Home audio & video: What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U?
What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U?
by chrwel - 11/5/05 12:47 PMCostco is selling a new Panasonic on their website only called TH-50PM50U. Is this a true HDTV?
Does anybody have a review on this display? Is it beeing sold somewhere else then Costco online? Cant even find it on Panasonics site?
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?whse=&topnav=&prodid=11093985&ec=BC-EC877-CatHome&pos=8
Any help would be great
Regards
CW
What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U?
by jcrobso - 11/5/05 8:37 PM In reply to: What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U? by chrwelSimilar to this one. Costco gets a "special model number" but compare the specs. John
Maybe lacking HDTV tuner.
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&itemId=93338&catGroupId=24973&modelNo=TH-50PX50U&surfModel=TH-50PX50U&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000 000000005702
TH-50PHD8UK
by chrwel - 11/6/05 9:17 AM In reply to: What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U? by jcrobsoIs it the same thing as a TH-50PHD8UK, if not whatis the difference?
Thanks for your help
Card slots and PC Connections
by wressler - 11/8/05 6:16 AM In reply to: What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U? by jcrobsoHave you had any success in learning if this unit has these?
Thanks
Bill
Comparison to Costco Model and Conclusion
by smkilcoyne - 11/10/05 1:37 PM In reply to: What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U? by chrwelHello,
As you can see from the spec table below, the Costco model, TH-50PM50U, has the same weight (99lbs.) as the Panasonic TH-50PX50U. The TH-50PM50U also has the exact same dimensions as the TH50PX50U and the same color scheme (silver & black) for the cabinet/enclosure. According to Costo's website, the TH50PM50U also has BBE surround sound, which is only on the TH-50PX500U, but I'm guessing this is a misprint, which has happened on Costco.com before. So I would say that this TH-50PM50U is a derivative to the TH-50PX50U. I'm not sure of the differences of which there maybe none, since this could be a special model just for Costco. This is a G8 (Generation 8) panel, so it is a safe bet that the picture will be the same as all the other G8 plasma TVs from Panasonic, which all use the same panel and differntiate via other items.
It seems like a pretty good price, but there are probably lower prices. However, Costco has a very good return policy. They refunded my shipping costs when I returned my defective plasma TV.
Smk
===== TABLE =======================================
COMPARE PLASMA MODELS
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic Panasonic
Model TH-50PX50U TH-50PX500U TH-50PHD8UK
Our Price See Product Page for Details See Product Page for Details See Product Page for Details
Screen Size 50 in. 50 in. 50 in.
Native Resolution 1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1366 x 768
HDTV? Yes Yes Yes
Contrast Ratio 3000:1 3000:1 3000:1
Brightness Not Specified By Manufacturer Not Specified By Manufacturer 550 cd/m2
Warranty 1 Year Warranty 1 Year Warranty 1 Year Warranty
DIMENSIONS
Dimensions
(W x D x H) 49.48" x 32.05" x 3.8" 52.25" x 33.125" x 4.625" 47.6" x 28.5" x 3.7"
Weight 99.21 lbs. 114.60 lbs. 94.80 lbs.
FEATURES AND SPECS
Data Signals (N/A) VGA, SVGA, XGA VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA (compressed)
Video Signals
Video Resolution 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
Power Supply 100-120V @ 50-60Hz 100-120V @ 50-60Hz 100-120V @ 50-60Hz
STYLE & ACCESSORIES
Stand Included Included Optional
Speakers Built In Built In Optional
Audio Power 8W x 2 13W x 2 8W x 2
Bezel Color Black & Silver Black & Silver Black
INPUTS
Composite Video 2 3 1
S-Video 2 3 1
Component Video** 2 2 1
Component RGB** None None None
Computer (VGA) None 1 1
DVI Digital None None None
HDMI Digital 1 1 None
OUTPUTS
Composite Video 1 1 1
S-Video None None None
Computer (VGA) None None None
===== END OF TABLE ================================
Probably identical
by gregger - 11/11/05 6:23 AM In reply to: Comparison to Costco Model and Conclusion by smkilcoyneThanks for the comparo!
I have a feeling these two sets are completely identical, except maybe for some minor trim item, or more likely a difference in the remote's control layout.
It's quite a testament to Costco's power in the market, though...I've done extensive research on this model, and EVERYONE BUT COSTCO carries the same stock item (TH-50PM50U). It's hard to imagine that Costco was more important to Panasonic than, say, Best Buy or Sears, but they are the only retailer that seems to have backed Panasonic into a corner and forced them to cough up a special model number.
Obviously the intention is to make it hard for us to "price match" at another retailer.
--G.
Panasonic 50-inch flat screen from Costco
by gfbunting - 2/1/06 10:51 AM In reply to: Comparison to Costco Model and Conclusion by smkilcoyneI recently purchased the Panasonic model from Costco and had it installed a week ago. Everything went smoothly, from ordering on the web to delivery to installation. We thrilled with the picture quality when watching HD programming. Only one problem: The picture is very grainy, fuzzy and poor when watching non-HD channels. Much worse than our regular TV. Is this standard? Is there anything we can do to about this? Note: We have Adelphia cable DVR box with HD set up and cables. Thank you.
TH50PM50U
by tkdr - 2/6/06 7:31 PM In reply to: Comparison to Costco Model and Conclusion by smkilcoyneIt doesn't have a built-in tuner; it's an HD-ready monitor. The base is also different, but it otherwise appears the same as the TH50PX50U.
OOPS: They ARE different, in the following ways:
by gregger - 11/11/05 8:16 AM In reply to: What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U? by chrwelThanks goodness for avs.forum.com where all the techies hang out!
You can check out some threads on the Costco-only model there, but here's the important stuff:
The PM50U is a slightly stripped down version of the PX50U. It does NOT have built-in NTSC and digital ATSC/QAM tuners, nor does it have a cablecard slot, nor a optical audio output.
The ATSC/QAM tuner lets you receive over-the-air widescreen HDTV broadcasts, when using an optional HDTV antenna.
If you are using a set-top box and a separate audio system, then these things may not matter to you. It has a dark gray bezel instead of a black bezel, probably to help differentiate it.
Otherwise, they are the same...including the all-important 8th generation plasma display.
Here's a comparison
by rhaywardiii - 1/13/06 4:12 PM In reply to: OOPS: They ARE different, in the following ways: by greggerGo to the Panasonic website's comparison page:
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelComparison?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&langId=-1&catGroupId=24973
and select TH-50PX50U and TH-50PM50U and hit the "Compare" button and you can see exactly how the Costco model is different
Panasonic 50pm50u (Costco) vs. 50px50u
by joey_h3 - 7/24/06 5:18 PM In reply to: Here's a comparison by rhaywardiiiThank you for the information on the difference between these two sets. I note the discussions occurred somtime ago but I am now finding the PX on pricealert for under $2500 and Costco is selling the PM for $3300. I have never purchased such a large ticket item on the web and assume some vendors are more reliable and are truly selling new products for the american market. Any suggestions on who they are or how to obtain vendor customer satisfaction ratings?
I learned that the px500u is all black which I prefer are there other differences over the px50u?
Thanks in advance for any help I may receive. I have learned that buying a television today is more differicult then buying a car.
Kappared
TH-50PM50U
by mpante - 11/21/05 9:20 AM In reply to: What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U? by chrwelThe TH-50PM50U is a true hd-tv because it displays 720p resolutions. However it does not have an over the air hd tuner, meaning you will need a cable box to receive programming. Therefore, it would probably be called an hd monitor. If you want the over the air hd broadcasts than you should opt for the px model. Otherwise, I believe this model has some better options like 3d surround sound.
It is not realy a ''TV'', it is just an HD Display Monitor
by viirs - 12/2/05 3:59 AM In reply to: What is the Panasonic TH-50PM50U? by chrwelCostco didn't make it clear that this model TH-50PM50U is not really a ''TV''. It is lacking of a stand TV tuner - NOT JUST LACKING OF AN ''HD TUNER''! So it is just an HD Plasma Monitor. I found this out after receiving my order, and after calling both Costco and Panasonic.
Although you can get TV signals by connecting it to a VCR, the additional overhead in setting up & need of VCR remote control are certainly awkward. Costco was really misleading costomers on the product from the Web page by calling it a ''Plasma TV''.
For what it worth, CircuitCity has the up-line model TH-50PX50U, which is definately a ''TV'' and current at the price $3,599 which I think beats Costco on price and performance considering it has a built-in HD tuner and no shipping cost. I'm considering returning TH-50PM50U to Costco and buying TH-50PX50U from CircuitCity for overall value.
Hope it helps.
viirs
Panny
by sabidude - 1/5/06 6:17 AM In reply to: It is not realy a ''TV'', it is just an HD Display Monitor by viirsBut, Isnt the bottom line that if you have the exterior HD tuner thru your cable company this TV/Monitor will have as good a picture as any available? Without getting into 1080p.
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