The Panasonic TH-50PZ850U is a full HD 1080p set, and can thus can handle 1080i and 1080p content and fill every pixel accordingly, while 720p HD content is upscaled suitably. Therefore, it's an ideal set for HDTV content from satellite and cable set-top boxes as well as from Blu-ray players. And with the Web-enabled feature, it can bring in online content via the Ethernet port.

When you think of high-definition content, you're probably not thinking of YouTube or other Web-based sources. But Panasonic clearly has the mindset that if you build a set capable of delivering the content, the content will come. This is evident from the new 2008 line of VIERA HDTV plasma displays, which are part of the new Web-enabled initiative. This line offers the same great picture we've come to expect from Panasonic, and now includes a direct Web connection.

Among the first of the new line to arrive is the Panasonic TH-50PZ850U, a 50-inch plasma HDTV that has clean lines and a thin bezel design. 

It should be stressed that this set isn't merely using a Web browser either, but instead has a feature that allows for direct connectivity to YouTube and Google's Picasa Web album Web sites. Of course, the TH-50PZ850U can be used with a PC as well via the RGB input, but the point of the Web connectivity is to simplify the interface. When using the set with the Web-enabled feature, you don't need a mouse or keyboard--you do your browsing of videos and photos just with the remote.

Regardless of whether you're watching a Blu-ray movie or a video from YouTube, we found that this 50-inch model features some incredible black levels, among the deepest we've seen to date this year. While the picture is generally very clear and with fairly lifelike colors, we did notice some minor inaccurate color temperature issues. Some colors, notably green, appear the wrong hue. For most viewers, this should be a very minor issue for an otherwise outstanding HDTV, especially given the price. Additionally, this model features color enhancements and multiple adjustments for those looking to customize the set to meet their room conditions.

The TH-50PZ850U handled the lower resolution content from YouTube, as well as from standard definition TV, reasonably well. None of this source material is going to be mistaken for HD content, but we found the set did a reasonable job of presenting this lower resolution video.

We were pleased to find that the TH-50PZ850U is loaded with A/V inputs for getting all that content goodness to the set. This 50-inch model features a total of four HDMI 1.3 inputs, including one on the set's front. The set even features a front S-Video input as well as a composite input. In addition, there are two component inputs on the back panel, along with an additional S-Video input, a composite input, PC input and even an optical digital audio output. The TH-50PZ850U features an SD card slot for viewing digital photos, and it is compatible with the Panasonic GalleryPlayer where images and video can be downloaded (by purchase) and played on the set. The SD card slot is HD compatible, so if you shoot your own high definition movies with Panasonic's new HD camcorder you can even view the "dailies" on this set.

About the only complaint with the A/V options was the lack of headphone jack, which is included on some smaller panels. This is always a nice feature to have, and why more manufacturers don't include it is still not something we really understand. The set does feature four built-in speakers with total system power of 31 watts. This is adequate, but for the full experience we'd still recommend a true home theater surround sound system.

While plasma has never been as friendly for rooms with a lot of ambient light when compared to LCD sets, we found that this year's models from Panasonic, including the TH-50PZ850U, handle it much better than most. The 50-inch model features an anti-reflective coating that reduces glare from light, including indirect sunlight. Although we still found the HDTV to perform better in a room with minimal lighting, you can expect a reasonably good picture with under moderate amounts of ambient light. The other remaining issue of static image retention (or "burn-in") is mostly a thing of the past. This step-up model features excellent image retention protection, including a whitewash option that works as a screen eraser to get rid of any slight retained image, while a pixel orbiter reduces the likelihood of burn-in from occurring.

The TH-50PZ850U is not Panasonic's most affordable model this season, but with its advanced features this set could be one worth considering--especially if user generated content, home movies and photos, are something you'd want to see on a very big screen.

Pros: Good anti-glare screen, good black levels, built-in gallery player, Web-enabled
Cons: Colors tend to skew towards too much green, expensive, Web content still somewhat lacking

Warranty
1 year, limited