Michael Girardi




2003, The Year of the Plasma

2003 was a fantastic year for the plasma videophile. Manufactures such as Fijitsu, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony offered models ranging from 37” to 63” and included DVI inputs with HDCP copy-protection. DVI output sources now found on some DVD players and satellite receivers allow these sources to output 1080i/720p signals to fully take advantage of the resolution of high definition plasma displays.

Panasonic offers two high definition plasma displays in the 50” range: the consumer model #TH-50PX20U/P and commercial model TH-50PHD6UY. Besides a list price difference of $500, the main differences between these models are as follows:

1) Front inputs are only found on the consumer model and they include composite, s-video, and RGB-VGA with corresponding audio inputs; all connectors are RCA type. The commercial model has rear inputs only and uses BNC type connectors.
2) The consumer model includes a pedestal stand, NTSC tuner, HDMI input (commercial has DVI interface), integrated speaker system/amplifier (5 bass reflex type), and BBE ViVA HD3D sound. The speakers, stand, and tuner are optional on the commercial model.
3) The consumer model is rated Class B in terms of electromagnetic emissions level providing more protection against interference over the Class A rated commercial model
4) The commercial model enables additional display adjustments such as black extension, white balance for red and blue area, and gamma through the remote.

This review will discuss the current commercial plasma offering from Panasonic.

The main improvements incorporated in the 6UY over the previous commercial models as tauted by Panasonic include:

• Super Real Gamma System - Optimizes luminance gradation within a scene, providing far better reproduction of low-light elements and reproduces 1,536 shades of gradation.

• New Phosphors & New Front Glass Filter - Greatly improves the color purity of blues and reds (also a weakness in conventional plasma displays) and improves contrast ratio under lighting condition by 80%.
• Bounded Cell Structure HD panel – Dramatically improves brightness level by more than 40%.
• 3:2 Pull-Down – Automatically detects a 3:2 film-based source, and then uses stillimage processing for each individual image to achieve clear, smooth-flowing images.
• C.A.T.S. (Contrast Automatic Tracking System) – Automatically senses the ambient light conditions and adjusts the brightness and gradation accordingly. Provides the best possible picture contrast for each operating environment. This feature also helps reduce power consumption and minimize phosphor aging.
• Optional RGB Active-Through Terminal Board – Enables simple and easy connection when you set up a multi-screen display.
• Advanced Plasma AI (Automatic brightness Intensifier) – for 70% increase in peak brightness thus greater dynamic range and longer useful panel life (545cd/m2 panel brightness).
• Expanded H & V frequency range – fH: 15.6 - 110 kHz; fV: 24-120 Hz
• Expanded Computer and Video Signal Compatibility – 480i/p, 575i/p, 720p, 1080/60i, 1080/50i, 1080/24p/24sf
• 3 Dimensional Progressive Scan Processing – optimized interlace to progressive performance for clear and blur free moving pictures
• Optimized color balance – asymmetrical red, green and blue phosphor cell structure makes whiter, brighter whites and combined with a special color filter in the front panel makes it possible to deliver color accuracy to match the level of the HDTV broadcast standards.
• Improved moving picture performance – reduces noise in movement and moving objects.
• 10-bit Digital Processing - reproduces more than 1 billion colors
• Other - light weight (99 lbs.) with removable handles, lower power consumption of 530 Watts, BNC connections for all video inputs (S-video on standard 4-pin din), front button menu control, 3 different dual picture modes, 9-Point Digital Zoom, energy saving functions, screen saver functions, and multi-function slots and optional plug-in boards (blades) allowing a custom input source configuration.

The remote included with the 6UY is basic yet functional. Depressing the Input button allows the viewer to toggle between the set’s inputs. The Picture button allows the viewer to adjust individual video settings such as picture, brightness, color, tint, sharpness, color temperature, and the advanced settings (black extension, input level, red/blue balance, gamma, and advanced gamma control). The 6UY can store custom video settings for each input providing a user-friendly interface for optimization depending on input source and ambient light conditions. Normal, warm, and cool are the available color temperature settings. Hitting the Sound button allows the viewer to adjust bass, treble, balance, and surround if optional speakers are mounted. Normal, Zoom, Full, and Just are available display modes accessible through the Aspect button.

A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words, or at Least …

My video reviewing system includes the Panasonic 52DL52 DLP rear projection TV, Zenith HD-SAT520 high-definition satellite receiver, and the Toshiba SD-9200 progressive scan DVD Audio player. The supplied DVI cable from Panasonic was used to make the video connection between the Zenith HD-SAT520 and the Panasonic TH-50PHD6UY plasma. Stealth Fineline MKII Video component cables were used to connect the Toshiba SD-9200 DVDA player to the Panasonic plasma. BTW- if you’re in the market for high performance video cables the Stealth Fineline MKII should been given serious consideration.

Using the AVIA DVD calibration disc, I adjusted the set’s picture, brightness, color, tint, sharpness and gamma levels to settings that differed from the stock settings. Using the Toshiba SD-9200 DVDA player as the output source, my optimized settings were:

Picture: 7
Brightness: -6
Color: 6
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 2
Color temperature: normal
Advanced settings: on
Black extension: 3
Gamma: 2.5
AGC: off.

The brightness and gray field uniformity was excellent on the AVIA Advanced Video Test Patterns. Although an improvement was made as compared to the stock settings, for a display of this caliber, it’s recommended that a professional ISF calibration be performed.

Signs was the first flick spun on the Toshiba SD-9200 (outputting a 480p signal). In scene 8 where the family is seated in the car, for me, revealed the realistic color reproduction, detail and gray scaling of Graham’s jacket, the children’s clothes, and the home’s landscape transporting the viewer into the performance. The contrast of the natural light present in the car and the sunlight shining into the car proved me Panasonic’s exclusive quoted contrast ratio of 3000:1. Another good example of the set’s contrast ability, clarity and natural color reproduction was displayed in scene 14 when Merrill and the children are seated on the couch wearing aluminum foil caps to block the alien’s ability to read their minds. This plasma does not hype colors like the other plasma contenders I’ve viewed.

In scene 3, of the Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl DVD, after Elizabeth is rescued by the pirate Jack Sparrow, the 6UY displayed the most satisfying blacks, reds, blues and whites as shown in the naval officer’s uniforms. Panasonic’s ability to reproduce blacks is shared by few plasma manufactures. In the latter scenes when Jack Sparrow’s mates are gathered in a cave to eliminate the curse, I was impressed by the shadow detail of the eerie scene. The Panasonic gets my vote for delivering satisfying detail in dark scenes.

ESPN, Discovery HD, HDNet, and HDNM high definition channels were viewed on the Zenith SAT-520 set to 1080i. Depending on the broadcast source, the quality of the incoming HD signal is easily discernable on the 6UY. Like a good audio system, this plasma displays the signal as it was originally broadcasted without adding its own flavor while exposing a “poor picture”. Kudos to Panasonic’s internal scalar implementation … while viewing HD football on ESPN, I rarely saw motion artifacts during high speed video. Once you experience the clarity of HD on the 6UY avoiding SD programming becomes easy.

Is a Plasma in Your Future?

Commercial or consumer? The commercial unit is more for the video tweaker who likes to have direct access the advanced video settings.

Aesthetically, the charcoal colored frame of the commercial model may have a higher WAF as compared to the black bezel/gray base of the consumer model. It’s important to keep the wife happy!

I’ve had the chance to view various plasmas under different lighting conditions. Compared to other 50” HD plasmas, the Panasonic excels in a dark environment but can be enjoyed in a partially lit room.

As compared to the Panasonic rear projection DLP, the 6UY handles standard definition signals better, displaying less video noise and an ultra low level of motion artifacts. With the price of 50” plasmas dropping, the 4” depth and the ability to hang the set like a picture, why give it a second thought? Highly recommended.