Camcorder Review

12.24.09

Panasonic Viera TXP50S10B Review

Plasma or LCD? This is the question flat panel enthusiasts have been debating since the dawn of…well, not that long ago actually. Then something like the Panasonic Viera TX-P50S10B Plasma comes along and the choice seems a little clearer. The model comes equipped with some impressive specs that help it to overcome some of the deficits commonly associated with this class of displays, while at the same time pushing the bar even further in terms of integration and functionality. Panasonic has managed to surprise us with a high-end flat panel TV that is more than just a showpiece. We found the Viera TXP50S10’s main strength to lie in its picture quality. The model has one of the highest contrast ratios found among flat screens (2,000,000 : 1), which ensures both a bright colour palette and a solid black level. Full HD (1080p) allows for the highest resolution possible on an HDTV. This resolution has yet to be fully adopted, and you’ll need a Blue-ray Disc player or HD gaming console like a PS3, which can be connected via one of the set’s 3 HDMI ports, to take advantage of it. Now image definition is all well and good, but it’s useless if the image is flickering. That’s a real problem with large screens such as this one. Panasonic tackles this problem in a number of ways. First, it’s built with a refresh-rate of 400Hz, about 8 times the rate of a normal TV, which results in a smoother picture. Second, the display of fast action is improved by use of Intelligent Frame Creation, a technology that “pads” the frame-rate with new frames derived from existing ones. Lastly, since the frame-rate of movies is different form that of TV, the Viera TX-P50S10B uses 24p Cinematic Playback to display films without any detriment to image quality. Plasma TVs are often said to use up more energy than LCD displays. This model comes equipped with a photo-sensor which measures ambient lighting in the room and adjusts brightness without compromising image quality. This feature is part of a new class of eco-friendly consumer electronics strategies designed for more sophisticated users who want to be green without appearing, well, green. Your Viera remote is provided with a standard linking interface, so you can easily connect and control your entire entertainment system with a single remote control. The Viera Image Viewer, part of the Viera Link suite, has a cute feature allowing you to create slideshows with your digital camera. It also provides simple connectivity for your digital camcorder.The Panasonic Viera TX-P50S10B is a sound choice among higher-end flat screen systems. If Panasonic can continue providing high picture quality and innovative user-friendly features, it will remain a leader in the flat screen market for some time to come.