HDTV Reviews Test - Panasonic TC-P55ST50 3D Plasma

Panasonic TC-P55ST50 3D

HDTV Reviews Test Panasonic TC-P55ST50 3D ...

Panasonic's 2012 plasmas are beginning to hit store shelves. The line includes six series: (from top to bottom) the VT, GT, ST, UT, U, and XT Series. In the middle of the pack is the ST Series, which includes screen sizes of 50, 55, 60, and 65 inches. The ST Series lacks the THX certification found in the higher-end GT and VT models, and a few technological differences exist that I will highlight throughout this review. What you do get with the ST Series is the latest Infinite Black Pro panel with the new Louver filter, 2500 Focused Field Drive technology to improve motion resolution, built-in WiFi, VIERA CONNECT, DLNA media streaming, and 3D Real Sound with the new 8-Train speaker panel. The 55-inch TC-P55ST50 carries an MSRP of $1,699.99.

 Setup & Features
After years of offering TVs with a lackluster (Panasonic prefers the word "conservative") aesthetic, the company has stepped it up in the design department lately to better compete with some of those super-stylish LED-based LCDs. The ST50 lacks the one-sheet, bezel-free design of the top-shelf VT50, but its appearance is still a big improvement over past models. Panasonic has reduced the bezel size to about an inch all the way around the screen, the frame is glossy black with a clear acrylic border, and the square base has a brushed metal finish (oddly enough, the base for this year's 55-inch model does not swivel). The TV measures 1.8 inches at it deepest part and weighs about 62 pounds without the stand. One of the ways Panasonic has reduced overall depth is by redesigning the TV's speakers: The new 8-Train system features eight dome-type micro-speakers that measure only about eight millimeters thick and run along the bottom of the front panel (four on each side - each speaker looks a bit like an SD card slot), plus a 22-millimeter-thick subwoofer that's mounted to the rear panel. New "sound lifting" technology is designed to more effectively redirect the sound to the center of the screen. 

The remote control's general appearance is the same as last year's model, but Panasonic has rearranged some of the buttons in a manner that I find more intuitive. All of the function buttons are closer together near the top of the remote, the amber backlighting isn't quite so bright, and the remote now has a glossy black finish that better compliments the TV. As I write this, the VIERA Remote app for iPhone/iPad is still version 1.10 (released in August 2011), but Panasonic has said that v2.0 is coming soon; the upgrade will reportedly offer improved touchpad (slider) operation, a game-pad layout for VIERA CONNECT games, and the ability to flick content (Web pages, photos, videos, etc.) back and forth between the smartphone/tablet and the TV.

The connection panel includes three side-facing HDMI inputs, as well as one component/composite mini-jack that requires the use of a supplied breakout cable. There's no PC input; one RF input is available to access the internal ATSC and Clear-QAM tuners. For network connectivity, you can choose between wired Ethernet and built-in WiFi. An SD card slot and two USB ports are available for playback of digital media files. The USB ports also support the addition of a USB camera for Skype and other apps, as well as a USB keyboard for easier text entry. (The GT/VT models have four HDMI inputs, three USB ports, and a PC input.)
The TC-P55ST50's setup menu includes most of the picture adjustments we like to see, with a couple of omissions. As I mentioned above, this model lacks the THX certification you get in the GT/VT lines; consequently, this TV lacks the THX picture mode that's designed to be the most accurate out of the box. You can choose between five picture modes: Standard, Game, Vivid, Cinema, and Custom. As in past models, only the Custom mode grants you access to important Pro settings like RGB high/low controls for white-balance adjustment, panel brightness (low/mid/high), and gamma adjustment (six presets). The Pro menu also includes black extension, contour emphasis, and AGC controls that I chose to disable when using the Custom mode. The biggest omission is an advanced color-management system that allows you to individually tailor the six color points, but this wouldn't prove to be a huge concern, as the color points looked quite accurate. Panasonic's Motion Smoother function, first introduced last year, is available for those who desire a de-judder control that produces smoother motion with film sources (it also slightly improves motion resolution - more on that in the Performance section). Panasonic still includes the option to output 24p film sources at either 48Hz or 60Hz. The 48Hz option repeats each film frame twice for a slightly less juddery image than 60Hz. However, 48Hz also creates highly distracting flicker, so I don't recommend it. This model doesn't include the more desirable 96Hz mode that's offered in the VT Series.

In the 3D realm, the TC-P55ST50 is an active 3DTV that employs frame-sequential 3D technology, in which the TV alternately flashes a full-resolution left-eye and right-eye image. Panasonic's new 2012 rechargeable glasses (TY-ER3D4MU) communicate with the TV via Bluetooth, weigh just 27 grams, and have a new Quick Charge feature (a two-minute charge gives you three hours of use); the MSRP is $79.99 per pair. The 3D setup menu looks similar to last year's, and it includes 3D Adjustment to adjust the left-eye versus right-eye depth to produce a more desirable 3D effect, the ability to swap the left/right images if it seems like the depth perception is off, a diagonal line filter to remove jaggies, and the ability enable 2D-to-3D conversion and adjust the depth in three steps (minimum, medium, or maximum). In terms of picture adjustments, when the TV detects a 3D signal, it automatically switches to a 3D picture menu that provides access to all the video controls I listed above for 2D content.
The audio setup menu lacks any preset sound modes or advanced equalization. You get bass, treble, and balance controls, as well as a basic surround mode. The previous Bass Boost option is gone, probably because of the addition of a subwoofer. The AI Sound feature is designed to equalize the volume level across all channels and inputs, while Volume Leveler deals specifically with reducing level variations between the different inputs. Panasonic has added a Distance to Wall setting to adjust the low-frequency level based on whether the TV is on a stand (over one foot) or wall-mounted (up to one foot). The new speaker/sub configuration definitely adds a bit more meat to the mid and lower frequencies, resulting in a less nasal, tinny sound; however, I had to push the volume pretty high to get decent dynamics.
As I write this in early April, the VIERA CONNECT platform hasn't changed much from last year's implementation, although new features that were announced back at CES are supposedly coming within a month or so. (I hope to do a write-up on those at a later time.) The one improvement built into the ST50 and other new models is that VIERA CONNECT now uses a cloud-based architecture that speeds up the processes and allows for an unlimited number of apps to be added through the VIERA CONNECT Market. The ST Series does not utilize the dual-core processor found in the GT/VT models that allows for multitasking, or the ability to have multiple apps open at the same time. The basic VIERA CONNECT interface and navigation are still the same, and that's fine, because I consider this to be one of the cleaner, easier Web platforms out there. Premium services include Netflix, Hulu Plus, VUDU, Amazon VOD, CinemaNow, Pandora, YouTube, Skype, and the Social Networking TV app that lets you watch TV and navigate Facebook/Twitter simultaneously. The new YouTube interface is cleaner and quicker to navigate; plus, videos automatically begin in full-screen mode, which is a welcome change. As in past models, most of the picture adjustments I described above are available for VIERA CONNECT sources.
Performance
For the past few years, Panasonic has sent me a review sample from the G or GT Series, all of which were THX-certified TVs. In fact, my reference plasma is still the TC-P50G25 from two years ago, and it was interesting to compare that older THX-certified model with this new ST model. In many respects, the two TVs offered similar performance, with a key caveat: the older G25 offered its best performance in the THX mode with minimal tweaking, while the new ST50 benefited from calibration within the Custom mode.

Samsung UN46ES8000 HDTV Reviews

Samsung UN46ES8000

Samsung UN46ES8000F HDTV Reviews ...

It's fun to experiment, but the nature of experiments is that they don't always work. Samsung performed a few with its new high-end LED LCD HDTV, the ES8000F series, and the results are, at best, inconclusive. The 46-inch ES8000F uses several new control options like voice control, motion control, and touchpad control, to reduce the number of hardware buttons. 

The result is a $2,999.99 (list) HDTV with an impressive design, a solid, if not perfect picture, and a handful of novel control options that don't always work. 

It still comes with a conventional remote control, which works fine—but you shouldn't have to rely on it after you've spent so much money on a TV that isn't supposed to need one.

DesignThe UN46ES8000 certainly looks striking, with a very thin black bezel framed by silver. The base is a wide support made of two curved, metallic plastic arms. It keeps the screen steady, but it doesn't pivot. The inputs sit on the right back edge of the back panel. You get three HDMI inputs, three USB ports, and an optical audio input facing right, and component, composite, VGA video, cable, Ethernet, and analog audio inputs facing downward. Most HDTVs this size have four HDMI ports, and having only three can be a problem if you have more than one game system along with a set-top box and Blu-ray player. A small joystick behind the right edge of the panel lets you navigate different menus without the remote.

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The most notable aspect of the UN46ES8000F is its Smart Interaction interface. Besides a conventional remote and menu system, it can use a touchpad Smart Touch remote, as well as voice control and motion control. If you want, you can use the HDTV entirely like a normal screen, but with practice you can have it responding to your voice and gestures.
The Smart Touch remote is the most "normal" of the new control choices. The small, rectangular remote has only a small handful of buttons and a large touchpad area for controlling on-screen menus and cursors, which work with certain apps like the Web browser. It's a nice concept, but the touchpad area is flanked by two clickable button areas that activate menus for conventional remote controls, such as color buttons and bringing up the on-screen remote. It's very easy to accidentally click either of those areas instead of the touchpad itself to register a menu click, which brings up new menus you didn't want instead of entering the information you wanted.

Voice and Motion ControlsA camera and microphone array sits on the top edge of the HDTV, enabling voice and gesture controls. The Smart Touch remote also has a microphone you can activate with a button to control the HDTV—by speaking into the microphone instead of at the screen. The voice controls respond to either "Hi TV" or "Smart TV," depending on which you prefer. When you summon the controls with the set phrase, a small list of commands appears at the bottom of the screen. This isn't Siri or Dragon Naturally Speaking, though; you need to enunciate carefully, and you can't speak too fast if you want the HDTV to recognize your commands. With practice, though, you can turn the HDTV on and off with your voice, which is a nice feature.
The camera also allows gesture controls from the user. By waving your hand in front of the screen, a cursor appears that you can control with your motions. Making a fist "clicks" the cursor, letting you navigate the menus and Web pages. Like the voice control, it's not completely useful on its own. The screen takes a few seconds to recognize that you're waving to move the cursor, and unlike the remotes, it doesn't allow quick access to common menus and commands.

LG 55LM9600 HDTV Reviews

LG 55LM9600

LG 55LM9600 HDTV Reviews....Picture quality is arguably the most important aspect of an HDTV. A set can be well designed, it can have tons of features, it can be easy to use, but if the picture isn't very good, it isn't worth it. The LG 55LM9600 stuffs loads of goodies including passive 3D and built-in Wi-Fi into its attractive metal frame, but a mediocre picture makes this $3,599.99 (list) 55-inch LED-backlit LCD HDTV an overpriced set that skimps where it counts.

Design 

The screen itself looks very striking, with a single pane of glass stretching nearly edge to edge, framed by a millimeter-wide silver metallic bezel connected to a metal frame. The stand is also metal, and lets the screen pivot left and right. A row of basic controls including Power, Menu, Input, Channel Up/Down, and Volume Up/Down sit behind the right side of the screen. Four HDMI and three USB ports occupy the left side of the back of the HDTV facing left, and the component, composite, cable, Ethernet, and VGA ports sit facing down.

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Like previous LG HDTVs, the 55LM9800 uses LG's motion control remote to manipulate an on-screen cursor like an air mouse. Waving the remote moves the cursor across the HDTV's Smart Hub and through various menus and services. The curved, wand-shaped remote has only a few buttons for Home, Back, 3D, Menu, Mute, Channel Up/Down, and Volume Up/Down. Everything is centered on the scroll wheel which doubles as a button by clicking it like a mouse, but it's easy to accidentally turn the scroll wheel instead of clicking it, which makes the TV think you're trying to change channels instead of selecting an option in a menu. If you don't want to use the motion controls, the scroll wheel is surrounded by a directional pad. However, if you move the remote around too much, it picks up the motion as a command to move the cursor and overrides the direction pad. All online features are accessible through the Smart Hub, a main menu for the different streaming media services and apps you can access online either through the 55LM9600's (Best Deal: $2,995.00 at PowersellerNYC) built-in Wi-Fi or through an Ethernet connection. The usual services are available, like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, and Pandora, along with social network apps for Facebook and Twitter and various specialized apps available for download.

PerformanceWe test HDTVs using a Konica-Minolta CS-200 chromameter, DisplayMate image software, and Spectracal CalMAN calibration software. After basic brightness and contrast calibration, the 55LM9600 showed a peak white level of 162.26 cd/m² and a black level of 0.03 cd/m² for a contrast ratio of 5,409:1. This is a modest performance; the screen doesn't get particularly dark, and shows a slightly lower contrast ratio than the LG 55LM6700's ($2,299.99, 4 stars) 8,556:1. Colors were generally accurate, with green and red channels appearing slightly oversaturated. The chart below shows how the HDTV's measurements (the colored dots) compare to the CIE standard levels (the respective squares).

Picture quality is disappointing, especially for a $3,600 HDTV. I watched Piranha on Blu-ray, and the middling contrast ratio resulted in shadow details like seaweed and dark rooms getting swallowed by murk. Jerry O'Connell's character's frenzied face was a suitably bright red thanks to the screen's color performance, but the adjacent piles of cocaine didn't quite "pop" because the screen doesn't get particularly bright. The less expensive 55LM6700  (Best Deal: $1,386.99 at Buy Squad, Inc.) has a much better picture, getting much brighter and showing better shadow detail.

The 55LM9600 uses passive 3D, which means it works with inexpensive 3D glasses with passive lenses. It comes with six pairs of glasses, and you can easily get more pairs from movie theaters or online at as little as a few dollars a pair. Unfortunately, the 3D effect is unimpressive. While slight depth is visible, the 3D picture doesn't quite pop out of the screen, and significant crosstalk appears when viewing the screen from any angle other than straight on. I watched 3D demo videos of the PlayStation 3 games Gran Turismo 5 and Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception and 3D footage from NCAA basketball and the Winter X Games, and none of them showed truly immersive depth. The active 3D Samsung UN46ES8000F ($2,999.99, 3.5 stars) showed better 3D picture quality and comes with four pairs of active 3D glasses.

As far as power consumption, without energy saving settings enabled, the 55LM9600 used 99 watts. With energy saving set to "Low," that number dropped to 89 watts. Setting energy efficiency settings any higher than "Low" resulted in the screen dimming too much to be watchable. In contrast, the lower-end 55LM6700 consumed only 48 watts in our tests without getting too dark.

The LG 55LM9600 is one of the most attractively designed HDTVs we've seen this year, but its high price and middling picture quality make it a much less appealing screen than both similarly priced and much less expensive HDTVs. The Samsung UN46ES8000F (Best Deal: $1799.95 at PowersellerNYC) stuffs more interface gimmicks like voice and gesture control, two more convenient remote controls than the 55LM9600's remote, and better 3D for less than $200 more. Our Editor's Choice budget HDTV, the 55-inch Vizio M3D550KD ($1,999.99, 4 stars), offers a solid picture and the convenience of passive 3D at a fraction of the price of either screen. Unless you want to pay much more money for a pretty frame the 55LM9600 doesn't earn its price tag.