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Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Plasma TV

Fri, Jan 4, 2008

Filed in HDTV

Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Review:

Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 1080p Plasma TV turns your living room into a gallery. The TH-50PZ700U is amazing 1920 x 1080 resolution and 1080p HD display gives you incredible picture quality, superior detail and extraordinary HDTV reproduction. The GalleryPlayer allows you to enjoy the world’s finest high definition art and photography — you’ll get a free collection of high definition images to enjoy right away in your home or office. Purchase and download the images you like, and then play them on your Panasonic HDTV right from your PC. Simply insert the SD card and enjoy a photo slideshow with Photo Viewer. EZ Sync HDAVI Control lets you operate all of your home theater components by pressing a single button on your TV’s remote control.

The Panasonic TH-50PZ700U does not look like it’s trying too hard. Instead, it lets the big screen speak for itself. The glass is surrounded by a thick glossy black bezel on all sides, with a door on the bottom to keep controls out of sight. Another hatch hides a slot for SD memory cards. Speakers–matching in color and barely noticeable–are set on both sides of the display. The understated look would be an elegant addition to any decor.

Outstanding Performance
The Panasonic TH-50PZ700U is 1080p, meaning it has a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest HD resolution available for the clearest and sharpest picture. Because of its plasma display, the black levels are deep and the uniformity of brightness is superb. The TH-50PZ700U has 4096 shades of gradation and has up to a 5000:1 contrast ratio. Video noise reduction circuitry and a digital comb filter make sure the picture on screen is always optimal. The Panasonic TH-50PZ700U will upconvert any signal you feed it and display it at 1080p.

Connections
On the back, the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U features two HDMI inputs, two component inputs, two composite inputs, and two S-Video inputs. Hidden beneath panels in front is another composite and S-Video input, a component video input, and a slot for SD cards. Insert an SD card filled with photos and you can watch a slide show with the built-in Photo Viewer software.

TV as an Art Gallery
The Panasonic TH-50PZ700U includes GalleryPlayer software you can use to display high-definition art and photography on your TV. A free collection of images is included so your television can display art even when it’s not on.

One-Touch Convenience
When you use the Panasonic EZ-Sync technology to connect to other compatible EZ-Sync devices via the HDMI connector, you get one-touch control over all your home theater components. For example, with one touch of a button, you can turn on the DVD player, turn on the receiver, and set the DVD player as the source while also adjusting the sound level, turn on the TV–which will accept the input signal–and play the DVD. Instead of fumbling to find all the right buttons, you can watch your movies without wondering how to set everything up.

Have had the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U for one month now. Fantastic TV that delivers vibrant real life pictures when paired with HD programming. I watched Jay Leno’s Tonight Show in HD and was blown away by the picture clarity and color reproduction. The TH-50PZ700U’s built-in speakers deliver superb audio and I watch most shows without turning on my receiver.

I am a perfectionist for looks, picture clarity and an audiophile. I think the TV scores exceedingly well on all three grounds in my books. The look with the black piano finish is stunning. The TH-50PZ700U’s remote is very user friendly and very comfy to hold.

The only thing buyers should consider is, plasma tv’s in general are not good handlers of glare caused by light sources. This is becuase of their glossy screens. This is true for any plasma. The anti reflective coating in this TV is not very effective - I had to draw my blinds and curtains to watch glare free during the day. Again, this is an issue only of you have a window directly opposite to your TV. If glare is a challenge for you, go for an LCD TV. I also own a Samsung 40″LCD (Samsung-LNT4065F-1080p-LCD-HDTV) in our Dining room that has a lot of light coming in. It handles the glare with ease and delivers equally good picture quality.

I think this Panasonic TH-50PZ700U TV was well worth the investment and I am extremely pleased with my purchase. If you are looking to buy a 50″ plasma, this is your best bet on all counts!

—– By Siva Kolappa

Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Features