The Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25 is a cheaper option for those who can’t afford to fork out on Panasonic’s top 3D model. The latter was one of the best 3D TV options on the market, so how does the Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25 compare? Keep reading to find out more.
Key Specs For The Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25
Average Price: 817-1,550 Released: 2010 3D-Ready? Yes, with 2D to 3D conversion 3D Glasses Included: None Screen Size: 49.9 inches Screen Type: Plasma HD TV Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels Aspect Ratio: 16:09 Contrast Ratio: 5,000,000:1 Refresh Rate: 60 Hz Viewing Angle: 178°/178° Horizontal/Vertical Response Time: 5 ms Connectivity: Wi-Fi Ready HDMI Inputs: 3 Dimensions: 48 x 3.5 x 30.3 inches
Benefits Of The Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25
Price: For a 3D TV with this sized screen, the price is quite reasonable when compared to its top rivals on the market. For this price you’re also getting extra internet features and 2D to 3D conversion (see below).
Style: The Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25 looks sleek and stylish, with is glossy finish. It is, however, a little thicker than some other TVs you’ll find on the market, but this is really negligible.
Picture: Thanks to the high quality plasma screen on the[ReviewAZON_Tooltip asin=”integrated” titlewordcount=”3″] Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25[/ReviewAZON_Tooltip], the contrast is fantastic, with excellent color accuracy. This TV model also comes with anti-glare measures to help prevent reflections in a bright room. This works well though isn’t as good as some of the best Samsung TV models.
2D To 3D Conversion: The fact that this TV includes 2D to 3D conversion is a bonus. This means that it can convert traditional 2D content into 3D, whether that means VHS tapes, non-3D DVDs or standard television broadcasts. Unfortunately this feature doesn’t always produce the best results on any TV you watch it on, so be prepared to watch a lot of your content in standard 2D.
Internet: The Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25 comes with a Wi-Fi connection, meaning that you can hook it up to your home broadband to access a wide range of online services. These are all pooled together into a feature known as VIERA Cast. The apps available include streaming services such as Amazon Video On Demand or Netflix, or other services such as Skype, Twitter and so on.
Accessories: If you really want to make the most of the included internet apps then you can buy an external USB keyboard that’ll let you type with ease.
SD Memory Slot: Thanks to the SD card slot included on the TV, you can insert your camera memory card easily for photo slideshows. This is a fantastic way to view your HD quality photographs, or simply share them with friends and family without having to crowd around a standard computer screen.
Ease Of Use: The [ReviewAZON_Tooltip asin=”integrated” titlewordcount=”3″]Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25[/ReviewAZON_Tooltip] is extremely easy to set up to watch the TV quickly. It automatically finds your channels and connects to your home Wi-Fi network. The menu is intuitive to help you find what you need without reading through a huge manual. There are also a range of picture calibration tools that’ll make it as easy as possible for you to put together the best settings.
Drawbacks Of The Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25
Energy Usage: Although the Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25 claims to use less power than some older plasma models, there’s still no getting around the fact that plasma screens will take more power to run than LCD TVs.
3D Glasses: Panasonic don’t include any 3D glasses in this TV package. You’ll need to buy a pair for each person who views the TV at the same time, which can be expensive given they can run up to $150 each.
3D Picture: The 3D picture quality on the Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25 isn’t perfect, and doesn’t display as well as 2D content. That said, it’s good value for money when compared to the main rivals on the market. And, considering you’ll mainly be using the set for 2D content, you’ll be getting an excellent quality screen for your money.
Apps: As mentioned above, there are a range of different internet apps included as standard on the Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25. However, when compared to other similarly-priced sets, you may find that the selection isn’t quite as good.
Webcam: Note that you’ll need to purchase a specific camera for use with this television if you want to take advantage of the Skype app. This is an added expense that isn’t immediately obvious when buying your TV.
Should You Buy The Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25?
Although the picture quality of the Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25 doesn’t quite match up to more expensive models, you wouldn’t expect it to at this cheaper price point. That said, if you’re looking for the highest quality plasma screens then you might be better off looking to Samsung instead. If, however, you want an affordable option for 2D to 3D conversion then the Panasonic VIERA TC-P50GT25 is a solid choice.