Panasonic TC-P50U1 Plasma HDTV Review

Introduction
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
The Panasonic TC-P50U1 is a pretty basic model, at least as basic as they come in the 50-inch plasma category (that's a lot of screen real estate, mind you). Skipping the fancy, and frequently pointless, special processing features, Panasonic has made a TV that delivers acceptable performance for a decent price.
		Page 1 of 18	Tour & Design

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Tour & Design"]

Tour & Design Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• Clean, simple design, though its highly reflective • Decent number of ports • No swivel base
	Introduction	Page 2 of 18	Blacks & Whites

Front

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 is pretty ordinary looking for a television. The bezel is black and very shiny, and picks up fingerprints like magic. The power button is on the front of the set, apart from the rest of the controls on the side.

Back

The back of the TV, like most TVs, is rather uninteresting. The only unfortunate issue is that base of the TV does not swivel, making the ports more difficult to access. Panasonic has placed the rear ports on the side, which should help with the problem. For information about the ports on the back of the Panasonic TC-P50U1 see our Connectivity section.

Sides

On one side of the Panasonic TC-P50U1 is a series of buttons for the basic controls. On the other side is a series of ports: HDMI, composite AV, and SD card. For information about the ports on the back of the Panasonic TC-P50U1 see our Connectivity section.

Stand/Mount

The stand looks like it can handle the heft of the TC-P50U1, but the fact that it does not swivel limits access to the back ports.

No swivel base

Controls

The controls on the side of the Panasonic TC-P50U1 are the same you find on nearly all televisions: channel up/down, volume up/down, menu, and input. The buttons themselves are easy to reach and well-placed.

Remote Control

The remote control for the Panasonic TC-P50U1 is not very good. It's light enough, but the remote is just not comfortable to hold. Also, the buttons squeak and the response time on the TV is too slow. 

The remote is not great, but it suffices

In The Box (7.0)

The items that come with the Panasonic TC-P50U1 are few: the remote control, batteries, an AC power cable, cleaning cloth, and the user's manual. 

Aesthetics (6.0)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 is a reserved, no-frills design. There's no clever bits of plastic or weird colors. It merely serves to hold the screen, which is the only part of the TV you only want to see anyway. 

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Blacks & Whites"]

Blacks & Whites Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• Excellent black levels • Very dim peak brightness • Adequate contrast ratio • Testing done using DisplayMate Software
	Tour & Design	Page 3 of 18	Color Accuracy

Black Level (9.99)

Like most plasma televisions, the Panasonic TC-P50U1 produced excellent black levels. This is because when a pixel is asked to appear black, that charge going to that pixel can be turned off entirely – black is black. LCD televisions, on the other hand, use a backlight that can never fully be turned off.

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 produced a black level of 0.04 c/m2. That's an excellent score, even among plasmas TVs. 

Black Level
Compare the Panasonic TC-P50U1 to other HDTVs
Samsung PN50B430 50 inches	Vizio SV471XVT 47 inches	Sony KDL-52XBR9 52 inches

Peak Brightness (0.95)

Ah, the downside of plasma TVs. While black levels look great, plasma TVs have a hard time producing very bright whites on par with LCDs. The issue is heat. Plasmas are quite literally using super-heated plasma gas, and producing the color white requires the strongest possible charge. If the TV really tried to light every pixel at the highest possible setting, it would melt. Therefore, the charge is limited and, hence, the brightness of the whites are reduced. This has the added effect of "white falloff," discussed further down this page.

Peak Brightness

At best, the Panasonic TC-P50U1 produced a very poor peak brightness of 36.02 cd/m². This is so far below the performance of an LCD TV it's laughable. 

Contrast (5.86)

While the black level performance on the Panasonic TC-P50U1 was impressive, the peak brightness was so low that the overall contrast is a modest 901:1. We've seen much worse from plasma TVs, so this is nothing to scoff at. However, the enormous contrast ratio on the competing Sony KDL-52XBR9 is rather overwhelming. 

Contrast

Tunnel Contrast (0.0)

Tunnel contrast measures the TV's ability to maintain deep blacks regardless of how much surrounding white is on the screen. Most TVs have no problem with this, and the Panasonic TC-P50U1 did just fine, as well. The black levels were rock steady. 

Tunnel Contrast

White Falloff (9.57)

White falloff measures how well a TV maintains its bright whites, regardless of how much white or black is on the screen. This is a problem area for many plasma TVs (see the Peak Brightness section above for more details). And while we were disappointed with the Panasonic TC-P50U1's peak brightness, it did manage to keep those whites even no matter what percentage of the screen was black or white. It's a small victory. 

White Falloff

Uniformity (9.75)

The screen uniformity on the Panasonic TC-P50U1 is great. It's no surprise, as most plasmas TV do well here. The blacks were completely even, as were the whites. 

Greyscale Gamma (7.52)

The greyscale measures the smoothness of transitions from black to white. You can see from the shape of the curve here that there is some unevenness in the darker areas, so expect banding in some shadows. However, as it transitions from mids to brights, the curve is nice and smooth.

Greyscale Gamma

Resolution Scaling (7.03)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 is a native 1080p television. We wanted to see how the TV can handle video that's not in a 1080p format. 

480p
At 480p, the TC-P50U1 lost 2% of the image on all sides, an issue called overscanning. However, the image quality was quite good. 

720p
The 720p content also lost 2% of the image on each side. There was some minor issues with the appearance of Moire patterns in high frequency detail areas.

1080i
The 1080i video had no loss of image due to overscanning, but there was a huge problem with Moire patterns and false color appearing in high frequency areas. It's really terrible, and we've never see anything this bad before in this regard. See the image below, which is a photograph of the screen.

These high-frequency patterns would appear grey on most TVs. On the Panasonic TC-P50U1, certain patterns produced strong, false color.

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Color Accuracy"]

Color Accuracy Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• Excellent color temperature evenness • Expect some color banding in area of gradated color • Testing done using DisplayMate Software
	Blacks & Whites	Page 4 of 18	Motion

Color Temperature (9.34)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 managed to produce a an excellent and even color temperature. As you can see from the graph below, no matter the signal intensity (dark to bright), the color temperature remained consistent enough that you'll never see a difference with the naked eye. 

Color Temperature
Compare the Panasonic TC-P50U1 to other HDTVs
Samsung PN50B430 50 inches	Vizio SV471XVT 47 inches	Sony KDL-52XBR9 52 inches

RGB Curves (7.48)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1's RGB curves were pretty shaky, which indicates that there could be some problem with smooth color gradations. The graph results were no surprise, as we saw in other tests the TV's problem with color banding when it tried to render areas with gradient tones. On the whole, though, it the score is about the same or better than the competing TVs. 

RGB Curves

The strips below are computer-generated visual representations of the red, green, and blue color tones.

Red Response Comparisons
Ideal Response
Panasonic TC-P50U1
Samsung PN50B430
Vizio SV471XVT
Sony KDL-52XBR9

Green Response Comparisons
Ideal Response
Panasonic TC-P50U1
Samsung PN50B430
Vizio SV471XVT
Sony KDL-52XBR9

Blue Response Comparisons
Ideal Response
Panasonic TC-P50U1
Samsung PN50B430
Vizio SV471XVT
Sony KDL-52XBR9

Color Gamut (4.27)

The color gamut measures the TV's accuracy in accordance with the rec.709 color standard. The Panasonic TC-P50U1 scored only 4.27 in the section, but compared to most TVs, it's really not that bad. Few TVs exactly match up to the standard. 

Color Gamut

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Motion"]

Motion Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• Noticeable amount of motion artifacting • Testing done using DisplayMate Software
	Color Accuracy	Page 5 of 18	Viewing Effects

Motion Smoothness (6.5)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 managed to provide quite a smooth look to objects in motion, depending on the content. For instance, the parts of our test that move color photos back and forth across the screen looked great, as did a color test pattern. However, the TC-P50U1 has some obvious banding issues with greyscale gradation, and those bands leaped into prominence when they're moving around the screen. 

Motion Artifacting (6.25)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 did not perform exceedingly well in regards to motion artifacting. As we saw in related performance tests, the TV has a problem with high frequency detail, often creating distracting Moire patterns or a "visual buzzing" in some areas. There was also the issue, mentioned above, or problems with areas of greyscale gradation, in which banding became visually prominent when in motion.

Of course, it's important to underscore that the lab tests are meant to push these televisions to their extreme. Normal movie and cable viewing did not seem to make the problems quite so prominent.

3:2 Pulldown & 24fps (7.5)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 has no problem with 3:2 pulldown. The motion was perfectly smooth, avoiding the creep-crawl that you see in TVs that do not handle 3:2 pulldown well. 

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Viewing Effects"]

Viewing Effects Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• Fantastic 77-degree wide angle • Very reflective screen • Testing done using DisplayMate Software
	Motion	Page 6 of 18	Calibration

Viewing Angle (10.21)

One of the primary benefits of plasma TVs is the wide viewing angle, far exceeding that of LCD TVs. The Panasonic TC-P50U1 wowed us with a viewing angle of 77 degrees. That's very good, even for a plasma TV. If you need a TV to service a wide room, this might be an appropriate model. It's a good thing, too, because the base does not swivel on this TV. 

Viewing Angle
Compare the Panasonic TC-P50U1 to other HDTVs
Samsung PN50B430 50 inches	Vizio SV471XVT 47 inches	Sony KDL-52XBR9 52 inches

Reflectance (4.5)

The screen on the Panasonic TC-P50U1 is highly reflective. If the scene you're watching is dark and there's a light shining on you or anything else in the room, the TV is basically a mirror. No good. 

Video Processing (2.0)

There are surprisingly (and refreshingly) few special processing features on the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Since these features tend to make the picture look worse rather than better, we're not complaining. In rare circumstances, you may find use for the features listed below. 

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Calibration"]

Calibration Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• Putting the TV into Cinema mode gets it close to best performance • Calibration done using DisplayMate Software
	Viewing Effects	Page 7 of 18	Remote Control

Calibration

Once we put the Panasonic TC-P50U1 into Cinema mode, we had to make only very small changes in order to calibrate it for peak performance. 

Video Modes

The various modes are described below. This is pretty much what every TV offers.

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Remote Control"]

Remote Control Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• The remote control is uncomfortable to hold • The buttons squeak and response time is slow • Otherwise, an adequate remote
	Calibration	Page 8 of 18	Connectivity

Ergonomics & Durability (4.5)

The remote control for the Panasonic TC-P50U1 is not the best we've seen. Sure, it feels solid and it's lightweight, but it's just not comfortable to hold. The finger groove on the underside is positioned all way towards the front, which is not at all useful for accessing the volume and channel up/down buttons. Also, some of the buttons squeak when you press them, which is just plain annoying. 

Button Layout & Use (4.75)

A remote control is useless if you can't figure out how to use it. Well, bad news. The Panasonic TC-P50U1's remote is pretty poor in this regard. The basic functionality is all straightforward enough: you can easily spot the volume, channel up/down, and power buttons. But the Menu button is frustratingly hard to find, especially in a dark room. Then there are those prominently placed R, G, B, and Y buttons, with no obvious functionality (hint: they're used for various and infrequently accessed functions in the menu). Panasonic, take a tip from LG next time you need to design the remote control. Simplicity is key. 

Programming & Flexibility (1.0)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 can control a select number of other Panasonic devices, but is not a truly programmable remote control.

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Connectivity"]

Connectivity Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• All the necessary ports are present • SD/SDHC card slot can display photos, but not video or music • No internet connectivity
	Remote Control	Page 9 of 18	Audio & Menus

Input Ports (7.0)

There is an adequate number of input ports on the Panasonic TC-P50U1. In total, the list includes: 3 HDMI, 2 component video, 2 composite video, 1 S-Video, 4 analog audio ports, and an antenna/cable port. There's also an SD/SDHC card slot for viewing photos. Most of these are on the back, but one of the HDMIs, a composite port, and the card slot. 

Accessing the ports, particularly those on the back, is not the easiest because the base does not swivel. You'll want to try and get all the cables set up at once.

Output Ports (1.0)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 has a single digital audio out port on the back, which allows you the best connection to your home entertainment system. 

Other Connections (0.0)

There are no other connections on the Panasonic TC-P50U1. 

Media (2.0)

The SD/SDHC card slot on the side of the Panasonic TC-P50U1 is limited to JPEG picture viewing. At this size or price range, you should be allowed to play music and video files, as well.

Placement (0.0)

As stated earlier, the lack of a swivel base makes accessing the ports problematic. The sheer size makes this set so heavy that you'll want to set up the cables once and only once.

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Audio & Menus"]

Audio & Menus Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• Merely adequate audio quality • Simple, straightforward menu • Decent user's manual, but there's no glossary
	Connectivity	Page 10 of 18	Formats & Media

Audio Quality (4.0)

Panasonic does not make audio its first priority with the TC-P50U1. The built-in stereo speakers are adequate for everyday TV watching, but they in no way match the performance stand-alone speakers would provide. There are precious few menu options for the audio, as well, considering the size and price of the TV. You can manually adjust the bass and treble (but not the mids), and you can turn the simulated surround sound on or off (but not tweak any further).

Menu Interface (7.0)

The menu interface on the Panasonic TC-P50U1 is decent, but not stellar. Part of the problem stems from the remote control, which hides the "Menu" button rather than making it prominent. In addition, the menu seems to lack a little pep. How much processing power could is possibly require to make the menus appear a little faster? If Panasonic took the time to offer 2710 possible looks for the closed captioning display (yes, that's actually true, mathematically speaking), we could have seen a snappier system. 

The main menu

It's hard to get lost in the menus, which is a good thing. Once you're in a submenu, you need to track down the Return button on the remote control. Between the slight sluggishness of the menus and the poor button layout on the remote control, the whole experience is slow.

The Picture menu

Manual (4.0)

The manual for the Panasonic TC-P50U1 is not very good. They made the almost unforgivable error of omitting an index. Without this, you're really left on your own to track down explanations of all the features.

You can find the Panasonic TC-P50U1's manual online here.

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Formats & Media"]

Formats & Media Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.
• The Panasonic TC-PC50U1 is a 1080P TV • With the SD/SDHC, you can play photos, but not video or music
	Audio & Menus	Page 11 of 18	Power Consumption

Formats (10.0)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 is a 1080p television, playing back at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 60 frames/second. This is the highest possible resolution, and can also play back lower resolution signals, 1080i and 720p. 

Photo Playback (4.5)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 can play photos from SD or SDHC cards, which fit into a slot on the side of the TV. The viewer software is simple but effective. You can set it to play a slide show, and you can set the speed of that slideshow.

The photo playback interface. Note that the unknown files were folders that the TV did not know how to parse.

Music & Video Playback (0.0)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 does not play back music or video clips through the SD/SDHC card. 

Streaming Playback (0.0)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 does not have internet connectivity for streaming content. 

Other Media (0.0)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 does not support other media. 

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Power Consumption"]

Power Consumption Summary
• The average yearly costs should around $30.27 • There is no way to manually reduce power consumption
	Formats & Media	Page 12 of 18	Vs. PN50B430

Power Consumption (8.49)

The Panasonic TC-P50U1's power consumption fluctuates widely from moment to moment depending on the intensity of the screen's contents. Unlike LCD televisions, you cannot manually decrease power consumption by lowering the backlight (as there is no backlight). On average, we found the Panasonic TC-P50U1 to use about 155 watts. The chart below shows how much this might cost you over the course of a year, as well as the costs of comparable TVs. 

Power Consumption

[page title="Vs Samsung PN50B430"]

Samsung PN50B430 Summary
• The Samsung PN50B430 is only a 720p format • Affordable • Decent performance • Too few ports
	Power Consumption	Page 13 of 18	Vs Vizio SV471XVT

Value Comparison Summary

The Samsung PN50B430, despite its size, is only a 720p display, while the Panasonic TC-P50U1 is full 1080p. Of course, you get a lot of screen size for a relatively low price, which is sure to entice the buyers. It's not an amazing performer, but it gets the job done. 

	Comparison Specifications
	Panasonic TC-P50U1	Samsung PN50B430
Size	50 inches	50 inches
Price	$1299 (MSRP)	$899.99
Type	Plasma	Plasma
Format	1080P	720p

Blacks & Whites

The Samsung PN50B430 failed to impress us with its mediocre black levels, despite being a plasma TV. However, the peak brights were much better than the Panasonic, which made for a better contrast ratio.

Blacks & Whites Comparison Chart
Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: Black Level: 9.99 Peak Brightness: 0.95 Contrast: 5.86	Samsung PN50B430 Score: Black Level: 6.72 Peak Brightness: 7.21 Contrast: 6.34

Color Accuracy

There was little difference between the Samsung and the Panasonic in terms of color performance. Both were good.

Color Temperature Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 9.34

Samsung PN50B430 Score: 9.82

RGB Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 7.48

Samsung PN50B430 Score: 6.81

Color Gamut Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 4.27

Samsung PN50B430 Score: 4.2

Motion

The motion on the Samsung PN50B430 looked a little smoother, but produced a lot of artifacting. The Panasonic was not without artifacting itself.

Viewing Effects

The viewing angles on most plasma TVs are good, so the difference between the Panasonic and the Samsung doesn't make much difference. They were both great.

Viewing Angle Comparison
Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 10.21	Samsung PN50B430 Score: 9.37

Connectivity

The Samsung PN50B430 is a little short on ports, with only 2 HDMI and only 1 composite AV. There's also no way to view photos, while the Panasonic TC-P50U1 has an SD/SDHC card slot. 

[page title="Vs Vizio SV471XVT"]

Vizio SV471XVT Summary
• Expensive but high-performance TV • Viewing angle not as good as plasma TVs • Better port selection
	Vs Samsung PN50B430	Page 14 of 18	Vs Sony KDL-52XBR9

Value Comparison Summary

The Vizio SV471VXT is a 47-inch 1080p LCD television. It's not cheap, but we found the performance to be worth the money in most regards.

	Comparison Specifications
	Panasonic TC-P50U1	Vizio SV471XVT
Size	50 inches	47 inches
Price	$1299 (MSRP)	$1499
Type	Plasma	LCD
Format	1080p	1080p

Blacks & Whites

The blacks were not as deep as the Panasonic, but the peak brightness far exceeded it. The contrast ratio on the Vizio was also better.

Blacks & Whites Comparison Chart
Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: Black Level: 9.99 Peak Brightness: 0.95 Contrast: 5.86	Vizio SV471XVT Score: Black Level: 4.94 Peak Brightness: 9.81 Contrast: 6.21

Color Accuracy

The color accuracy was good on both the Panasonic and the Vizio, producing even, relatively smooth transitions. Neither was perfect, so you can expect some color banding, but not so much that it will ruin the viewing experience.

Color Temperature Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 9.34

Vizio SV471XVT Score: 9.04

RGB Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 7.48

Vizio SV471XVT Score: 7.71

Color Gamut Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 4.27

Vizio SV471XVT Score: 6.45

Motion

The Vizio, in our opinion, produced much smoother looking motion with very little artifacting. The motion artifacting on the Panasonic TC-P50U1 was definitely an issue for us.

Viewing Effects

The Panasonic, as a typical plasma TV, far exceeded the Vizio SV471VXT in viewing angle. If you need to service a wide room, you should probably be choosing a plasma over an LCD. 

Viewing Angle Comparison
Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 10.21	Vizio SV471XVT Score: 3.44

Connectivity

With an extra HDMI and a USB port, the Vizio SV471VXT has an edge over the Panasonic. 

[page title="Vs Sony KDL-52XBR9"]

Sony KDL-52XBR9 Summary
• The Sony KDL-52XBR is a very, very good TV • Expensive • Internet connectivity
	Vs Vizio SV471XVT	Page 15 of 18	Conclusion

Value Comparison Summary

The Sony KDL-52XBR9 is an excellent television, and you pay for the privelege. With a larger screen, better performance, and internet connectivity, this is the choice for serious videophiles. The Sony also has superior internet widgets for streaming video and other features.

	Comparison Specifications
	Panasonic TC-P50U1	Sony KDL-52XBR9
Size	50 inches	52 inches
Price	$1299 (MSRP)	$1799
Type	Plasma	LCD
Format	1080p	1080p
Other	None	Widgets, Internet video

Blacks & Whites

The Sony KDL-52XBR9 produced an amazingly deep black for an LCD television, easily rivaling the Panasonic. The peak brightness was much, much better, making for a fantastic contrast ratio. 

Blacks & Whites Comparison Chart
Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: Black Level: 9.99 Peak Brightness: 0.95 Contrast: 5.86	Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: Black Level: 9.51 Peak Brightness: 9.65 Contrast: 10.61

Color Accuracy

The Sony KDL-52XBR9 was equal to or better than the Panasonic TC-P50U1 in every area of color performance. 

Color Temperature Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 9.34

Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: 9.86

RGB Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 7.48

Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: 8.16

Color Gamut Comparison

Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 4.27

Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: 4.66

Motion

The motion performance looked better on the Sony KDL-52XBR9 in most instances. 

Viewing Effects

The narrow viewing angle is the only real Achilles heel. As an LCD television, it simply can't compete with the plasma Panasonic TC-P50U1.

Viewing Angle Comparison
Panasonic TC-P50U1 Score: 10.21	Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: 4.71

Connectivity

The Sony KDL-52XBR9 has many more ports than the Panasonic TC-P50U1, which makes the Sony the better choice for a high-end home entertainment system. You'll find an additional VGA port, 2 USBs, a LAN connection for internet connectivity, and DLNA support. 

[page title="Conclusion"]

Conclusion

Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxU1 series. The TC-PxxU1 series includes the following models: TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1, and TC-P50U1.  Read here for more details on series differences.

The Panasonic TC-P50U1 is a good, but not outstanding, television. On the plus side, we loved the deep blacks and wide viewing angle that the Panasonic could produce. However, it failed to produce sufficiently bright whites and there were noticeable motion artifacts and moire patterns in high frequency areas. Overall, the TC-P50U1 is a decent choice for people that just want a large TV with satisfactory performance. People that are more serious about building a home entertainment system may want to look for something with a wider contrast ratio and perhaps some internet connectivity for streaming video.

Vs Sony KDL-52XBR9

Page 16 of 18

Series Comparison

All Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50U1. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page.
Panasonic TC-P42U1 42 inches	Panasonic TC-P46U1 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50U1 50 inches

[page title="Series Comparison"]

Series Comparison Summary
• Three models in the series • No difference in features
	Conclusion & Comparisons	Page 17 of 18	Ratings & Specs

TC-PxxU1 Series

There is no difference between the three models in the Panasonic TC-PxxU1 series, other than screen size. All models have the same features and ports.

	Other Models in the TC-PxxU1 Series
	Size	Price	Type	Format	Connectivity	Other Features
Panasonic TC-P42U1	42 inches	$849 (MSRP)	Plasma	1080p	• 3 HDMI • 2 Component • 2 Composite • 1 Digital Audio • No LAN	• 24p 2:3 playback • Deep Color • SD/SDHC card slot
Panasonic TC-P46U1	46 inches	$1099 (MSRP)	Plasma	1080p	• 3 HDMI • 2 Component • 2 Composite • 1 Digital Audio • No LAN	• 24p 2:3 playback • Deep Color • SD/SDHC card slot
Panasonic TC-P50U1	50 inches	$1299 (MSRP)	Plasma	1080p	• 3 HDMI • 2 Component • 2 Composite • 1 Digital Audio • No LAN	• 24p 2:3 playback • Deep Color • SD/SDHC card slot

[page title="Ratings & Specs"]