Plasma still offers some compelling advantages over rival TV technologies, especially for those fancy large-size screens that require a second mortgage, which is why even LCD specialist LG persists with them. For starters, it's much harder for backlit LCDs to match the image quality of plasmas without resorting to small LED lights that can be turned off in individual groups. These are used boost contrast and provide those solid blacks that make all the difference when watching quality high-definition films.
We were sent a new model, which we believe is the 50-inch 50PX950 plasma, for a squiz by LG. There's also a 60-inch version coming up, at least overseas, and if we understand it right, the 50PX950 should be available from September onwards.
This is a new device, so new, in fact, that LG sent a pre-production model straight to Tone without looking at it as it arrived from the factory.
Initial impressions of the 50PX950 are that it's a beautiful design that follows LG's bezel-less trend, with a large sheet of non-reflective glass covering the front. The stunning look has one disadvantage, though: the 50PX950 is heavy and awkward to handle thanks to the glass, so budget for two strong people when setting up.
Overseas the 50PX950 carries an RRP in the US$2500 range. What this will translate into in New Zealand is hard to guess, but it's fair to assume the 50PX950 isn't a bargain-basement plasma.
As you'd expect, this high-end set is fully featured, with four HDMI 1.4 connectors, composite and component video inputs, USB 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, DivX HD support and limited internet connectivity via Ethernet wired networking, and possibly through wireless as well. DLNA for accessing Windows Media Servers is also supplied and a Freeview tuner for digital TV.
What specs we could find for the 50PX950 say the display is full HD plasma, with 1920 x 1080p resolution and the improved 600Hz sub-field drive that plasmas use to reduce phosphor lag by sending 12 images per frame instead of the eight you get with 400Hz technology. Native contrast ratio isn't given, but the dynamic one is a staggering 5,000,000:1 and there's 24p 3:3 pull-down mode for that cinema experience, enhanced by a certified THX display setting, too.
Based on the above, I expected to be in for a treat while watching HD content and Blu-ray films but came away disappointed in the 50PX950. While the screen is sharp and bright, no amount of settings tweaking or calibration — the 50PX950 comes with a useful picture wizard — could make what looked like colour dithering of lighter areas go away.
Skin tones never looked good, ditto grey areas. Freeview 720p and 1080i programming showed up the same problems.
Motion blur was also pronounced during fast action scenes.
LG's active liquid crystal shutter glasses recharge via a mini-USB cable and look less geeky than those from other makers, but the 3D experience they provide with the 50PX950 is poor.
Not only is the 3D effect limited, the glasses themselves dim the image considerably. Worse, they introduce random flickering even in a darkened room without artificial or daylight. For completeness, I subjected a pair of friends to the 3D experience from the 50PX950, and both confirmed the flickering and dim image that again no amount of adjustment could cure.
The rather average image quality and 3D performance of the 50PX950 is in stark contrast to LG's top-of-the range LED backlit LCD model, the 50LX9500. I had a brief preview of the latter device but saw enough to rate it a 'wow' in terms of picture quality and 3D prowess.
Perhaps there was something amiss with the review set we had, but as it is, it's hard to recommend the 50PX950. Our advice is to look at LG's LED LCD range instead, even if it's costlier, or check out the competition for better image quality — because why else would you splurge on a 50-inch screen?
JUHA SAARINEN
http://www.tone.co.nz/reviews/lg-50px950-3d-plasma-tv-review
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