Panasonic TC-P50U50

We haven't had a chance to fully test this product yet, but we've assembled this helpful overview of relevant information on it.

The TC-P50U50 is a plasma television from Panasonic that is the most basic of televisions.

Many of the televisions that Panasonic is releasing for 2012 have a lot of features but the TC-P50U50 is the most basic of plasma televisions. It is capable of displaying in 1080p with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a cinematic playback of 48 Hz. The screen is 50-inches diagonally. It’s one of the few for 2012 that doesn’t display in 3D or come with internet. There are 2 speakers that are capable of 20 watts of output at 10 watts each. On the back of the set are 2 HDMI ports, an USB port and a SD card slot. There are also several RCA jacks.

Features List:

- 50-inch screens

- 1080p

- 16:9 aspect ratio

- 48 Hz cinematic playback

- 2 HDMI ports, USB port

- 2 x 10 watt speakers

- SD card slot

Digital Trends’ Television Buying Tips:

Should I worry about viewing angle?

Absolutely. All LCDs will distort when viewed from extreme angles, but the degree of distortion and the angle it starts to occur at varies from TV to TV. If you plan to pack a dozen people in front of a single TV for entertaining, viewing angle will make a huge difference for the unlucky few who get scattered off to the sides. Most manufacturers will state viewing angle in degrees (for instance, 160) in the specifications for a TV, but be warned: methods for measuring this very subjective figure vary, and we can guarantee most companies opt for the most generous figures. When possible, try to evaluate it yourself in person, or read hands-on reviews that can offer anecdotal evidence, rather than relying on easily-manipulated numbers.

Do I need an ATSC tuner?

If you plan on watching, free, over-the-air programming, then yes. As of 2009, all over-the-air broadcasts use the ATSC standard. Pretty much all HDTVs manufactured over the past few years will include this feature.

Do I need a 120Hz set? What about 240Hz?

This popular LCD TV-based technology helps reduce motion blur. Pronounced “120 hertz,” 120Hz technology essentially doubles the speed at which frames are displayed, from 60 frames per second to 120 frames per second, resulting in a clearer moving image, especially in fast-action video sequences.

Since the screen can display more frames than a movie actually has, many TVs will artificially generate in-between frames where they don’t exist to make motion look smoother. Some people find the look more fluid, while some people think it looks artificial and odd. Fortunately, all TVs that offer it also offer an option to turn it off, if you don’t like it. We recommend testing it in person to see the effects for yourself before deciding whether or not you should pay extra.

Check out our article 120Hz and 240Hz Refresh Rates Explained for more on motion smoothing.

What inputs should I look for?

A final consideration when buying a new HDTV is what you can connect to it. Make sure there are ample HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) ports to connect multiple components, such as a cable/satellite receiver, video game consoles, DVD/Blu-ray player, camcorder, and so on. At least three or four such ports is a must. A convenient bonus is when the TV also offers a USB port to connect a Flash thumb-drive or external hard drive full of music, photos and videos, or a SD or Memory Stick card slot that lets you insert a compatible card that contains photos and videos. If you think you’d like to connect your computer to the television for big-screen web surfing, look for one with PC connectivity. Many TVs today offer these additional features.