Panasonic VIERA TX-P65VT50B Pro Reviews

Unsurprisingly for a product from the highest-priced and highest-specced range, value for money is not the VT50 series’ priority. From our point of view as video enthusiasts, the would-be strongest selling point of the VT50 – the in-depth picture setup controls – are compromised by only being available in a viewing mode that results in unrealistically dim light output (on this 65-inch model, that is). That behaviour differs from VT50s sold in the North American market, which don’t require the same tough decisions to be made during setup. With that said, in the [THX Cinema] mode, the Panasonic TX-P65VT50B produces some of the most pleasing contrast performance we’ve ever seen from a flat panel display. The 0.005 cd/m2 black levels measured in this mode are beaten only by the now-discontinued (2D only) Pioneer KURO plasmas, and not by any visible amount. Competing LCD panels can only manage such a feat if they turn the screen more or less off, which is useless for actually watching the TV. The saviour of the Panasonic TX-P65VT50 turns out to be its THX-certified picture mode. Were we limited to the unrealistically dim 65 – 70 cd/m2 brightness of the [Professional] picture modes, we would have dropped the final rating down a notch – it just isn’t enough light output to give the “wow” factor we’re looking for from a top-end plasma television (at least not in a normally lit room). The midrange ST50 model, while lower-specced in various ways, does not have any major omissions and can easily manage deep blacks and bright whites for considerably less money. With that said, the VT50 has better-specced internet features, a satellite tuner, a better ambient light filter, and a subjectively more extravagant design, which will win it fans. Ultimately, the European and UK-specific versions of the VT50 send a bit of a mixed message when placed in the context of the wider 2012 Panasonic plasma lineup. However, the fact remains that the TX-P65VT50 can produce the deepest blacks we’ve seen from a flat-screen TV since Pioneer pulled out of the market in 2008, and of course brings to the table the signature Panasonic plasma qualities of accurate colour, crisp motion, and natural, mostly unadulterated images.

The Panasonic P65VT50 looks like the flagship TV it is, with a very attractive design and excellent build quality. The use of a single sheet of glass for a panel this big does make the display quite heavy but the ambient filter is very effective, minimising reflections. At the rear are a comprehensive set of connections but despite the P65VT50’s large dimension, the side facing HDMI inputs are still too close to the edge. Panasonic include two remote controls, their standard one plus the touch pad remote and they also include two pairs of their new light weight RF 3D glasses. The P65VT50 uses the same menu system as all of Panasonic’s other 2012 displays and it includes a extensive set of calibration features, including two and ten point white balance controls, a parametric gamma control and a full colour management system. The combination of the P65VT50's sheer size and Panasonic's new 8 train speakers resulted in an audio performance that was actually very good and should please anyone thinking of using the built-in sound capabilities. The measured input lag was 47ms in Game mode, which should be low enough for all but the most hardcore of gamers and considering its size, the P65VT50 is reasonably energy efficient for a plasma.

After seeing its plasma TV rivals gain on it substantially last year, Panasonic has pulled out all the stops for 2012 to put clear blue water again between its top-tier plasmas and the chasing pack. In fact, its efforts have resulted in the Panasonic TX-P65VT50 delivering the best pictures we've yet seen from a flatscreen TV - including the legendary Pioneer Kuro sets. There are still one or two areas Panasonic could work on to nudge even closer to perfection, but if you love watching films and can afford the entrance fee, the Panasonic TX-P65VT50 is pure home cinema heaven.