HDGuru reviews the new Panasonic 50" G10 Plasma

[aphex]

http://hdguru.com/panasonic-tc...-50-plasma-review/416/

Some highlights;

Performance

This is where the G10 really shines. The TCP50G10 virtually nails the HDTV color standard (in the THX mode) with primary color points within .005 or less in the x and y axis of the Rec. 709 standard. In simple terms, many reviewers and videophiles feel compliance with the Rec. 709 HDTV color standard (used to master Blu-ray discs) is essential for excellent HDTV performance. The readings and 709 standard (for red, green and blue in parenthesis) are R= x.642, y.329 (x .64, y.33) G= x.299, y .605 (x .30, y .60) B= x .15, y.056 (x .15, y. 06). (Note the THX certified TH46PZ800 came close but was not as Rec. 709 accurate as the G10)

Another area of vast improvement over previous plasmas is its white level uniformity. The G10 brightness is far more consistent across the screen than the 2008 TH46PZ800 or Pioneer?s Pro 141FD (or many LCD flat panels). Ditto for white (color) uniformity. The Pioneer produces light pink tones in parts of the screen while viewing a full white raster pattern. The G10, though not perfect, only slightly deviates from pure white, a change that isn?t significant. You won?t be able to discern differences when viewing content such as a solid blue-sky scene.

Panasonic claims its NeoPDP panel design can output far higher light levels than previous plasma designs, so we put it to the test.

Using a 100 IRE window pattern, we verified Panasonic?s claim. In the THX mode with the user controls (including contrast) optimized, the TCP50G10 measured a very bright and comfortable 31 ft. lamberts. To achieve far higher brightness (needed for rooms with high ambient light levels) requires a simply change of the picture mode to Custom or Vivid mode and an increase of the contrast control.

With the contrast control set to 100% and the picture control set to Vivid, the G10 produced a retina searing maximum brightness of 92.2 ft lamberts (using the same window pattern). This is the highest level we?ve measured on any plasma and is comparable to many LCD models. Viewing HD content with the contrast control maxed out confirmed the G10 is capable of producing an image so intense, it?s uncomfortably bright.

In the past, LCDs were the only recommended flat panel technology for high ambient light environments, not any more. This display can provide high image brightness along superb motion resolution, wide viewing angles and excellent color.

Most LCDs panels use fluorescent lamps (called CCFLs) as the light source. To increase light output, the lamps output must be raised with the TVs backlight control, often resulting in muddy blacks and lower contrast ratios. Plasmas generates its own light (like a CRT), maintaining deep blacks while raising the light level. With arrival of the TCP50G10, you can use plasma in brightly lit rooms that previously required an LCD panel.

Topping the improvements over last year?s plasma models is reduced energy consumption. Using the new industry standard IEC test disc, repeating the 10-minute test sequence six times (with the G10 user settings optimized and in the THX mode), the Panasonic consumed only 230 watts in one hour.

This reading is comparable to findings of etailer Crutchfield, although they use different measurement methodology. You can find Crutchfield?s results at (Link). The 230 watts/hour measurement places it in the range of the energy usage of many CCFL 52? LCD 2009 flat panels (according to Crutchfield?s tests). The days of electronics salespersons saying plasmas are energy hogs are over. Potential buyers can be assured the G10 is comparable to many similar size LCD flat panels.

I've been eyeing both this TV and the $200 MSRP cheaper S1 which seem to be very comparable (with the S1 dropping some features and inputs). The S1 can be found for under $1350 already, so the G10 can't be all that much more.

 

[JackBurton]

Did they just compare the G10 to the 141? Seriously? Let me put it this way, recently we went shopping for a new HDTV. The person that was actually buying the TV was looking at the 55" Samsung 7100 (but @ $3700, it was out of her price range), a 50" Panasonic G10 and a Pioneer 5020. She picked the Pioneer hands down @ $1999. The G10 just had a noisy picture and didn't look nearly as good as the 5020. I think what Panasonic improved this year with their new panels was mainly energy efficiency. PQ wise, I'd say the G10 is an incremental (very incremental) improvement over the 850.

 

[bigdog1218]

"Black levels on the G10, Z800 and the Pioneer?s 60? Pro-141 are below my test equipment?s accuracy. However, the Pioneer?s black is deepest, followed by the new G10 with the Z800 coming in last. The deeper blacks of the Pioneer come at a cost. The Pioneer obscures details in some dark scenes where the G10 revealed every nook and cranny using the same dark content."

"The G10 brightness is far more consistent across the screen than the 2008 TH46PZ800 or Pioneer?s Pro 141FD (or many LCD flat panels). Ditto for white (color) uniformity."

These tv's sound great, I wish the 58" was coming out a lot sooner, I would of held off on buying the 58PZ800u in January.

 

[bigdog1218]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Did they just compare the G10 to the 141? Seriously? Let me put it this way, recently we went shopping for a new HDTV. The person that was actually buying the TV was looking at the 55" Samsung 7100 (but @ $3700, it was out of her price range), a 50" Panasonic G10 and a Pioneer 5020. She picked the Pioneer hands down @ $1999. The G10 just had a noisy picture and didn't look nearly as good as the 5020. I think what Panasonic improved this year with their new panels was mainly energy efficiency. PQ wise, I'd say the G10 is an incremental (very incremental) improvement over the 850.

? PQ wise the 5020 and 800u/850 are very close. The Panasonics actually have better color accuracy, the only thing the 5020 really stood out is in black level.

Did you read the article at all?

Who uses a stores feed to compare tv's anyway.

 

[aphex]

Wow, CompUSA has the S1 for $1399 and the G10 for $1499, not bad at all. I'd just do a PM at BB to use the giftcards up.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: bigdog1218
? PQ wise the 5020 and 800u/850 are very close. The Panasonics actually have better color accuracy, the only thing the 5020 really stood out is in black level.

Did you read the article at all?

Who uses a stores feed to compare tv's anyway.

Not really, but I give the nod to Panasonic for accuracy with the 850 vs a 5020, however the PQ and performance is better on the 5020. And yes, black level is a big "only thing."

Yes I read the article and like I said, comparing a G10 to a 141 is ridiculous. I've kept up with the new Panasonics since the announcement of the NeoPDP. High hopes, but kind of a let down. The G10 is an incremental improvement over the 800/850 not a huge leap like people were expecting/hoping. And from what I've been hearing, the V10 won't be much better. But still a good plasma.

And no, we weren't comparing a store feed. The source was a dedicated Blu-ray player. The Samsung 7100 looked great though, but I think they are overpriced at the moment. A 55" 7100 for <$3000 would be reasonable.