Introduction

LG's 50PM9700 (MSRP $1,699) is the flagship plasma television and it features everything we've come to expect from a high-end LG TV: the motion-controlled Magic Remote, LG's excellent smart interface, and killer looks. If we judged books by their covers, or TVs by their stands, the 50PM9700 would be one of our favorites.

Since we judge TVs by performance at TelevisionInfo, we will say that this LG is very good, but not nearly perfect. The motion performance, screen uniformity, and viewing angle on the 50PM9700 were all terrific. The same cannot be said about the contrast; plasma TVs are known for their deep black levels, but this LG did not get very dark. The 3D experience, which LG has implemented very well in its LED TVs, is just mediocre on this TV.

This is still a great TV with some of the best smart features around and the price is quite attractive compared to the competition.