I first saw this Panasonic plasma at several major retailers. Although the TV was extremely well rated, what I observed were pictures that appeared unrealistic with HD (high definition) programs and cartoon-like with SD (standard definition) programs. It didn't matter if it was this 50" model or the more expensive 58" model, in person the picture on these plasma TV's lacked the quality I was expecting at each retailer I saw them. This didn't make sense to me. I wanted to buy a reasonably priced plasma and one that was highly rated. On paper, the 50PX60U seemed to meet both these requirements. And yet there was the image I observed which I felt did not live up to the reviews.
Then one day I was researching plasma TV's on the internet and came across a web site that helped solve the dilemma. The information they conveyed suggested to me that the problem I was seeing with these Panasonic plasma's was not associated with the quality of the TV, but rather with the quality of the picture adjustment (probably the standard default adjustment out of the box).
As it turns out, the film and broadcast industry uses the Imaging Science Foundation optimum color temperature rating of D6500K as their standard when filming TV shows or movies. When the technical people who reviewed this Panasonic 50" model measured the color temperature of the TV out of the box, they found it measured in excess of D10000K. This setting was well in excess of the industry standard of D6500K and probably accounted for the fact the plasma looked so unrealistic to me at the stores. Most plasma TV manufacturers have unrealistic viewing picture settings out of the box in order to entice the unknowing consumer.
The website shared the optimal picture settings that bring the plasma to within several percentage points of the industry "perfect" standard of D6500K. After reading the article I decided to take a chance and buy the 50PX60U. Once hooked up, I immediately pulled up the main menu and proceeded to adjust the TV to the recommended settings. These screen adjustment settings found in the main menu under "PICTURE" include changes to Picture Mode, Picture, Brightness, Color, Tint, Sharpness, Color Temperature, and Enhanced Black Level. If you are considering buying this plasma or have already bought it, I highly recommend visiting the site. It contains a wonderful review of the 50PX60U and gives you in table form the exact picture settings mentioned above. Their site can be found by searching plasma tv buying guide. Just click on the 50" plasma reviews for the Panasonic 50PX60U.
After changing the settings to the recommended industry standard, the only word I can use to describe the picture quality of this plasma TV is WOW!!!!!! It is shockingly great, very realistic, and does NOT show any of the negative characteristics that I witnessed in the major retail outlets I visited. If you buy this set (or if you own it already), you'll find that the recommended settings will enhance your viewing pleasure immensely.
I would make several other suggestions for your viewing pleasure if you are new to the plasma market as I was. Be sure your HD source is excellent. The plasma you buy will only put out an excellent picture if the incoming signal is of excellent quality. A reliable cable or satellite provider with the proper HD in-home and outside of home equipment and HD service will provide a great HD feed for your plasma. If your cable provider is like mine, be sure to check that your HD cable box is putting out the HD 720P (P for progressive scan) signal that your plasma TV was made to use. Some boxes will default to a 1080i (interlaced) signal which is inferior to the 720P your plasma will support. Check the display on your cable or satellite box if it has one. If it displays anything but 720P, get on the phone with your cable or satellite provider to find out how to make it default to a 720P signal. If you have a DVD player, make sure it is a 720P (progressive) scan HD DVD player and check to make sure the DVD's you use are also of 720P quality. Anything less and you will be sacrificing picture quality.
Be sure to purchase a decent HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cable if you plan on using upstream hardware with HDMI outputs to your plasma. A decent HDMI 6' cable is about $30 on the internet. This too will give you the greatest amount of HD precision from your plasma TV. If your upstream hardware only has a DVI (Digital Video Interface) video output, be sure to purchase a DVI to HDMI cord that has a DVI connector on one end and a HDMI connector on the other. As DVI only supports video signals, you will have to run a separate RCA audio cable from your cable/satellite box for your digital audio signal (for plasma TV or home surround system) or analog audio signal (for a standard stereo). However, this is far superior than taking the easy way out and using a component hook-up instead. Component video cables supply no where near the same video quality that HDMI or DVI do. If your upstream hardware providing the signal to your plasma has neither HDMI or DVI outputs, change that hardware to one(s) that do if you truly want High Definition quality out of your HD plasma.
Also, make sure you purchase the right plasma screen size for the distance you're going to watch it from. A 65" screen may be way too large for a 6' viewing distance. The high definition pixel size for a 65" screen is much larger than say a pixel from a 42" screen. If you watch too large an HD screen from your viewing distance, you will see the individual pixels losing the HD effect. A 42" screen may be too small if your viewing distance is 16' away. Although the picture quality would be just fine, you probably will have trouble watching it because of its diminished size. Remember, these plasma TV's have a 16:9 aspect ratio (16" horizontal for every 9" vertical) which are nearly twice as wide as they are tall. The good news is that you get great wide screen vision far superior to standard 4:3 (4" horizontal for every 3" vertical) aspect ratio TV's which are only 33% wider as they are tall. The bad news is that you must be VERY concerned about the vertical viewing area. Make absolutely sure you have enough vertical screen viewing area when picking out the right plasma for your viewing distance. I would go so far as to say that paying close attention to the vertical measurement of the plasma may be much more important than consideration of the diagonal measurement, especially if you are accustomed to seeing standard TV with a 4:3 screen aspect ratio size.
Plasma TV's are great. But be aware they are susceptible to screen burn in from static objects displayed on programming you may watch such as stock tickers, etc. Many HD channels are now using logos that are plasma friendly. But be cautious about this inherent weakness in plasma technology especially vulnerable in the first several hundred hours of use.
One last thing. You just spent big bucks on a plasma TV. Make sure you buy a good AC power surge suppressor to plug your plasma into. It's not a good idea to buy some cheap $5 plug strip. Purchase something decent, preferably one that has a downstream equipment replacement warranty if it fails. (Better to have THEM replace your plasma TV from a power company power surge than YOU!!!)
Hope this information will be helpful to you. Good luck in your plasma shopping experience!
| Brand Name | Panasonic |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 93.7 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 47.7 x 14.6 x 34.8 inches |
| Item model number | TH-50PX60U |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color Name | Silver |
