Brad Pitt sounding like Donald? If the latter, keep the stock speakers.
In essence, this is a superb product that will give you years of pleasure. You will miss work and family outings for the NFL, Daytona 500, Indy and The Masters. National productivity will go down the tubes. However, it will be for a good cause.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is my first HDTV so I always wanted to buy the best in the market. I’ve read lot of reviews and finally settled for this TV. To my surprise this exceeds all my expectations. I must say that this piece is a visual treat, the colors are very natural and crisp. Now I feel so happy to wait so loooong before I settle on this beauty. I’ve not explored all the options so can not comment how the viera cast, THX etc works.
Rating: 4 / 5
I’ve owned the G15 for a few weeks. Was VERY excited to get it but now that it’s actually on the wall? Eh. Other reviewers rave about the colors but I just don’t see it. I think the THX setting is too dark for average viewing (great for Batman Returns and other ‘dark’ movies but not great for general HD television viewing). I compare this to my friend’s Samsung LN52a750 and I think their set is clearly superior. Their blacks match up to the G15’s blacks but their screen is brighter and their colors are truer than mine. I have a week and half to decide to return it and I just might. I write this review because all the research pointed to the G15 being a monster set for the price and I guess it comes down to plasma and LCD being VERY different viewing experiences. I was coming from a Sony Wega (tubed) set (gorgeous pic but only a 34″ screen and the set is huge in the room) and didn’t go by store displays because they are all on vivid. I went by research. Everything pointed to plasma being a superior picture but I don’t see it. I wish I did. I tried out of the box settings, I tried CNET calibration settings – none ‘wow’ me. Point being: check out sets of all your friends, relatives and neighbors to see what you like best.
Rating: 3 / 5
This is one of the best TVs that you can get with a reasonable price. Colors, contrast, refreshing rate are awesome. It is much more better than the LCD and LED TVs. Youtube and amazon video connection is really handy. without buying an appletv you can watch stuff on youtube and rent HD movies on amazon.If it has a blockbusters or netflix connection that would be better tho. It has a build in network card and gets its own IP. It also gives you information about the stock market and weather forecast with this vierra function. In summary video capabilities are much more better than the other tvs on the market.( the ones under 3k) The only negative thing that I can count is the audio. Godddd!!! I dont know why the hell they put those piece of …t speakerphones in this wonderful tv but they are really horrible. My portable ipod speakerphone is definitely better than those.
There is no need to spend to more money on the other models. This is better and cheaper.GO FOR IT!!!
Rating: 5 / 5
I looked forever for a new TV that 1.did not pixilate 2. fairly inexpensive, looked decent. I looked forever at lcd, leds, and plasma- I finally picked this one becuse a friend just got a LG plasma and it looked awesome. I took this one because it WAS on sale and had free shipping- plus the reviews were tops everywhere I looked. It shipped a little slower than I had hoped,(it was free so….) but arrived in one piece- he box was not damaged at all. Got it set up on the wall and hooked up. It looks great! The picture is fantastic. Of coure standard tv does not look great- but show me a lcd/led/plasma that does. HD looks super. I have had only the SLIGHTEST pixilation- by that I mean watching a football game with super fast pan- but that was over the air signal and the pixles were much smaller than and lcd I have seen. It just seems it does not do it nearly like a lcd. It does have a “partialy” matte screen. It is NOT shiny glass- but still have some reflection- mine is in a room with many windows/lights and I have had no issue- I DO think its lightly matte screen does help alot.
Cons: these are my isues with it- not enough to keep me from buying it again. The sound- good god, what the he11 was panasonic thinking, the sound is terrible. Down firing hollow/tinny speakers- obviously, most people use their own surround and this completley fixes the issue, but I am not set up for that yet so am stuck with crap for sound. Maybe its just me- it is OK, and very watch/listenable, but should be much better than it is. This may be better if it was on its stand and the sound reflected more than I am doing a it- its on the wall shooting down into a 24×24 room (our chairs are near the TV).
It does kick off some heat, but not as much as I expected. I think this one is rated somehow more efficient than previous ones
I give this TV a 4 ONLY for the sound- everything else is 5-star
Rating: 4 / 5