Positioned in the mid-range price tier, the Panasonic TC-P50ST30 offers a perfect balance between price and performance. It certainly is not an also-ran with regard to picture quality and video processing, yet it has a price tag that merits a closer look even from budget conscious consumers. The fact that it looks almost similar to its more expensive sibling in the Panasonic line-up all the more makes the TC-P50ST30 a really compelling and wise purchase.
Design
The TC-P50ST30 exudes minimalist elegance and styling in its trimmed bezel with delicately rounded corners and subtly highlighted edging, unadorned frontage, low-rise swivel stalk on a glossy rectangular
Panasonic TC-P50ST30
base, and dust-resistant matte finish. The design and slim profile are definitely a step-up from the previous Panasonic plasmas, but the HDTV is not sleek enough to upstage the really head-turning looks of other brands. It’s a nice effort, but the company should try harder the next time.
The circa-2010 remote that comes with the Panasonic TC-P50ST30 offers easily distinguishable buttons and groupings, with backlighting on most keys. It doesn’t allow control of other devices through infrared, and but it works beautifully with the blue and yellow menu system – also a relic from last year. However, aside from basic explanations for each menu options, Panasonic offers nothing else to guide users through.
Screen/Picture Quality
Panasonic stated that the TC-P50ST30 would have short-throw phospors and Infinite Black panel that would ensure deep black levels and excellent color accuracy. The company made good its word – the HDTV performs well within expectations not only in giving off consistently deep blacks but in maintaining screen uniformity, delivering excellent shadow details and filtering out most reflections in brightly lit conditions. Overall picture quality certainly has its flaws, but nothing here that can be considered as a deal-breaker.
The video processor of the TC-P50ST30 handled full 1080p//24 materials in both 2D and 3D quite well, using 60Hz. refresh rates. And while this TV set has plenty of motion and dejudder options, it lacks the THX settings found in its more expensive siblings. Still, the HDTV resolved both standard def and high-def materials without the characteristic crosstalk (in 3D) and artifacts (in 2D).
Features
Like it more pricey siblings in the 2011 Panasonic line-up, the TC-P50ST30 gets the
Viera Connect, the revamped Internet suite with a wide array of entertainment fare that includes streaming standards such as Netflix, Amazon and YouTube, as well as exclusive offerings like the Shoutcast online radio service, social network site such as Facebook and Twitter and a host of free or paid games and applications. It also has a 3D-compatible SD card slot that plays pictures and videos, and it can connect wirelessly if the buyer gets the optional WiFi dongle.
Like typical HDTVs, the TC-P50ST30 sports four HDMI ports, composite and component video inputs, two audio line-in inputs, one digital audio output, two USB ports and an Ethernet port. Like its Panasonic linemates, this HDTV is shipped without 3D eyewear, so buyers must order the costly active-shutter glasses or use a pair from previous years made also by Panasonic.
A great choice for buyers who want to experience a plasma HDTV without breaking the bank, the Panasonic TC-P50ST30 surely packs enough bang for the buck with its solid performance and superb features.
| Do you own this TV? Submit your rating… | |
 | GD Star Rating loading... |
