Compare Plasma TVs:Panasonic TH-42PX77U and Panasonic TH-50PX77U
July 22, 2007
Panasonic TH-PX77U series offers two plasma TV sets – Panasonic TH-42PX77U and Panasonic TH-50PX77U - notable for their superior picture quality and anti-burn screens. Both have come with superb design and plenty of features like SD memory card, TV tuners and similar set of connections. Both had similar strengths and weaknesses as far as we examined them. It is disappointing to find that both TVs had no PC input option. As far as black levels and over-all picture quality are concerned, they are definitely unbeatable and even their prices are quite competitive.
Where do Panasonic TH-42PX77U and Panasonic TH-50PX77U differ?
- Screen size
- Resolution
- Weight
- Power consumption
Panasonic TH-42PX77U is a 42” plasma TV screen while Panasonic TH-50PX77U is a 50” plasma screen. While both TVs support 720p resolution, the resolution of Panasonic TH-50PX77U is slightly better (1366 x 768 pixels) when compared with 1024 x 768 pixels of Panasonic TH-42PX77U.
Since Panasonic TH-50PX77U which is the bigger version of the two, should definitely weigh heavier - 88.2 lbs, nearly 16 lbs heavier than its smaller counterpart.
When power consumption of the two TVs is considered, Panasonic TH-50PX77U consumes nearly 120 Watts more than Panasonic TH-42PX77U (499 Watts Vs 387 Watts).
Common features of Panasonic TH-42PX77U and Panasonic TH-50PX77U
- Similar design with black frame
- HDTV
- 720p resolution
- Anti-glare coating
- ATSC, NTSC, QAM TV tuners
- SD Memory card
- Sound system
- Number of connections
Both TVs are more or less similar in basic design. Black frame, side-mounted speakers, the arrangement of connections on side and rear panels and easy-to-use remote control are some of the common features you will find in both the TVs.
The highlight of Panasonic TH-PX77U series Plasma TVs is their anti-glare screen which provides better viewing experience even in bright rooms.
As far as connections are concerned the two TV sets come with two HDMI interfaces, two audio inputs, three composite video inputs, three S-Video inputs, three video audio inputs, two component video inputs, two component audio inputs, one composite video output and one set of audio output and digital audio output.
Enhanced features in Panasonic TH-50PX77U
- Screen resolution
- Aspect ratio
Both Panasonic TH-42PX77U and Panasonic TH-50PX77U are capable of supporting 720p screen resolution, however, Panasonic TH-50PX77U is better in terms of native pixels arranged in horizontal rows. Its native resolution is 1366 x 768 pixels as compared to 1024 x 768 pixels of Panasonic TH-42PX77U.
While Panasonic TH-42PX77U can show pictures in 16:9 aspect mode, Panasonic TH-50PX77U has come with additional 4:3 aspect mode along with its standard 16:9 aspect ratio.
Strengths of Panasonic TH-PX77U series Plasma TVs
Superior picture quality characterized by natural colours and deeper black levers is definitely the strength of both the models. Anti-glare screen is another noteworthy feature of Panasonic TH-PX77U series.
Weaknesses of Panasonic TH-PX77U series Plasma TVs
The only shortcoming of both the TVs is the absence of a PC input.
New facts on Screen burn in
April 28, 2007
What is burn in?
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display and Plasma TV use phosphors which are coated on their sub-pixels (red, blue and green). In high bright settings of your TV, or when a stagnant, bright image is left on the screen for a prolonged time, the sub-pixels that produce the image can be worn out, in other words, the phosphors become prematurely aged. This results in the permanent formation of the image, known as the screen burn in. Both CRT and Plasma TV are susceptible to burn in.
Do the latest Plasma TVs suffer screen burn-n?
No, Plasma TVs, made in the last couple of years, adopt two techniques to handle this problem.
The new motion adaptive anti burn in technology makes the ghosting effects undetectable by TV viewer. It is found that the use of green phosphor increases the overall life of phosphors.
Okay, what are the precautions I should take to prevent burn-in
Dont leave still, bright images on your plasma TV for a long time. (even 10 or 15 minutes can be hazardous). If your Plasma TV is a high end one, use proper screen saver settings and power management settings.
The initial 200 hours period of brand new Plasma TV is crucial. The phosphors burn intensely resulting in easy burn in. This often happens when the bright-contrast settings are at maximum levels or a bright image is left on the screen for a long time. It is a good idea to reduce bright and contrast settings to half of the original settings (100 %), a step that will ensure the long life of your plasma TV.
Make sure you watch all the programs in full screen format (16:9) as this will prevent black bars that appear on your TV screen.
Latest high end Plasmas are more resistant to burn in and spending a little time over the plasma TV reviews available in our site may often prove helpful in this regard.
Panasonic Plasma TVs – Review
May 25, 2006
Panasonic has been critically adjudged as one of the top three manufacturers of Plasma display products. It was the first manufacturer who provided the CRT-like black levels by suppressing the predischarge emissions. The company has been able to occupy its covetous position by maintaining the standard black levels and grey scaling in the production of pictures.
So what’s new in its 42‿ 8th generation TH-42PHD8UK? The professional expertise and nuances of the 7th generation pro-model have been successfully incorporated in the 8th generation consumer line up. As a result the latest achievements in the pro-plasma product field in the 7th generation could be had in the 8th generation panel or in the Panasonic Onyx series which have been presented to the consumers.
Panasonic TH42PHD8UK Vs TH42PHD7UK
The Super Real Gamma system used in the 7th generation is replaced with Advanced Real Gamma system. This change has resulted in definitive difference as read in the panel specifications. Other factors such as Contrast Ratio, Resolution and panel life have been maintained to the same level.
Other major changes are effected in the new 8th series which facilitate easy maneuverability accompanied with pro-like perfection.
The 21 button control system in the 7th series is replaced with 45 button Remote Control mode. The single on-off button is replaced with discrete buttons placed at appropriate corners. This has a separate button for each input device eliminating the necessity of pressing the Single Input Button every time.
A numeric keypad is introduced in the 8th series which greatly facilitates changing channels.
Control buttons present in the 7th series are removed in the 8th series so that extensive operation is possible with the remote control.
Another advantage with the new series is the drop in power consumption, from 290 watts to 275 watts.
Improvements in the 8th series Panasonic plasma TV models
The new series has improved the phosphors (glass) so that it resists the phosphor burns from static images.
The half-life period of the 8th series is extended to 60,000 hours. The panel structure is designed in such a way that the intensity and efficiency of light emitted is improved.
The 8th series has increased the input card options to include the HDM1 digital broadcast.
Peak brightness has been increased by 10%.
These Plasma techniques can be used for professional use or in the home-level entertainment.
The video quality of a Plasma Display Monitor is the acid test for the multiple specifications, such as, pixel resolution or contrast ratio claimed by the product.
Panasonic 8th series has taken into consideration, questions from the consumers, such as the life of the set, the brightness etc. and has successfully introduced stringent quality controls so that the 8th series is way ahead of the 7th series and consumer friendly.
Another major advancement over the 7th series is the introduction of wide-spread grey scaling (2048 shades of grey) in the 8th series which enables the viewer to appreciate finer details even in dark scenes. Panasonic Plasma TV shows the best possible picture on a 42 high definition display.
Equipped with higher end signals of HDTV 10801 or progressive scan 480P, and pixel resolution of 1024 X 480 Panasonic Plasma TV is decidedly the best of its genre. Discriminatory judgement is certainly in favour of Panasonic Plasma TV when compared to other products such as Frigiton, Hitachi. Grey colour reproduction is of very high quality. It is universally acclaimed as ‘deep, rich and clear, amazing.
The achievement in the grey scaling technique introduced in the 8th series is highly commendable. Other brands increase the dark shade levels to augment the contrast ratio but they fail to capture the finest shades of the real image, bringing down the quality in the attempt.
Flesh tones are very realistic when compared to the other products of the same cadre.
The scan quality of the 8th series is highly upgraded over the 7th so that the overall picture quality is appreciably better than what is viewed on the television grade signals.
With the widest possible grey paneling introduced in the 8th series, we see excellent realistic, contrasting minute shade differences even in the scenes shot in the dark places.
Film and Video handling in the 8th series is a phenomenal success. All input samples ranging from 640 x 480 to 920 x 1200 are brought out with breath-taking clarity. This Plasma TV is equipped with 70 different resolution/refresh combinations, so that the picture quality is superior to that of LCD output.
Other considerations when you buy Panasonic plasma TV
This Plasma TV is even whisper-free, since there is no fan. The power consumption is the lowest in the category.
There is a wide range of adjustments for sharpness, colour and brightness, tint and picture. You can adjust the contrast from -30 to 30 according to room environment. There are colour and zoom adjustments. The zoom pictures do not compromise on quality even in the maximum.
Easily available connections are there in the back bottom for S.Video, Composite Video, a row of 5 BNC connections for components/RGB serial port, a 15 pin VGA, a DB25 tuner in connection and two speaker output terminals. You can set up Optional video terminal boards to meet your individual requirements. You can accommodate an optimal video terminal board which allows the user to view picture in picture or side by side picture. This set up will facilitate the user to view pictures from satellite and HDTV.
The bezel/frame is dark charcoal grey. The dimensions are sleek, 3.5‿ deep, 40‿ wide and 24‿ tall.
Compelling features to choose the 8th series as the best buy:
UXGA (1600 x 1200) Computer acceptance.
Half-life span: 60,000 hours.
Real Black Drive for highest contrast and deeper blacks.
Full range of Optional video terminal boards.
Wide grey scales range- 2048 shades.
Low power consumption: 270 watts.
Whisper-free operation.
Designed with unmatched expertise and perfection Plasma TV 8th series brings about near perfection realistic pictures, on account of which it legitimately claims the highest place in the market.
TH-42PHD 8K is certainly the best buy in the high definition TV market. This stands far above the competing Korean and Taiwanese brands, quality/picture/performance wise.
[tags]Panasonicplasmatv[/tags]
