http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/ Engadget HD Comments for Panasonic's TH-50PZ700U plasma becomes 'best ever tested' http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 10:35AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
But a Circuit City salesdrone got to him first and ran his game, so he went with Sammy LN-4665F, citing all the usual Plasma misconceptions along the way.

Oh well, he's still in the 30-day money-back period, so maybe there's still some hope.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:41AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 10:49AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
And get your mind out of the gutter. ;)]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:55AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
Anyway, to further your point, as long as the space is available, you can never have it big enough, ahemz.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:02AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
I actually did recommend the 50PZ700U at one point. He said it was too expensive, but then went on to pay nearly as much for the Samsung. And he put it all on a payment plan anyway.

:(]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:12AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 3rd 2007 11:24AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 11:53AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 12:30PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 12:05PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 1:21PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 7:38PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
And in an unrelated matter, can you guys ease up with the abbreviations are in these posts. I think many of us don't know what STBs and OCAPs are (from CableCard post).]]>Oct 2nd 2007 12:10PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
The only Pioneer I see on the list is: Pioneer PDP-5080HD, which was rated 4th, and here is what they had to say:

Highs
Very good HD and DVD picture quality, plus excellent performance with standard-definition fare. World-class, deep black levels that don't vary in brightness with different types of content and satisfying detail. Excellent reproduction of subtle shades of brightness. Numerous picture-quality adjustments, including color temperature and RGB levels. Extras include 4 HDMI inputs, a CableCard slot, a headphone jack, and the ability to customize display settings by source. It did a good job smoothing out jagged edges in movies and other film-based content.

Lows
Slightly dim images, brightness not on par with the very best sets. Slight image graininess is visible to varying degrees in regular video content.

Bottom Line
Pioneer offers up a winner with this 50-inch 720p model, though it costs a bit more than others of this size. Picture quality was just shy of excellent, and its black levels set a standard for plasmas.


In comparison, the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U comments were:

Highs
Excellent picture quality across the board. Makes the most of its 1080p resolution, reproducing very fine detail. Accurate, vibrant colors, above-average contrast, and very deep blacks give images an almost three-dimensional look. It did a good job smoothing out jagged edges in movies and other film-based content.

Lows
Depth of black level is slightly dependent on the overall brightness of program content. Slight greenish tint on the lowest black levels. Lacks separate RGB level adjustments.

Bottom Line
A first-class 1080p plasma TV (the only one in this Ratings) and the best flat-panel TV we've tested so far. Picture quality is outstanding, raising the bar for the whole category.
]]>Oct 2nd 2007 3:51PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
any recommendations would be appreciated. thanks.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 12:55PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
"Just in case you don't know, Pioneer is owned by Panasonic. They are the same basic display with different processors. Of course the Pioneer processor is much better."

What are you smoking? Pio & Panny are separate companies. They have an *agreement* to share technology, but they are still very much competitors.

The Pio vs Panny debate is old & tired... to each their own.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 12:51PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
"Just in case you don't know, Pioneer is owned by Panasonic. They are the same basic display with different processors. Of course the Pioneer processor is much better."

What are you smoking? Pio & Panny are separate companies. They have an *agreement* to share technology, but they are still very much competitors.

The Pio vs Panny debate is old & tired... to each their own.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 12:53PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 3rd 2007 11:51AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 1:40PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
If your looking for a flat panel, do yourself a favor go into your nearest retailer (not BB or futureshop please!!) go somewhere where they actually know what they are talking about, most pro shops will have the pz700 set up next to a pdp-5080 as well as a sharp D92, the pioneer is Eons ahead of the competition. ]]>Oct 2nd 2007 3:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 10:33PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 4:52PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 3rd 2007 3:38PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/You were probably comparing it to the 4271 model which was last years. The 71 line doesn't come close to producing the black levels as the Kuro line can perform.

Other comments... I own the 50PZ700U which this thread is about. I also work for a Home Theater retailer so I get to see both the 5080 Pioneer, 5010 Pioneer, and the 50PZ700U every day. Let me tell you, the Pioneers have a better picture than the Panasonics. Trust me. Consumer Reports must have bought into the 1080 hype and somehow thought the Panny had a better picture than the 5080 becauase of that. Outside of resolution, the 5080 is a better set. I'm not sure CR even reviewed an actual 5080 either because they listed the price as 1900 which is obviously not correct.

There are a number of plasmas that CR didn't include in that review which they should have including the Pioneer 5010 (which should have been #1), the Panny 77U, and the Panny 750U.

The Panny 75U that they gave the number 2 spot to was definately not deserved. It boggles my mind how that tv beat the Pioneer by 2 whole rankings.
]]>Oct 2nd 2007 6:09PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 7:23PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 3rd 2007 7:59AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 8:54PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 2nd 2007 11:11PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
Actually, from what I have read, the new Samsung plasmas are very good. In particular the 5084.

From what I can tell, the Pio Kuro Elite are the best, followed by regular Kuro, followed closely by Samsung and Panny. The Panny and Samsung are pretty much the same, the deciding factor being personal taste.

I'm referring to the 1080p panny and samsung panels, which compare to the 720p Kuro. The 1080p Kuro are a whole lot more money.]]>Oct 3rd 2007 2:42AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
PS: Plasma vs. LCD?? Stay tuned, folks. This will be a Battle Royale. At the moment, I am a plasma guy who though he would never change his mind, but some of the new LCD's are barking at the heels.]]>Oct 15th 2007 7:38PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
In your comment you claim that when properly calibrated the Pioneer 5080HD and Panasonic 58PZ700U perform at nearly the same level. Does this, in your opinion, hold true for the entire PZ700U line, i.e. do the 50PZ700U and the 42PZ700U compared favorably to the Kuros after calibration?]]>Oct 4th 2007 5:55PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
What is your professional opinion on: (1) differences between the panasonic 750 v 700; (2) if a purchase is for the long term ( let's say 10 years+ if it lasts) whether one should buy 1080p over 720 although the picture may only be marginally better now does it make sense to buy 1080p for future? Thanks for advice.

I agree on professional calibration I have seen the difference first hand! ]]>Oct 15th 2007 3:43PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 3rd 2007 5:01PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
And Panasonic's longtime owner is MATSUSHITA]]>Oct 3rd 2007 7:00PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
TV prices are coming down all the time while the product is getting better. Everyone is in the race to have the best TV and the real winners will be those who can be flexible in multiple environments COUPLED with its features. I dont know if any of you Panasonic owners have tried the GalleryPlayer imagery (ALL 1080p IMAGES) for the SD card slot but its amazing. You cant really find 1080p content on TV (minimal content), its all on Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. I put on HD images during a party and everyone says "Ohhh, so THAT'S what HD is." Its a completely different experience than watching Discovery HD (Man vs Wild!).

They were titled the best because they brought a strong product to the market with features you CAN NOT GET ON ANY OTHER TV (GalleryPlayer enabled) and that has a consumer friendly price. Just my $0.02

P-]]>Oct 4th 2007 1:25PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 17th 2007 3:18PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Pioneer vs. Panasonic, but technical quibbles aside, when properly
calibrated, they are virtually the same picture (as viewed by the
typical viewer at a proper viewing distance). Calibration is "The
Great Equalizer" when it comes to quality flat panels. Almost every
major brand can be brought up to industry standards by professional
calibration. Many of the panels with "great black levels" have
actually turned the sub-bightness control on the Service Menu down
too low, so don't let advertising claims determine your purchase. I
am astounded at the exaggeration and hype the manufacturers allow
their market departments to put out there. You would think that the
marketing guys were actually in charge ;-)
]]>Oct 17th 2007 3:19PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Oct 17th 2007 3:25PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Nov 21st 2007 9:00PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/
I have one question on the anti-glare versus standard glass -- does the anti-glare glass reduce the picture sharpness relative to standard glass? Our viewing room gets a lot of daylight sun, but we also have blinds that we can use on bright days, so I don't think anti-glare glass is a must have, particularly if it costs viewing acuity to diminish.]]>Nov 23rd 2007 9:05PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Dec 14th 2007 9:37PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/panasonics-th-50pz700u-plasma-becomes-best-ever-tested/Dec 22nd 2007 10:48PM