Panasonic TH-50PX77U 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
By: Panasonic Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 43
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 On: 2008-06-10
This TV has the best picture Ive ever seen on a TV. Everyone who comes over and sees it says the same thing, even on the standard channels. The HD through Direct TV is like nothing Ive ever seen. Even just a standard DVD looks awesome. I highly recommend this set!
On: 2008-05-29
Have had this window on the world for 8 months now and I must say I cant watch any of my other sets (non HD) anymore. Have it connected to Direct TV HD and it is wonderful. Was able to watch the Masters golf tourney for the first time on HD and it was like I had never seen it before even though I watch every year. The detail and sharpness is just awesome. Direct TV supplies all the cables so no need to purchase those. Just get it, you will enjoy TV like never before!
On: 2008-05-21
save delivery, easy assembly (two people req. for standing up the TV on the stand) very good picture quality (HD)
On: 2008-05-02
Bought this product from Amazon after returning a crappy craapy Samsung 5064 50" plasma. Couldnt be happier with my decision. With Samsung; Id get a bad feeling everytime I turned the TV on that I wont work and you know what ...one day it actually didnt. Luckily that all happened withint 30 days so before I had to deal with more of Samsungs D grade horrible customer service, Amazon came to my rescue and I swapped it with this Panny 77U . Its a great TV, picture is stunningly clear, the speakers are very good. The SD also isnt bad at all , it looks a little strecthed (cuz i see it full screen to avoid any burn in) but its pretty good. I get a 1080i signal and with some adjustments , I have no complains about the picture whatsoever. It is also not as warm as Samsung. Just one thing I wish it had was more picture controls like gamma correction or something like that cuz i wish I can get a little more brighter picture , not that its bad but sometimes its nice to have brighter piture without maxing out the contrast and picture settings. But all in all 5 stars for the TV and 6 stars to Amazon for their great customer service and white glove delivery which is amazingly fast , efficient and curteous.
On: 2008-04-28
THE PRICE WAS EXCELLENT, THE DELIVERY WAS AS GOOD. THE PICTURE QUALITY AND SIZE ARE SUPER. THE SOUND FROM THE TV IS VERY GOOD. WE HAVE THE TV HOOKED UP THROUGH A WAVE LENGTH SOUND SPEAKER SYSTEM. WE ONLY USE THIS FOR CERTAIN MOVIES BUT IT IS AWESOME.
WOULD RECOMMEND BOTH AMAZON AND THE SHIPPING COMPANY USED AND ALSO PANASONIC.
ONE MORE THING. OUR TV IS THE 720P, THE 1080 WAS APPROX. $500.00 MORE. I REALLY CANT IMAGINE THE 1080 PICTURE BEING WORTH THE EXTRA $500.00. THE 720 IS GREAT.
On: 2008-04-26
Beautiful picture, magnificent colors, good reputation, easy to set up, and great price. Its that simple. This TV is not for everyone though. The display is a little dimmer than LCD models, but the response time is much better than any LCD. Plus Panasonic had the best plasma display of all of them I looked at. I was a little nervous about purchasing this big of an item from Amazon, but they delivered with first rate service. Very happy with Amazon and Panasonic.
On: 2008-04-09
After much in-depth research, I bought the PC (Costco version) 3 weeks ago. I cant tell how/if the slight spec. discrepancy between the PX and PC make any difference thats noticeable. One that is, is the matte bezel (frame) vs. the gloss on the PX version. I find the anti-glare coating on this (2007) model superior to the just released (80u) version. When its turned off, it blends in much better with a non-contemporary decor, because there are no reflections. When its on, all I see is the fantastic picture. It even seems to improve the quality of SD signals. I have it mounted to my brick fireplace, and connected to the Onkyo 605 receiver (purchased at Amazon - silver version $[...] less than black). This means I only have two cords (hdmi and power) which are easily hidden in the mantel. My DVR/Cable box remote works all three components with one touch! Buy the HDMI cable from Amazon. I got a 10" one for less than $[...] including freight, and it works fine. Very happy with my purchase(s).
On: 2008-03-28
I received my 77 during the 2007 World Series. It arrived via a custom shipping outfit (two guys and a van). Since I hadnt paid for installation, they simply cut the top off the box so I could examine the set to be sure it wasnt damaged - then they left. I managed to extract the set and parts and put it together myself. I was dying to see what the hi-def looked like, but I didnt have the service yet with my cable company, so I hooked up some rabbit ears later that night and turned on the World Series. Wow, it was just like being there. I have since gone with DirectTV HD and couldnt be happier. My reason for buying this model was based on Consumer Reports who rated it and its 1080p brother the top two 50" sets. I looked at both side by side in the store and could see no difference, so I decided to save a grand or so and go with 720p and I dont regret it at all. PS - I recently bought a Wii and the big screen makes playing it a lot more fun.
On: 2008-03-08
This is my first plasma, so I am blown away by the picture quality. I previously had a 27" Sony flat-screen CRT, which I thought was pretty good when I bought it many years ago. Not any more.
I gave it the first 4 starts because I am not a videophile, and so cannot rate compared to other plasmas, so I am tempering my enthusiasm. It gets one more star for the anti-glare. I had the 75U in the cart when I stumbled on the 77U with anti-glare, and went with that. WELL WORTH the extra $100. We do not have good light control in the room, so I was hoping the anti-glare would help, and it delivers. I give the anti-glare 4 out of 5, it works WAY better than I had hoped.
After agonizing over 720p vs. lower-quality-brand 1080p, I opted for the 720p, and I am pleased. We have a large room, so the 720p is excellent, since we are seldom as close as 6. You have to be at about 3 to see the pixels, and even then it is not distracting. At 10+ even VHS tapes look way better than the old CRT; the graininess is marginally evident, but is far preferred to horizontal lines.
My only complaint is the accessibility of the controls. It would be nice to have access to basic controls (volume, video input) on the front for those times the kids take the remote who-knows-where. Also, a single set of input on the front for things like still and video cameras. But do any plasmas have this? I do not know. Very minor annoyance.
Considering all the factors, I think this unit is the best value for a high-quality viewing experience.
On: 2008-03-02
I love this Panasonic unit... and it got Consumer Reports Best Buy designation in their January 2008 issue. The picture is clear as a bell (dependent on the signal, obviously); Ive had friends over who swear the image, especially when the room is dark, appears 3D. I can see the picture from pretty much anywhere in my living room, which would be about a 170 degree viewing angle.
On: 2008-02-28
After months of research my wife and I decided to buy the TH-50PC77U (similar to the PX but better, see below). We have owned this tv for about a week and have no complaints (except for the "High Def" garbage signal from Time Warner). Standard dvds in a progressive scan player look great. Watched Lord of the Rings and Jet Lis Hero, both had an excellent picture even though they were not filmed in true HD and were connected through component cables.
I wish the remote was a little better, but I got it to control all of our system components with ease. This may change once I add stereo surround. However right now that is not necessary because the side firing speakers that come with the TV are good enough for our 10 x 15 living room.
I highly recommend the anti glare feature and can testify it is worth the extra money. If you are looking at plasma, I highly recommend purchasing a panasonic with antiglare unless your location has no light. If you have light and purchase a plasma without antiglare, the reflection can be very annoying. This set does cast any reflections even when watching dark scenes. The samsung and pioneer plasma models do not provide as good of an antiglare (I noticed this in the stores even though the sets are set up in areas where they market better).
If you favor the plasma over the LCDs the panasonic with antiglare is the set to buy. (For more info google CNET and check out their review on the PX set. they compare the PX set to a Sony Bravia and a Pioneer plasma)
We bought the tv from Sams club for less than is shown here, but I am not sure how long this price/availibility will last because they are supposed to release new models in April.
Also the model we got from Sams is a TH-50PC77U which is similar to the PX77U except it has a different stand, more displayble colors, and more shades of gradation. The PC is also manufactured to UL electric code which is a safety requirement in the state of California. The PX does not have a UL certification (or any other safety standard). As an engineer (and a video-computer nerd)I would recommend going with the lower price TH-50PC77U with the safety standard as well as the added features.
If you want check out the comparison between the PC and PX at Panasonics website (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelComparisonResults?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&catGroupId=75003&surfCategory=Plasma%20HDTVs&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702&items=112103|196168|
I heard problems about the PX set "clicking" when it is on but I have not experienced that with my set. Hopefully it does occur occur because this tv is sweet! Watching Lebron James or the Pengiuns in 50" of glory is so great! My wife is loving Oprah and American Idol as well
If you choose to get this set you will not regret it!!! Good luck with whatever decision you make...
Oh and no matter what set you get, I recommend ordering your HDMI cable now ($6 with shipping for 6 feet of cord on Amazon while $30 to $60 at Best Buy, etc.) if you are considering a purchase. We are still waiting for ours (and using compnent cables) because it shipped standard USPS.
Also you should pick a cable and electrical combo surge protector to protect your new investment. Amazons has these for a 1/4 of the price of BB and other retailers as well.
On: 2008-02-27
Ive been looking at and researching tvs for literally years trying to find the best deal for the best tv. I originally bought a Samsung LCD about a year ago, and after having it for a week, we ended up returning it. About 6 months ago I had finally decided on buying the Panasonic TH-50PX77U 50" 720p Plasma with the Anti-Glare coating. I was simply just waiting for the right price to buy it! My patience paid off as we bought it for $1499 over Presidents Day weekend!
We couldnt be happier with this purchase! The anti-glare works great in our well lit room, the tv is aesthetically pleasing, the remote is decent, SD broadcast channels look good, and most importantly, the HD picture is simply awesome!!! We have over 80 channels in HD and I seriously cant get enough of some of these shows! The sound is really good and its been fun watching some of the movies we havent watched in a long time with the upconverting DVD player. Its like we have our own little movie theater now at home!
Here are my current settings for the tv (I have other settings for other inputs...i.e. DVD Player, Nintendo Wii, etc.). The tv lets you have settings saved for each input which is another great feature!
Normal - No
Picture Mode - Custom
Picture - +22
Brightness - +9
Color - +2
Tint - -5
Sharpness - -30
Color Temp. - Warm
Color Mgmt. - Off
Video NR - Off
3D Y/C Filter - N/A
Color Matrix - HD
MPEG NR - Off
Black Level - Light
While I think most will agree that the Pioneer is a better plasma...If youre looking for a way cheaper 720p Plasma tv...this is your tv!!! You can stop shopping and reading hundreds of reviews...you wont be disappointed with this Panasonic!!!!!!!
On: 2008-02-16
After the Sharp aquos 52" 1080p LCD, I decide to return it and go with this TV.
I am very happy that I made this choice. Panasonic have very nice sd and hd broadcast performance. SD programs looks much better. DVDs works very nice. dishnetwork woom HD is almost perfect., HDDVDs are awesome..
most of the 1080p TVs have problems on SD and 720pHD signals.because of the downconverting. this is the reason that I switch back to 720p tv because I am watching mostly SD dvds and broadcast HD. I have HDdvd but there is not a lot HDVDs available right now.
When the 1080p TVs figure out the 720 down converting with reasonable price. (less then
$2000) Ill go with 1080p, but right now this panasonic is the best.
it has very nice black and awesome colors. factory settings is not the best. you should adjust them a bit. The setup that some people said over this site is actually pretty good.
Good thing on this tv is it memorizes all the setting that you made for each device. for example I like SD dvds with less sharpness and noise reduction. but I want my xbox 360 with high contrast and no noise reduction. so its keeps all the settings individually.
it has Antiglare but is not a huge wow!. its blurs the reflections and make it more reasonable but if there is a lamb in the middle of the room, it is not magically erase the reflection.
I didnt test the speakers, I have no idea, but if you have this tv, you should pay little more and get at least 5.1 sound system.
So I am really happy with the tv. It was great picture quality with no artifacts on SD or 720p HD,
it is not too heavy like my old HD plasma, still heavy but not too bad
and the box is fits to my mid size SUV with a little tint.
I hope my review help you guys, have fun.
On: 2008-02-15
Panasonic TH-50PX77U 50" 720p Plasma HDTV
We purchased this television on January 15 from AMAZON. Delivery was on time and the TV arrived in excellent condition. Setup was not complicated at all, and the directions provided by the manufacurer were clear and easy to follow. The picture is absolutely perfect and the audio is crisp and clear. The non-glare screen is definitely an asset as our living room has large windows and a lot of light from outside. The controls are easy to use and the on screen directions easy to follow. We purchased a stand that is glossy black with dark tinted glass shelves that match the finish on the TV. This TV looks great even when its not on. We are completely satisfied with it and would recommend it to anyone.
On: 2008-02-10
After doing our homework - checking different websites, reading Consumer Reports, and talking to other folks whod recently bought a big screen tv - we decided on this 50" Panasonic Plasma. We went for the 720p and the picture is AWESOME - with great color from any angle in the family room. Set-up was easy. The tv is everything all the reviews said it would be, but what really blew us away was Amazons incredible customer service! Unfortunately, we had a little mishap in the beginning - but it was partly our fault. The first tv was flawed - with a gouge/scratch in the screen which we didnt discover until a couple of days after it was delivered, when WE finally unboxed it to set up. My heart was sinking, as I called Amazon - but they immediately told me "NO PROBLEM - we want you to be 100% satisfied". The Amazon customer service rep explained that their shipping is actually "white glove service" - which means the delivery guys are supposed to bring it in, unbox it, and power it up to the customers satisfaction - before leaving. We didnt realize that and had asked the first delivery crew to just leave it (boxed), as we didnt have our tv stand ready when they came. That was OUR mistake, but Amazon said "no problem - well take care of you". They arranged an exchange date that would work for us - and shipped a replacement tv. This time, we did it the "Amazon way" and had the delivery guys set it up before they left. The new tv was perfect. They boxed up the flawed set and took it away - along with all the packaging. Throughout the whole process, Amazons customer service was impeccable. Initially, wed planned on buying this Panasonic tv from one of our local big box stores - but our daughter (the internet queen) convinced us to purchase from Amazon. I have to say... she was right... the overall price was unbeatable, the product is perfect, and the customer service was amazing. Were sold on Amazon and we LOVE this tv!
On: 2008-02-05
We did some research initially on HDTVs weighing the pros and cons between LCD and plasma. We we were leaning towards an LCD. Research included reviews by CNET, Consumer Reports, and from people who bought both. The real proof is doing a demo of the Panasonic 50PX77U (720p) vs. other plasmas and LCDs from top-rated manufacturers like Sony, Samsumg and Mitsubishi.
There was no doubt the Panasonic plasma was a winner. For sports it cannot be beat as well as for HD movies and standard TV. The picture was INCREDIBLE. The new anti-glare screen is excellent.
LCDs still lag behind even though new technology is catching up to plasmas such as the 120Hz frame refresh rate, however, IMHO plasmas still provide the best overall picture. Panasonics website, tech support, low repair rate, and being a leader in the industry also helped convince us to buy Panasonic which is something we never considered in the past. We have thoroughly enjoyed it and it is highly recommended. We could have purchased the 1080p version(50PZ77U)but we decided to save some money.
 On: 2008-01-30
Easy to setup and use. Remote is well laid out. We do not have HD so picture is just OK. I will update when we get HD. I bought it around Dec 1. The price I got it for on Amazon was the lowest I saw up to that point and I have not seen any cheaper yet. They are now at SAMS and the price I paid was less then they sell it for now. Delivery worked well, they even wanted to set it up but it was a X-mas present so I did it my self. No problems. Even hung it on the wall my self BUT I RECOMMEND getting help picking it up and setting on the wall mount.
On: 2008-01-20
I was surprised to see (online tracking) that in only 3 days of shipping, my TV had already arrived locally. EGL (formerly Eagle) started calling me that Monday which was 1 week earlier than it was supposed to be delivered, to set up delivery. Because of my scheduling, I had to wait until the next Saturday to receive it although they were ready with time slots each day that week. I got a call that Saturday morning by the driver asking if I wanted the TV delivered early as they were in the area!! Heck ya!
Everyone from the phone calls from EGL to the drivers, were nothing but friendly and professional. I admit, I was pleasantly surprised by that!
The drivers showed up about 20 minutes later and I was ready to quickly open, hook up and test before they could leave. I was prepared for no good reason. They brought it in, unpacked it, set up and installed the pedestal, carefully set it on our new media stand, connected cable, power and started to connect my DVD etc. I stopped him and said Id be messing with it anyway and he didnt need to try to figure all that out. We tested everything on their checklist, they made sure I was OK with it and all was good. They took all the packing/box etc. and were on their way. Very impressive delivery.
So, I got it started auto-programming the channels within a few minutes and I was thrilled at the number of Digital and HD channels it found on our basic/expanded cable. I took a while getting my DVD reconfigured for the new TV and changing to component AV connections, I sat back and flipped through a few different DVDs in awe!
The anti-glare screen softens the view although we dont have a light problem. The bezel looks great but doesnt cause any glare issues as a small number of people have mentioned, Im sure because of light condition differences. I was very impressed considering I was worried about the "shiny" look of so many Plasmas Ive seen.
Audio output is line level and I have to out to a very old Denon shelf receiver and its 2 Denon speakers. I also have a cheap powered sub from a small audio/PC system connected and with the audio out producing much better sound than our old one, sound is surprisingly good with this mishmash of old receiver and speakers. I cant wait for the new equipment.
So far after almost 2 weeks of having the new Panny, its been awesome.
There is only 1 small irritation that Ill continue to work on but dont think its worth calling Panasonic about. Especially when there is more bass and the TV volume is turned up at or above a normal level, there is a fine rattle which Ive pin-pointed to the center of the back of the until where the metal rear case is rattling slightly inside. Ive slightly adjusted a screw in the back which helped, but didnt eliminate it. Im sure I can fix it, but again, normal listening isnt a problem and its only noticeable with heavier low tones or when the bass is adjusted up high. Sound is much better than I expected but as many people say in all HDTV reviews, audio, although adequate for "TV speakers", isnt much to write home about when youre in this league of AV.
Overall Im thrilled with its performance and appearance. The remote is intuitive and easy to use and the SD card slot, although I thought would never be used, has already been used and works really well for viewing pictures.
Buying something like this online and sight unseen I was nervous. Now that its said and done, Im thrilled and can highly recommend Amazon not only for great pricing but very professional delivery with EGL.
I can see why most big box stores dont carry this model. If they did, theyd have a hard time moving HDTVs in higher price points.
On: 2008-01-19
No regrets on picking the TH-50PX77U. The anti-reflective screen is a big plus in a brightly lit room. The price was the determining factor over a 1080 resolution. Standard cable and DVD are very watchable on this bad boy. On time white glove delivery was as promised.
On: 2008-01-14
Got this gift from Santa and Love it, set-up was very easy and the picture is phenomenal. I run the Burn-in DVD (freeware from internet) at night to help reduce risk of burn-in and the antiglare screen is a definite plus. When they finally realize to reduce the glare on the frame that will be great. I would recommend this TV.
On: 2008-01-13
Ive had the Panasonic TH-50PX77U for two months now. I am very happy with my purchase.
I went with 720p because of cost savings. The cost/benefit of spending extra money for 1080p set didnt make sense for my situation. By the time I need to upgrade to 1080p, I will have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of this set. If your on a budget then go 720p. 720p is good enough for me.
The picture is excellent. I have my HD cable box connected via HDMI to a Onkyo SR605 receiver, then to the tv via HDMI cable . My Cox cable HD channels are incredible. My DVD player is not HD, but with component video cable connection, the picture is still great. I will be upgraing to a DVD player with a HDMI output, so Im sure it will only be better.
The screen glare, is almost nonexistant in a room with large window to the right side of my viewing area. I had read Panasonic used new anti-glare coating. It works. However, the black trim around the screen does not have the coating. The trim is very shiny. There is a huge difference in the glare. I ussually shut the blinds when watching tv. So not a issue that causes problems for me, even with blinds open. Its just interesting to see the difference. They should probably just anti-glare all the front surfaces.
Another wish for improvement is on the remote. I wish there were dedicated buttons on the remote for the screen aspect rations.
Before I bought, I had read some reviews about the "popping or clicking noise issue". I have NOT experienced it in my unit after two months. If I do, Id be very unhappy, because this is a great tv. For more info Google "panasonic popping noise issue"
Conclusion, this tv is awesome. Definitely worth the price I paid. I would highly recommend the set.
On: 2008-01-05
I ordered this tv on December 2, 2007 and delivery was estimated to be on 12/12/07. I received a call from the delivery company on 12/6/07 and they gave me several different 4 hr windows for delivery. The best time for me was noon to 4pm on Saturday. They arrive at noon and delivered the tv. Nothing special about the delivery. They simply (as I expected) brought it into the house and waited/helped while I unpacked it to visually inspect it. Then after signing the paperwork they left.
Initially I set up on the floor, since my current tv was a 36" CRT that weighs over 200 lbs. I connect a VHF/UHF antenna that I had from an old tv (note that you do NOT need a special antenna to receiver over the air HD signals, your old ones work fine). In my area of Scottsdale I was able to receive a number of HDTV signals and watched basketball and football. Finally I got some friends over to help me move the old tv and place this one on the stand.
I have Directv and had to upgrade my service (new dish and receiver/tuner/DVR). Unfortunately Directv has HUGE quality problems with the new tuners and upgrading was VERY frustrating and their customer service is horrible, not to mention their automated phone system.
Anyhow the tv has performed flawlessly. The picture is excellent. I sit about 8-9 feet from the tv. Currently I have Directv, DVD (just got a Toshiba 720p HD-DVD player) and an Xbox connected to it. I havent had any problems with the tv handling any of the video sources. My receiver needs to be upgraded (I have an older Onkyo SR600) so my current setup is as follows: HDMI from Directv to TV, digital audio from directv to receiver, component video from xbox to receiver to TV (same for dvd player).
I never planned to buy this from Amazon, thinking it was too big of a purchase to buy online but the price couldnt be beat ($300 lower than any local stores and that doesnt include the local sales tax, with no delivery charges).
After I purchased it, the price first went up but a week or so later it dropped and I sent Amazon an email and they responded within 2 hrs and credited my credit card with the roughly $68 difference. Since then the price has gone back up above my purchased price.
Anyone who buys a tv like this should have a surround system setup since none of these tvs have acceptable audio out. The speakers are just too small. I did have to call Panasonic regarding the TV stand and they answered my question quickly. Apparently they use the same stand/pedestal for the 42" and 50" tvs. The instructions for the stand were not clear and I inadvertently set it up for the 42" tv. This made the posts 3" too close. Once I realized what I did, it was easily fixed.
Im very happy with this tv and the experience with Amazon. Personally I dont think getting a 1080p is worth the markup in price. The 1080p is more of a status thing IMO. If satellite/cable can ever get to the point where they can deliver 1080p, then maybe I would consider upgrading but I dont think that will happen for another decade.
Rich
On: 2007-12-29
The picture on this thing is excellent. I got the wall mount and it was simple and easy to put up there. As with most folks movin to HDTV Ill love it more when I get that DVD upconverter and when my cable company moves to HD as well. At the present time Im loving the size and enjoying the picture. Amazons delivery service was great, especially since the first TV was broken on unpacking. It took a couple phone calls to get them to ship the replacement but hey, nothing good comes without a little effort. OH and I didnt know it was so WARM to stand in front of.
On: 2007-12-21
I really agonized over what tv to purchase (plasma vs lcd; what brand; ect). I am so glad that I made the choice that I did! Our tv is in a bright room and it works great (my main concern with buying a plasma was fear of glare). The anti-glare screen works just as advertized (I have not noticed any loss of "pop" to the picture as some mentioned). I could not be more pleased!
On: 2007-12-21
Like many of you, I researched HDTVs for a long time, trading off LCD vs Plasma, screen size, brand, price, and read tons of user reviews. After deciding on a screen size of 50", I settled on Plasma (better value right now at that screen size). After reading and researching I determined the Panasonic TH-50PX77U was what I wanted. Watched prices on this model for several weeks, then bought it for $1399 including delivery and a wall mount from Vanns on Thanksgiving day 2007.
I am very happy with this TV. I chose the 77U for the anti-glare screen and Im glad I did. Although the TV is wall mounted in my basement with only a distant window and sliding glass door, there still would have been significant reflection on the screen without the anti-glare. One minor complaint: the glossy piano black surface of the boarder surrounding the screen does reflect light - I wish it were a matte finish instead.
HD picture quality is outstanding. Deep blacks, high contrast, vibrant colors. I sit 10 feet from the TV when viewing. I have a HD DVR cable box from Time Warner. Using the component cable output from the cable box feeds a 1080i HD signal to my Panasonic TH-50PX77U. Although the 1080i picture from the HD cable box looks outstanding, it gets even better using the 1080p HDMI output from my upconverting Sony DVP-NS77H DVD player (standard DVDs, not HD-DVD or Blu-Ray). DVDs look simply incredible. I cant imagine how it could look any better using HD-DVD or Blu-Ray, even on a 1080p HDTV. Standard definition channels from the cable box look fine - not great, but not poor (I was very concerned about the quality of standard def channels after reading so many reviews of HDTVs where this is a problem - its not a problem with this TV). Im not using the TVs speakers, so I cant comment on sound quality.
This 720p Panasonic is an outstanding value. Spending hundreds more for 1080p is completely unnecessary for what I was looking for right now. I have visions of getting a very large screen (60+ inches) for my main family room in a few years when prices drop significantly - thats when Ill go for 1080p and Blu-Ray (or HD-DVD if that format wins the war).
Set up was easy and intuitive. I used the base for a few days before wall mounting, and it was very solid. The TV is heavy, two people needed to lift it and move it anywhere. The remote is nicely designed and adequate.
Buy the Panasonic TH-50PX77U 720p Plasma HDTV and you wont be dissapointed!
On: 2007-12-20
Like many of you, I researched HDTVs for a long time, trading off LCD vs Plasma, screen size, brand, price, and read tons of user reviews. After deciding on a screen size of 50", I settled on Plasma (better value right now at that screen size). After reading and researching I determined the Panasonic TH-50PX77U was what I wanted. Watched prices on this model for several weeks, then bought it for $1399 including delivery and a wall mount from Vanns on Thanksgiving day 2007.
I am very happy with this TV. I chose the 77U for the anti-glare screen and Im glad I did. Although the TV is wall mounted in my basement with only a distant window and sliding glass door, there still would have been significant reflection on the screen without the anti-glare. One minor complaint: the glossy piano black surface of the boarder surrounding the screen does reflect light - I wish it were a matte finish instead.
HD picture quality is outstanding. Deep blacks, high contrast, vibrant colors. I sit 10 feet from the TV when viewing. I have a HD DVR cable box from Time Warner. Using the component cable output from the cable box feeds a 1080i HD signal to my Panasonic TH-50PX77U. Although the 1080i picture from the HD cable box looks outstanding, it gets even better using the 1080p HDMI output from my upconverting Sony DVP-NS77H DVD player (standard DVDs, not HD-DVD or Blu-Ray). DVDs look simply incredible. I cant imagine how it could look any better using HD-DVD or Blu-Ray, even on a 1080p HDTV. Standard definition channels from the cable box look fine - not great, but not poor (I was very concerned about the quality of standard def channels after reading so many reviews of HDTVs where this is a problem - its not a problem with this TV). Im not using the TVs speakers, so I cant comment on sound quality.
This 720p Panasonic is an outstanding value. Spending hundreds more for 1080p is completely unnecessary for what I was looking for right now. I have visions of getting a very large screen (60+ inches) for my main family room in a few years when prices drop significantly - thats when Ill go for 1080p and Blu-Ray (or HD-DVD if that format wins the war).
Set up was easy and intuitive. I used the base for a few days before wall mounting, and it was very solid. The TV is heavy, two people needed to lift it and move it anywhere. The remote is nicely designed and adequate.
Buy the Panasonic TH-50PX77U 720p Plasma HDTV and you wont be dissapointed!
On: 2007-12-09
I did a lot of research on the different types of TVs , the LCDS ,the Plasmas and the Rear Projection LCD. I was told a lot of different things by a lot of different people and was somewhat confused. I ruled out the Rear Prjection LCD after I was told you had to replace a light that cost $200 every 6000 hours at max.I know that to be true because its happened to my neighbors TV. My son-n-laws both have the plasma and I was told by numerous people that the Panasonic was at the top of the line for their price range. I read on C-NET that the life of the new Plasma AND LCDS were around 60,000 HRS. Thats 8 hrs a day for 20 years. So far I love the set. BE HARD TO BEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On: 2007-12-04
Thank God this Tv is keeping me up late at nite. I had forgot I had a computer for the first few days I set it up.
The picture quality is superb and the anti-glare feature works well.
I am so happy for Black Friday and Amazon.com
Buy the TH-PX77u already then...enjoy your holidays.
On: 2007-11-27
We just picked up this tv set last week after Thanksgiving (CC @ $1650). The set is very nice, excellent picture, and the anti-glare is a huge plus in a living room across from a bank of picture windows. The thing that most surprised me about the set is the sound, which is quite good: if youre looking to reproduce THX-Dolby as if you were in a theater, then youll need an HTIB, but if youre satisfied with high-quality stereo sound with good depth (i.e., cutting edge technology circa 1993), then you may not need to bother.
I got the tv set up and running myself -- it does require two reasonably strong people to handle it out of the box and get it set on its pedestal. Connecting to cable and a DVD player is relatively simple, but remember to buy a couple of cheap HDMI cables (not included), and recognize that your cable television signal will be coming in over the "HDMI 1" video slot, rather than the "TV" slot, when you turn the set on. (In this configuration, the TV tuner does not need to scan for cable channels, although I did have to call my cable company to get them to activate the HDMI port on my cable box, at no charge).
So far, no problems, no clicking noises, and no drawbacks to report. The set offers great picture and great sound, and the price seems good to us for the value. (We didnt seriously consider 1080p -- we didnt see much difference in picture quality, and from where we sit in our room, it seemed unlikely to matter to us.)
On: 2007-11-19
I bought this TV about 3 weeks ago. The product is great. I have no negative feedback on it. Its a great price to feature ratio.
I did have some issues with the delivery from Amazon, though. Amazon outsources the delivery to a 3rd party, and the expected delivery window didnt change on the web site even after we were in the window. after waiting at home on the day of the delivery the delivery company tried to reschedule the date. Finally talked them into deliverying it the same day, so I wouldnt miss a 2nd day of work, and the delivery guy dropped the TV off at the front door and refused to move it to the room where it was going (10 ft away).
Overall, Id buy another Panasonic, but perhaps wont do it through Amazon.
On: 2007-11-13
We got this TV about three weeks ago and I cant say enough great things about it. Before purchasing it I spent months researching what was available out there and the Panasonic 77u was definately my top choice. Please be aware that this TV will ruin you when you watch smaller TVs :-) When we unloaded it and set it up we didnt turn it on, we just sat on the couch and stared at it for about 10 minutes. Its huge and perfect.
1) The pitcure is out of this world. We have it set up about 10 feet away from us. I was a little hesitant to buy a 720p rather then a 1080p, but I went with it after reading a lot of reviews that said that there was only a minor decernable difference between the two on televisions up to 50 inches. Sure I could have spent another $1,000 or so to get the 1080p version, but for that amount I could almost get another TV.
2) I specifically bought the 77U rather than the 75U to get the anti-glare coating on it and I am so happy I did. One of the things about this particular TV that a lot of people raved about was the anti-glare coating. It was the thing that outpaced it from the high-end LCDs out there. I think that there are also a lot of stores that are trying to unload the 75U and dont play up the superior 77U, so dont be fooled!
3)We have also used the SD card slot to view pictures from the camera and they are outstanding.
4)We bought a panasonic upconverting dvd player and it does a super job of playing dvds. Were holding off on buying a HD DVD player until the format wars have played out.
And in terms of price this TV cant be beat. I could have bought it at a huge retailer, but they didnt have the "Best" price. It was about $500 more with tax and a charge for shipping. Go with Amazon!
The set up was pretty easy. You cant do it alone (it weighs 90 lbs) but with two sturdy people you should have no problem. I think there are six screws and then a few choices to anchor it into the wall,etc.
So I think I can safely say that I am 100% satisfied with this TV!
 On: 2007-11-03
I bought this television at Best Buy exactly 6 weeks ago and today, exactly 6 weeks to the day, it completely stopped working. I paid $1800. for it and Best Buy will not accept an exchange or return, no matter what. The home theater manager told me that they do not relax their return policies no matter what. He also told me that there is a power supply problem with these televisions, so beware when buying one, that it may not last very long due to this issue. Make sure to buy it somewhere else, and to get a warranty on it because apparently they are made not to last.
On: 2007-11-02
I bought a samsung 4665 lcd tv after reading many reviews,stating how nice the picture was and i was really disapointed.I brought the tv back to the store after a week of owning it.
The biggist problem with this tv is the picture you get from standard definition there is so much jitter or you can call it picture noise,also there is lots of lag witch creates a very disapointing picture.
I would consider myself someone who can really sees the difference in picture quality,but on the other hand my wife doesnt know much about tvs and the first thing she said when she saw the picture on sd,was your taking this thing back to the store.
I did more research for another week or so and decided that i wasnt going to buy lcd again so i went for the panasonic 50px77u and i was blown away by the picture quality and so was my wife.
With the samsung lcd the blacks would get washed away the second that you move away from the center of the tv,and the level of black wasnt even close.
The panasonic tv resembles alot more by projector cinema room witch is awesome.
Now that i have first hand experiance with lcd vs plasma.I get a completely differnt sale pitch when i walk into televion stores.After speaking with the saleman they always end up telling me that they all have plasmas and that lcds really suck.
Sorry for pissing off a few of you,but i had to give back to the comunity witch helped me buy a tv that im really amazed with.
Thanks for all your reviews
Serge Montreal,Quebec
On: 2007-10-24
Like many, I did months of research on different tvs. LCD vs. Plasma, 1080p vs. 720p and so on. I finally came down to the Samsung 5064 and the Panasonic 77u, maily because of the look of an LCD with the anti-glare screen and the processing speed of the plasma. I got my set 3 days ago and could not be more happy. The panasonic is simple to set up, and needed little adjustment. The delivery was great and the mounting was straight forward. I get my satellite set up in 2 days so I will have a better idea of the true HD capabilities of the set then.
With standard cable running into the set the picture still looks great and the DVDs are incredible. The size is just right for my 63" stand. This plasma is a little wider than a normal 50" plasma due to the speakers being on the side but it works for me.
If you are worried about purchasing online dont be. The tranaction was smooth and the delivery was perfect. This is THE place to buy if considering a purchase!!
On: 2007-10-14
This is our first flat screen television and weve been waiting for years to buy one. First, the size is perfect. Second, the anti-glare really makes a big difference; its so nice to be able to have the lamps on while eating dinner and still have a really clear screen. Lastly, the picture is so completely amazing that I stood in front of the television and just whispered "wow", my boyfriend promptly remarked "dork".
On: 2007-10-12
I consider 5 stars to be perfection, so Im giving it 4 stars. First of all, I want to say that the performance of the actual display is outstanding. My 2 qualms arent about the display.
1) Youve probably read a lot about that clicking noise in this model. Mine does it -- when its warming up and cooling down. Probably for 45 minutes, once every 5 minutes.
2) The logo is too big and really cheap looking. Its just painted on. A smaller, metal logo would make the set more expensive looking.
On: 2007-10-05
Weve had the TV about a month now after seeing the review on CNET and in Money magazine. Bought it through Vanns on Amazon. Transaction was easy and TV shipped almost immediately. It is very heavy and took 3 of us to get it set up on the stand. It programs quickly and has a good picture. Personally Im a fan of the energy star compliance, but that does mean it takes a little longer to turn on. Anti-glare screen really works well. TV is in a room that gets the setting sun and the difference between this one and the last tv is huge relative to the glare.
On: 2007-09-29
Recently bought the Panasonic 50 inch 77U at Costco. Awesome quality, easy to operate and unbelieable picture. Currently have it hooked up to my DirecTV HD-DVR, and the HD channels are awesome, but the standard DTV channels also look very good for a flat screen. Standard was a huge concern, as the children watch kids channels that are in standard only. Paid a visit to CC and the salesman placed a Sammy 4661 LCD and this unit on a standard DTV channel; sold on plasma hands down. Then you add the improvements that Plasma has accomplished lately, coupled with Pannys reputation and it was an easy decision. Yes, LCD may be the latest craze, but talk to the LCD owners re: their viewing experience outside of HD-DVD and HD channels, and youll find some are quite unhappy. Nice to have a balanced product, which at this time, I can find NO NEGATIVES to report.
On: 2007-09-10
Love it! Fantastic picture--especially with the shows broadcast in HD!
I was already familiar with the previous years model of the Panasonic 50" Plasma, since a couple of my friends had bought one. Even though that last years model is cheaper, I was willing to pay a couple hundred dollars or so more for the anti-glare (I have a very bright sun-filled room) and the aesthetics of the black instead of the silver frame.
I had researched this pretty heavily online (LCD vs. Plasma, manufacturers, the different Panasonic models, etc.). I also researched the whole buying online thing--especially since this is a major $$$ purchase. Panasonic offers a Concierge service as part of the warranty. For the first year, they will send someone to your home to repair or replace anything defective with the unit. I did not see that offered by the other manufacturers, although they might offer it. The idea of not having to lug a 90 lb. screen somewhere for who knows how long if I needed repairs was very appealing to me.
I am very pleased with the plasma screen, and the functionalities I use. I have HD-DVR service, and a small home theatre system, and now that I have all the pieces together, Im in media heaven!
Also, I had seen what kind of damage the wall mount does to drywall, when I helped someone else mount theirs (renters beware!). After seeing the height they ended up putting the TV, I decided a piece of furniture was a better option. I sprang for a really nice cherry big screen entertainment center, and the black plasma screen on its stand embedded in the furniture looks smashing--whether the picture is on or off! It really makes my Great Room.
On: 2007-09-06
This TV is AMAZING. The picture and quality are outstanding. The ability to view a clear picture from a side angle is really impressive. I absolutely LOVE this TV. Best purchase I have made in years!!!!
On: 2007-08-23
Ive had this set for about 2 months now and couldnt be happier. I initially was going to go with a Pioneer model but the price and mainly the anti-glare feature is what swayed me. This model dropped over $500 in the last 3 months. Gotta love that price protection from certain retailers :D
My main concern was the glaring issue many plasma tvs have. Being that i live in a chalet with a wall of glass I really needed something just like this since curtains just dont look right on my house. If you can control your lighting I certainly recommend the px75u,same thing without the anti-glare and will save you $100+. But as for me, I couldnt be happier with the anti-glare. I see absolutely NO reflections on my tv. And when I shut it off and stand right in front of it, you only see a muffled outline-hardly noticeable.
The picture itself is great even on SD channels, although your source will play a big part. Whats great though is this set has a few built in features that can help with a less than perfect feed. The scaling is fantastic as even standard 4:3 programming stretched across the screen is very watchable. Some stations look as good as on my Sony CRT, while there are a few that are just a tad fuzzy. Same goes with HD channels-DiscoveryHD looks absolutely amazing-while other HD channels not so much. You can definitely tell the difference between programs shot in HD and programs converted to hd thats for sure! otherwise, I have my set top box to output only 720p and 1080i so even SD gets unconverted and looks great. Im actually switching to satellite this Sun. just to get more HD channels lol.
As for sound-I have no complaints. I read in other reviews of some people hearing a clicking noise but I havent heard anything except for the initial power on and off click. I even intentionally listened for it just to see if I experienced it but to no avail-no clicking noises! I have a large 32x24 living room and the sound fills it all. Admittedly, im buying a 5.1 surround sound system in the very near future but for now the tvs speakers are fine. I just want that full theater effect and be surrounded by sound :D
The included stand went in my basement as I opted to hang it on a wall and it looks great, on and off. The only thing I noticed is the side speakers have little dimples. Only noticeable on an angle. i read its normal but it still looks a little ooogly if you ask me. No big deal though. Oh, and it lacks a pc input,ie, vga. Im not hooking up my computer and using this for a monitor but for those that are keep that in mind. All in all im happy with my purchase and glad to see all plasmas/lcds finally coming down to reasonable prices. Soon ill be able to put a 103" plasma in my bathroom at these prices! ;p
On: 2007-08-22
Ive had this set for about 2 months now and couldnt be happier. I initially was going to go with a Pioneer model but the price and mainly the anti-glare feature is what swayed me. This model dropped over $500 in the last 3 months. Gotta love that price protection from certain retailers :D
My main concern was the glaring issue many plasma tvs have. Being that i live in a chalet with a wall of glass I really needed something just like this since curtains just dont look right on my house. If you can control your lighting I certainly recommend the px75u,same thing without the anti-glare and will save you $100+. But as for me, I couldnt be happier with the anti-glare. I see absolutely NO reflections on my tv. And when I shut it off and stand right in front of it, you only see a muffled outline-hardly noticeable.
The picture itself is great even on SD channels, although your source will play a big part. Whats great though is this set has a few built in features that can help with a less than perfect feed. The scaling is fantastic as even standard 4:3 programming stretched across the screen is very watchable. Some stations look as good as on my Sony CRT, while there are a few that are just a tad fuzzy. Same goes with HD channels-DiscoveryHD looks absolutely amazing-while other HD channels not so much. You can definitely tell the difference between programs shot in HD and programs converted to hd thats for sure! otherwise, I have my set top box to output only 720p and 1080i so even SD gets unconverted and looks great. Im actually switching to satellite this Sun. just to get more HD channels lol.
As for sound-I have no complaints. I read in other reviews of some people hearing a clicking noise but I havent heard anything except for the initial power on and off click. I even intentionally listened for it just to see if I experienced it but to no avail-no clicking noises! I have a large 32x24 living room and the sound fills it all. Admittedly, im buying a 5.1 surround sound system in the very near future but for now the tvs speakers are fine. I just want that full theater effect and be surrounded by sound :D
The included stand went in my basement as I opted to hang it on a wall and it looks great, on and off. The only thing I noticed is the side speakers have little dimples. Only noticeable on an angle. i read its normal but it still looks a little ooogly if you ask me. No big deal though. Oh, and it lacks a pc input,ie, vga. Im not hooking up my computer and using this for a monitor but for those that are keep that in mind. All in all im happy with my purchase and glad to see all plasmas/lcds finally coming down to reasonable prices. Soon ill be able to put a 103" plasma in my bathroom at these prices! ;p
On: 2007-08-19
Ive had this unit for one week now. So far I am very pleased with it.
First, it is very attractive. The piano-like finish suits it nicely and the unit itself isnt overly heavy and it is very thin.
As for performance, it gives off a very nice picture, is easy to view from angles, and the manual is straightforward to read. The remote is fine too. The anti-glare screen works well, as we have a fairly bright room and have noticed no problems with glare off of the tv. If anything, you can get some glare off of the bezel finish.
Im aware, from AVS forums, that clicking noises have been an issue for some with this unit. I have indeed heard them from time to time but so far they havent been a nuisance. Guess time will tell.
Overall, Im happy with the purchase and usually Ive found that you can rely on Panasonic to produce a strong product.
Also, I just ordered an Oppo upconverting DVD player, so well see how that works in concert with the tv, as it should sharpen the picture even moreso for movie watching.
On: 2007-08-15
Excellent HDTV- beautiful picture resolution. Blocks objects out with the antiglare screen which really works great in our well lit living room.
On: 2007-05-26
Great picture, great sound, the whole package it is just a super TV. I have a Bose 3-2-1 system hooked up to it, its better than going to the movies.
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