Panasonic TH-50PE8U Review: 50” Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV
Up for review: Panasonic TH-50PE8U. This Panasonic 50-inch Plasma HDTV model, TH-50PE8U is a great combination of style, performance and affordable price. With a cost of around $899.99, you get a pretty good quality HDTV at a bargain price.
The Panasonic TH-50PE8U is adorned with a native contrast ratio of 10,000:1, widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9 including and 720p Vertical Resolution to produce crystal clear images that are found in many high-end HDTV models. This plasma TV does have an Anti-reflective filter to reduce the glare caused by ambient light. Also with a Progressive scanning feature, the TH-50PE8U maximizes the picture quality of set-top boxes, digital video recorders, and DVD players by scanning them progressively. For state-of-the-art detail and color enhancement, the new Panasonic TH-50PE8U is embedded with a 3D Y/C digital comb filter.
One of the major striking features of this new Panasonic TH-50PE8U is the Built-in HDTV tuner which acts as a HD-capable antenna to receive over-the-air high-definition broadcasts. However, for high-definition cable or satellite programming, an optional set-top box is required.
Panasonic TH-50PE8U Features and Specifications Review:
TV Type Plasma Flat-Panel
Display Type Flat-panel plasma
Screen Size 49-8/9″
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Product Height 33-2/7″ with stand (31-1/5″ without)
Product Width 47-5/7″
Product Weight 82.7 lbs. with stand (78.3 lbs. without)
Product Depth 15-1/3″ with stand (3-5/7″ without)
Built-In_DVR No
Maximum Resolution 1024 x 768
Vertical Resolution 720p
Contrast Ratio 10,000:1 native (1,000,000:1 dynamic)
Comb Filter 3D Y/C digital
Media Card Slot Yes
HDMI Inputs 2
DVI Inputs 1
S-Video Inputs 2
Component Video Inputs 2
Composite Inputs 2
Video Outputs No
Audio Outputs 2
Watts/Channel 10
Speakers 2
Speaker Location Built-in
Simulated Surround Yes
Sound Leveler Yes
Bass Reflex Woofer No
V-Chip Yes
ENERGY STAR Qualified Yes
Warranty Terms – Parts 1 year; 2 years: glass panel
Warranty Terms – Labor 1 year
When it comes to connectivity, there is a good variety of options in the new TH-50PE8U plasma TV. With 2 HDMI inputs, 2 S-video, 2 composite, 1 DVI, 2 component video, 1 RF inputs and 1 optical digital audio and 1 analog output, the Panasonic TH-50PE8U offers uncompressed all-digital audio/video entertainment and copy-protected HD broadcast content. Thanks to its VIERA Link feature, now you can even control all of your compatible HD A/V devices with just your HDMI cable inputs and the remote. The DVI interface of the Panasonic TH-50PE8U provides digital-to-digital video hookup with compatible devices.
Now you can even transfer images from your camera or camcorder through the Secure Digital media card reader of this Plasma TV. Also there is V-Chip parental control through which you can restrict your children from viewing undesirable material. The new Panasonic TH-50PE8U is certified with U.S government’s ENERGY STAR approval which proves its energy efficiency.
The biggest missing feature is 1080p resolution which true HD fanatics would miss. All in all, this is a pretty good performance HDTV that too within an affordable price.
YouReviewElectronics.com gives Panasonic TH-50PE8U 9/10 stars!
User Reviews
Got the th-50pe8u for Christmas. Loved it out of the box, the picture is amazing. While I consider myself a amateur HT lover, I do understand that this is a budget plasma screen. It does produce a fantastic picture, still working on final calibration though. 2 hdmi is not a problem as I am planning on running my components through the receiver. Not as many feature as the th-42fd my buddy got from costco but for the price, the size, and the date (its 1/11/09 watching the giants eagles in the playoffs right now) its the only 50″ of its quality for the money. 720p is really only a problem at the store, with it in my living room that problem pretty much isn’t a consideration.
I just bought one last weekend and it is really great for the price. BTW, the resolution is 1366×768 per the specs on the cd that comes with the tv and per a fax direct from Panasonic confirming this.
I just purchased the Panasonic TH-50PE8U 50″ plasma. So far so good but searching the settings for optimum picture quality. Any tips out there?
Do not buy the Panasonic TH50PE8U! 13 months after purchase, the set now has a 3″ black vertical stripe running through the picture. Cost to repair at Best Buy Geek Squad: about $1200. Have read now that this is a common problem (one of many). I should have known better.
Do not buy the Panasonic TH50PE8U! 13 months after purchase, the set now has a 3″ black vertical stripe running through the picture. Cost to repair at BB Geek Squad: about $1200. Have read now that this is a common problem (one of many). I should have known better.
Have had the Panasonic Th50PE8U since the BB BF sale. No problems to this point in time. Very good set for the price-to-quality ratio.
I’ve had my TH50PE8U for almost two years and everything has worked fine until about a month a go. I’m getting white dots traveling from the left side of the image towards the right side… Could it be the cable signal..? Has the TV gone bad..?
Bought the TH50PE8U 2 yrs ago,had no problems,however it wouldn’t come on this morning,anybody els had or having this problem????
Kecia, I had the same problem last night. I’ve had the TV for just under 2 years. I was watching the TV last night and it was working fne when all of a sudden the TV just shut off. I thought I maybe hit the power button on accident, but it turns out the TV just quit working. I tried turning it on manually from the power button on the TV itself and still nothing happens. From what I found online it could be anything from a fuse to a shot power supply board, so as for now I am at a loss with no TV. Would love to hear some more input on any other suggestions on what the issue may be.