Panasonic TH 50PX75U 50 Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

Are you ready for superior digital and HDTV? The Panasonic TH-50PX75U HD Plasma TV does more than turn your living room into a home-theater -- it also makes it an art gallery. The high-definition, Progressive Scan 50" display creates intense colors and the sharpest images. Its vibrancy and clarity also brings out the best in your personal photos - the built-in SD slot and GalleryPlayer software lets you play your favorite works of art, or best personal photos, on your Panasonic HDTV from your PC. The new EZ Sync HDAVI Control lets you operate all of your home theater components by pressing a single button on your remote. Gorgeous images and one-touch controls - it's a combination that's hard to beat, and the Panasonic TH-50PX75U HD Plasma TV delivers. Displays up to 29 billion colors Two built-in 10 Watt stereo speakers (10W+10W, 70 Hz-17 kHz, 10% THD) Motion Adaptive 3D-Y/C Digital Comb Filter Virtual Surround Sound, AI (Artificial Intelligence) Sound Built-in NTSC Analog / ATSC QAM Digital Tuner (for HDTV and Digital Cable) Video Noise & Motion Pattern Noise Reduction Aspect Control for TV/AV modes - 4 - 3, Zoom, Full, Just, H-Fill Picture Modes - Vivid, Standard, Cinema, Custom-Photo SD Card slot for JPEG photo viewing; includes GalleryPlayer software V-Chip Lockout Sleep/On-Off timers Closed Caption decoder Video input labeling & picture memory Channel search On-screen display languages - English, Spanish, French Includes pedestal stand EZ Sync HDAVI Remote Control (through HDMI interface) Input Connections - HDMI-HDCP, analog audio(HDMI), Composite video, S-Video, audio in(for video), Component(Y/Pb/Pr) -- 2 rear each Output Connections - Composite video, audio out, Digital Audio (optical) -- 1 rear each Dimensions(WxHxD) - 47.7 x 31.3 x 3.8 (47.7 x 33.1 x 14.6) Weight - 83.8 lbs; 99.2 lbs. with stand

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Best TV for your money!
I have had this TV for over a month now and I love it. It replaced a dead Mitsubishi 52" DLP that was only 2.5 years old that cost twice as much. After my last mistake, I did much research before buying.

What I found in all my reading is simply this.

1. Unless you just have to keep up with the Jones, all you really need is 720P. Use your money to go bigger. Blueray is the only source that truly takes advantage of 1080P. Add in the cost of the moves, it is not worth it.

2. No matter what make and model you read about, someone, somewhere has written a bad review of it. You will go crazy looking for a TV that everyone agrees is a good buy.

With that said; I finally came to my senses and went to Consumer Reports.com for good advice. The Panasonic TH-50PX75U received the CR Best Buy award. I've had good luck with other Panasonic products so the answer was clear.

I couldn't be happier with the decision. The picture is absolutely beautiful even if watching non-HD programming. The sound is excellent. Most importantly the price was very easy on the wallet. Throw in no taxes and free shipping, what a deal! Oh, but wait, with the 30 day price guarantee, I saved even more.

Stop thinking about it and just do it. This is the best TV on the market for the price.

5 Stars Total satisfaction
The performance of this HDTV has been flawless. I chose to not get a 1080p set to save a little money, and this set has proven my decision right. I base that on the observation that at 9 feet away, where I sit, I cannot see the individual pixels. In fact, I have to be less than 4 feet to see them on this 50" screen. Be prepared, though, if you're new to HDTV sets. While your old analog set had almost nothing to adjust, these HD sets have many adjustments and settings. The manual is quite good, however. If you do need help, their customer service line answers quickly and the folks will talk you through it. Another plus for me was that "Consumer Reports" rates Panasonic HDTVs as the most reliable.

1 Star Two Panasonic Lemon's in a row
Panasonic TH-50PX75U 50" 720p Plasma HDTV

I got this Plasma as a replacement from Circuit City for my first Panasonic 50" plasma TV that I paid $3200 for. The previous plasma's HDMI input went bad after 1 1/2 years. I have had this new TV for just 6 months and now the same thing has happened to this one. The screen just went green when using HDMI. It took 6 weeks and a lot of hassle to get the first replacement from Circuit City. One of the clerks there told me you have to complain for a month before they will replace the TV.

5 Stars Incredible picture, awesome value
This TV is stunning! I connected it to DirectTV yesterday...just watched Star Wars Episode 1 broadcast in HD...amazing...picture was so good I almost actually liked Jar-Jar.

I investigated HDTVs thoroughly before buying- here's how I picked this one.

(1) Plasma vs. LCD. In this price range, the picture's better on plasma TVs, hands-down. LCDs are brighter and have more contrast, but that comes with a big sacrifice in terms of the amount of details visible in the image. The image is more lifelike and shows more detail on the plasma displays. Burn-in and screen life are much less of a concern with today's plasmas and should really no longer be used as a reason to go LCD.

(2) Panasonic. The only plasma TVs with better images than Panasonic are the Pioneers, but those are way too expensive. The image just looks better than other plasmas...deeper blacks, more realistic colors, more details visible.

(3) 720p. This was the toughest decision. I was really on the fence between 1080p and 720p. 1080p is obviously the higher resolution, and in this line-up the 1080p TVs have a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio as opposed to the 15,000:1 for the 720p. However, these are just specs on paper; the HD channels only broadcast in 1080i or 720 p anyway, so it doesn't make a difference when watching TV. I haven't bought a blu-ray player yet and probably won't until the prices come down some more...so there's no advantage for me yet in DVDs. Finally, in reality, I am sitting about 8-9 feet away from the TV in my living room...at that distance, the difference between 720p and 1080p is not really noticeable anyway...even you have Blu-ray. So given these factors, I went with 720p because the cost difference was about $500.

Some people have complained about the reflection/glare on the screen on this TV. At night (when I watch TV), there's not much reflection when the TV is on (I watch in cinema mode)- in dark parts of the screen you can sometimes get a bit of reflection, but it's not any different than that what you get with a regular CRT TV, and it doesn't detract from the viewing experience.

I ordered from Amazon- the TV was shipped and arrived right on time. Spent this weekend watching...the HD channels look great on the 50 inch display. I also bought an HDMI-DVI cable and was able to very easily hook up my laptop to the TV- used the laptop to watch DVDs, and even Youtube looked good at 50 inches! I highly recommend this TV to anyone. You won't go wrong.

5 Stars pictures a thousand words, so look at picture
great HDTV, stop looking

all the other reviews say it all.

I am so pleased I bought this beauty.

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Samsung PN50A450 50 Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

50" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * high-gloss black finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 1365 x 768 pixels * 30,000:1 contrast ratio (1,000,000:1 dynamic) * 175?(H) x 175?(V) viewing angle *

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Big Bank for the Buck
Big TV, low price, great color, great blacks... if you want to save some money and hold off on getting the 1080p television, you can't go wrong with this 720p monster. And the white glove delivery service was 10 times better than hauling it home from the local electronics store.

5 Stars Great
It's simply a great TV, I compared it to my friends 52 1080 LCD Touch Of Red Samsung, and not even for a moment did I regret this purchase.

Phenomenal value/price ratio!

Just be aware of burn in limitations of Plasma TV (zoom in picture when watching 4:3) and have your brightness/contrast settings on 50% or less, an you will be very happy! I had it for over 3 months now and no problems at all.

4 Stars AMENDED: If you think you need 1080P in a 50 inch think again !
Coming from the graphics industry I've always known the spec wars are total ego feeders. At 50 inches 720P is fantastic. 65 inches in the same room and you would be able to see the difference of a 1080P. But not at this size.

If you want amazing HD that is so sharp it will make your eyes bleed... this is your set !

If you want a TV that displays the free HD Cable channels your cable provider provides WITHOUT a cable box... this is the set.

If you want a set not too big to still watch your SD DVD collection... this is the set.

If you buy products based on proper spec for the format rather than EGO... this is your set.

If you don't already own a surround system and want a reasonable cost system... Buy at least a nice self powered computer speaker system though cause the speakers on this set stink. I recommend the Logitech THX rated 5500 series DOLBY/DTS surround with optical input. In a small living room this will rock the couch at $200.

Amazon's delivery was 2 days early... called for an appointment... showed up on time.

UPDATE (10/31/2008): I almost want to remove a star. I want to keep my system simple. Have a PC Media Center and a DVD player connected via HDMI. TV has an Optical Out so a single connection for my sound from TV to Surround system seems to be indicated for TV, DVD or PC watching.

WRONG... This TV will pass my Cable TV 5.1 digital sound to the Surround system. But it limits DVD & PC to 2 channel stereo only. I am now forced to have independent sound connections to audio system. Every time you change a source you need to do it twice. This just should not be the case. The HDMI should carry sound to the TV and TV should pass it through the optical interface that I paid for.

WORK AROUNDS... Buy a HDMI switcher that I should not need to buy. Or buy a programmable remote and spend two days setting it up to run all my devices and teach it to change video source on TV and Audio source on Audio system simultaneously.

BOTTOMLINE... The TV should allow digital sound to pass through the HDMI to the Optical Output on the TV. Why they thought passing through 5.1 for a cable TV channel matters more than passing through digital audio for our HD & DVD sources is beyond my understanding. I'm disappointed.

5 Stars Great Flat Screen TV For The Money!!!
I looked at all the TV's, both plasma and LCD in the $1,500 or less price range. The Samsung PN-50A450 is the best TV for the money. I would have to give Panasonic Viera plasma the number 2 spot, but I have yet to find it in a 50" for $999 with free shipping and no tax. The Samsung's picture was better than the Panasonic Viera's when looking at them side by side. The Vizio is not even an option anymore since you can get the Samsung for less than $1000. I am extremely satisified with my purchase and my friends can't believe I got a TV this size with a picture this good for what I paid for it. Also, pay the extra $$ and get the HD package from your cable company. It makes night and day difference. I don't even watch the non-HD channels anymore.

1 Star Really Upset over this TV
We had this Samsung 92 days.......and now burn in? Already? The manual states no fixed images more than 5% of the time? well, every station out there has their logo fixed to the screen.

I am really disappointed and mad, feel the tv was just a waste of money.

Have burn in on the bottom and on the left side.

Nice picture though but not worth it if it gets burn in only after 90 days. I also own a 32" Samsung HD LCD that I have in the bedroom, really makes me wonder if it will do the same. The manual for that says the same thing about burn in/image retention......waaaaaa!

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Vizio VP322HDTV10A 32 Class Plasma HDTV

VIZIO redefines High Definition Plasma television technology with the new VP322, 32" HDTV. The VP322 is wrapped outside with a beautiful piano black bezel that fits any decor in the house, while inside you will be thrilled with the superior picture quality plasma television offers. The VP322 offers natural color reproduction displaying more than 16 Million plasma colors and amazing 30,000:1 contrast ratio for blacker blacks and whiter whites.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Cheap on price, not performance.
I bought this from Walmart not Amazon but this tv contends with others nearly double the price. I thought they would try to cheap out and give one HDMI port because of the low cost but it has three! Great for connecting cable/sat, dvd player and a gaming console all at once. For those that dont know much about hdtv's HDMI is the best connection from a device to the tv. It has NO quality loss in the process unlike a Component connection. HDMI also carrys audio in the same wire cutting down on sloppy wires in a tangled mess. The picture quality is equal to Sony and other major brands I seen side by side in stores. Only thing negative I can think of is the remote has two UGLY buttons, the volume and channel. But not buying this tv for a tiny cosmetic problem on the remote is crazy. I wouldnt normally give anything five stars but with what Vizio gives you in comparison with the price they get it.

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Flat Panel LCD Plasma HDTV Accessory Outfit for 40 to 70 INCH Sets AFLATTV70K1

Flat Panel LCD/Plasma HDTV Accessory Outfit for 40 to 70-INCH Sets AFLATTV70K1

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Samsung HPS6373 63 Inch Plasma HDTV

No matter how you look at it, Samsung's TrueWide HP-S6373 63" Plasma HDTV with digital cable-ready tuner outperforms the competition. Even in a brightly lit room, images remain glare-free and crisp from every angle thanks to Samsung's patented FilterBright Plus technology. Billions of colors and the 10,000:1 contrast ratio capture every nuance. Rich surround sound completes this extraordinary entertainment experience.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star A completely inferior large-screen plasma
I ordered this item from Amazon and was really excited for its arrival. Amazon's service was top-notch (as usual) and I had the TV in just a few days.

And that was the end of anything positive.

I really can't tell you how disappointed I was in this plasma.

Firstly, the picture quality is well below that of the competition. It does an extremely poor job with standard definition broadcasts and even HD broadcast don't look great. No matter how I adjusted the set, I couldn't get a realistic color setting. It seems the only choices are "too red", "too blue", and "too green". Ughh...

Secondly, the build quality leaves much to be desired. The TV comes delivered with a rotating stand that seemed like a nice feature as my room won't allow wall-mounting. But owing to the fact that the stand is mostly plastic, it does not provide adequate support for the TV and the end result is that the TV does not stay level in the stand. In fact, the left side of my screen was a full 3/4 of an inch lower than the right side. It was very noticeable.

Finally, if you are someone who enjoys watching standard definition programs in a wide-screen format, you're in for a rude awakening. As you probably know, almost all manufacturers include a picture setting that expands the picture on the right and left screen edges while leaving the center of the screen untouched. Samsung calls this setting "panoramic" (others call it justified, etc.). Well guess what? Even though this is the flagship product in the Samsung plasma line, Samsung made the decision to leave this screen setting off of this TV. If you're watching a standard definition program your only options are putting up with the left and right side black bars, a zoom setting that cuts off the top and bottom of the picture, or a full-screen option that leaves you with the dreaded "fat head" syndrome.

When I first saw this 63" plasma at this relatively low price, I thought it seemed to good to be true. Turns out it was. Spend a couple grand more and get yourself the Panasonic 65" 1080P model. That's what I did and I couldn't be happier.

5 Stars Amazing Plasma TV
I ordered this TV through Amazon/ButterflyPhoto. To be honest I was a bit concerned that I would have issues with the delivery. Come to find out, my fears were completely unfounded. I had an excellent experience. I ordered it on a Monday and it was in my living room on Wednesday.

The TV itself is amazing--despite what one other reviewer had to say about it. It comes on the swivel stand, which is rather sturdy and bears the weight of the TV rather well.

The picture is amazing--even on non-high def channels. I had a Sony HDTV prior to this and with this TV it is as if I had never truly seen High Def programming. The non-HD signal on regular digital channels are as good as the HD picture on the Sony and the HD signal on the Samsung is incomparable!

I thought that I would not like the fact that the TV does not have a wide-zoom option for picture size, but it is not an issue. Leaving the TV in 16:9 aspect ratio is fine--it is hardly noticeable.

5 Stars Excellent Plasma
I originally purchased a 56" Samsung 1080p DLP (HL-S5687W) from Amazon. Unfortunately, I was one of the few who could see the rainbow effect of the single chip DLP color wheel. The rainbows were very distracting and I couldn't live with the set.

Amazon couldn't do anything for me such as exchanging the set for a different model. Fortunately, Samsung was willing to work with me and gave me the option to exchange/upgrade for a different set. I chose to go with the HP-S6373 and couldn't be happier.

I am really into picture quality, and this set has the best that I've seen anywhere. I had a 65" CRT RPTV for about three and a half years, and although it was ISF calibrated, the Samsung plasma looks much nicer. When I decided to get a new HDTV about five months ago, I went through two Sony 1080p SXRDs (KDS-60A2000), both ended up having green blob problems. Then I tried the Samsung DLP, which had the rainbow effect that I mentioned earlier. I spent so much time researching HDTVs, and the Sony and Samsung models that I had tried were arguable two of the best sets available at the time (I spent way too much time at the AVS Forum).

Anyhow, I am very happy with the Samsung HP-S6373. It minimizes two of the big concerns that people have with plasmas - glare and burn in - by using FilterBright Plus and automatic pixel shift technology. You can still see some reflection in a brightly lit room, but there is no silk screen effect (SSE), which was very noticeable on the SXRD and DLP. I'd rather have a little glare instead of SSE.

Both the Sony SXRD and Samsung DLP are 1080p sets. I understand why the higher resolution is important, especially for 1080i/1080p material but I can honestly tell you that my 1366 x 768 plasma looks much nicer than either 1080p set. Granted this may be due to my 12 foot viewing distance, but ultimately the best picture is up to the viewer and a 1080p sticker doesn't necessarily mean that the picture quality of one set is better than another.

I constantly found myself tweaking the Sony SXRD and Samsung DLP sets to get the best picture. I used service and user menu tweaks and recommended settings from Cnet and the AVS Forum, but was never completely satisfied. The HP-S6373 plasma didn't look so hot out of the box either, but after setting it to movie mode (with no other adjustments), it looks amazing.

It's probably not completely fair to compare RPTVs to a plasma, but I am just providing my opinion based on the sets that I've had. Another reviewer mentions that the build quality leaves much to be desired. I haven't owned any other plasmas, but compared to the RPTVs that I've owned, this set is pretty solid. The TV is level in the stand, so perhaps the reviewer had a bad stand.

The only annoyance I have with the set is that I can hear a slight buzzing noise when the volume is muted and a bright image is displayed. I can't hear it from where I sit and haven't noticed it during normal viewing. I just read complaints about buzzing on some of the Samsung 50" sets, so I was listening for it. I have to get within a couple feet of the set to hear it, and like I mentioned, it's only audible on bright images. Compared to the much more significant green blob and rainbow problems that I had on previous sets - this is a non issue.

Sorry to write so much, I just figured that I would share my experience incase anybody else has had as much trouble as I've had finding an HDTV that they are happy with. Most people (including my wife) would have been completely happy with the Sony SXRD or Samsung DLP.

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