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The Panasonic TC P50G15 explores new ways to enjoy TV, with a variety of link functions like HDMI.
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Technical Details
- 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)
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By Morphie (USA)
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.
By D. Larsen (GA, USA)
We were originally going to purchase the G10, but when the G15 became the most affordable option, we jumped on the chance to join the high-def community. We were amazed at the picture quality of this device! We upgraded from a CRT TV, and were not aware of how far-behind in technology we were. I put a lot of research into what kind of TV to buy (LCD v. Plasma; LED are too pricey) and finally decided Plasma was the one for us: we watch mainly movies and play video games, and we have always darkened the room prior to "serous" watching. I have always thought that blacks are what make a picture, and having read that LCDs cannot achieve a true, deep black (without completely turning off), plasmas were the obvious choice. Panny has certainly done their research, and has developed a plasma TV without the issues of previous generations: the pixel orbiting and screen wash eliminate screen burn-in, the AR filter has reduced glare (we only have issues when light is directly on the screen, but it still delivers a stunning, glare-free picture when the blinds and curtains are open letting tons of sunlight into the room), and the 600 Hz subfield drive creates flawless screen movements without any drag--what more could we ask for?
The EXTRA benefits include:
-Energy-Star rating. Although this is always a priority to us for large appliances, I never really thought about applying to it to electronics. I was unaware of how power-hungry plasmas are, and am relieved that Panny has produced one that is Energy Star approved.
-an SD card reader on the left side (looking at the TV) to watch videos or pictures as a slide-show (although I did not think I would use this feature much, I am looking forward to displaying family photos this holiday season while family and guests are over, and it's fun to go snap a few dozen shots and pop the card from the camera directly into the TV to view them in stunning color on such a large screen!)
-Internet capabilities (the VIERA link still needs lots of work, but I am grateful that the TV has the capability of getting online which should makes firmware upgrades easy; watching youtube videos on the TV is a lot of fun)
-THX certification; although a little 'dark,' the image's colors are very realistic. I think we are used to watching more vivid colors, but after getting past the first initial "color shock," watching the rest of the movie becomes natural and easy on the eye.
-Inputs: I love being able to easily access the input screen while continuing to watch something on the screen (no "cycling"). The inputs' labels are customizable, so the options aren't HDMI 1,2,3 but instead PS3, XBox, BluRay Player, etc. One of the conveniences that are truly appreciated on this TV!
-The TV itself lends itself to being more than just a TV. I feel we have purchased a piece of advanced technology (at an AMAZING price from 6th Ave. electronics) than just another TV. For instance, it has synced with the other HDMI devices, and responds to any of them being turned on by automatically changing the input and picture-setting (to Game mode, which is also great!, it also makes the TV controller work with the other devices, too.
-We do not have a surround system yet, and I was worried about the sound quality of the TV (G10 reviews) but have been pleasantly surprised. No, it is not anything outstanding and a little tinny, but we can hear dialog and music and explosives just fine without adjusting the volume constantly. If this is going directly on the wall, I would stress the use of an alternative sound system (the speakers are on the back of the TV).
-Great viewing angles! I can even see what is on the screen when I walk into the room from the side entrance (unlike the old CRT or LCDs)
-It is also eye candy! The slim design and stylish base creates a gorgeous focal-point in the room, and the bevel fades away into the background which watching TV so it doesn't detract from the viewing experience.
Overall, we are VERY satisfied with this device!
By D. Nakamura
I previously had a SHARP aquous 37" LCD that was getting a bit long in the tooth. I was initially hesitant about switching to plasma given image retention/burn-in issues, but the new Panasonics have gotten such great reviews (seriously, see hdguru to sound and vision) and the prices are so much more reasonable than comparably sized LCD/LED tv's that I had to give it a shot. No regrets here! Color saturation is better, blacks are really really black. I thought that THX might be too dark, but it's really not a problem. With the lights off, it's actually pretty bright. I was worried about certain movies not filling the screen and causing image retention issues after a couple hours, but seriously I'm not doing anything special to prevent it and there is absolutely no IR after hours of use. I also play a lot of videogames. Great color accuracy - it's like looking out a 50" window. I went to WorstBuy the other day and it does not seem as bright or as accurate as the other TV's, but trust me, just take it home and watch it.
PROS:
-Price for performance is outstanding
-Great color accuracy.
-Good brightness and contrast even in THX (despite what other people are saying)
-Really big!
-Deep black levels without loss of detail in the shadows (i.e. no dynamic contrast ratios - which are meaningless)
-Super thin. 2 inches mostly - same thickness as the V10 series.
-VieraCast - eh, whatever.
-No burn-in/IR
-Toslink audio output (but it only outputs 2 channels!). What's the point? Really hifi 2 channel sound?
CONS:
-Not blindingly bright (seriously, if you think this is too dark then you probably have cataracts or live on the sun)
-Not the most energy efficient thing around
-Sorta heavy, but it is 50 inches of TV
-Doesn't have 4 HDMI ports
-The speakers are crap
-Dual pane construction (not as sexy as the single pane Z/V series)
-There is very slight phosphor lag (really really slight)
-Very slight occasional green preference, but generally not a problem
-Besides blu-ray there aren't very many sources that output full 1080p resolution. Not really the TV's fault.
By R. K. Tati (DC)
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.
By J. Plante (Rhode Island, USA)
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.
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