Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK

Intro of Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK

At CNET, we've consistently given our most glowing plasma TV reviews to a line of sets that you might not expect to receive such praise: Panasonic's "professional" plasmas. Otherwise known as "commercial" or "industrial" models, these TVs technically aren't TVs at all; they're just monitors, without speakers or built-in tuners. But most people in the plasma price bracket watch cable or satellite TV using an external box, so they already have a tuner, and many will mate their TVs to an external sound system, so they already have speakers. These monitors offer fewer inputs than most standard HDTVs, but they do have all of the connections you'll need to hook up a DVD player and a HDTV satellite or cable box, for example, as well as the unique ability to upgrade inputs to add, say, an HDMI or DVI connection. So, all in all, Panasonic's commercial plasmas make a viable alternative to more-expensive "consumer" models that have more features. We gave a hearty endorsement to the 37-inch TH-37PHD8UK, and we expect the other pro models in Panasonic's lineup to perform just as well, although the EDTV versions naturally won't offer as much detail with HDTV and computer sources (more info). However, don't take this as a blanket endorsement of all commercial/industrial displays; we've reviewed only Panasonic's pro models so far, so we can't comment on others.

Even with these missing features, the Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK is the best value for plasma shoppers who value image quality foremost. It offers more picture adjustments than its consumer brethren, the TH-50PX50U and the TH-50PX500U, which helps increase its overall performance for those who take the time to properly set it up. If you'd rather not worry about purchasing a stand or extra inputs, then it might not be for you, but if all you want is a spectacular picture with no frills and maximum customization options, the Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK is the class of the 50-inch plasma pack.

Note: Since these plasmas are usually not available from traditional vendors, salespeople may try to tell you that, as "commercial" devices, they emit a higher level of radiation. That's not true. Panasonic's professional-series plasmas are Class B digital devices approved for residential use, the same as most other electronics.