Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)My hope is that this review will come across as credible after a brief introduction revealing my technical background. I have been a home theater enthusiast since 1995 and ran a small video and independent film business from 1996 - 2001. This review and check list are based on both personal research and professional experience. If you do not wish to read this entire review, feel free to scroll to the bottom where I have created a systematic checklist that will enable any Panasonic 800 series HDTV to maximize its fullest potential. More specifically, I will attempt to draw upon the televisions abilities when viewing Blu-ray movies which, to date, offer the best HD image quality and upgradeable potential.
If you factor tax and delivery, I bought the TH-50pz800U Plasma for about $700 less than retail and it performs great. The best-upgraded features on 2008/09's Panasonic 800 series include the 24p playback for Blu-ray movies and 100,000-hour lifespan of the display itself.
Why the 100,000-hour lifespan is important
This feature was a major selling point for me because I wanted a Plasma due to LCD's poor dark color reproduction but was worried about the shorter lifespan of most Plasma's which is typically only 30,000 to 70,000 hours. However, this baby specs out at 100,000, which is equal to 8 hours per day for over 34 years. Unheard of for Plasma displays until the 800 series arrived in April.
Why 24p is important
Although this HDTV supports a variety of features that will be better utilized in the next stage of HD technology 24p is here now. Currently only Blu-ray and a variety of high-end camcorders are capable of outputting 24p content. What is 24p? In a nutshell 24p is the frame rate in which images are displayed on your TV or Computer screens. A 24p capable system can display video at 24 frames per second rather than succumbing to display a converted video signal at 30 frames per second. This is important because all Hollywood films are shot and later projected in theaters at 24 frames per second. After theatrical release, studios then convert their films to 30 frames per second and ship them to the home video markets as well as television broadcast networks. This conversion process is known as 3:2 pull down and it means that you ultimately lose several frames as they are blended together to display at 30 frames per second. This is why you sometimes will not see smooth motion when you fast forward or rewind DVD's. Once a Blu-ray begins, be sure to use your TV remote to enter the advanced custom picture options and select 48Hz (a factor of 24) rather than 60Hz under the "24p Direct In" field. The instructions to set this up are included in the checklist at the end of this article. At first, you may notice a slight flicker but after your eyes adjust, you will feel as though a State of the Art film projector is rolling your favorite movies right in your living room. When you are done with 24p content, the TV will switch back to 30 frames per second (60Hz) automatically.
Future Proof
The other features available with the 800 series Panasonic's are intriguing but will not be able to dazzle you until media technology catches up. For example, this TV supports Deep Color, which is technically the next step up from True Color. True Color is the color depth standard that has been output to computer displays for years. Deep Color enables many more variations of color. Unfortunately, nothing on the market except for a few high-end camcorders output images utilizing this advanced color pallet. It is safe to assume that Blu-ray movies will do so in the future because of there massive storage capabilities. For PS3 owners you will need to turn on the "Super-White" feature under "Display Settings" to enable this functionality. It took a bit of research but essentially "Super-White" is Sony's name for Deep Color. Again, detailed instructions for setting up this feature can be found at the end of this review.

Many websites and message boards claim that Deep Color will not be a big deal when it finally arrives because its full potential is impossible to detect. What this means is that although Deep Color will offer several thousand additional color variations the human eye will only be able to differentiate about 360 of them. Still, further research will reveal that those 360 additional shades essentially push the entire color pallet of the human eye to its limits. In other words, all the real time color data that went into establishing the next shot of a film appears in front of you exactly as it did for the director. No visible shade of color gets lost or fades when put through the eventual electronic transfer process.
Do you remember when HDTV first came out? The early reviews claimed that the picture was so clear it was like looking through a window. Well, theoretically Deep Color will bring this statement to life because for the first time in history an electronic image will be able to reproduce every single color that is recognizable to the human eye.
Conclusion
The 800 series of Panasonic displays are the perfect solution for consumers looking to add a long-term home theater display to their arsenal. The set is ready for features that have potential to become more of an HD standard in the years to come. The product line is truly future proof and ready to adjust to the rapidly evolving HD industry. If you are like me, you may also be considering the only other real competition in the high-end Plasma HDTV market, Pioneer. If so, consider this; beginning next year Pioneer will no longer continue developing their HD product line from scratch. Instead, they will be outsourcing for raw plasma displays and then tweaking them. Where will they get these raw displays? You guessed it, Panasonic.
Checklist to maximize this TV's Performance
If you wish to enable feature 5 you may need to toggle between "Size 1" and "Size 2" for maximum visuals during Blu-ray Screenings/Video Gaming (Size 2) and all other viewing (Size 1)
1.Connect your Blu-ray player or PS3 using a Category 2 HDMI cable to ensure that you are ready for future Deep Color support as well as current support for a broader color space through x.v.Color. Be sure to connect this device to the first HDMI port labeled "HDMI 1" in the input menu. If you search Amazon by entering: Category 2 HDMI, you will find several affordable options.
a.HINT: Expensive name brand cables make no difference when transferring a digital signal and do not improve picture quality. Digital signals are either present or not present. There is no such thing as a weak digital signal. That is why the world is moving away from analog and switching to digital. All data that travels through an HDMI cable is 100% digital.
b.You want to use the first HDMI port because it is possible that the HDTV bases its HDMI compatibility for future devices on the first port. In other words if you do not install the device with the most compatibility into the first HDMI port then your Blu-ray player may be limited to the specifications of whatever device ends up getting plugged into the first HDMI port.
2.Set the television's picture mode to "Custom" from the display menu.
a.HINT: If you use the other picture modes (i.e. "Game," "THX") you will not be able to turn 24p and other advanced features specific to Blu-ray. However, you can always manually adjust the "Custom" levels (i.e. brightness, color, and tint) to match the other picture modes and you will get identical results. You may even wish to have the "Custom" levels professionally calibrated although these options are often a matter of personal taste. I find the default "Custom" display levels to be sufficient with a slight tint level adjustment towards the green end of the spectrum.
3.Turn on your PS3 or Blu-ray player and enable Deep Color support. You will only need to enable this on the initial setup.
a.HINT: Deep Color support may also be labeled "Super White," "x.v. color," "RGB Full or Wide," and "xvYCC." Although x.v.color, xvYCC, and RGB Full settings are not technically the same as Deep Color they do increase the color spectrum and can most easily be thought of as a stepping-stone towards the realism of Deep Color. In addition, when Deep Color becomes available most players will automatically support Deep Color when these options are on.
4.Leave your PS3 or Blu-ray player on and prepare to adjust a couple settings within the "Custom" picture mode you enabled during step 2. You will only need to make the following adjustments on the initial setup:
a.Set the "x.v. color" option to "Auto."
i.HINT: This option requires you to scroll to the second page within the "Custom" picture mode settings
b.While your Blu-ray player is turned on with any title playing select the "advanced picture" option from the "Custom" picture mode menu and select "48Hz" from the "24p Direct In" field. The TV will automatically adjust you back to "60Hz" when you finish watching a Blu-ray movie. In addition, it will automatically go back to "48Hz" when you put back in a Blu-ray movie.
i.HINT: If 48Hz is not available to select make sure that your Blu-ray player or PS3 has the most recent firmware update and that the movie is playing beyond the previews and preliminary copyright warnings. If your player is connected to the internet, the most recent firmware update should be installed automatically by selecting the players "check for update" option. For Blu-ray devices not connected to the internet or those that do not include and "update" option search the manufacturers website for a downloadable update which can be burnt to a CD and installed manually. Although most players, PS3 included,...Read more›

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NEW SIZE! 50-inchClass Widescreen VIERA Plasma 1080p HDTV with New Anti-Reflective Filter, Deep Color Technology, Game Mode, Built-In SD Card Slot/GalleryPlayer(R) Ready to View, 3 HDMI Inputs and VIERA Link(R) HDAVI Control

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Panasonic TH-42PZ700U 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)This TV has the best picture of any TV I have ever seen.
I build homes for multi-millionaires and I have seen some incredible
TV's, theater rooms, with $50K audio systems wired in; and I have never
seen a TV with a better picture.
I bought this TV within a week of Consumer Reports rating it as the best
picture they had ever tested, and I was still surprised at how breathtaking the picture was.
You cannot overrate this TV and its capabilities to deliver a picture like none you've seen before.
I do implore you, however, to invest in a blu-ray DVD player and a high quality HDMI cable for the full effect. The picture, when playing a blu-ray DVD on the new Panasonic blu-ray DVD player, along with a high quality HDMI cable (Panasonic makes maybe the best available for only $25)
is unbelievable. The definition is so amazing that your opinions of beautiful big screen actresses may come back down to earth after seeing the the blemishes in their complexion that you never would have seen on a
regular TV.
This TV is the pinnacle. There is no TV better.

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The Panasonic TH-42PZ700U 1080p Plasma HDTV sports a 42-inch plasma screen with 1080p resolution for a crystal clear viewing experience. It will feel right at home as the centerpiece of a home theater setup.
An Understated Beauty The TH-42PZ700U 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.
Outstanding Performance The TH-42PZ700U 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. 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-42PZ700U will upconvert any signal you feed it and display it at 1080p.
Connections On the back, the TH-42PZ700U features two HDMI inputs, two component inputs, two composite inputs, and two S-Video inputs. Hidden beneath panels in front is another composite and S-Video input, a component video input, and a slot for SD cards. 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-42PZ700U 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 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. 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. Instead of fumbling to find all the right buttons, you can watch your movies without wondering how to set everything up.
The TH-42PZ700U is backed by a 1-year limited warranty for parts and labor.
What's in the Box TH-42PZ700U plasma HDTV, remote control (with batteries), AC cord, pedestal, two cable clamper, and antenna adapter.

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Panasonic SC-HT940 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)I just purchased this system 2 days ago and let me tell you it is a BLAST! Though you have to do some tweeking to bring out the full potential of this system. I read some of the previous reviews for this system and let me tell you some of the other buyers of this system did not know how to use this system. First of all the 320 watt subwoofer is fully adustable. So you have to adjust it up to level 4 then press the heavy bass button to bring out it's full potential. Next you need to go under system quick setup, then audio, then speakers and adjust them up to 5.0 ms to bring then up to speed.
After that you need to press the surround music button which will really fill your room with awesome surround sound. And last but not least you CAN use this system as audio while watching daily tv programs as well. What you have to do is run an auxiliary cable(red and white) from the aux slot on the back of the receiver/dvd player to the aux slot on the back of your tv. Then you press the ext-in button until it says aux. And boom! You have theatre sound for your daily viewing. I can't get enough of this system. It really blew away my expectations once I finished tweaking it. After some minor tweaking this system really thumps on level 30 yet it can go all the way up to level 50. It really shines on cd's and radio. Also sounds great on dvd's as well. Good surround sound for daily viewing. Can't wait to play some xbox on it as well. So to any potential buyers breezing through this review and thinking about it getting this system I can promise you won't be dissapointed. Grab one now!

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Home Theater System with 5 DISC DVD/CD Player, 1200 Watts, 6 Speakers

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JVC Everio GZ-HD300 60GB High-Def Camcorder (Blue) Review

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(More customer reviews)In this review I show off the camcorder itself, show some video and pictures I took with the camcorder that show off the features, and discuss the software limitations.
[...]

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JVC Everio GZ-HD300 High Definition Digital Camcorder GZHD300AUS Camcorders

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Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilization Review

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(More customer reviews)I was thrilled with how small this camera is. It fits in your hand as if it were a half full 12 oz. can of soda. It's very light, but the fortunately the image stabilization makes it shoot like it was a heavier camera.
I ran into an issue with iMovie '07 (part of Apple's iLife '08) that caused the screen to stretch wider, making people look fat. This will likely be resolved soon by Apple, and for now I've taken to using the 1440 X 1080 resolution which imports just fine.
I've also fitted a 37mm mount size aftermarket wide angle lens which really helps for shooting indoors. Some have complained that the video is a bit more grainy while indoors and in darker conditions than the HD1, but I can't complain.
So far, the battery life seems to run an hour and 10 minutes, which is better than the 55 minutes it's rated for.
This camera does not include an SD card, so you'll want to pick up a 4GB (40 minutes) or 8 GB (80 minutes) card. I got the class 6 version of those SDHC cards for a faster transfer. I think I might stick with the 4 GB size in the future so I can easily burn the files to a blank DVD which holds 4.7 GB. Also, make sure you have a card reader that supports SDHC. It also doesn't include an HDMI cable, so pick one of those up if you have a TV capable of HDMI. Belkin makes the least expensive cable at $20.
And finally, if you're a Mac user, you should know that only the Intel Macs (that have been out since January of '06) support the AVCHD editing.
Some have complained about the low light grain that this camera tends to have. I've noticed it as well, and apparently the HD1 is slightly better indoors. But this wasn't a huge issue for me.
The only thing that would make this camera perfect for me would be an external mic input.

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The HDC-SD5 hi-def camcorder can copy recordings from the SD Memory Card to a DVD disc, maintaining the original full-HD format, or use the included software to burn a full-HD recording from an SD Memory Card to a DVD disc on your PC.Images recorded by conventional HD camcorders have only 1,440 horizontal pixels, while full-HD camcorders have 1,920; that's about 30 percent more recording pixels! The result is a level of detail and resolution that goes beyond anything you've ever experienced before. And because full-HD recordings contain a vast amount of picture information, they look beautiful not only on high-definition TVs, but on standard-definition TVs as well.Camera shake happens. Unsteady hands, shooting while in motion: these factors can reduce the quality of your video. But Panasonic has developed its best-ever built-in Optical Image Stabilization, which compensates for hand-shake and helps keep your videos crisp, steady and blur-free.The HDC-SD5 comes with a world-class Leica Dicomar lens, fashioned specifically for high-definition digital camcorders. The superior craftsmanship of Leica's advanced lens system captures stunning images and colors that look magnificent in HD. Combined with Panasonic's advanced 3CCD system, which uses three separate sensors to capture and process light, you can relive your memories in lifelike detail on your HDTV screen.

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Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P50G10 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)The P50G10 is my second HD Plasma experience, the first being a 2004 Panasonic, which still looks and works quite well. It has found another spot in our home to make room for the new G10 in our family room. When searching for and finally selecting the new Panasonic G10, I was comparing choices against this first experience considering both the manufacturer and the plasma technology. While I have a few smaller sized LCD's, mostly in the 20-32" range, I have never been overly impressed with the picture. The seem a bit cartoonish, even in HD mode, so I quickly settled on a plasma as my technology choice. Having made that decision the alternatives in terms of manufacturers narrowed quickly. Wh Pioneer exiting the Plasma business, and considering my experience with my original Panasonic plasma the brand decision was made. Selecting which model from Panasonic boiled down to scouring the 2009 product announcements and available reviews (CNET), and making the trade-offs on size, cost and availability. This all led me to the P50G10, which was a good fit on all points.
I have had the unit installed and working for 4 weeks now, and must say its been an extremely satisfying time. The G10 is a major step up, from my previous plasma, in terms of picture, inputs i.e. 3 HDMI vs 1, and ability to control each picture setting independently. I have tweaked the picture setting on the Standard and THX settings a bit to sharpen and brighten the picture a bit, but most of the other settings are very good out of the box. As the unit is stand mounted, and in a room with mostly indirect and overhead lighting there are no issues with glare or light reflection, from the main glass or its glossy black bezel.
In the process I also moved up to a Panasonic BMP-BD60 (will write a separate review on it) Blu Ray player and the 1080P picture is nothing short of amazing. As these are both Panasonic units they inter-operate with VieraLink which simplifies and automates the way the two units operate together, a nice but not essential feature. I setup a Wireless ethernet bridge (Linksys WET54G) to feed the VieraCast function on the G10, and it works flawlessly. At this time the amount of content available is limited, but one can see the potential, if Panasonic can bring more content services to this function. The G10 does employ a set of power consumption controls. There are both Input Idle and In-Activity based auto-power off modes to save on power consumption, which is good as plasma's are a bit power hungry.
To be balanced the G10 does have a few shortcomings. The sound from the onboard speakers is a bit thin. You can mitigate this some by pumping up the Bass control and turning on the Bass Boost, but its just not a rich sound experience. I think Panasonic can do better with some higher quality speakers and a small sub-woofer. I, and I suspect most others, have a surround system connected and utilize it for a better sound experience.
I also preferred when Panasonic placed the additional inputs into a trap door on the front of the plasma, the G10 has these on the left (facing) edge. To me it was more convenient and accessible to have these set of inputs up-front.
All in all, the G10 is a high quality Plasma with terrific features and future expandability. If offers a near perfect picture across multiple inputs and types of content.

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50" Plasma, 1080p, THX, Viera Cast, H.264, IP Camera Ready, PC Input, NEO PDP Panel which is brighter, Full-time 1080p TV lines of moving picture resolution, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 40,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive

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Xpand Universal X103 3D Glasses Compatible with Active 3D TV's, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)I have a Panasonic 3D and wear normal glasses , the Panny's never seemed to fit comfortably for my tastes... These feel great , secure on my face , they seem lighter on my nose than the panny's. Wearing glasses inside these felt great because they go snug around your head.You do have to set the glasses for your tv model , for some reason I thought it would automatically do it so that was a little bummer... you have to hold down the power and cycle the button until it matches your brand... it will remember it the next time so no big deal but if you do bring them to someone else's house you will have to remember how to do this or explain it to someone who is using them. My local theater is not xpand so I cannot try the cinema part but thats another setting too! so dont lose those instructions... So if your looking to buy a second or third 3d glasses for your rig consider these for its transportability and at least a change of pace from the glasses that your tv brand forces on you.
added 11/9/10 : Just played hours of Call of Duty black ops in 3D and it looked great!

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XpanD's new battery powered, Universal 3D Glasses are the gateway to stunning theater quality 3D entertainment! We've taken what's acknowledged as best for giant cinema screen and made it available for 3D home entertainment. The XpanD Universal 3D Glasses are the only glasses that can be used at home, in your office and in XpanD movie theaters anywhere you go there is a 3D experience to remember.

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Panasonic TC-L32C22 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I am not an expert on LCD televisions, just someone in need of a new TV. It will ultimately be used in the bedroom, but for now it is in the family room. Although it is not a huge room, it opens to the kitchen and the ceiling is vaulted. For months I studied reviews of different models on the internet hoping to at least discover which manufacturers had the most service problems to avoid that aggravation, along with which brand had the best rated picture quality. I also visited showrooms to see what looked best to my eye.
After my research I narrowed my search to a 720p TV because although 1080p of course creates a higher quality picture, it isn't as critical on a 32 inch TV or smaller. Since new televisions usually appear in March, my plan was to buy a discontinued model and take advantage of clearance pricing. Unfortunately I waited too long and the two choices I'd focused on were both no longer available. This TV met my needs, the price was right and Panasonic was one of the two brands I'd settled on.
Light weight and easy to handle, out of the box all that was necessary was putting the stand together with a few screws and then attaching it with a few more to the television. I already had a composite video/audio cable which is good because Panasonic doesn't include one. The cable consists of three male plugs on each end -- one red, one white and one yellow. The red and white are for right and left audio and the yellow is video. There are ports on the back of the cable box and the TV with the same colors so it was easy to connect - video out on the cable box and video in on the TV. An extra step I took, in order to get my local stations' HD programs, was to hook up a basic inside antenna by screwing the antenna cable into the same named jack on the back of the TV. That gave me two advantages - I can see the HD content in full HD without increasing the cost of my basic cable plan - and if the cable goes out I can still watch TV.
I put the batteries(included) into the remote control and turned the TV on. The first screen asked for language preference (English, Spanish or French), next the option to select viewing mode - home use or store demonstration. Then the adjust picture screen came up and I left it at the default "vivid" (choices are vivid, standard, cinema, game or custom.) The darkness of your room will dictate what looks best, and the defaults are easy to change by clicking on the remote -- menu, tools, re-set to defaults. Then it goes to auto channel set-up, but if you are using a cable box you select "not used." If using an antenna, select "antenna" and then select "start" to scan the channels. Next is an option to label each of the inputs for - antenna, DVD player, cable box, etc. Then a screen appears to adjust the clock for the year, month, day hour and minute. The completion message is then displayed and you're done.
The TV can be hooked-up to a PC so it can be used as a monitor. I missed an episode of 24 during the Olympics. The network website permits viewing of the current season's episodes so I simply connected the HDMI cable from my laptop PC into the television's HDMI port on the back. That allowed me to watch the missed episode on TV rather than my small laptop screen.
The speakers are one-way 10 watt speakers and are typical of built-in television speakers. Note that there is no analog audio output or headphone jack. There is an optical digital audio output jack. I did not hook-up a receiver and separate speakers to improve the audio, at least not yet, but if superior sound is a concern, you will probably want to explore the possibilities.
The picture is absolutely fabulous and amazingly enough even when viewed at a severe angle, there is no quality degradation. My only complaint is that the volume doesn't change significantly as you increase it. The TV has an adequate maximum volume setting, but if the setting is at 30 and you want it a little louder you might have to go to 60 before you notice an increase in sound. The increments seem too small.
The TV has a shiny "piano" black case which some people feel is a maintenance problem, but fingerprints and dust wipe up beautifully with a microfiber cloth, and I like the appearance.
The set comes with a twelve month warranty, but I bought an extended warranty for an extra two years from square trade since this is a new model and as such has no history. I have been using the set for two weeks and so far it is completely trouble free, and I am very pleased with the purchase, but I will update the review if I experience any problems.

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Offering excellent picture performance, Panasonic's 32-inch VIERA TC-L32C22 LCD HDTV provides 720p high-definition imagery and an improved panel with In Plane Switching (IPS) for an ultra-wide viewing angle and higher moving picture resolution for clear, bright images. This C22 series model also features 24P Playback function for superb imagery from 24-frame movies on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, and an 18,000:1 contrast ratio.
This and other models in the C22 line offer Panasonic's VIERA Image Viewer feature, which enables you to play slideshows of JPEG images stored on SD memory cards, as well as the VIERA Link feature for controlling a variety of compatible components--from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras--through a single remote.
Adhering to Panasonic's commitment to the environment, this VIERA model--as well as all 2010 models--features improved power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements.

Key Features Panasonic's VIERA C22 series LCD HDTV.



With the VIERA Image Viewer, you can view a slideshow of JPEG photos stored on your camera's SD memory card.

Key Specifications


What's in the Box Panasonic C22 series LCD HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

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Panasonic SC-HT900 Home Theater System with 5-Disc DVD Changer Review

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(More customer reviews)Very attractive system with many features. Progressive scan DVD player looks great on my projector, thanks to the high end video circuitry in the 5 Disc DVD changer. Sound is very clear and accurately reproduced though the six speakers. Movie dialogue comes through very naturally. Does a fine job at decoding Dolby Surround. Movie "bass" effects are clear and pronounced through the active subwoofer. I've tested this system in store next to an expensive Bose and the quality is more or less comparable.
It is a known fact Panasonic DVD players are among the best in the business. Many more expensive DVD players(costing considerably more than this system) made by other brands use Panasonic internals for their players.
All DVD players must contain an MPEG decoder. In addition, progressive scan DVDs must contain a special device called a deinterlacer. Interlaced video frames are sent to a television in two pieces, by first drawing all of the odd lines, then the even ones. The deinterlacer essentially doubles each frame of video(producing a very defined picture) by filling in missing information. That is the true meaning of "progressive scan." This is the basis for HDTV, and be aware that your (Projector,TV,LCD) must be able to display HDTV or progressive to take advantage of this great feature. As with any other product, deinterlacers vary in quality and must be able to handle various film encodings. Panasonic uses top notch internal hardware to perform the deinterlacing(DCDi) and decoding. The results are spectacular!
Don't expect the bass to blow your ears out - no system at or near this pricepoint will. The subwoofer is powered but yet conservative (but more than other systems in its class). Don't buy this unit to play at maximum volume. System can be cranked up to loud but not extreme voulme. Sound will be more than enough for rooms

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Panasonic SC-HT900 is a Home Theater System with built-in 5-DVD changer and Surround sound speaker system.PRODUCT FEATURES:DVD-Audio Compatibility;Dolby Digital Decoder;DTS Decoder 2;Dolby Pro Logic Surround (Pro Logic II);FM/AM Digital Synthesizer Tuner;Audio Inputs;Cinema Mode;Dialog Enhancer;Multi-Channel Sound Field;Sound Field Control (SFC);Compatible Media Formats: VD-Audio, DVD-Video, DVD-RAM/DVD-R 4, CD, CD-R/RW 5, Video CD, JPEG, MP3, WMA, HighMAT;Progressive Scanning;Super Surround Sound.

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Samsung PN50C680 50-Inch 1080p Plasma 3D HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)This review will center around the Samsung PN50C680 Plasma television that I purchased as part of a special "3D TV + 2 Pairs of glasses" Amazon promotion.
After spending several weeks researching for a replacement to my Panasonic TH-50PZ800U plasma, I settled on this Samsung. There were positive but very limited reviews of this TV - It seems most of the marketing these days are directed towards the super-slim, LED-backlit 3D televisions. Due to Amazon's generous return policy and special Holiday sales/bundles, I decided to take a chance on this model.
I received the TV without any issues - Shipping and unpacking went well as the box did not have any visual indentations and the Styrofoam inside did not have impact damage.
As previously mentioned, the PN50C680 is not one of Samsung's super-slim, single-pane models. It's about 2.5" thick compared to 1.5" - I still consider this to be a thin TV but at the end of the day, "thickness" is a personal preference.
Cabling was very easy as the connections in the back of the TV were clearly labeled. HTPC owners would gladly know that HDMI 1 was labeled to receive video card signals and offers extended compatibility for those that utilize DVI-to-HDMI dongles. The TV turned on and automatically recognized the HD signal from both my Fios service and Blu-Ray player without any problems. Fortunately, the TV was not a "buzzer" as some Samsungs are known to be.
Warning: Here is where the review tends to be personal preference. In my opinion, the initial out-of-box picture was not very good. It was too vivid as the contrast and several of the "picture enhancements" were turned on or maxed. Although these initial settings are ideal for store displays to counteract the bright overhead lights, they are far from ideal for my home theater environment. I whipped out my Disney WOW calibration Blu-Ray disc and performed the required steps. The new picture quality was infinitely times better than the initial out-of-box image - colors were very accurate, details could be seen in shadows/objects, and the overall image was very life-like. Black levels were excellent (although they could not match those of the legendary Pioneer Kuro). It was a definite improvement over my previous 2-year old Panasonic plasma.
Shameless plug: The best thing you can do to maximize the performance, picture quality, and to some extent, the power usage of a TV is through calibration. This can be done either professionally (typically brings out the best performance although very expensive) or through a reputable Blu-Ray calibration disc (increases performance and is inexpensive ~$20-$30).
I would rate the sound quality as very good - It's lacking in the lower frequency range but the sound is very clear with no static or humming. In addition, there are several options in the TV settings to tailor the sound to your preference such as an equalizer and virtual surround functions.
The TV also offers a wide range of goodies such as 3D capability, USB ports for playback of movies, music, and pictures from external storage, an Ethernet port, and wireless adapter-compatibility (not included). 2D-to-3D conversion was good but not quite stellar - it's more like there's a "hint" of added depth when a converted 3D image is displayed. You can change the degree of depth within the TV settings, but the stronger settings gave me a headache. However, the quality of 3D really shines once you view native 3D content from 3D Blu-Ray or cable content. Shrek 3D - the only disc I have - was exceptional as it was just like being in a movie theater. This is one feature that I am really looking forward to once more native 3D content is published.
Although the TV has a built-in Ethernet port, it does not have any internet applications such as Facebook, Netflix, Hulu, etc. It is not a big loss to me as my Blu-Ray player has these functions - just something to think about if you are looking for a more "connected" TV.
Last but not least, the TV needs to be "broken in" as it suffers from image retention. I have been breaking in the TV for a week now by playing DVDs / downloaded programs and the TV no longer retains images. I would not recommend playing games or watching shows with static content (HUD's, channel icons, black bars, etc) for a week or so when you get the TV.

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Get a true cinematic experience without going to the cinema with a Samsung 3D plasma HDTV. This Samsung PN50C680, with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio makes sure every frame is saturated with dense, rich color. Samsung is also ENERGY STAR compliant so you are assured that your 50 -inch plasma HDTV is helping the environment by using less enery while saving you money.

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Panasonic VIERA TC-P50VT25 50-inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)I did not think it would be as good as the movies we have went to see. It is better! My kids say it is better! My Grandkids say it is better! We have Directv so I can watch 3D any time of the day. There still is limited shows but I am hoping for more. I love this TV!! I bought it for the 1080p not the 3D. but the wife said get a HDTV with 3D it is the way to go. She reads Consumer Reports, so I checked all the reviews and this Panasonic was listed as top line! Something about Panasonic is the only 3D to use 1080p in both eyes? Directv also listed it as one of their advised 3D TV's to buy, it was the first on their list BTW! Now I am no techie, but my daughter told me after watching for 5 minutes that this 3D was so good I could sell seats in my house! LOL. I wish 2 sets of glasses came with the TV but hey if you can afford this set you can afford the glasses. I just hated giving them back and forth to the whole family all night. I bought my Pana here on AMAZON @ World Wide Stereo and they used CEVA to ship the TV the truckers came with the TV early (3days) and helped me get the box off too. Very nice delivery men BTW! The whole process from order to turning this TV was 5 Star for me. This is my second Panasonic HDTV the first is a 720p in our bedroom that I have had over a year and we are very happy with. I have watched how many ESPN 3D football games? How many 3D shows? People came in on Halloween and sat down and would not leave! they just wanted to see 3D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its better and better...

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3D Technology Checklist
This product is 3D-related. To help you get a great 3D experience, use our checklist below to ensure that you have everything you need. If you have any questions or want to learn more about 3D, we invite you to visit 3D 101--our center for everything 3D. To get started with 3D, please ensure that you have:
If you want to get more information about 3D, shop our 3D products, watch videos, or interact with other customers, visit 3D 101, our customer center about everything 3D.

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Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-P42X1 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this from Amazon.com, with the scheduled delivery from CEVA. Ordered last sunday, delivery was one week later. Having the option of sunday delivery was great, and the delivery was very professional and definitely white glove.
Two people brought the TV in (carrying properly as this is a plasma), opened the box, put the TV on the stand, powered the TV on and waited for me to check whether there is any problem with the TV. They also offered to remove packaging if I wanted to get rid of it. Sometimes you cannot even get such good service when you pay $100+ for shipping. Given that shipping was free, I was thrilled.
TV is awesome, right out of the box. It looks great, works great. Picture is top notch. I put in an HD-DVD version of Transformers and was amazed at the picture quality. This is my first plasma TV and I believe it is much better than LCD. I had a Samsung 4061F before, and this TV has better picture than that one, despite the Samsung being 1080P and this being 720P. There's no motion blur whatsoever on this TV.
Checking on the web a little, I made the settings to be: pic mode custom, contrast +78, brightness +57, color +53, tint -9, sharpness +29, everything else off, black levels light and temp normal. These settings turned out to be perfect for the TV.
Five stars for the TV, purchasing experience and the delivery service.

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42" Plasma, 720p, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 30,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive

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Panasonic DVD-S54K 1080p Upconverting DVD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)There are DVD players out there in the same price range that offer a better picture. But what the Panasonic has going for it is rugged construction, a good remote, quick loading, easy set up and it plays everything (not multi-region though). I bought the S54 to replace my S47 which has given me six years of good service and is still running (the motor is getting tired though). I have tried other brands, including a Philips, which gave me just six months of service. So six years of intense use for this price is excellent (My friend's S47 is still going strong after six years). I watch my quality DVDs on a Denon or Marantz, but like all good DVD players, they can't handle shoddy media. They stick, skip or refuse to load. Which is why I always have a cheap DVD player on hand for less than perfect media. The S54 does that job in style, none of that dreaded 'disc error'. Simply put, this Panasonic range is the AK47 of DVD players. If it had better picture quality it would rate five stars.

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Panasonic Consumer (DVD-S54K) DVD Player

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Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-L26X1 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews) We replaced an 18 year old 27" CRT set with this one and it's a beauty. I am a TV news cameraman with thirty years in the business so I look at a lot of high end monitors at work.
When I went to the store I didn't expect to get a great set in this size and frankly 720P didn't excite me much either.
After looking at top tier sets from Sony, LG, Samsung, Toshiba and Mitsubishi I ended up on the Panasonic.
I was shocked at how good all the upper tier sets looked but the Panasonic seemed to have a little better detail down in the blacks and seemed to track highly detailed scenes with less digital noise than the others, but it was close accross the board.
The off air ATSC tuner is excellent and the set has all the inputs you could reasonably need. I do not intend to plug in an iPod so that wasn't a factor in my choice.
My DVD player is older and does not pass audio through the HDMI output so I connected it to the set via the component outs and I feel no need at all to upgrade to a BlueRay player. At this size this is a wonderful combination.
My general feeling is that if you watch a lot of HDTV that is live or tape such as sports then Panasonic flat screens just seem to pull a little more quality out of the signal. For movies it is more of a level playing field.
This is pretty subjective but it's how I see it.
It's amazing how far your money goes in this stuff anymore.

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26" LCD,720p, PC input, 2 HDMI, Contrast ratio 8,000:1, Game Mode, iPod Entertainment Kit

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Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P46S1 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I ordered the TC-P46S1 from Amazon on July 6. TV was delivered exactly one week later by CEVA logistics. Fantastic service!
Now on to the set. I have owned two televisions in the past 15 years. The first was a 19" Zenith CRT. The second was a cheap 27" Apex CRT that I bought from Sam's Club about seven years ago. I had been waiting to buy a HDTV until a decent 1080p set was available for a price that I considered reasonable if amortized over ten years. Each person has their own definition of reasonable, but I felt that time had finally arrived.
I researched this purchase for about two months. Early on I decided I wanted Panasonic plasma. Plasma is currently the only choice for those who want the best possible picture at a given price point. The only question was which model and what size? There were three models in my price range when I decided to buy: the X1, the S1, and the G10. The X1 series is Panasonic's 720p line of plasmas. It comes in 42" and 50" sizes. For my viewing distance (10 feet), 720p was a definite possibility. The S1 series is Panasonic's lowest 1080p plasma line. The G10 is a step up from the S1 and includes a THX mode and Viera Cast, Panasonic's internet and video on demand service. A decent rule of thumb is that each step up in size is about $200 and each step up in model type is about $200. For example, the 42" G10 is about the same price as the 46" S1 and the 50" X1.
I created cardboard mock-ups of the 42", 46", and 50" sets and placed them where the TV would go to help determine the correct size. It quickly became clear that 42" was too small while 50" was too large for my personal taste. The 46" was perfect. Unfortunately, this eliminated the X1 series from contention as there is no 46" set in that line. I would have bought the X1 had it been available. That set is the best HDTV for the money that is offered right now, IMO. Still, 46" was the sweet spot for me, so I was going to have to move up to a better model. Now the question was should I go with the TC-P46S1 or TC-P46G10?
In my case, I was planning on buying the Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player to go with the set. When I was ready to buy, Amazon was offering $150 off the BD player when purchased with an S1 set or $200 off when purchased with a G10 set. The price of the BD60 itself was $200, so that made the deal irresistible. The BD60 also offers Viera Cast, which would have duplicated that functionality if I went with the G10 set. So the decision came down to whether or not I wanted THX for an extra $150. In the end, I decided the cost was not worth it and went with the S1. I have no regrets about that decision at all.
The color and detail on this set is fantastic. Watching the BBC Planet Earth Blu-ray set in 1080p is awe-inspiring! This set paired with the BD60 is a match made in heaven and a much better setup than many others costing hundreds of dollars more. Colors look realistic (and can be made more realistic with some tweaking or a professional ISF calibration). The set has plenty of connections including three HDMI inputs; however, I've found that pairing this with a good AV receiver that has HDMI output makes the number of the connections on the set irrelevant. Even the onboard sound on the TV is decent, but if you're purchasing a TV of this caliber, you would probably want to hook it up to a decent sound system to fully appreciate the home theater experience. The set also has an SD card slot for viewing photos, so the TV can stand in as a very large digital picture frame if you are so inclined.
One of the knocks against plasmas are that they put off more heat than LCDs. Really, this is a non-issue, IMO. The amount of heat generated is far less than a much smaller CRT. Yes, it's warmer than an LCD, but are you really willing to live with all the faults of LCD (less contrast range, poor off-angle viewing, and poor black levels) just to have a TV that is a little bit cooler? Are you watching TV in your family room or a freezer? One consideration that is a possible concern is that the anti-reflective coating is not very effective. If you have strong reflections that you are unable to control, you may want to consider an LCD, although the best LCDs have glass panels instead of matte screens anyway. Overall, I don't think you can buy a better TV for the money (well, maybe the TC-P50X1). Highly recommended!

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46" Plasma, 1080p, NEO PDP Panel which is brighter, Full-time 1080p TV lines of moving picture resolution, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 40,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive

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Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-L37X1 37-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this Panasonic Viera 37" LCD with Ipod Docking station 2 weeks ago. Beautiful clear picture, awesome sound and I love the fact that you can connect your Ipod or Iphone to it and play your music directly from your television.I also love the SD card slot, makes looking at your pictures so much nicer than on the computer, which you can also hook up. I thought the price was fantastic on Amazon, I priced it at several other online stores and department stores, and you can't beat the Prime shipping, got it quick and the delivery guy brought it in took it out of the box and made sure everything was perfect. The only complaint I have is with the manual the directions for the Viera link are somewhat elusive, I'm still trying to figure that one out, especially if you are using a remote control from your digital cable company as opposed to the remote that came with the television. I have purchased Panasonic products in the past, and have always found them to be well made and long lasting. I would definitely recommend this TV for someone who is looking for a second set for the family room/den which is where ours is.

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37" LCD,720p, PC input, 3 HDMI, Contrast ratio 12,000:1, Game Mode, iPod Entertainment Kit

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Panasonic Viera TH-50PX80U 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my first HD TV purchase ever, so I made sure to do my homework. I spent days researching brands, plasmas v. LCDs, 720p v. 1080p resolutions, and 42" v. 50" screens. Friends and family kept telling me, "Get a LCD. Get a 1080p."
The fact is after combing through review after review from consumers and professional critics alike, it became evident that Panasonic is leading the way with plasma technology, and the years-old issues with these TVs (burn-in, heat, glare) are all but resolved. In fact, plasmas offer smoother motion, deeper blacks and wider viewing angles than their LCD rivals.
Screen size and resolution, I found, go hand-in-hand. The rule of thumb: 50" or less in screen size is not worth the extra $$ for 1080p. The increase in resolution only really becomes appreciable with screen sizes over 50". Too, one can only truly take advantage of 1080p with a Blu-ray DVD player. HD channels are sent at lower resolutions, though obviously much better than standard 480i.
Armed with this knowledge, I set out to find the best 50" plasma 720p I could find that fit within my budget. Sony and Pioneer were out. The next tier included Samsung, Toshiba, and Panasonic. The latter won hands down.
Whether I am watching DirectTV HD or my standard DVD player, the picture quality is nothing short of amazing. I love the anti-reflective coating on the screen; works beautifully in our well-lit room and does not mute the colors. It took a minute for my two year-old to get over Scooby-Doo outsizing him, but he's hooked now.
The one minor complaint I see in other reviews is bass distortion with the speakers. I do not use the "bass boost" function and have not noticed anything but clean sound. In fact, speech, music, and effects sound quite good and balanced. Most will use surround sound for movies anyway, I suspect. The only thing that peeves me is the digital audio out. It only supports 2 channel stereo to a receiver.
In closing, I believe this is the best value you will find for a top quality product in this category. Get one, and you won't just watch TV, you'll experience it.

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Panasonic VIERA 50" 720p Plasma HDTV

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