If a movie fan were to dream of the perfect home cinema screen, it would probably resemble Panasonic's new TH-65PX600 plasma TV. For starters, there's its size: 65in from corner to corner. Next, there's its resolution: 1920 x 1080. In other words, it's Panasonic's very first 'full HD' plasma TV.
Then there are its three HDMIs. This should be enough to cover all your high-quality connection needs for the near future. Especially since all these HDMIs can take 1080p sources.
Another key element in the TH-65PX600's home cinema appeal is the V-Real image processing system. This sophisticated operation continually assesses incoming images and automatically manipulates a wide selection of image variables – such as colour tone, contrast levels, and noise reduction routines – to ensure the final picture always looks as good as possible.
V-Real has worked a treat on smaller recent Panasonic plasmas, so we see no reason for it to fail here – especially as the TH-65PX600's V-Real engine has the additional appeal of a scaling circuit that converts all incoming pictures to 1080p.
The only slight fly in the ointment at this stage is the fact that 1,080-line sources fed into the component and HDMI inputs aren't mapped on a pure '1:1' basis onto the Panny's screen. Instead they're rescaled to give a 2.5 per cent overscan to remove ragged edges present on some broadcasts. While we understand this decision, Panasonic could have at least provided the option of direct 1:1 pixel mapping for the purest representation of the source.
Other key findings on the TH-65PX600 include a built-in digital tuner; a new Deep Black Filter which works in harmony with Panasonic's legendary Real Black Creation to produce a high contrast ratio of 5,000:1; a D-Sub PC input; and an Secure Digital (SD) card slot for viewing digital photos saved as JPEGs, or for recording TV in MPEG4. Interestingly, these latter two jacks actually do map 1,080-line sources to the screen on a 1:1 basis, without overscanning.
Cool giant
Panasonic and Pioneer have recently proved themselves head and shoulders above the rest of the plasma pack in pure performance terms. And we're chuffed to say this state of affairs continues with the TH-65PX600. In fact, the sheer pleasure of seeing Panasonic's plasma talents writ as large as they are here actually makes it our favourite Panasonic plasma yet.
First, let's talk about the full HD resolution. As we'd hoped, its impact on hi-def picture playback is profound. During Spider-Man 2 (recorded in hi-def from Sky), for instance, the subtlety of colour blends in Spidey's suit is outstanding, thanks in part to the extra pixel density afforded by the 1920 x 1080 pixel count.
The high pixel count also means the picture is remarkably detailed, plus there's impressively little video noise of any sort thanks to the reduced burden on the TV's image scaling. We know the TH-65PX600 isn't mapping the pictures 1:1, but we can't say that the scaling involved in introducing overscan produces any visible nastiness.
Other more general strengths of the TH- 65PX600 include its colours, which as well as looking extremely well saturated and vibrant with the richness of Spidey's suit also have the tonal naturalism to look solid and authentic with the low-lit skin tones found regularly throughout the film.
Panasonic's plasmas are renowned for their black level prowess, and happily this continues with the TH-65PX600. The darkness of Doc Ock's riverside lab during Spider-Man 2's climactic showdown looks completely believable, with practically none of the greying over seen with lesser flat TVs. This helps the scene look deep and full of scale rather than flat and one-dimensional.
Another testament to the quality of Panasonic's plasma processing system is the image's near complete lack of three common plasma flaws: dotting over horizontal motion, fizzing noise in dark areas, and colour banding.
Not quite perfect
There are only two negative points we can muster about the TH-65PX600's pictures. First, as with many full HD screens, standard-def pictures look a touch noisier than we'd like. Second, the screen's presets are unhelpful. Our own tinkering delivered much better results than any of the presets.
When it comes to sound, the detachable speakers aren't as potent and dynamic as those built in to smaller members of the PX600 family. But they'll deliver sounds that does some justice to the pictures' scale.
We're pretty much in love with the TH- 65PX600. This is the finest hi-def performer we've seen above 50in, and it's got all the features and connections you could want.
The only reason we haven't already gone out and bought one is that we haven't figured out yet where we're going to find the £8,500 needed.
For
* Excellent picture quality
* Wide range of features
Against
* How many of us have £8,500 lying around?
Verdict
If you can afford it, this is big screen home cinema entertainment at its finest
Specifications
Supported Format (Interlaced): 576i, 1080i, 480i (SDTV)
Supported Format (Progressive): 480p (EDTV), 1080p, 576p, 720p
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: Standard Infrared
Power Consumption (Operational): 728 W
Connectivity: RF Antenna Input, RGB via SCART Output, S-Video Input, Scart, Stereo Audio, Component Video Input, Composite Video
No of HDMI Connectors: 3
No of Scart Connectors: 3
PC Connectivity: VGA, 15-Pin D-Sub
MPN: TH65PX600
Price at Launch: 8500 GBP
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Wide, 16:9
Contrast Ratio: 5000:1
Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Max No of Colours (billion): 29 billion colours
Screen Size: 65 inches
Total No of Pixels: 2073600
Memory Card Compatibility: SD Card
Audio Output Power: 30 w
Speakers: NICAM stereo / Smart Sound
Electronic Programme Guide (EPG): Yes
HD Ready: Yes
Multi-Window Options: Picture and Text, Picture in Picture, Picture Outside Picture, Picture and Picture
Colour: Black/Silver
Dimensions: 1754 x 985 x 145 mm (w x h x d)
Weight (kg): 79 kg
Comb Filter: 3DYC/3D Digital
Features: HDAVI / V- Real / Real Black Drive / Noise reduction / Colour management /Colour and contrast management / MPEG4 playback/recording
Freeview: Yes
Teletext: Yes
