Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1
Manufacturer: Panasonic Part number: TC-P50X1
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Although it requires more than a few picture quality trade-offs, the Panasonic TC-P50X1 delivers the best black-levels-to-dollars ratio of any HDTV we've tested.
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CNET editors' review
Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 price range: $699.99 - $999.95
- Reviewed by: David Katzmaier
- Reviewed on: 04/22/2009
- Updated on:08/19/2009
- Released on: 02/15/2009
The good: Relatively inexpensive; excellent black-level performance; solid connectivity with three HDMI and two component-video inputs.
The bad: Inaccurate primary colors of green and red; faint diagonal lines visible in lighter areas; sparse picture controls; less efficient than similar LCDs.
The bottom line: Although it requires more than a few picture quality trade-offs, the Panasonic TC-P50X1 delivers the best black-levels-to-dollars ratio of any HDTV we've tested.
The capability of a TV to reproduce a dark shade of black is the number-one criteria for awarding a good picture quality score here at CNET. Often better blacks dictate higher prices, but in the case of Panasonic's newest line of entry-level plasmas, which includes the TC-P50X1, that's not the case. This HDTV reproduces superb blacks and excellent shadow detail, while costing a relative pittance for a big-screen HDTV. Unfortunately, two major problems prevent it from earning higher praise, namely that it suffers from less-than-accurate color and the presence of faint on-screen lines that may be a deal-breaker to sharp-eyed viewers. Nonetheless, the Panasonic TC-P50X1's otherwise commendable picture will appeal to numerous HDTV shoppers.
Updated August 19, 2009: Panasonic has fixed the problem with the faint diagonal lines. The company sent us a third review sample, with a manufacturing date of June 2009, and it didn't show the lines we mention below. The company didn't divulge more information on the problem, however, (check out the full story). Since the change happened relatively late in the product's lifespan, and there's no easy way to tell which new models have the lines and which do not, the rating and other conclusions of this review will remain unchanged from its original publication.
Design
(Editors' note: Many of the Design and Features elements are identical between the Panasonic TC-P50X1 and the Panasonic TC-PS1 series we reviewed earlier, so readers of the earlier review may experience some deja vu when reading the same sections below.)
Panasonic's TC-P50X1 makes liberal use of glossy black on its exterior. Shiny black plastic covers the entire frame--which is a tad thicker than the frame on the G10 series--with the exception of a slim strip of silver shaped to mirror the gently curved bottom edge of the panel. The only other accents are the Panasonic logo, an indicator light, and a big power button that nonetheless blends nicely into the frame. Speakers are invisible from the front--they're mounted along the bottom edge of the panel and face downward--and controls and inputs are tucked into either side, hidden from view. All told, the TV's styling is understated and probably won't draw many "ooohs" and "ahhhs" from guests.

Including the matching, nonswiveling stand, the TC-P50X1 measures 48 inches wide by 32.4 inches high by 15.3 inches deep and weighs a substantial 79.4 pounds. Sans stand, the panel measures 48 inches wide by 30.3 inches high by 3.8 inches deep and weighs an even 75 pounds.
The remote is similar to last year's, but it's not as good. Panasonic's marketing guys got to the button designers, judging from the unnecessarily prominent trio of keys--Viera Link, Viera Tools, and SD Card--that arc above the central cursor control. Each provides direct access to functions we'll warrant most users won't access frequently, and the trio relegates the more important, yet now-tiny, Menu key to a secondary spot near the top of the clicker. We still like the feel of the keys, and appreciate the size, color, and shape differentiation that helps us forget that none of the buttons are illuminated. The remote cannot control other devices via infrared (IR) commands, but it does allow some control of compatible HDMI devices connected to the TV via Viera Link (aka HDMI-CEC).

Panasonic tweaked its menu design for 2009. The same yellow-on-blue color scheme is in evidence (albeit a lighter shade of blue) and navigation is basically unchanged, but the main menu actually has a couple of icons now, and edges throughout are a bit more rounded. Overall, it's still one of the more straightforward, basic-looking menus on the mainstream market, but we wish the company would see fit to include onscreen explanations of more advanced items. A new Tools menu showcases some of the TV's functions, although we wish it offered access to a few that were more useful, such as picture modes.
Features
Unlike nearly every large-screen flat-panel HDTV on the market today, the Panasonic TC-P50X1 does not have 1080p native resolution (1920x1080 pixels). Instead, its pixel array is 1,366x768, aka 720p resolution. We didn't really miss the extra pixels, however, and as usual found it difficult to tell the difference between the TC-P50X1 and higher-resolution displays. Check out HDTV resolution explained for general details and the Performance section of this review for specifics. The X1 models, including this 50-incher and the 42-inch TC-P42X1, are also missing the higher-contrast, more-efficient NEO PDP panel found on step-up models like the TC-PS1 series.

Compared with a lot of other name-brand HDTV makers, Panasonic offers far fewer picture adjustments. Yes, the basics are there, including Contrast, which the company was calling Picture for years. We liked that all four of the global picture modes, including the dim-by-design Standard mode, are adjustable and that the fifth, called Custom, is independent per input. The company's Game mode is basically just a picture mode; it doesn't eliminate video processing like some other makers' Game modes.

Beyond the basics, there are three color temperature presets, of which Warm came closest to the D65 standard, although unfortunately no further provisions for tweaking the grayscale exist. A "C.A.T.S." function senses ambient light and adjusts the picture accordingly; a pair of On/Off settings affect video noise; and another allows you to set black level (the Light option exposed the correct amount of shadow detail). That's about it--there's no gamma, color management, or other more-advanced settings.
You can choose from four aspect ratio options with high-def sources, including a Zoom mode that allows adjustment of horizontal size and vertical position.

Panasonic also offers ways to avoid temporary image retention, aka burn-in, and address it, should it occur. A pixel orbiter slowly shifts the image around the screen, and you can elect to have it happen automatically or in user-set periodic intervals. You can chose bright- or dark-gray bars alongside 4:3 programs. And if you do see some burn-in, chances are the scrolling-bar function, which sweeps a white bar across a black screen, will clear it up after while.
The TV lacks picture-in-picture and cannot freeze the image temporarily to catch a phone number, for example. It can, however, accept SD cards with digital photos into a slot on the left side, which allows it to play back the images on the big screen.

Connectivity on the TC-P50X1 is adequate, but not extensive, starting with three HDMI inputs, two on the back and a third on the side. Other back-panel connections include two component-video inputs, an AV input with composite and S-video, and an RF input for cable or antenna. There's also an optical-digital audio output. We would have liked to see a standard analog audio output and, more importantly, a VGA-style PC input, but the latter feature is reserved for step-up models in the company's lineup. In addition to the HDMI pot and SD card slot, the side panel offers a second AV input with composite video.


Performance
Deep black levels are the high point of the TC-P50X1's picture quality, and we didn't miss having full 1080p resolution. We did encounter an unusual uniformity problem that will discourage sharp-eyed viewers, as well as a few color accuracy issues, but otherwise the TC-P50X1 performed very well for the price.
As with other Panasonic displays, lack of user menu controls means there's not much to do when setting up the TC-P50X1. The Cinema preset delivered slightly more accurate secondary colors compared with Custom, but the former was too dim for our standard calibration, maxing out at only 29 footlamberts (ftl). Since primary colors were identical between the two modes, and there were no other major trade-offs in choosing Custom, we used that mode for our evaluation, which enabled us to achieve our preferred brightness of 40ftl. We would have liked to tweak the grayscale as well to address its somewhat bluish cast (see the Geek Box), but that's not an option in the user menu.
Our comparison involved a number of models from more expensive Panasonic series, including the TC-P46G10 and TC-P42S1, as well as a pair of large LCD displays, the Vizio VF550XVT and the Samsung LN52A650, in addition to our reference Pioneer PRO-111FD plasma and Sony KDL-55XBR8 LCD. Unfortunately, we didn't have any like-priced large-screen TVs to compare with the Panasonic TC-P50X1. We chose to watch "The Silence of the Lambs" on Blu-ray.
Black level: The Panasonic TC-P50X1's best picture quality characteristic is its capability to deliver a deep shade of black, which, as usual, lends the entire picture depth and pop in all lighting conditions. In a darkened home theater, watching dim scenes like the nighttime drive at the beginning of Chapter 7, the 50X1 handily out-blacked the LCDs (aside from the LED-powered Sony) and even looked a bit darker than Panasonic's own TC-P42S1 despite that more-expensive series' higher contrast ratio spec. The Panasonic G10 delivered a slightly deeper shade of black, however, and of course the Pioneer plasma was a good deal darker.
Shadow detail on the 50X1 was also solid, as evinced by the natural look of the subtle detail in brickwork in Chapter 6, with its realistic rise from black into shadow. Again, the G10 and Pioneer were the only ones in our lineup that obviously beat the 50X1 in this regard.
Color accuracy: The Panasonic 50X1 fell well short of ideal in this category, hindered by a highly inaccurate color of green compared with our reference display. The almost neon quality in green showed up very well in the night-vision view through Buffalo Bill's goggles, as well as in plants like the grass and trees around Quantico. The red Corolla next to Catherine Martin's car also appeared a bit too red.
The 50X1's bluish grayscale manifested, for example, as a bit too much paleness in Jodie Foster's face and in other delicate skin tones. We had to reduce the color control slightly to keep that tone natural-looking, but there was still plenty of saturation and "pop" left to colors, thanks to the 50X1's deep black levels. We were also very appreciative of the TV's consistent grayscale in dark areas, which didn't turn exceedingly bluish or greenish as we've seen on so many other displays, including the S1.
Video processing: As a non-1080p display, the TC-P50X1 can't be expected to resolve every detail of a 1080i or 1080p source, but it dealt with a static 720p source as well as can be expected. The set's nondefeatable 3 percent overscan prevented the extreme edges of the image from showing.
If you have a choice, we do recommend going in at 720p, mainly because the TC-P50X1 didn't correctly de-interlace 1080i content, whereas perhaps your external HD source will. We did not count lines to evaluate motion resolution (our test pattern only works properly with 1080p displays), but subjectively the 50X1 looked as sharp as the other plasmas with motion, and a bit sharper than the LCDs (aside from the Sony XBR8, which looked about the same).
It's also worth noting that with normal program material it was difficult to tell the difference in detail between the Pioneer and the Panasonic 50X1, despite the latter's significantly lower resolution spec (since both are 50-inch plasmas, they provide level ground for comparison). In the highest-detailed areas of our test footage, such as some computer-generated images from our Digital Video EssentialsBlu-ray, we could spot the overall softness in a side-by-side comparison, but in most other sources, including the "Silence" Blu-ray, we could barely differentiate the two from a seating distance of eight feet.
Uniformity: Most plasmas have nearly perfect screen uniformity, to the extent that we usually skip this section entirely in plasma TV reviews, but on the TC-P50X1 we encountered an issue we hadn't seen before. It might not be a classic uniformity artifact, such as off-angle problems or brightness variations across the screen--which were, as expected, basically nonexistent on this plasma--but it could be a deal-breaker for sharp-eyed viewers. Then again, most viewers probably won't notice it, at least until they read about it.
From seating distances closer than about 10 feet, we could make out a pattern of very faint, grayish diagonal lines that ran from the upper left to the lower right of the screen. The lines didn't move, but rather seemed to be a part of the screen or pixel structure. They showed up most in lighter areas, such as flat fields like the sky above the hospital and gray or white walls, as well as in lighter-skinned faces like that of Jody Foster as she stares at the newspaper clippings. In darker or noisier material the lines became much less apparent and often disappeared, but in many instances we could easily make them out--more easily the closer we sat to the screen (we find a seating distance of about 8 feet comfortable for a 50-inch screen). Once we noticed them, it was difficult to "un-see" the lines. Test patterns confirmed that the entire screen was affected.
We described what we saw to Panasonic, and the company's engineer said he would get back to us with an explanation. Panasonic did send us a second TC-P50X1 when we asked for it, to make sure that the issue wasn't confined to our particular review sample. Both looked basically the same, and both showed the lines. No adjustment we could make eliminated the issue.
Updated on May 28, 2009: The company got back to us with an explanation: "[Panasonic is] aware of the issue, but currently there is nothing that can be done to alleviate the lines. It is thought to be interference between the panel and front glass. At this time, a fix or software update to correct the phenomenon of the diagonal lines is not available. Engineers in Japan are continuing to study the phenomenon and investigate possible solutions and/or countermeasures."
We checked a number of other displays, including a TH-50PHD8UK and a TH-50PX600U (two earlier Panasonic plasmas with 1,366x768 resolution), and they lacked the lines.
Note that we have not yet tested a 42-inch Panasonic TC-P42X1, the TC-P50X1's smaller companion in the TC-PX1 series, so we can't say whether it shows similar lines. The two sets have different native resolutions, and since resolution could be a contributing factor to the lines, we are not going to apply this review to the 42-incher in a series review.
Bright lighting: The 50X1 did a solid job attenuating ambient light in a brightly lit room, but did not perform as well in this regard as the matte-screened Sony or the Pioneer plasmas did. We could make out some sharp reflections in the glass of the Panasonic's screen, and the light washed out the darker parts of the image worse than on the Samsung, but reflections still weren't as distracting as on that set. The 50X1's screen handled ambient light exactly like that of the other two Panasonic plasmas in our comparison.
Standard-definition: Standard-def picture quality on the TC-P50X1 was mediocre. It resolved every line of the DVD format, although details weren't quite as sharp as on the Samsung, for example. The 50X1 did a subpar job of moving diagonal lines and stripes on the waving American flag, leaving plenty of jaggies along the edges. Noise reduction was solid, on the other hand, and both Video NR and MPEG NR settings contributed to removing moving motes and snow from low-quality shots of skies and sunsets. Finally, the set properly engaged 2:3 pulldown to remove moire from the grandstands behind the racecar.
PC: The TC-P50X1 does not make an ideal large-screen PC monitor. Its lower resolution means onscreen text isn't as sharp as it would be on higher-resolution displays, it lacks a VGA input for analog connections from PCs, and the diagonal lines we described above are clearly visible on the white backgrounds common to PC desktops. When we connected three test PCs via HDMI, we were unable to get the native 1,366x768 resolution to appear as an option in the driver software; the best we could do was 1,280x768, which did look fairly good given the caveats above. Nonetheless, if you're planning on regularly using your HDTV as a big monitor, we recommend a different display.
| TEST | RESULT | SCORE |
| Before color temp (20/80) | 6784/7027 | Average |
| After color temp | N/A | |
| Before grayscale variation | 534 | Average |
| After grayscale variation | N/A | |
| Color of red (x/y) | 0.664/0.329 | Average |
| Color of green | 0.253/0.672 | Poor |
| Color of blue | 0.149/0.057 | Good |
| Overscan | 3.0% | Average |
| Defeatable edge enhancement | Y | Good |
| 480i 2:3 pull-down, 24 fps | Pass | Good |
| 1080i video resolution | Pass | Good |
| 1080i film resolution | Fail | Poor |
Power consumption: Like all Panasonic plasmas we've tested recently, the TC-P50X1's default Standard picture mode is relatively dim (28.8ftl), which allows it to score well in our system, as well as qualify for Energy Star.
As usual, the best way to evaluate its efficiency is to compare it with like-size displays after calibration to a constant light level. On that playing field, the TC-P50X1 (255.88 watts) outclassed most recent 50-inch plasmas we've tested, including the Panasonic TH-50PF11UK (336.35), the Vizio VP505XVT (383.83), the LG 50PG30 (324.85), and the Samsung PN50A650 (337.77). That's because, unlike those 1080p models, the TC-P50X1 has a 720p resolution--plasmas, unlike LCDs, use more power at higher resolutions. Compared with 720p 50-inch plasmas, like the LG 50PG20 (257.59) and Hitachi P50H401 (216.65), the Panasonic TC-P50X1's power use is typical.
Of course, like-size (52-inch) LCDs, such as the Sony KDL-52XBR7 (161.11), the Sharp LC-52D65 (121.6), or the Sony LN52A650 (140.8) all consume significantly less power than the 50-inch TC-P50X1.
| Panasonic TC-P50X1 | Picture settings | ||
| Default | Calibrated | Power Save | |
| Picture on (watts) | 217.95 | 255.88 | N/A |
| Picture on (watts/sq. inch) | 0.2 | 0.24 | N/A |
| Standby (watts) | 0.2 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Cost per year | $47.11 | $55.28 | N/A |
| Score (considering size) | Good | ||
| Score (overall) | Average | ||
User reviews
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Great TV and a great price!
Pros: Great picture
Great price
Easy to setup
Looks great from a design standpoint
Lots of connectionsCons: If you have bad composite cables, TV will buzz and have bad picture
Speakers lack some depth
Menu isn't the best
Remote isn't the best eitherSummary: Overall, I love this TV. I was able to purchase it for $899 from Ultimate Electronics and couldn't be happier. At first, the picture wasn't too great and ...
Summary: Overall, I love this TV. I was able to purchase it for $899 from Ultimate Electronics and couldn't be happier. At first, the picture wasn't too great and there was buzzing coming from the speakers. Once I switched to an HD box with HDMI cable, it was perfect. Another quick note: Do not let salespeople tell you that you need a $50+ HDMI cable. Monoprice.com sells them for way less; I bought my cable on sale for $1.95!
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Cannot beat price and performance
by jonatbaylor on November 27, 2009
Pros: Nice Blacks on this, easy setup. HDMI port. Very cheap!
Color is very nice, just adjust as needed.Cons: This may be outdated in 3 years. Could be a bit brighter.
Otherwise no complaints!Summary: For the price I paid, there is no better bargain out there. This 720p Plasma is A-OK, great performance. Speakers suck, but you aren't really paying for those anyways. ...
Summary: For the price I paid, there is no better bargain out there. This 720p Plasma is A-OK, great performance. Speakers suck, but you aren't really paying for those anyways. I'd rather save a 150-250 on my TV because I have a sound system at home already. I don't need to rely on the TV for it.
I bought this for 700.00 (that INCLUDES tax and shipping) from 6th avenue electronics on 11 27 09. It's been hovering between 750-850 for 6 months. As soon as I saw it dip below 725 I knew I was going to buy it. If you can get it total price (tax+shipping) for less than 750.00 DO IT. If you are paying upwards 875.00 for it all, look at the 55" plasma sears is offering for 1066.00 at 1080p. That is a great deal, too. I just can't justify 400.00 extra for simply a 1080p upgrade and 5 more inches.
I have lined up 720p and 1080p's left and right for about 6 months. I've played DVD, HD and Blue Ray disks on both TV's. You can hardly notice the difference, except for 1080p on blue ray only, vs. 720p on blue ray. Even then, its minimal.
The only complaints I've read on this for not being 5 star is limited menues and a bad remote..who cares!? The menue and remote work well enough...I'm happy to save 200.00 and "deal" with it.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Awesome TV!! best buy i ever made!
by dvd03 on October 25, 2009
Pros: 50 inch tv
price
black levels
doesnt seem to get hot like my old plasmaCons: menu could be better, more options for fine tuning
Summary: i really love this TV, the picture quality is amazing, some of the best black levels ive seen in a TV. watching football on this TV is a real treat, ...
Summary: i really love this TV, the picture quality is amazing, some of the best black levels ive seen in a TV. watching football on this TV is a real treat, got to love hd! i don't think you can find to many things wrong with this TV set. i would recommend this tv to anyone. great deal for 850 bucks..... best TV i have ever owned!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Nice Tv!!!
by scionguy05 on May 23, 2009
Pros: outstanding black levels! picture looks great with blu ray, and hd programming, does a better than avg job with standard tv signals
Cons: i wish it had more setting menus but thats just nic picking i love this tv
Summary: this is my 2nd plasma, and this is by far my best tv i have ever owned, this tv is very impressive. I have no complaints, and at 949 dollars ...
Summary: this is my 2nd plasma, and this is by far my best tv i have ever owned, this tv is very impressive. I have no complaints, and at 949 dollars i feel like i got a great deal, i was thorn between this model and the top of the line g10 series i just couldn't spend the extra 700 bucks, i couldnt see enough improvements that justifyed the extra money. I love the look of the tv to, looks nice, the gloss black really stands out on my tv stand. tv is thin to, it weighs less than my 42 inch plasma that i bought 2 years ago.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great TV and Exceptional Value
by matt_cleveland on May 8, 2009
Pros: Amazing colors and saturation
Plasma technology is still superior - black levels make a huge differenceCons: Red is a little "too" red with the Cnet recommended settings
Could use an additional HDMI inputSummary: I debated over 720p and 1080p for a long time, but could not bring myself to spend the extra $$ for the 1080p .... and I could not be happier with that ...
Summary: I debated over 720p and 1080p for a long time, but could not bring myself to spend the extra $$ for the 1080p .... and I could not be happier with that decision. With the $$ I saved, I bought a Blu-ray player and new center channel speaker - these are both much more important to me than the 1080p. The picture is absolutely amazing, even on this entry level HDTV. I have watched a lot of content from about 8 feet away from my 50" tv, and I can not see any picture deficiencies at all. This is an amazing TV, especially when you consider the price. I highly recommend it - save your $$ by purchasing the 720p Plasma and get yourself a Blu-ray player. You won't regret it for a second.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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TH-P50X1 is the Price-Performance Winner... A Super Buy
by RJClubmaker on April 30, 2009
Pros: Brilliant color, impressive blacks, great resolution (looks like a 1080p to me), surprisingly good sound. Lowest price per square inch. No motion blur with its 600Hz refresh rate and looks the same no matter where you are in the room. A super buy.
Cons: Its a little heavy at about 75 pounds.
Summary: The Panasonic TH-P50X1 has shown to be the perfect HDTV for our master bedroom... attractive design, surprisingly good audio for a TV and really great picture performance. With its low ...
Summary: The Panasonic TH-P50X1 has shown to be the perfect HDTV for our master bedroom... attractive design, surprisingly good audio for a TV and really great picture performance. With its low price, this is one of the best purchases I have made in recent years.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great value for 720p. nice features. blacks are great
by scaggm1 on March 24, 2009
Pros: I had a panasonic 420 res 42 inch set and upgraded to the new TC-p50x1. The picture is great with off the air HD and from my dish HD content. I also like what the set does with analog signals. The Sd picture interface is cool.
Cons: I wish the base had a swivel base like samsung. This set does not swivel. 1080p for the same price maybe later.
Summary: great set for a good price. with some great interface features to pictures and setup. Like the SD photo and ease of use of the whole TV. Lots of inputs ...
Summary: great set for a good price. with some great interface features to pictures and setup. Like the SD photo and ease of use of the whole TV. Lots of inputs for modern technolgy. energy star rated.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Low Budget HDTV with a GREAT Picture
by wobble on August 29, 2009
Pros: Great picture with CNET's recommended settings with EASY quick set-up.
Cons: None!! What do you expect from $800.00, 50 inch Plasma. GREAT PICTURE and no nonsense set-up!
Summary: If you are looking for a no frills with the usual Panasonic fantastic plasma picture, this TC-P50X1 is for you! Easy, FAST, setup with an easy remote that is straight ...
Summary: If you are looking for a no frills with the usual Panasonic fantastic plasma picture, this TC-P50X1 is for you! Easy, FAST, setup with an easy remote that is straight forward! No confusing and complicated settings with this HDTV. I used CNETS settings which was similar to another report I read and you can just sit back and ENJOY! Played Transformers via Pansonic DVD and picture is out of this world with steady flow expected from a Plasma. This TV does have 24p. This 50 inch is also connected to a 5 JBL Northridge speaker system in basement rec room. We also have Panasonic's 42 inch in the living room, purchased February 09. Future buyers, you won't be disappointed. ENJOY!
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Good plasma TV but not for me!
Pros: Clear, inexpensive ($825), and SD card slot.
Cons: Too dark and not enough video settings. It has a very small manual setting menu to adjust picture quality.
Summary: The bottom line is this TV was too dark for me. I could not get the colors to "pop". I have other plasmas that are a lot brighter (primary colors) ...
Summary: The bottom line is this TV was too dark for me. I could not get the colors to "pop". I have other plasmas that are a lot brighter (primary colors) and I like that for me. I also had color issues with the green and red objects. I going to try the Samsung 50" B450 plasma.
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Wish I never bought Panasonic
by Never_Panasonic_again on June 17, 2009
Pros: This would be a great TV if Panasonic would support it -- but they won't.
Cons: The manual is terrible, the support (if you can call it that) is worse.
Summary: The support people who answer the phones don't know anything about the TV. Don't bother to try emailing support. They only tell you to call in. I have ...
Summary: The support people who answer the phones don't know anything about the TV. Don't bother to try emailing support. They only tell you to call in. I have had to open multiple support tickets on this TV and they all keep getting closed even though nothing has been done. Panasonic clearly doesn't care about it's customer base. I have given Panasonic every opportunity to correct the problems I am experiencing, but they have chosen to ignor me instead. Think twice before you become one of their ignored ex-customers.
0 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Panasonic
- Part number: TC-P50X1
- Description: The X1 series Plasma HDTVs are ideal for sports, movies and gaming, with crisp, focused images during fast-moving scenes. The 50" Class (49.9" diagonal) VIERA X1 series Plasma 720p HDTV comes with 600Hz sub-field drive for crisp, focused images, VIERA Image Viewer for easy photo sharing, and VIERA Link to control all compatible devices with a single remote.
General
- Series VIERA
- Product type Plasma panel
- Diagonal Size 50 in - Widescreen
- Dimensions & Weight Details Panel without stand - 48 in x 3.7 in x 30.3 in x 75 lbs, Panel with stand - 48 in x 15.2 in x 32.4 in x 79.4 lbs
Display
- Technology Plasma (PDP)
- Resolution 1366 x 398
- Display Format 720p
- Image Aspect Ratio 16:9
- Image Contrast Ratio 30000:1
- Widescreen Modes 16:9, Full, Just, Zoom, Conventional 4:3
- Color Temperature Control Yes
- Progressive Scan Progressive scanning (line doubling)
- Display Menu Language French, English, Spanish
- Analog Video Signal Composite video, S-Video
- Backlight Life 100,000 hour(s)
- Comb Filter 3D-Y/C digital
- V-Chip Control Yes
- Additional Features Viera image viewer, Anti-image retention
TV Tuner
- Tuner Qty 1x analog/digital combo
- Stereo Reception System MTS
- Secondary Audio Program (SAP) Yes
Video Features
- Video Interface HDMI, S-Video, Component, Composite
- HDTV Ready Yes
- Input Video Formats 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
- Parental Channel Lock Yes
- Closed Caption Capability Yes
Audio System
- Speaker(s) 2 x Right/left channel speaker - Built-in - 10 Watt
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Audio Controls Bass, Treble, Balance
- Output Power / Total 20 Watt
- Additional Features Balance control, Bass & treble control
Connections
- Connector Type 2 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear, 1 x Composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear, 2 x Component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear, 1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear, 1 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear, 1 x Digital audio output (optical) ( TOSLINK ) - Rear, 1 x Composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Side, 1 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Side
- Slot Provided 1 x SD Memory Card
Memory Card Reader
- Supported Flash Memory Cards SD Memory Card
Remote Control
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
- Supported Devices TV
Stands & Mounts
- Stand Included Yes
- Stand Design Tabletop
- Flat Panel Mount Interface Yes
Power
- Power Device Power supply - Internal
- Power AC 120 V
- Power Consumption Stand by / Sleep 0.3 Watt
- Power Consumption Operational 399 Watt
- Compliant Standards EPA Energy Star, UL6500/C-UL
Miscellaneous
- HDCP Compatible Yes
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year - On-site
Sustainability
- CNET Labs: Operational power consumption 217.95 Watt
- CNET Labs: Power consumption Stand by / Sleep 0.2 Watt
- CNET Labs: Estimated Annual Energy Cost 47.11 US Dollars
- ENERGY STAR Qualified Yes
- Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.9
Product series
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- VIZIO VMAX1000 - video / audio cable - HDMI - 6 ft (33397373)29.99
- ADCOM GFR-700 (31966032)1266.10 - 1999.00
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- Denon AVR-2308CI (32553613)899.00
- URC Universal Remote Professional Line MX-810 (32912039)260.00 - 399.95
- URC Universal Remote Control MX-900 (32552106)399.99 - 449.95
- URC Professional Line MX-850 - universal remote control (32092938)409.99
- URC Professional Line MX-450 - universal remote control (33639921)249.95
- URC Home Theater Master MX-3000 - universal remote control (31337842)1099.99
Manufacturer info
- Panasonic
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Panasonic products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.panasonic.com/
- Address:
One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094 - Phone: 800/662-3537











