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