Panasonic VIERA TX-P42GT50B Pro Reviews

The Panasonic TX-P42GT50B delivers supremely beautiful images, thanks largely to class-leading black-level and contrast performance. However, we couldn’t help but feel disappointed that the deepest degree of black is not accessible through the most customisable [Professional] modes, which prevents us from unlocking the full potential of this excellent HDTV display. That the TX-P42GT50 still manages to secure a “Highly Recommended” award from us is a testament of its overall strength versus similarly-sized models from rival TV brands. But within Panasonic’s own hierarchy of Viera plasmas, it is comfortably outshone by the lower-ranked 42ST50 which not only doesn’t have its maximum brightness capped in the most calibration-friendly picture preset, but also exhibit the same deep black level across all viewing modes. And that’s without taking into account the less expensive price of the ST50 (which doesn’t offer 10-point white balance controls though, only 2-point, it has to be remembered). We certainly hope that the company will issue a firmware in the near future to fix these issues, and restore the GT50′s rightful status as a step-up model to the ST50.

Panasonic really is spoiling us this year. Bargain hunters have the ridiculously-good-for-its-money ST50 series, money's-no-object film fans have the VT50 series, and then sandwiched perfectly between the two is the Panasonic TX-P42GT50, offering an ideal step-up option for people who fancy slightly more quality than the ST50 TVs offer but can't scrape together the money for the VT50 televisions. Fans of tech for tech's sake may prefer to look elsewhere, we guess, and there are concerns about the Panasonic TX-P42GT50 if your living room is particularly bright. But for most people the P42GT50 is another Panasonic snorter.

A sensational all-rounder, the TX-P42GT50B shows Panasonic has lost none of its plasma magic in 2012

In its class the Panasonic TX-P42GT50 provides a peerless combination of outstanding black levels, flexible options and downright excellent picture quality, in both two and three dimensions. Added to those qualities we have a pleasing contemporary design and a whole host of features that typify the Smart TV experience. In the 40-42inch category there’s currently only Panasonic’s own ST50 to give it a run for its money but having run the two side by side we would give a very slight edge to the GT50 in terms of clarity of image in darker scenes where its better gamma response and (perhaps) added levels of gradation do the trick. There is still a persisting problem with 50Hz material under panning and although it can be remedied, to an extent, using the IFC controls, we expect that other than the flicker some suffer with Panasonic PDP’s this is likely the only potential deal breaker on the table.