Panasonic VT25 Series 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV Review | TC-P65VT25, TC-P58VT25, TC-P54VT25 and TC-P50VT25

Panasonic’s VT25 series of 1080p Full HD, 3D plasma HDTVs is it’s flagship series for 2010 and will be considered a classic release in years to come. It’s excellent pedigree has already been confirmed with CNET Editors having awarded it “Best of Show” and “Best in Television” awards at the 2010 CES. Also worthy of note is Panasonic’s naming as the 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products. Plasma HDTVs reputation as voracious energy consumers is under question with Panasonic having quadrupled the luminous efficiency of it’s plasma panels compared to 2007 models thereby reducing energy consumption by a truly significant 75%.

Panasonic VT25 series 3D 1080p plasma HDTV

The VT25 series covers screen sizes from 50 to 65 inches and includes;- the 65 inch (diagonal) TC-P65VT25, 58 inch TC-P58VT25, 54 inch TC-P54VT25 and the 50 inch TC-P50VT25. It is the first series to benefit from design input from plasma HDTV engineers previously with Pioneer. The quality of this series is testament to how well the collaboration is working. Color rendering is accurate, black levels are very deep and the dynamic contrast rate is 5,000,000:1. Panasonic TV division chief, Hirotoshi Uehara, has been quoted in the Financial Times as revealing that Panasonic plasma panel factory has increased 3D panel production by 30 percent compared to our original planning.

The VT25 series is an upgrade over the VT10 line of Panasonic TVs from 2009.and features a vast range of design and feature improvements. Headlining of course is the 3D capability which impressed CES 2010 attendees. Performance improvements include a 2/3 shorter decay red and green phosphors (essential for 3D capability), dispensing with the second front glass panel, a new anti-glare filter, improved blur reduction , a re-engineered panel scanning system and of course the 75% reduction in energy consumption. Notable features include; an expanded VIERA CAST service, LAN port, Wireless LAN Adaptor ready, Skype video call facilities, THX certification, THX Movie Mode, ISFccc capability, twin USB ports, VIERA Image Viewer, 600Hz Sub-field Drive, 24p cinematic playback, 4 HDMI inputs and a PC input.

3D by Panasonic

Panasonic’s plasma HDTVs employ frame sequential 3D technology which requires the use of LCD shutter type glasses. Read our 3D technology guide for more information on 3D for HDTVs. Plasma panels have a pixel response time in the order of a thousand times faster than LCD panels and it produces better 3D image quality. Genuinely wide viewing angles also make for easier viewing.

One downside with 3D viewing is the cost of 3D glasses for everyone who wants to watch 3D. Panasonic supply only one of Panasonic TY EW3D10U 3D glasses Plasma HDTVs are not a bright as LCD models so for best results you need to avoid bright ambient light conditions.

Panasonic NeoPDP Plasma Panel Construction

The VT25 series panel design has been simplified with just two sheets of glass, instead of three matching the Pioneer Kuro design. The new arrangement reduces internal reflections and increases contrast. The VT25 models have a new anti-reflective coating which is bonded to the top glass sheet and significantly reduces reflected glare from external light sources.

Most probably resulting from Pioneer plasma display engineer’s input the plasma panel has a new, deeper cell design with revised electrode placement, faster decay red and green phosphors and new discharge gas choices.

Panasonic’s NeoPDP panels have already moved significantly ahead of their initial design and performance. However, they haven’t been able to close the panel depth gap with edge-lit LED LCD displays with the VT25 series depth a few times greater at around 3.5 inches.

Although Panasonic have reduced panel depth with their new design, at 3.5 inches thick the VT25 series is at least a few times thicker than some of the edge-lit LED LCD HDTVs on the market. A reduced profile means greater set-up flexibility for options such as wall mounting and ceiling suspension.

Backlight Uniformity

Because plasma panels are self illuminating they have a solid lighting uniformity advantage over LCD HDTVs. LCD panels rely on a light guide behind the LCD surface to evenly spread the backlighting over the whole of the LCD screen.

Like all Plasma TVs the VT25 series has excellent viewing angles compared to LCD HDTVs. The wider viewing angle also benefits 3D viewing.

600 Hz Sub-Drive Technology

Panasonic’s Neo Plasma Display Panel is capable of displaying 1080 lines of motion resolution. Unlike LCD HDTVs you don’t get get a loss of screen resolution with fast moving scenes. Read our technology guide on 600Hz Sub-field Drives to discover what the term means and how it is different from the 120Hz and 240Hz frequencies mentioned in LCD marketing.

THX Certification

Panasonic’s VT25 HDTVs have achieved THX certification indicates a HDTV has been tested and satisfied a wide array of benchmark standards including contrast, color, de-interlacing and black levels to name only some. All THX Certified Displays feature THX Mode which optimizes the viewing experience by providing a single button calibration. Find out more in our technology guide for THX Certification.

Crosstalk Reduction Technology

The frame sequential 3D used by Panasonic requires a 120Hz frame rate rather than the usual 60Hz so that alternate viewing aspects of each frame can be shown to each eye to create the 3D effect. The quicker frame rate shortens the luminescence time for each frame. To avoid the problem of pixel afterglow resulting in the previous image remaining as an after-image when the next image is produced (overlap or crosstalk). Panasonic had to develop new circuitry and fast-decay red and green phosphors to reduce the decay time by two-thirds. To further aid production of clear images, a Panasonic sync circuit momentarily closes both shutters on the 3D glasses, while simultaneously displaying a black screen on the plasma TV to eliminate alternate eye light leakage.

Attendees of the 2010 CES were impressed with the lack of ghosting or motion blur artifacts when viewing 3D on the VT25 series Plasma panels.

Excellent Picture Control Functionality

The VT25 models have significant resources for AV buffs to produce picture quality refined to their own personal taste including THX Mode, Studio Ref Mode and Pro Setting. Studio Ref Mode allows users to obtain a Studio Reference picture just the way the film’s director intended it to look on reference monitors in editing rooms. Pro Setting gives the functionality for further fine adjustments of picture controls such as contrast and brightness.

VIRA Cast

Continuing the morphing of HDTVs into entertainment centers, Panasonic have further expanded Internet functionality via VIERA CAST IPTV using the LAN port. USB connectivity, allows for the addition of a Panasonic DY-WL10 Wireless LAN Adapter, keyboard and USB memory. VIERA CAST now provides access to sites such as Netflix, Skype, Pandora, Twitter and Fox Sports. Access is still available to entertainment sites such as Amazon Video On Demand (shop for movies online and watch them instantly!), YouTube, Picasa Web Album, Bloomberg and weather service. To make user input easier the VIERA CAST’ interface implements quick keyword input (like a cell phone). Skype and WIFI connectivity make it possible to make voice and video calls (with Panasonic TY-CC10W Skype Enabled Camera) from you HDTV.

Amazon’s Video On Demand service has an extensive collection of more than 40,000 titles. The Your Video Library feature allows customers can keep a virtual library of their purchases and re-watch them anywhere, including their VIERA TV, Panasonic Blu-ray player, or via the web on any PC or MAC. Amazon Video On

VIRA Link with Network Camera

Panasonic HDTVs all have VIERA Link technology which utilises HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) and allows the operation of all VIERA Link compatible A/V components using only the TV’s remote control to navigate on-screen menus. VIERA Link permits operation of a network camera which can, for example, take baby monitoring to a whole new level.

VIRA Image Viewer

The Image Viewer allows users to view their images (JPEG) and MPEG2/AVCHD videos on a large HDTV screen from a USB memory stick or very conveniently the SD flash memory card from your camera. AVCHD is a format for recording and playback of high definition video jointly developed by Sony and Panasonic.

24p Cinematic Playback

Panasonic VIERA models replay movie film recorded at 24 frames per second (fps) at four times that speed (96 Hz) or two times the usual cinema speed. Panasonic’s 24p Cinematic Playback achieves a more film like reproduction than a 2:3 pull down method. Read our technology guide on 24p playback vs 3:2 for more detail.

Sustainability

When purchasing a Panasonic HDTV you can be assured that lead and mercury are absent from the panels. The plasma display panels have a long 100,000 hour life span till half the initial brightness is reached which is 30 years of viewing when watched for 8 hours a day.

Audio

Video is only half the story when it comes to viewing pleasure and this has not been ignored by Panasonic. The VT25 models have twin speaker and a woofer for a comparatively large 30W of sound output.

Also included is BBE ViVA, the new High Definition 3D Sound technology which integrates a 3Denhancement effect with BBE High Definition Sound. ViVA creates an authentic and exciting 3D sound effect from stereo speakers while preserving the clarity, definition, presence and texture for which BBE High Definition Sound is acclaimed. See the fact sheet in Resources section below for more detail.

Connections

Composite Video Input (2 , 1 side)
Audio Input (for Video) (2 , 1 side)
PC Input D-sub 15-pin x 1 (side)
USB 2x
SD Card Slot
Component Video Input 2x
Audio Input for Component Video 2x
LAN Port
RS232C
Digital Audio Output (Optical)

Panasonic’s VT25 series plasma HDTVs offer a genuine value for money option for 3D ready HDTVs ahead of more expensive LED LCD models. Their excellent picture quality pedigree is already backed by CNET “Best of Show” and “Best in Television” 2010 CES awards as well as a 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. If you wish to compare this model with a similarly featured LED LCD HDTV, read our Samsung UNC8000 review.