Panasonic Viera TC-P50G10

Value Comparison Summary

After completing all our lab testing, we found that the performance differences between these two Panasonic TVs was not so different. The TC-P50PU1 could achieve deeper blacks and had less motion artifacting, but the gap was not so large as to make a huge difference in everyday viewing.

The biggest difference between these models is the addition of the LAN internet port on the TC-P50G10. Chances are, you already know if internet features are important to your buying decision. Fortunately, if you opt for the TC-P50G10, the Viera Cast suite of internet widgets is pretty good. It's a lot faster than the laggy, incomplete set of widgets we saw on the Samsung UN46B8500, but it lacks the stunningly large group of content providers Sony has secured for its Bravia TVs.

	Comparison Specifications
	Panasonic TC-P50G10	Panasonic TC-P50U1
Size	50 inches	50 inches
Price	$1599 (MSRP)	$1299 (MSRP)
Type	Plasma	Plasma
Format	1080p	1080p

Blacks & Whites

The two Panasonics did not perform so differently, but don't think that all TVs from a single manufacturer are basically the same. The processing and parts are frequently completely different, which is why we test so many TVs every year rather than make assumptions. In regards to blacks and whites, the TC-P50G10 could not get quite as dark, but managed to get a lot brighter. For that reason, the contrast ratio expanded out compared to the TC-P50U1.

Blacks & Whites Comparison Chart
Panasonic TC-P50G10 Score: Black Level: 9.51 Peak Brightness: 2.98 Contrast: 6.44	Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: Black Level: 9.99 Peak Brightness: 0.95 Contrast: 5.86

Color Accuracy

Both Panasonics produced excellent, stable color temperatures through all levels of signal intensity. The RGB curves, which track how well a TV can transition from dark to light across the red, green, and blue channels (tested individually), were about equal as well. Both TVs are good. The only variance in this section was color accuracy, in which the TC-P50G10 more closely matched the rec. 709 color standard. 

Color Temperature Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50G10 Score: 10.0

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 9.34

RGB Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50G10 Score: 7.71

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 7.48

Color Gamut Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50G10 Score: 6.32

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 4.27

Motion

The Panasonic TC-P50G10 had motion artifacts that we did not see with the recently reviewed Panasonic TC-P50U1, which was disappointing, but points to the fact that it's hard to make assumptions about a TV's processing without actually watching/testing it. 

Viewing Effects

There is little difference in the viewing angle between the two Panasonics. They're both plasma TVs, and both very good.

Viewing Angle Comparison
Panasonic TC-P50G10 Score: 8.56	Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 10.21

Connectivity

The big difference here is the LAN internet port on the Panasonic TC-P50G10. Overall, we liked Panasonic's online content interface, modest though it was in its diversity.