Panasonic's TH-50PZ700U plasma becomes 'best ever tested'

While we've seen Consumer Reports take a gander at a number of HDTVs before, it's been a tick (or maybe "forever" is more fitting) since it's seen "the best flat screen ever tested." Believe it or not, Panasonic's 50-inch TH-50PZ700U plasma was actually the recipient of such sensational praise, and such luxuries as the 1080p resolution (oooh) and its ability to "reproduce the finest details, rich vibrant colors and deep blacks" (aaah) apparently set it way ahead of the pack. Additionally, the screen was so impressive that reviewers actually stated that it "lent an almost three-dimensional look to images," which we figured was only possible with a pair of truly gaudy glasses. Welp, guess we all know which HDTV you're getting next, eh?

[Paul NB @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:30AM]

Not I. Although the Panny plasma was initially tops on my list, I enjoy gaming and some sports too much to risk image retention. I know permanent burn-in is no longer a factor with the new plamas, but from what I've read on HDTV forums, this plasma still needs to be treated with too much TLC. So, I'm going the LCD route, with either the Samsung 5271 or Sony 52"XBR4.

I like Consumer Reports, and often consult their reviews. However, I think that the type of tv one buys depends on the purpose. That said, I thing the CR reviews are too generalized, imho.

[Ricksta @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:51AM]

Sammy is the way to go! Top products at great prices. Panasonic... meh.

[david @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:54AM]

I love my Sammy 4665f, nice TV. But I hear those Pioneer Kuro's are rated the best, at least a few hours ago they were (per engadget blog).

[bob cobb @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:54AM]

Breaking a plasma in for the first 100 hours is too much tlc? I'm willing to do that to get the best picture quality for the money. The only comparable tv is the pioneer elite, but thats out of my price range.

[Jeremy @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:39AM]

I picked up a 50PZ700U in August - I started the break-in DVD for about 20 hours, then just got lazy.

Since then, I've been playing games (up to 5 hours at a time), movies, tv, and there has yet to be any burn-in. period. Sofar, I have no complaints. I was worried at first about picking up a plasma, but now I don't worry about it at all. I just make sure not to leave any image paused on the screen for long periods of time.

[Jack Storm @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:29PM]

try the samsung 5281! awesome LED's :-D

[riggs @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:45PM]

panny's and pioneers > sammy's by a million. i dont know what weed youre all smoking but samsung is near the bottom of the pile.

[L.M.L.Y.P @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:56PM]

71 samsung is amazing. id stick with that one over the panasonic anyday. that panasonic is pretty good also but the xbr 4 and 71s are just too amazing to ignore.

[roger_huston @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:05PM]

I got the XBR4 over the Sammy. I checked it out in several higher end places to a man everyone recommended the Sony over the Sammy. While the Sammy has a great picture, the Sony seems to be a better overall set.

After using it for a couple of weeks. I love the set. I also got a playstation 3 for Blue-Ray and DVD upscaling and everything works beautifully together.

In the end, either way you go you won't be sorry, just be aware that the XBR4 will work better in a light room with lots of reflections as the Sammy fronts are all glass.

-Roger

[Chris @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:41PM]

I game on my Panny plasma for hours on end and have no image retention at all. If you actually care about picture quality then this is a spectacular TV.

[Jesse S @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:47AM]

I thought that the Sharp Aquos series of LCD's had the best black levels, and color reproduction?

[MDB @ Oct 5th 2007 12:04PM]

If you thought an LCD had the best black levels, you might as well give up now

[JOJO @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:05PM]

Sharp TVs are full of Problems!! The best LCD ever made is the samsung 4665F!!!

[Jesse S @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:21PM]

Sorry, I should have been more clear, of all LCD's. Hell, I don't know. I gave up looking for a good TV a long time ago.

[yavin @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:51AM]

any word on price ?

[nd @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:02PM]

yavin, meet froogle. froogle, yavin...

[TVeye @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:52AM]

Great! I'll be ready to buy in about a year - in which they will be even cheaper & bigger!

I am anticipatiing that my $2500 is going to get me quite a bit of TeeVee! One that would have cost 25,000 only five or six years ago.

[Jack Storm @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:23PM]

dude its a cycle, and every year youre going to be saying the same thing.

[adam green @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:58AM]

While Panasonic plasmas have been well regarded for the past few years, i don't think they come close to the picture you get from a pioneer or fujitsu plasma. just one man's opinion of course...

[RickP @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:04AM]

Slickdeals.net had a deal posted for $1,800 free shipping and no sales tax (except NJ). Um, I got on that deal!

http://slickdeals.net/?permadeal=10304#direct_deal_10304

[Billy @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:16PM]

No longer a deal, with the 20% discount the price is $2400 not $1800

[Nick @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:12AM]

Yeah, not even close. There are far better alternatives than this.

In the plasma category, the pioneers pretty much produce the best picture hands down..

If you want a better picture than that, go with a Sony SXRD or the LCDs the above poster mentioned.

[MDB @ Oct 5th 2007 12:04PM]

Kuro > SXRD

[rajivp @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:59PM]

sharp is the way to go for blacks in lcd's (better than sony, definitely better than samsung), but plasma (in dark rooms without glare) are the best if that is important to you)

[Chris @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:46PM]

Midrange Plasma > All LCD's

[mike @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:22AM]

uhm, have they seen Pioneer Kuros yet?

[Michael @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:31AM]

Wow. You guys sure give a lot of thought to the TV, don't you? Shame on you. Really. Nobody worthwhile is in anyway impressed by the staggering quality of your TV picture. Most people just shake their heads.

[Spyvie @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:35AM]

Why are you here?

[Slvrgun @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:31AM]

Olevia is the way to go.

[Slvrgun @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:35AM]

Oh by the way Olevia was the rated number one in LCDs (Consumer reports) ahead of Sony, Samsung, and Toshiba. The offer superior picture at prices $100-$200 below the competitor's similar offerings.

[Sumit Gupta @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:51AM]

that shows why consumer reports is mediocre..

the olevia sets are in no way superior to any of the higher end samsung LCDs (eg 5271f with its awesome 25,000:1 cr)

[Jack Storm @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:20PM]

CHEAP HO!

[riggs @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:01PM]

youre still stuck in 2005 huh?

[Mike Jones @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:36AM]

I have the 42" version of this television and it is a great set (1080p). I am sure that the Pioneer Elite tv's are much better, but I dont have the extra funds. Also, I have 2 co workers that have a 42" Samsung plasma and both have had nothing but problems, and Sammy's tech support has been awful. One of the co-workers has actually had his warranty voided, they are claiming burn in and it only happened after they sent a tech out and "adjusted" it.

[Nick Catalano @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:16PM]

Or you can get a SED-TV and have a contrast resolution like you have never seen before...

Just saying...

[timmy @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:21PM]

Yeah we should all buy SEDs. Ummm... where do I buy one? Oh yeah, they don't make them yet (or ever).

[MMagic @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:21PM]

olivia wow you defenitly need some information might as well go with a westinghouse if you want the top cheap quality.olivia doesn't even rate.

you want the best that would be either sony or samsung as samsung uses sony components(corporate deal) they tend to be 200 to 500 cheaper than sony for the same quality . they also beat the competition when it comes to fast pace gaming , and sports lcds .
i still would not recommend plasmas for gaming as they are still not up to par for fast paced FPS.
my 2 cents

[e_man_88 @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:43PM]

Actually, it's Sony who uses Samsung's panels through a corporate deal, not Samsung who's using the Sony components.

So, in essence, Sony takes Samsung's parts, slap on the Sony label, and sell it at a couple hundred dollars premium.

That's why I always think it's so foolish to purchase Sony LCDs. Just buy Samsung at a better price.

[ADR @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:41PM]

Not true. The Sony Samsung plant is a joint operation but they make all of the panels in seperate sides of the factory. One side makes smaller panels and the other side makes larger ones. They then go into manufacturing with completely different panels, video processors etc.

The panel is only one part of the total package. In the end Sony and Samsung TV's are as different as Sansung and Sharp.

[Mr. B @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:23PM]

It would seem apparent that CR hasn't looked at the Kuro sets yet, but if price is a factor, they could still consider it "best."

Incidentally, this is the set I convinced my Dad to buy. This news should quell any remaining buyer's remorse. I think he largely forgot about the cost after watching "Planet Earth" on this gorgeous television.

[Cajun_Mike @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:45PM]

Sorry, but the Pioneer Kuro's are the tops in the Plasma category. I trust Thomas Norton when it comes to displays and his review of the 50-inch Kuro that was posted last week has me sold. I was waiting for the new Sony SXRD XBR5 60-inch but that model has been cancelled and the 70-inch is delayed until the spring.

Read Norton's review of the Kuro, I will have one of these babies by Christmas. ;)

http://ultimateavmag.com/flatpaneldisplays/907piokuro/

[Mr. B @ Oct 2nd 2007 12:59PM]

That was kinda my point...

[shelterpaw @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:05PM]

What about the new 56" to 61" Samsung LED DLP's? How do they rate? I will be buying a new TV in a few months and thinking at least 50" if not bigger. I was really thinking of the Samsung HL-T6189S. I've been told that Plasma and LCD are better, but I'd really like a big screen to go with surround sound system and get the full movie experience.

[LT73 @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:15PM]

Plasmas consume too much power. Not environmentally friendly.

Personally, I like Sharp Aquos LCDs.

If you like style (and higher prices) go for the XBR4.

[shelterpaw @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:24PM]

To be honest, I currently own a Sony and will most likely go Samsung or Pioneer. I have had several Sony product fail on me in the past and always feel like I pay a premium.

[Cajun_Mike @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:48PM]

That's a fallacy and not true. I saw a test posted somewhere in the past week that some plasmas are inline with LCD's and some use less power.

[LT73 @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:35PM]

Panasonic TH-50PZ700U:

"Power consumption: 695 watts"

Interestingly enough I have 44 light bulbs in my house (I know this because I replaced every one of them last year). Each is a 12 watt CFL:

44 * 12 = 528 Watts

If I turn on every light in my house simultaneously, the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U still exceeds that by 167 watts.

In contrast, my 46" Sharp Aquos uses 285 watts.

[Evan @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:59AM]

Keep in mind that lcd's backlight is always on, while Plasma's can use less power when the screen in showing something dark.

Bottom line both Plasmas and LCDs can be Energy Star rated.

I think that the point about LCDs using less power is exagerated because up until this point the majority of LCDs were smaller then the majority of Plasmas. Also, I would say that the larger the LCD then the large the backlight and therefore more power useage.

And consumer reports is useless for TV reviews, and I am very disappointed in the most recent article. Who does there research? It is just filled with bad or missing info. Also, like cars things in the TV world change every year. But every year CR rate's the Panasonics top. I mean they really have had too much of the Panny Koolaid. They are nice, but there is no doubt there are better Plasmas. If Panasonic is best and mid priced then Pioneer, Fujitsu, and Runco would be out of business fairly quickly and that is not happening. I think it is insane that the "best compromise or best value" get the top ratings. What about build quality, brand reputation, reliability? Panasonic has had a bumpy road when it comes to reliability.

Bottom line, buyer beware. Buy from a place you trust. If you buy online from some fly by night, best deal out there site, remember you get what you pay for. Good luck to all. And yes I do sell electronics for a living in a retail store if you think I am being biased.

[Willen @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:16AM]

@Evan

Energy Star compliance for TVs only mean one thing = "they save energy when they are turned off."

http://tinyurl.com/yvkmz5

Since plasma TVs already are limiting their power usage as evidenced by their relatively low full-on/full-off contrast ratios (albeit compared to the more real world 100-IRE window performance), the basic principles of plasma TVs restrict how low plasma's power consumption can go before the picture becomes too dim for practical use or won't properly operate at all.

I agree that CR is pretty poor as a resource for comprehensive reviews of electronic gear, they do reflect the average consumer's views of what's considered good. If a TV has a substantially lower price, even though it performs poorer than others compared, it will be deemed the 'winner'. Brand names hold weight since they have a track record for reliability and are more likely to be around to provide support (historically, Panasonic has a better than average repair rate (less problems) than the competition). And esoteric brands like Runco, with their small target market won't even be on their radar.

If performance was the only factor in people's buying decisions, we wouldn't have the Walmart special $30 DVD player. Admittedly, some of these lower-tier brands can produce decent stuff, and properly set up and calibrated can go head to head with the big guys, the average consumer won't go through the whole rigmarole or cannot be bothered to. And I remember many "value" consumer electronics companies fall by the wayside in past years.

Look at DisplaySearch's latest report on plasma market share (Aug. 2007): http://www.displaysearch.com/press/index.html?id=1554 Panasonic must be doing something right to maintain the top spot in PDP.

[Tony @ Oct 2nd 2007 1:29PM]

Not really a surprise, Panasonic have produced arguably the best plasma TVs for many years, and plasma is accepted as the best picture available.