Outstanding Performance
The unit 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 TH-50PZ700U will upconvert any signal you feed it and display it at 1080p. The 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.

An Understated Beauty
The 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.

Connections
Hidden beneath panels in front is another composite and S-Video input, a component video input, and a slot for SD cards. On the back, the TH-50PZ700U features two HDMI inputs, two component inputs, two composite inputs, and two S-Video inputs. 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 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
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. 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. Instead of fumbling to find all the right buttons, you can watch your movies without wondering how to set everything up. The TH-50PZ700U is backed by a 1-year limited warranty for parts and labor.

What’s in the Box
TH-50PZ700U plasma HDTV, remote control (with batteries), AC cord, pedestal, two cable clamper, and antenna adapter.

Product Description
Its amazing 1920 x 1080 resolution and 1080p HD display gives you incredible picture quality, superior detail and extraordinary HDTV reproduction. Panasonic’s TH-50PZ700U 1080p Plasma TV turns your living room into a gallery. 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. Up to 5000 - 1 contrast ratio Progressive Scan Motion adaptive 3D-Y/C Digital Comb Filter Video Noise Reduction Four speakers with BBE ViVA HD3D sound; 31W output power Surround Sound NTSC/ATSC/QAM Tuners SD Card slot Anti-reflective coating Inputs - Component Audio (2 rear), Component Video Y/Pb/Pr (2 rear), PC Audio, PC Input, Mini D-sub 15-pin (rear), Audio in (2 rear, 1 front), S-Video (2 rear, 1 front), Outputs - Optical Digital Audio (1), Audio (1 rear), Composite Video (1 rear) HDMI-HDCP Interface (2 rear) EZ Sync HDAVI Control via HDMI interface (2 rear) Onscreen display languages - English/Spanish/French V-Chip Built-in closed captioning decoder Sleep/On/Off timer Video input labeling Includes pedestal stand Dimensions(HxWxD) - 31.6 x 49.9 x 5.5 Weight - 105.8 lbs.

Testimonials:

We just bought this product a few weeks ago from Amazon for $2139 plus $199 shipping. Finally after weeks of comprehensive evaluation, and several returns we found the best 50″ 1080p. We first got persuaded by a Best Buy sales person on the Samsung LN-T5263F 52″ LCD - turned out the glass screen showed off too much glare from our windows. And the non-high-def channels were not that great. Plus it showed off too much snow on deep /dark colors(video noise). Then we tried the Toshiba Regza 52″ LCD. While the glare was mostly gone, the noise (snow) was worse. So that went back too. Then we thought about the Sony 52″ LCD - beautiful TV but it would not fit our space (too much frame width) and the blacks were just not black enough. So I came to the conclusion that even the 1080p LCDs were just not ready for my very particular video requirements. The black levels are just not there yet and the snow on large LCDs is still quite pronounced.

So I went back to Plasma. Evaluated the Samsung 1080p 50″ vs. this Panasonic. Although very nice and bright, the Samsung showed more picture noise and the non-high def channels would show shadows. Then we saw the Panasonic and fell in love with that. I must say this is the best it gets today. And for $2139 bucks it is a steal compared to what you got for that 4 years ago. We also bought the latest Panasonic Blu-Ray player from Amazon. Just WOW WOW WOW. The picture on the 1080p and the uncompressed audio puts anything else to shame. We watched the latest James Bond movie in total amazement. As to the glare from the windows - we settled to darken the room with room darkening shades as opposed to losing out on brightness and contrast with LCDs. And the audio on the Panasonic when you use the HDMI cable is superb - much better than the Samsung.

Bottom line - if you really care about the picture and you are an early adopter like me - don’t worry about ambient lighting. Fix that problem with room darkening shades instead of compromising with an LCD. The days of Plasma are definitely not over - they have become much better now at overall life and do not have any burn-in. And how many of us have time to watch TV during the daylight hours anyway to worry about that glare ?

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This Panasonic Plasma HDTV is simply an incredible product. The picture quality stands out as nothing short of impressive. I found this HDTV to strike the perfect balance between excellent quality and price. After months of searching for a quality product to invest my money in, this HDTV does not disappoint.

While there has been some history of people expressing concern about the picture brightness of plasma flat-panels (i.e. being too dim), I have found this Panasonic to provide ample brightness of picture. As a matter of fact, a description in my house of the picture is how the colors “glow.” Of course this is referring the the brighter colors. This leads me to another aspect of the picture, the darker colors. This is where this plasma really stands out. The darker colors are well defined with deep blacks. The grays and blacks are well delineated. For someone who likes to view a lot of movies, the strength of it’s display of darker colors is something that I have found impressive. Additionally, the plasma is excellent in it’s display of motion. For a sports fan, such as myself, this plasma does an excellent job of displaying the motion of sports.

Also of note with this plasma is that the performance of the speakers turned out to be a pleasant surprise. One of my wife’s first comments about this Panasonic was the good quality of sound from it’s speakers.

After having this Panasonic for about 4 months, I’ve had no problems with this product and have found it to be free of defects.

While I’ve spent much time providing a “glowing” review of this set, I’ll turn to any perceived weaknesses. They are few, and I almost have to search for them.

One of the main weaknesses that I found is the need for tender, love & care that the plasma requires. Specifically, plasmas can be at danger for screen “burn-in” by leaving a static image on the screen for too long. While I have not had any burn-in problems, I do remain vigilant about not leaving the tv on while unattended. At least this helps me to save on my electricity bill as these HDTVs are known to be energy hogs. As a precaution, I do not leave letterbox shows on the screen for hours uninterrupted. My complaint regarding this weakness is that the manual mentions image retention/screen burn-in, but the manual does not clearly define the length of time before there is danger of burn-in.

One last weakness that I found is that there are only 2 HDMI connection ports. While that is just enough for me, it would be nice to have an extra just in case.

In conclusion, I am extremely impressed with this Panasonic plasma. I am really glad that I choose this set, and my family and I get much enjoyment out of it. I view this set as being worth every penny that I paid for it. Panasonic has won me over.

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