Archived Expert Review


This review is from our archive. The manufacturer has informed us that this model has been discontinued. However, it might still be available for sale. The MSRP and warranty were valid at the time the model was discontinued. We hope you'll find our other 64- to 73-inch TVs reviews and pricing useful.



Expert Review
Panasonic TH-65PX600U 65-Inch 1,080p Plasma HDTV

Enlarge Image





Expert Rating:  4  (what's this?)

Expert Review

Panasonic TH-65PX600U 65-Inch 1,080p Plasma HDTV

Date Published: 6/26/08

If you are shopping for a big (and we mean BIG) flat-panel HDTV for your home theater, and if cost is no object, the Panasonic TH-65PX600U should be at the top of your list. This huge 65-inch set is one of the few plasma televisions to offer 1,080p resolution, and its three 1,080p-compatible HDMI digital-to-digital connections make it the ultimate companion for a Blu-ray or second-generation HD DVD player. You're going to have to shell out some big bucks for the TH-65PX600U, however, especially considering that this set doesn't come with speakers or a pedestal stand.

With a QAM tuner and a CableCARD slot, the TH-65PX600U is digital cable-ready. It also sports an integrated ATSC (HD) tuner, so you won't need any external tuners to view high-definition or digital cable programming. In addition, this set has an SD memory card slot, so you can display pictures from your digital camera and even view them in a slideshow and rotate them as you see fit.

The TH-65PX600U's native resolution of 1,920X1080 means that this is one of only a handful of plasma TVs that can display every pixel of 1,080i broadcast high-definition television, which it can then upgrade to 1,080p for a seamless, spectacular picture. With a contrast ratio of 5,000:1, the ability to display 29 billion colors, 3-D color management and digital noise reduction, the TH-65PX600U's picture leaves nothing to be desired.

As previously mentioned, the TH-65PX600U lacks speakers, although it does have a 30-watt internal amplifier, and Panasonic offers optional detachable speakers that match the monitor's design. However, we would recommend connecting this plasma set to a home theater receiver and speakers, and the TH-65PX600U has an optical digital audio output for doing just that.

Panasonic includes its HDAVI Control remote, which allows you to program macro commands for performing multiple functions with the push of a button. For example, if you want to view a DVD in surround sound, just hit the "play" button. Thanks to preconfigured macros, the remote will then turn on the TH-65PX600U, home theater receiver and DVD player, switch the components to the proper inputs and start playing the disc. It doesn't get any easier than that.

You will want to connect the TH-65PX600U to every component you can think of, and this plasma HDTV is up to the task. In addition to the three 1,080p HDMI inputs (one on the front panel), the TH-65PX600U has a VGA PC input with audio, two component video inputs, three S-video inputs (one on the front panel), an IR output, the CableCARD slot and the digital audio output. Strangely enough, there is only one RF input.

If you have a large home theater space to fill and the sky-high price does not deter you, the Panasonic TH-65PX600U would make the ultimate plasma HDTV purchase.


Pros:  Stunning 1,080p plasma display, three 1,080p HDMI inputs, HDAVI Control remote makes operating a complete home theater system a snap
Cons:  No pedestal stand or speakers included, single RF input, heavy, very expensive



Expert Rating Scale

 
   Value
   Is it appropriately priced?
   Performance
   How well does it work?
   Ease of Use
   How easy is it to operate?
   Features
   What's included?
   Overall
   What does Consumer Guide® think?




Product Specs

Width
61-1/5 in.
Depth
5-7/10 in.
Height
38-4/5 in.
Weight
174.2. lbs.
HDTV
yes
Screen size
65 in.
Watts per channel
15 watts X2 (speakers not included)
Comb filter
3D-Y/C digital
DVI/HDMI interface
HDMI X3 (1,080p-compatible)
Display capability
1,080p
Headphone jack
no
Nbr. of speakers
speakers not included
Parental control
yes
PIP/POP
yes


Compare Prices on 64- To 73-inch TVs
Sony KDL-70XBR3 70 in. HDTV LCD TV photo
LCD TV, 70 inch, HDTV Television, Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels, Contrast Ratio: 1,300:1, Aspect Ratio: 16:9, Weight: 176 lb. (79...

Stores Selling: 1
$27999.00 -
$27999.00
Samsung FP-T6374 63 in. Plasma TV photo
Plasma TV, 63 inch, Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels, Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1, Aspect Ratio: 16:9, Weight: 192 lb. (86.98 kg)

Stores Selling: 3
$3975.00 -
$5196.00
Pioneer PureVision PDP-614MX 61 in. HDTV-Ready Plasma TV photo
Plasma TV, 61 inch, HDTV-Ready Television, Resolution: 1365 x 768 pixels, Aspect Ratio: 16:9, 4:3 Enhanced, Weight: 134.44 lb. (60...

Stores Selling: 1
$10000.00 -
$10000.00



  Looking for More?


Explanations

Expert Reviews
Mitsubishi WD-65733 1080p DLP HDTV
Runco CinemaWall XP-103DHD 103-Inch Plasma HDTV
Mitsubishi WD-73833 833 Diamond Series Line 73-inch DLP HDTV
JVC HD-70FN97 70-Inch 1,080p HD-ILA HDTV
Mitsubishi WD-65734 1080p DLP HDTV

Prices
Samsung HP-S6373 63 in. Plasma TV
Panasonic TH-65PZ750U 65 in. HDTV Plasma TV
Syntax-Brillian 2 Series 265T FHD 65 in. LCD TV
Sharp (PN-G655U) 65 in. LCD TV
Samsung (PPM63M7FB) 63 in. Plasma TV



Aspect Ratio


Viewing Distance


Flat Panel Type


Broadcast Format Displayed


Brand




Narrow Your Search


Aspect Ratio
4:3 Enhanced (1)
4:3 (1)
5:4 (1)

Viewing Distance
15 - 20 Ft. (6)
10 - 15 Ft. (7)

Flat Panel Type
Plasma TV (5)
LCD TV (3)

Broadcast Format Displayed
1080p (HDTV) (4)
1080i (HDTV) (6)

Brand
Panasonic (1)
Samsung (3)
Sony (1)
Syntax-Brillian (1)
Sharp (1)

Back to Personal Shopper






Magic Debugger

release: 8.4.3-qa1
content_id: 264738
type: review
category: l4-cp-64-to-73-inch-tvs

brws title: Panasonic TH-65PX600U 65-Inch 1,080p Plasma HDTV Review: Powered by ConsumerGuide and HowStuffWorks

meta d: If you have the means, the 65-inch Panasonic TH-65PX600U offers a stunning 1,080p plasma HDTV experience. Learn more from Consumer Guide.

url: http://shopproducts.howstuffworks.com/Samsung-PPM63M7FB-63-in-Plasma-TV/SF-1/PID-47318311