Panasonic VIERA TX-L47ET50B Pro Reviews

You need to tweak settings to get the best out of its panel, but the TX-L47ET5B has excellent 3D and media streaming

You’ve got to credit Panasonic for their consistency as once again, in the ET50, they’ve produced a TV that would make an excellent choice for a typical family room whilst also adding in the possibility of some superb 3D fun. Not only that but this mid-range model adds in a high class feature set with lots of video on demand, a web browser, strong media streaming capabilities and Skype video calling amongst the many. We wouldn’t want to kid anyone that the ET50 can fully match the needs of the enthusiast market – they have their plasma’s to cover that – but there’s a bigger world out there and the ET50’s combination of generous viewing angles, bright and accurate colours and a decent filter should mean it will sit happily in the living room. Don’t buy one if you’re the sort to turn all the lights down once everyone else is in bed but do consider it if you’re on the look-out for a good all-rounder.

Overall we'd judge the Panasonic TX-L47ET50B as having a panel that's a tad too big for its boots, with no source outstanding and some standard definition material disappointingly soft and dirty. Put simply, it's a half-decent all-rounder for a living room, with some 3D fireworks up its sleeve, but it's not half as good as a Panasonic plasma TV.

Great 3D and an enticing VIERA Connect smart TV platform that’s easily the best looking around make this a great option for a family room. There is some bad stuff, though, with a poor viewing angle and low native contrast levels – and it only performs anywhere near its best with hi-def sources.