Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Edited 2/4/10
I wanted to edit this review with an update. In the past couple of weeks there has been alot of attention on the Panasonic Vierra series plasmas due to many reports of the black levels changing suddenly and getting brighter, degrading the quality of picture. While it apparently has not impacted alot of users, a small portion have noted this, enough to be concerned. You can see the original thread at Avsforums and is being discussed by the original reviewer at CNET (see link below).
While I still stand behind my review below, and I have not experienced this changing black levels, I will be monitoring it and I just wanted people reviewing this TV to know about this potentially troubling issue. Panasonic has issued a statement (in the Cnet link below)stating they auto set the darkness after a period of time to help maintain optimal picture quality over time. In this case, it appears they over compensated. It is a problem and Panasonic needs to step up with a fix.
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-----------Original Review--------
I just got the TCP54G10. STUNNING! A little history. I have been looking at HDTVs for about 3 years, and looking at DLPs originally, then went into this year thinking LCD is the way to go. I'm glad I waited, the inverse relationship between the technology and the prices is right this year.
Before you go buy an HDTV, do yourself a favor, look at this TV, and do some research. Read other reviews. It turned me around to plasma and to this 2009 model plasma from Panasonic in particular. I knew plasmas simply have a superior picture, but I thought the price and issues with plasmas were a detriment.
I came into this dead set on an LCD, most likely from Samsung, that was before I started doing research on the latest Plasmas. Picture quality compared to an LCD, it's simply stunning, LCD has nothing on the plasmas. The Panasonic G10 is nothing short of amazing. The upconvert DVDs on this are amazing, and with our Pioneer Blu-Ray it is jaw dropping.
While I knew the picture quality on plasmas can't be beat in terms of picture quality and the ability to handle fast action in movies or sports with no problem. Versus LCD, Plasmas can handle a nearly infinite color palate so the pictures come out very natural, and you can see all the nuances of colors (like the Planet Earth series). An LCD looks, well, manufactured in terms of the picture, and can only handle so many colors.
I thought the issues of plasmas still outweighed the plusses. But they don't with the new plasmas and especially this G10 series from Panasonic. A) No Buzzing, (we live in Colorado where you would get this at higher altitudes), B) wattage, very comperable to LCDs, negligable difference between LCDs, C) price, better than LCDs. D) The glass on this sest is covered in a very resilient scratch resistant plastic screen. E) Burn in or retention of picture. No problem there with this series. F) Heat, not noticeably hotter than an LCD (this is BIG) G) It is very quiet, I can stand right next to it after an hour of watching a movie and hear no sound from the fans or anything. H) Brightness: User adjustable picture, it seems very bright, and it's antiglare coating on the screen is very good.
Oh the dirty little secret from some of my research. The other manufacturers alledgedly are getting out of plasma, why? Because Panasonic apparently owns the manufacturing plants, and they would have to pay Panasonic, or they have invested in LCD technologies elsewhere and it is thus they have greater margins for LCDs vs plasmas. Thus they can't compete on price. I've seen many reviews now where folks are going plasma vs lcd after their research.
The G10 series handles fast action with no blurriness and no flicker (LCDs have just started to get around this with 120 hz). You'll read about the 600 HZ subfield drive on this latest model and it works fantastic.
(New edit: We just hooked up an over the air digital antenna to watch our local football games, the local channel is in HD. The TV handled this just fine and even displayed it in HD with it's built in digital tuner. We saw no blurrieness in the action at all! THe picture was sharp, and crystal clear in HD.)
In terms of movies and blu-ray: This handles 24p very nicely. For 24p processing, you can choose between a 48hz mode (where you will definately notice flickering), but it defaults to 60hz, with no flickering and few "judders" that we can see, in processing 24p at 60hz.
Some reviews say "well it still doesn't handle "true cinema" 24p because the 60hz is not at the same multiple of the 24fps in which the media was filmed, and thus you won't see the film at quite the original cinematic cadence as in the theater. While this is technically true, we watch 1080p/24p from the source with 3:2 pull down off, beautifully. (Though avforums, as one of the comments to this review pointed out, has more detail on this, and probably more than you would want). Would I notice "true cinema" 24p at 96hz and like it better, not for the price difference between this and the V series (~$600-$700). Plus, for us, the very durable plastic screen on the G10 was more attractive to us versus the glass on the V10.
While I don't think most users will want to get too involved in the weeds with this, for a great simple explanation of this 1080/24p see a great explanation at Cnet: [...]
For an excellent review of the Panasonic V10 the step up from the G10, and this discussion of 24p processing, see Krueger's review here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1P7WSX9L0J94W/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B002C8LX6S&nodeID=#wasThisHelpful
He has the V10, and while it is also an excellent Plasma, according to him, the differences between seeing 24p at 96hz (a multiple of 24 frames per second, allowing the original cadence of the film to be maintained) vs the 60hz processing with the G10 is not a huge difference in viewing, you are getting a stunning picture either way. (BTW, those looking at LCDs, just because an LCD can refresh at 120 hz, a multiple of 24, I have seen in AV forums that this doesn't mean the set can handle 24p at that rate. You must look at the more technical details for the 24p processing).
Suffice to say, the G10 handles blu-ray action stunningly, and 24p just fine at the 60hz. We have the Pioneer BDP-51FD BonusView Blu-ray Player plugged straight into this with the HDMI cable (which for a blu ray player is a fantastic player). No Issues. We are running straight 1080/24p from it. No flickers, no blurriness, no jaggies or artifacts that we have seen. I'm hard pressed to see any "juddering" in large pan shots either (i.e. Batman Dark Night). Stunning clarity. This plasma is nice and bright (plus you can adjust the picture in alot of areas, but perhaps not as much as some videophiles may like), and the deep blacks are stunning with little shadowing (i.e. loss of detail) that we can see. It does have a THX certified display setting, which may be too dark for many users, but this can be adjusted. You also have a custom setting where you can set the basic picture settings to your taste, which should be plenty for the average user, though again, it doesn't have some of the more detailed settings available that some videophiles may like.Bottom line, from someone who was dead set on an LCD: this turned me around to an even greater picture with plasma. For us the G10 is a stunning TV, you can't go wrong. It gets very positive reviews from all that I have read. We LOVE it. Panasonic also has great reliability history. We looked at Samsung but they looked like they had some issues with their sets that Panasonic doesn't have in the G10 series. We love the G10, and are extremely happy with our decision to wait! Both the G10 and the step up V10 are both stunning TVs, and easily in the top TVs for 2009, you won't go wrong with either of them.
On shipping from Amazon, fantastic experience. The shipper called ahead, worked out a time, TV arrived 1 day earlier than estimated, they brought the tv down to our home theatre room in our finished basement, setup the TV, put it up, plugged it in, checked it out at a high level, offered to take the packing material away. A+ service.
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Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P54G10 54-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, BlackProduct DescriptionIf you demand the best from your viewing experience, the 54-inch TC-P42G10 was created just for you. The new G10 Series boast cinema-quality movie reproduction, clear, smooth sports and gaming action--even Web entertainment. All made possible by Panasonic's Neo PDP technology, which delivers sharp, detailed images, deep blacks and remarkable brightness, all with lower power consumption.Key Features
1080p Full-HD Resolution
Neo PDP
Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution
Contrast Ratio: 40,000:1 Native; Infinite Black Panel
Brighter Panel
VIERA CAST
THX-Certified Display
VIERA Image Viewer with AVCHD Playback
VIERA Link
AR (Anti-Reflective) Filter
Game Mode
3 HDMI Inputs
PC Input
100,000 Hour Panel Life
Stunning Picture Quality Time spent with family and friends can be even more exciting when you gather around the 54-inch TC-P54G10. 1080p resolution combines with a 480 Hz processor to bring you exceptional clarity and smooth, fluid motion--even during high-speed action. VIERA HDTVs offer incredible black reproduction, with a rated dynamic contrast ratio of up to 1,000,000:1, so you'll get warm, accurate skin tones, gorgeous greens, breathtaking blues and vivid reds. And now, all of your friends and family can get in on the action thanks to an extra-wide viewing angle that provides an excellent view from almost anywhere in the room.
600Hz Sub-field Drive 600Hz technology lets you view superb full-HD motion and still images with 1,080 lines of resolution. For even greater clarity with motion images, Panasonic uses its own unique image-analysis technology. This technology converts the motion in each scene into data. And each frame is practically displayed for a shorter length of time than in previous systems, to reduce aftereffects.
Over 2,000,000:1 High Contrast (Native 40,000:1) New VIERA models incorporate an improved panel production process and the new Real Black Drive system. A pre-discharge control system, the Real Black Drive system combines with NeoPDP technology to achieve next-generation black reproduction. When you're watching movies, VIERA renders images just the way the director intended, even in scenes where it's difficult to achieve a proper balance of light and dark.
Wide Color Viewing Angle View breathtaking images with rich, vivid colors from anywhere in the room. Because plasma TVs are self-illuminating, images look beautiful from any angle. Black areas do not fade, and colors look virtually the same no matter where you sit.
AR Filter This advanced filter keeps images sharp, with minimal glare. While dramatically reducing reflections from external light, it helps to produce clear images. This filter creates pure, crisp images in a wide range of colors.
THX Certified for Faithful Movie Image Reproduction G10 Series Plasma HDTVs meet the high standards set by the Lucasfilm THX Certified Display Program, to faithfully recreate the visual ambience intended by the original movies creators. If you love movies and demand cinema-quality images in your home, this is the HDTV for you.
The Next Level of Video Gaming Take your team to the championship and your gaming to the next level on the TC-P54G10. A specialized Game Mode helps ensure fluid and seamless gameplay by minimizing time lag when displaying game images. With Game Mode turned on, you get the motion resolution and enhanced details you need to win. And don't worry about racking up all those long hours playing; anti-image retention technology and a remarkable 100,000 hour panel life ensure that your VIERA HDTV will still run smoothly and beautifully long after you score the game-winning goal.
Effortless Connectivity Make the TC-P54G10 the entertainment hub for your friends and family, and the center of your multimedia world. A built-in SD memory card slot makes it easy to share your digital photos and home videos, while H.264 AVCHD video compatibility allows you to get the most out of your high-resolution AVCHD home videos. The new VIERA Cast feature lets you enjoy great web content--such as PICASA online photo albums and YouTube videos--right on your TV. And when you connect your compatible AV components with HDMI cables, VIERA Link technology lets you control them all with one easy-to-use remote.
Enjoy Exciting Web Entertainment in Your Living Room--No PC Required! With Panasonic's VIERA Cast technology, you can enjoy online content like Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube videos, Picasa Web Albums, stock information, weather and more. All through an easy-to-use Web interface that's built right into the TV. No extra equipment required--just surf with your TVs remote, and let the fun begin!
Share Your Digital Photos and Hi-Def Camcorder Videos on the Big Screen VIERA Image Viewer provides a better way to share your digital photos and home videos recorded on your AVCHD camcorder. Just pop your SD memory card into the handy slot, and instantly display your digital photos and hi-def videos for friends and family.
VIERA Link VIERA Link makes it easy to connect all of your compatible AV devices. That means your Blu-ray Disc player, DVD recorder/player, home theater system and hi-def camcorder can be operated by a single VIERA remote control. You can even view digital photos via the SD card slot, which comes standard on the TC-P54G10 and all new VIERA flat-panel HDTVs.
Exceptional Service With its lead-free construction, TUF Display screen, and long lifespan, a VIERA HDTV is a safe, eco-friendly, durable and lasting investment in high definition entertainment. Of course, should your VIERA TV ever need service of any kind, you are entitled to the VIERA Concierge program--a free service made available to all VIERA owners to bring peace-of-mind to your purchase. Benefits of this extensive service program include: use of an exclusive toll-free expert hot line, live chat with a VIERA HDTV expert, priority service scheduling, and a personalized VIERA Concierge benefits card.
What's in the Box Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P54G10 54-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, Remote control, Remote batteries, AC cord, Pedestal with installation hardware, Cleaning cloth, Operating instructions, Quick setup guide
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