Panasonic PT-50DL54 50 in. HDTV-Ready DLP TV
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- Digital TV Standard: HDTV-Ready
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 4:3 Enhanced 14:9
- Weight: 87 lb.
- Projector Technology: DLP
- Built-in Tuner: NTSC
- Screen Size: 50 inch
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User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Plasma shmasma!
Pros
Fantastic picture, lightweight, reliable technology.
Cons
A bit of fan noise at extremely low volume levels.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Panasonic DLP's offer the best picture at nearly any price. They are packed with technology and features you can actually use and appreciate.
I'd been waiting for technology to settle in before I bought my next generation large screen HDTV. My previous set was a Panasonic 53" CRT HDTV that I was very pleased with. So I was prediposed to go back to Panasonic, but also considered Sony, and Mitsubishi.
Social pressures told me that plasma was the must-have technology, however after previewing many sets from the EDTV cheapies up to the $3500+ HD sets, I was not convinced. Then I read about DLP. I compared a few different models, but strong ratings led me to Panasonic.
I have a business license and shop at Sam's club and they carried the PT-50LC14 for approximately $2,000 at the time. I looked at the PT-50DL54, and the prices seemed to be a lot higher. As I was about to settle on the LC14, I discovered an open display PT-50DL54 for $1700 with no sales tax! I was stunned with the deal, of course so I snagged it.
Luckily, I was already familiar with setup for Panasonic TV's. I was hoping this model would have an HDMI interface, but that's the only feature it's lacking, and since I had already invested in top line component cables, it wasn't a big deal.
Using a Panasonic progressive scan DVD, I was immediately blown away by the colors generated by DLP. The blacks are amazing, and the color palette in general is staggering. Native sound is more that satisfactory, and I feel that any speaker system included in a set of this nature is a bonus. Most will go with an external setup. I favor Klipsch. The BBE bass enhancement/surround feature does a nice job of simulating surround without being artificially spacious.
Reading other reviews I'm waiting for the lamp to blow. It hasn't happened yet. I do notice a bit of fan noise, but I have the set in a bedroom, so I'm pretty close to it. It's most noticeable when the set is cooling down, and is totally acceptable to me.
I've yet to view HDTV programming on this set, restricted to DVD and cable programming. I've been impressed with most programming, with a few exceptions on some cable networks, or older programming. Just like speakers, high quality displays tend to reveal defects in the source material. They are not miracle workers. Using a Panasonic progressive scan DVD, I was immediately blown away by the colors generated by DLP. The blacks are amazing, and the color palette in general is staggering. The Texas Instruments chipset used in the Panasonic DLP is proven technology. They lead the field, and this set is evidence enough.
The remote control has nice ergonomics, however I wish it would integrate with cable tuners a bit better. I've never been able to get my Pioneer tuner to work with the remote no matter how many times I go through the programming steps.
You'd have to spend upwards of $4,000 to equal the picture quality of this DLP. Unless you have to have a wall mount set, take a serious look this Panasonic. You'll be glad you did.
Social pressures told me that plasma was the must-have technology, however after previewing many sets from the EDTV cheapies up to the $3500+ HD sets, I was not convinced. Then I read about DLP. I compared a few different models, but strong ratings led me to Panasonic.
I have a business license and shop at Sam's club and they carried the PT-50LC14 for approximately $2,000 at the time. I looked at the PT-50DL54, and the prices seemed to be a lot higher. As I was about to settle on the LC14, I discovered an open display PT-50DL54 for $1700 with no sales tax! I was stunned with the deal, of course so I snagged it.
Luckily, I was already familiar with setup for Panasonic TV's. I was hoping this model would have an HDMI interface, but that's the only feature it's lacking, and since I had already invested in top line component cables, it wasn't a big deal.
Using a Panasonic progressive scan DVD, I was immediately blown away by the colors generated by DLP. The blacks are amazing, and the color palette in general is staggering. Native sound is more that satisfactory, and I feel that any speaker system included in a set of this nature is a bonus. Most will go with an external setup. I favor Klipsch. The BBE bass enhancement/surround feature does a nice job of simulating surround without being artificially spacious.
Reading other reviews I'm waiting for the lamp to blow. It hasn't happened yet. I do notice a bit of fan noise, but I have the set in a bedroom, so I'm pretty close to it. It's most noticeable when the set is cooling down, and is totally acceptable to me.
I've yet to view HDTV programming on this set, restricted to DVD and cable programming. I've been impressed with most programming, with a few exceptions on some cable networks, or older programming. Just like speakers, high quality displays tend to reveal defects in the source material. They are not miracle workers. Using a Panasonic progressive scan DVD, I was immediately blown away by the colors generated by DLP. The blacks are amazing, and the color palette in general is staggering. The Texas Instruments chipset used in the Panasonic DLP is proven technology. They lead the field, and this set is evidence enough.
The remote control has nice ergonomics, however I wish it would integrate with cable tuners a bit better. I've never been able to get my Pioneer tuner to work with the remote no matter how many times I go through the programming steps.
You'd have to spend upwards of $4,000 to equal the picture quality of this DLP. Unless you have to have a wall mount set, take a serious look this Panasonic. You'll be glad you did.
