Panasonic TC-P50S1 Review

Many consumers usually prefer mid-level products, as they can enjoy a good quality product, without having to break the bank for it. Panasonic knows this oh-so-well, and their 50 inch plasma TV, Panasonic TC-P50S1 is the proof. Without being fully packed with features like THX certification, Viera Cast add-ons, or 24p cinema mode (found in the most expensive series such as G10 and V10), the S1 series can boast about exceptional black levels and reliable color saturation. You can also find a good deal for this Panasonic plasma TV, as this is less expensive than the newer plasma TVs from the same manufacturer. With its NeoPDP panel and its 1080p resolution, the S1 is also more than one step up from the entry level series X1, being placed closer to top of the line plasma TVs, rather than low level products. All in all, Panasonic TC-P50S1 is a mid-level plasma in terms of price, but not exactly the run of the mill HDTV.

Note: Panasonic TC-P50S1 is the 50 inch variant of S1 Series from Panasonic Plasma TV 2009 Lineup. This review applies to all size variants of S1 series (42, 46, 54 inch), as all of these models share the same features and performance.

At a Glance:

• Panel type: NeoPDP
• Resolution: 1080p (standard) / 1920×1080 (exact)
• Contrast ratio: 40,000:1 (native) / 2,000,000:1 (dynamic)
• Shades of gradation: 6144
• THX certified: NO
• Anti-glare filter: New AR Filter
• 24p cinema mode: NO

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Overall great picture quality
• Amazing black levels
• Great color saturation
• More energy efficient through its NeoPDP display

Cons:

• It does not have THX certification, 24p cinema mode and Viera Cast fancy add-ons
• Anti-reflective capabilities are limited
• Small issues with color accuracy

Features

When a new series is launched, the most important questions float around the new capabilities that it presents over the last product released by the same company. We have seen where Panasonic TC-P50S1 stands from the newer series, like G10 and V10, more oriented to luxury goods. One thing that should be noted is that the S1 series is the first series for which Panasonic has implemented the new NeoPDP panel. As plasma TVs are known to consume more power than LCDs, due to their demanding display, this is a battle in which plasma manufacturers have to use all their weapons. Panasonic came up with a new panel, and, while its products are still important energy consumers, they are more efficient than other plasma TVs. The S1 plasma TVs also have 1080p resolution, while the previous X1 series has only 720p resolution. Better contrast ration and shades of gradation come to complete the picture, rising S1 well over X1 series.

Connectivity

Connectivity is another area in which S1 does not claim the leading role, as its capabilities are decent enough, without being anything out of the ordinary. It comes with three HDMI inputs, two component-video inputs, one AV input with composite and S-Video, one RF input for cable or antenna, one digital audio input, and one SD card slot. It must be noted that the VGA input lacks in this series, although it can be found in the newer models coming from the same company.

Design

As Panasonic TC-P50S1 is aimed more at the budget minded consumer, it is also less appealing than its more luxurious counterparts, in terms of design. It also does not have a swivel stand, but this does not mean that this plasma model won’t complement well the room where it will be installed. The company decided to keep the old design, but it made a concession, by allowing more rounded edges, and opting for the hidden speakers, which is considered the latest fad in flat screen TVs. Panasonic TC-P50S1 still looks elegant enough with its glossy black frame, marked only by a narrow silvery line. Obviously, the company didn’t put too much into making the S1 series fancier, but, if you do not mind having a good quality plasma TV with last year looks, than this aspect should not be bothersome.

Performance

The strongest point of Panasonic TC-P50S1 is its overall excellent picture performance, granted especially by its incredibly deep levels of black, that can easily compete with the more expensive series like G10 and V10, as well with those displayed by the formerly known as the best plasma TV ever made, Kuro by Pioneer. It is true that this model does not come with THX certification, which means that you cannot enjoy the best colors on a plasma TV, and it does not offer special abilities for watching 24p video sources, but, all in all, in its category of price, balanced by the great quality it provides, Panasonic TC-P50S1 can be rightfully considered the best choice when seeking a mid-level plasma TV.

Black Levels

As mentioned before, the S1 is no less than V10 and G10 in terms of black levels. Needless to say, its blacks are blacker than seen on last year’s plasma TVs, making S1 a commendable purchase among 2009 releases. Maybe it does not have the same perfect blacks as Pioneer’s Kuro, but there is far too little difference to consider, as dark scenes, areas of black and shadows are rendered perfectly on a Panasonic TC-P50S1. Combined with capable contrast ratio, this plasma TV offers realistic cinematic experience, that one could expect on high level, top of the line plasma TV, and not on a mid range product.

Colors

Color accuracy is one issue that Panasonic still needs to win a fight or two against. As the manufacturer has failed to obtain absolutely perfect color accuracy even on its top of the line series, it is not exactly a surprise to see that Panasonic TC-P50S1 is not as color accurate as desired. The model does not come with THX certification, which means that it does not have the ability to render great colors directly out of the box. The most offending color is green that seems to smear and tinge even skin tones on characters appearing on the screen. While trying to adjust this, you will find it quite difficult to achieve, as color saturation tends to receive damage during the process. Luckily, color saturation is really solid, especially due to the perfect black levels Panasonic TC-P50S1 is able to offer.

Video Processing

Panasonic TC-P50S1 deals decently with decoding 1080p and 1080i video sources. Specialists running tests in this regard have noticed that this model has trouble de-interlacing film based video sources, but the issues resulting are not bothersome, and, for the usual consumer, they can hardly pose any problem. Do not expect 24p cinema mode from Panasonic TC-P50S1, because you will not receive such fancies from a mid level plasma TV like this one. One trait that Panasonic TC-P50S1 still can boast about is its 600Hz sub-field drive, meant to eliminate motion blur from fast moving sequences. Yet, this is mostly a marketing vehicle, as usually plasma TVs do not have issues with blurring such scenes, as do LCDs. If the 600Hz sub-field drive is there to eliminate motion blur not seen by the human eye, it is very possible to do a great job, because no reproaches can be made in this regard.

Anti-Glare Performance

While motion blur is not a problem for plasma TV’s, glare is, and this is one area where LCD TVs stay better than their main opponents. Panasonic has implemented a new anti-glare screen (AR filter) in its 2009 plasma series, but Panasonic TC-P50S1 still does not offer the same great quality image when the room where the TV is installed is showered in light. Colors become a little washed out, from larger viewing angles, and even its deepest blacks have to suffer from too much light. A thing to be noted is, though, that the anti-reflective screen does its job, and glare is much reduced, even under such circumstances.

Standard Definition (SDTV)

Any plasma TV is put to the test, to see if it can offer great quality picture for both HD and SD video sources. While for HD sources, Panasonic TC-P50S1 does a very good job, for standard definition, one cannot say the same thing. The details do not appear as sharp as on other plasma TVs, and the upscaling conversion, while it can resolve every line on the screen from a DVD source, it allows jaggies to appear around the edges of some objects. Luckily, Panasonic TC-P50S1 displays solid noise reduction, which contributes to less grainy skies, when using standard definition video sources. Also, moire is not a problem for Panasonic TC-P50S1, as it does engage properly the 2:3 pull down mode.

Conclusions

If we take into consideration the fact that Panasonic TC-P50S1 is a mid level product, the conclusion is a positive one. It does not have, indeed, the fancy features we find in top of the line products, such as Viera Cast web connectivity, or THX certification, but the lack in this department helps a lot in keeping the price down. At a less expensive price then those hanging on higher level plasma TVs, you enjoy 1080p resolution, great contrast, incredible black levels, good color saturation, which all make for an overall great picture quality, basically what one budget minded consumer would seek in a mid ranged plasma TV.