Panasonic remains the leading player in the plasma market, as it continues to churn out winning HDTVs like the Panasonic TC-P65VT25. One of the pioneering 3D-compatible plasmas, the TC-P65VT25 boasts of exceptional quality, top-notch image quality with its superior black levels and accurate colors and an impressive array of features that merit buyers’ closer look, despite the staid styling.
Design
With a styling that follows most Panasonic HDTVs in the market, the TC-P65VT25 is definitely not out to win design awards. It can be described at best as unobtrusive and homely with its glossy, all-black housing and
Panasonic TC-P65VT25
dark grey framing, with brand decals and shiny silver bands in the top and bottom bezels. The TV sits atop a swivel stand on a matching silver-edged oval stand also in glossy black, with all these subtle highlights setting this plasma apart from its even less remarkably styled siblings.
The medium-sized clicker shipped with the Panasonic TC-P65VT25 is one of the better-designed remotes this year; it has well differentiated keys laid out intuitively and offers generous backlighting, though the clicker can’t run other devices via infrared or RF. Panasonic’s updated menu system also looks great, with its streamlined icons on one side and brief explanations on the other side allowing easy navigation and reading.
Screen/Picture Clarity
Marketed primarily upon its release as one of the first 3D-capable HDTVs in the market, the VIERA TC-P65VT25 has since shelved that distinction and, as of late, is known more for its exceptional handling of 2D materials. The proprietary short-throw phospors technology intended primarily for improved motion rendering in 3D works as great on 2D sources, and together with the 96Hz. refresh rates, makes the picture quality even in 1080p/24 full HD resolution solidly impressive. Its 3D performance, on the other hand, is now considered just so-so amid the sea of newer and more evolved 3DTVs available.
Panasonic plasmas have always been noted for the deepest blacks in their HDTVs and the same is true for the TC-P65VT25; the pitch black levels result in vivid pictures that seem to pop out from the screen. The 3DTV also has impressive screen uniformity, off-angle fidelity, and THX mode for more realistic movie experiences.
Features
While 3D content is still relatively scarce, the TC-P65VT25 nevertheless gives access to a rich catalog of Internet streaming content providers via Panasonic’s proprietary Viera platform. From reliable favorites like YouTube and Netflix, to popular social networking sites, and even calling through Skype (using the optional speakerphone add-on), this pioneering plasma surely offers entertainment like never before.
The TC-P65VT25 is generously equipped with four HDMI ports, VGA-style PC connector, two each composite and component jacks, RF antenna port, a digital audio output jack, an Ethernet slot and two USB ports. The latter is useful for playing music and photo slides, and for connecting to the Internet using the optional WiFi dongle.
Opting for an older model like TC-P65VT25 certainly has it charms. For one, the once flagship plasma in the Panasonic lineup still has what it takes performance wise; it could definitely deliver picture quality that would shame even some of the most recent HDTV releases. More importantly, it sure is a tried and tested model with thousands of satisfied buyers to date that now comes at a cheaper price.
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