Model: PANASONIC TH-50PWD3U VS. NEC 50MP1
Review Date: 10-15-2001
By Robert Wiley
Description:50" Plasma Display Monitors/TVs, Widescreen 16:9 Format
Color:Both Charcoal Gray with a black border surrounding picture
Warranty:Both 1 Year Parts and Labor

INTRODUCTION

The ultimate test of all plasma TV's is how well they show when tested for video quality. Forget the native pixel resolution, the built in converter/scalar, the sometimes unrealistic contrast ratio listed by the manufacturer. The real test is how the monitor blends all elements of design and engineering to affect the picture being presented. To truly get an accurate idea of what monitor exceeds another in a particular area, we test the plasma TV's side by side using the exact same input source at precisely the same moment - thus insuring accuracy in the testing. Because the human eye perceives an endless palette of colors, TV's and in particular plasma TV's (which can display twice as many colors as normal CRT's) are susceptible to substantial variations in picture appearance

The two units listed above are, in my opinion, the top 50" models on the market for video presentation.

THE PICTURE

Both of these units have spectacular pictures. Previously, I never recommended 50" plasma monitors for home video viewing under 14' distance due to visible pixelation (motion artifacts) with 480 interlaced signal or lower. Now, with the introduction of these new models I feel comfortable stating that these superb models can be viewed from only 8'. However, your video source will determine how much pixelation or graininess and the level of detail you see. If you are planning to watch mostly lower end signals such as cable or satellite TV then I still recommend a viewing distance of 12' or greater with a 50" monitor.

PANASONIC - 98

While the advertised contrast ratio of 3000:1 is unrealistic, this unit certainly has intense black levels not met by other manufacturers. The built in scalar/converter is right on when converting a 4:3 NTSC signal to full screen viewing through optional modes. The colors on this unit are extremely accurate - lifelike. And the blending of all elements together is superb, producing a versatile monitor for home or office use. With an HDTV signal displayed accurately on this monitor, this is likely the best picture you can see today.

Panasonic has had the best picture performance in the 42" plasma monitor category for a couple of years now and this holds true for the 50" model as well. The black levels go deep when inputting a signal of 480p or better. This unit is capable of showing the very best picture with an 1080I HDTV or 480p signal even though the Panasonic and the NEC are close in quality. Out of the box no adjustment was necessary for the Panasonic with the remote control with a good signal. It was just stunningly clean and colorful. Compared to the NEC it was more realistic, more detailed.

With a standard DVD signal of 480I down to a normal NTSC cable signal of 250I to 300I the unit showed a bit more graininess and not as strong black levels. Although I was more impressed with the built in scalar/converter's ability to bring in a strong picture than with the previous 42" model by Panasonic, I found some adjustment necessary adjustment to optimize the picture as follows:

• Contrast 85%
• Brightness 45%
• Color 80%
• Tint 45%
• Sharpness 50%

The only drawbacks that I find with the units color information is that the blues tend to lean toward purple.

When comparing a composite video (RCA) input to an s-video input (from a DVD Player), the Panasonic showed almost identical picture quality. This means the built in Y/C digital comb filter is doing a great job with Y/C separation and re-presentation. It is converting the signal to progressive scan mode.

NEC - 93

The NEC has a great picture as well. The unit leans toward green more than the Panasonic and displays a strong red. I like the reds better on the Panasonic and the blue shades better on the NEC. With some toying with the picture adjustments, I could get the picture of the NEC 50MP1 looking almost exactly the same as the Panasonic while pausing the progressive scanning DVD players. Following are the picture adjustments I found necessary to make with the NEC remote settings in order to create a more lifelike picture:

• Contrast 80%
• Brightness 25%
• Sharpness 50% (left alone)
• Color 50%
• Tint 35-40%

These adjustment settings are easy to make and apply to only one input signal. Therefore, different inputs can be set at different picture adjustments. This is a nice little design feature on the NEC while one adjustment applies to all inputs on the Panasonic. Both plasma TV's have memory settings available.

The built in scalar/converter in the NEC is very good at upgrading low end signals to around a 480p image quality. It really enhances the picture similar to the way an outboard line doubler might. One negative is that there is some stretching on certain aspect modes when converting. I find it necessary to adjust the aspect mode for every signal to find the mode that best suits the material displayed. This adjustment is simple enough through a button labeled "wide" on the remote control. Anamorphic 16:9 DVD's look best in Zoom mode, letterboxed widescreen DVD's look great in Full, a VCR or TV signal looks best in Stadium mode.

Overall the picture is vibrant, and very clear. Light comes through the unit in a very bright 3-dimensional manner when reflecting off the subject matter (for instance with the sun or a lamp). It's a very real look a viewer may or may not like. It is a bit much for me at times, depending upon the scene.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

PANASONIC - 90

The Panasonic 50" plasma monitor offers 4 aspect ratio adjustments: 1) Normal displays an NTSC or VCR signal at it's standard 4:3 image with side bars. 2) Zoom (best for 16:9 anamorphic) magnifies the central section of the picture. 3) Full displays the picture at its maximum size but with sight elongation (best for widescreen, letterbox, HDTV). 4) Just displays 4:3 picture at the sreens maximum size, scaling the picture to fit the entire monitor. The remote control has a button marked "Aspect" to choose this crucially important picture mode choice.

The Panasonic TH-50PWD3 is set to default to a setting called, "M. NTSC" out of the box. This is stupid. You, the excited purchaser, will receive a black and white signal for most inputs until you adjust the color system setting to, "Auto" or "NTSC". To do this you will need to find the color system menu and when highlighting "M. NTSC" press the right arrow key to change it. These instructions are not listed in the manual, which gets a solid C for not having enough information though it does have nice picture diagrams.

The remote control for the Panasonic is adequate, but cheap looking and includes a couple of extras such as a, "surround" button for virtual surround sound if the viewer is using the built amplifiers. The conveniently marked "input" button is used for choosing the input signal and will need to be located frequently.

The connections for this plasma monitor are ample with s-video, composite video, left and right audio, Component/RGB inputs, 15 pin VGA style PC input (aso used for HDTV from HDTV decoder box.), a Mac conncection, and a 9 pin D-sub serial port. The input cavity is conveniently located on the bottom, back of the unit.

NEC - 94

(Click on the image to see the full size picture)

The NEC 50MP1 offers the same 4 aspect ratio adjustments as the Panasonic listed above. These are labeled: Zoom, Normal, Full, and Stadium and are accessed by pressing a button mysteriously labeled, "Wide" on the remote controller.

The NEC is set to proper settings to receive a color picture right out of the box. Adjustment to the color is necessary for me as mentioned previously in this review. The monitor conveniently memorizes these settings. There is a scary flicker when changing video inputs signals. Changing inputs is done with the," Video" button on the remote and there is an additional button labeled, "DVD/HD" and another one labeled, "RGB/PC to select in addition to the video button. The "proceed" button is used for picture adjustments as noted earlier.

Aside from the cryptically marked controls on the remote, it is very well designed and ergonomically pleasing.

The manual for the NEC is much more detailed and technically comprehensive than the Panasonic.

In addition to the inputs listed above for the Panasonic the NEC plasma has a convenient extra set of component inputs (RCA type). It also has an option for DVI connection (Digital Visual Interface), an incoming computer technology. The input cavity is located annoyingly to some, on the side of the unit.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Both monitors have 1365X768 (horizontal lines) of Native Pixel Resolution
• The Panasonic boasts an unrealistic contrast of 3000:1 while the NEC is more modestly accurate at 550:1.
• The NEC monitor has a larger wider bezel and stands a few inches taller than the Panasonic. It may be the better trade show model due to its versatility/durability.
• The Zoom function on the NEC gets the cool award. You can pick out a particular area of the image to enlarge.
• Another classic feature of the NEC is a pointer located on the remote controller which is excellent for presentation material as well as highlighting a clue in the murder mystery.
• Both models have a built in scan converter. Both do a good job with scaling a 4;3 image to full size with the edge going to Panasonic. The NEC performs better 3:2 pulldown signal enhancement but only slightly.
• Panasonic is sleeker at only 3.5" depth. NEC is 4".
• Both models contain built in 7 or 8 watt amplifiers and optional speakers.

VALUE RATING

PANASONIC - 85
Recently priced at around $11,000 you pay for the picture. At nearly twice the viewing area as the 42" model the unit is twice the price as well.

NEC - 90
Recently priced at around $9,500 - a steal!

OVERALL RATINGS (picture is double weighted)

PANASONIC TH-50PWD3U - 92.75
NEC 50MP1- 92.5

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