Panasonic TC-P50VT20

Viewing Effects Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50VT20. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the TC-PxxVT20 series. The TC-PxxVT20 series includes the following models: (N/A at time of publication. Sorry.)  Read here for more details on series differences.
• Supports 1080p. • Very wide viewing angle. • Testing done using DisplayMate Software.
	Motion	Page 6 of 18	Calibration

Formats (10.0)

The Panasonic TC-P50VT20 has a native resolution of 1080p, supports 3:2 pulldown and 24p playback, and can also display 3D images (providing you're wearing the glasses, of course).

Viewing Angle (12.67)

As you move away from sitting dead center in front of the TV, the picture's contrast ratio will actually  start to decrease. Typically our viewing angle test is supposed to find the angle at which the TV's picture will only appear to have 50% contrast. In the TC-P50VT20's case, you won't hit that point until about 80‚ off center. You're going to get a decent contrast ratio no matter where you're viewing the TC-P50VT20 from.  (More on how we test Viewing Angle.)

Viewing Angle
Compare the Panasonic TC-P50VT20 to other HDTVs
Samsung UN55C7000 55 inches	Sony KDL-46EX700 46 inches	Panasonic TC-P50G10 50 inches

Reflectance (4.0)

For this test, we shine an array of LEDs at the screen from different angles, to get a sense of how the TV reacts to external light. In our experience, plasmas tend to have a more reflective screen than LCDs, and the TC-P50VT20 isn't shaking up that paradigm. On a dark screen, pretty much any external light is going to wash out the display (although if the light is hitting the screen at an especially shallow angle, the effect won't be as noticeable). On a white screen, we could still see the room around us reflected on the screen, but it wasn't nearly as bad. Overall, we weren't impressed. (More on how we test Reflectance.)

Video Processing (1.5)

The Panasonic TC-P50VT20 has a handful of processing features. The color management feature is like a Vivid picture mode that mainly focuses on blues and greens, which makes sense since the reds are so oversaturated to begin with. The video noise reduction feature works as advertised, for the most part. We're going to run a few of our tests again with C.A.T.S. mode, to get a sense of how accurately it lets the TV calibrate itself, but our initial impression is: not very.

Other Models in the TC-PxxVT20 and VT25 Series
This is a review of the Panasonic TC-P50VT20. 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-P50VT25 50 inches	Panasonic TC-P54VT25 54 inches	Panasonic TC-P58VT25 58 inches	Panasonic TC-P65VT25 65 inches