Panasonic 50PZ700U Display Review

I waited for 1080p to become more mainstream so that it could easily display 1080i and 720p without problems, and still have capability for Blu Ray 1080p High Def DVD'd. I waited years and years for a Plasma like this, and now it came out. I got mine for around $3000 (50" version) in early May '07 - I was one of the first owners.

I bought this display because I knew it was a significant advancement over last years 600U models, which was already an well-documented, excellent display that I enjoyed watching as a guest in other's homes.

I found most TV retail stores have poor settings and picture sources to make proper decisions or comparisons, so I took the plunge and just bought it off reputation and new features. Boy was I pleased!

I found the following on the 700U:
The 2 million pixels are very fine pitched and help produce an outstanding standard Def (480i) image, a stunning DVD 480p image, a shocking beautiful 1080i/720p image. My jaw keeps dropping when I play a 1080p Blu Ray DVD.

I did manage to get a calibration DVD run on this and found the experience gets even better once you dial in the Picture/Brightness in on Cinema mode. The blacks are so important in watching movies that only plasma displays can deliver. Watching High Def baseball on ESPN-HD was like watching the game through a big outdoor window.

The display surprised me in the ease of switching between the variety of formats and sources. It figures them out and scales them properly without jaggies or non-linearities.

The remote control is the best I have seen in a TV - BIG, easy-to-read buttons.

Also, once calibrated, watching nature scenes on Planet Earth (Blue Ray) or an artist's work (e.g. Picasso, Van Gogh) in High Def on this display just give a whole new experience. It's a whole new world out there, and I am swept away! Breathtaking!