Zenith P50W26B 50-Inch Plasma Flat-Panel HDTV

by Zenith

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 48.2 x 4.1 x 28.8 inches ; 99.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 122 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B00006HCJM
• Item model number: P50W26B
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,713 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Zenith's 50-inch P50W26B gas-plasma high-definition television uses groundbreaking display technology to deliver superior image clarity, color, and brightness in a large-format television that's less than 4 inches thick. An internal ATSC receiver receives and decodes terrestrial HDTV broadcasts without requiring an external set-top box, while a built-in NTSC tuner pulls in standard-definition analog programs. The set's true XGA (1,366 x 768) resolution produces extremely detailed images, while its super-sharp (600:1) contrast ratio delivers rich colors and deep blacks. Unusually high brightness (620 cd/m2) gives you an incredibly bright picture, even in well-lit areas.

With a plasma screen you get vivid colors like you've never seen before, extremely wide viewing angles (wider, even, than those of most LCD screens), and easy placement due to a plasma monitor's slim profile--the P50W26B is a mere 3.9 inches deep, perfect for either shelf or wall mounting using an optional stand or wall mount. Brightness tends to be extremely uniform across plasma screens, which are also impervious to the picture distortion and negative color balances that afflict CRT monitors when placed near lighting or sound systems. You do, however, need to be wary of image burn-in (wherein long-held stationary images leave a permanent impression in the screen).

The P50W26B houses a Faroudja DCDi de-interlacer. DCDi (Directional Correlation Deinterlacing) is a video algorithm designed to intelligently smooth the jagged edges along diagonal image lines that result from video interpolation. DCDi monitors image edge transitions and fills in the gaps between frames. It's used to upconvert standard-definition material (480i, what we have on conventional analog TV) to enhanced-definition quality (480p, or EDTV).

Aspect ratio correction aptly resizes video and computer images to 16:9 widescreen or 4:3 conventional formats, while Zenith's Intelligent Image Scaling uses Oplus Technologies's Rembrandt chip and a Faroudja/Sage scan converter to seamlessly convert TV video data to PC formats without distorting or cropping the images (it works in either the 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio).

Vertical Display Mode changes the image from horizontal to vertical if the monitor is rotated 90 degrees--great for installations. A range of inputs provides full compatibility with DVD players, computers, digital broadcasting and multimedia, as well as traditional video sources. Inputs consist of 1 component-video input, 1 S-video input, a BNC-type composite-video input, 2 stereo analog (left/right) RCA inputs, 1 each 15-pin D-Sub VGA/PC input and output, a PC DVI (Digital Visual Interface), an RJ-11 phone jack, an RS-232 control port, and a D4 jack.

Other features include picture-in-picture viewing (with side-by-side mode), 10 watts per channel x 2 with stereo speakers (in additional to bass, treble, and balance adjustments), multilingual menus (English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Korean), an anti-reflective screen, a shock-absorbing glass damper.

What's in the Box
TV, a DPD screen filter, a remote control, remote batteries, an AC power cord, and a user's manual.

Note: The P50W26B does not include a desk or wall mount.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

139 of 142 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not good for this money, November 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Zenith P50W26B 50-Inch Plasma Flat-Panel HDTV (Electronics)

When you spend 5 figures you expect good quality and good support. Oops, no, not from Zenith, which was bought out by LG of south korea a few years ago. The picture is bright, which is good, but there's distortion along the edges, and color reproduction is poor even after extensive adjustments using two leading adjustment software programs. Many people who watched mine commented on how "fuzzy" the picture looked. It's stylish, but falls flat in picture quality. I highly recommend against this poor product from a company with a poor reputation for poor customer support. Check out Cnet's rankings; get a Fujitsu or Panasonic or Sampo/Gateway if you are short on cash.

155 of 160 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good picture horrible company, October 24, 2003

By 

A. massena (Fort Lauderdale, florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zenith P50W26B 50-Inch Plasma Flat-Panel HDTV (Electronics)

The picture on the 50" plasma is good, the company support is awful. I purchased the set and it had a white powder between the screens. I have made numerous phone calls and have gotten no response from either the seller or Zenith. I purchased a Zenith dvd/vcr combo player at the same time and the dvd quit working 60 days after purchase.

The Plasma runs very hot, the color and brightness are both good. If I were to buy today I would go with the LCD tv's and would not even consider a Zenith product.