Panasonic TH 58PH10UK 58" Plasma HDTV
Normal Price:$2,410.00
Our Price:$2,297.24
Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Manufacturer: Panasonic
Model: TH-58PH10UK
Binding: Electronics
Publisher: Panasonic
Label: Panasonic
Features for Panasonic TH 58PH10UK 58" Plasma HDTV:
- SAFE DELIVERY, BEST SERVICE & PRICES by EMPIRE DIGITAL
Small Picture
Medium Picture
Customer Reviews
Magnificent, but get the 10UK"A" model ! 
2008-03-28
This 58" 720p panel is rated #1 by Consumer Reports, and is far superior to its closest competition which is Pioneer and Samsung. Right now this TV is a bargoon for people who plan to use a satellite tuner or cable box/DVR, and you will find the Split Screen/PIP feature to be a great option that is not included in Panasonic's 58PZ700U/1080p model for twice the money so thats a nice bonus. However, what this unit is missing are the HDMI inputs, which two (2) are included in the up-rev'd TH-58PH10UK"A" model. What you get with this monitor are only BNC Component, VGA, and composite inputs with 2 empty slots to upgrade with very expensive Panasonic blades to provide the HDMI/DVI inputs that you need.
Now a word about 720p vs. 1080p.... no argument here that 1080p is superior, but if you research the difference in these two designs you will find there is an "optimal" distance from the TV that allows you to enjoy and actually see the benefits of the 1080p picture. For a 58" plasma, the THX recommended distance is .....drum roll please.....5 1/2 feet! Other distance calculators you find on the web will put the optimal viewing distance for 1080p at 6.5 feet, and the max distance at 9'. Before you spend the extra money on a 1080p set you may want to check your living space to make sure your room will allow you to sit close enough to take advantage of the extra resolution provided by the new 1080p format.
Another thing to consider is this.... right now cable/satellite HD programming is delivered in stunning 1080i. If you've seen these broadcast signals in your own home then you already know they are spectacular. The likelihood of future 1080p broadcasts is very slim, too many technical hurdles to clear relative to bandwidth and this would also require the cameras at source to be upgraded so the obstacles are many. I seriously doubt you'll see any change in the current format for another 10 years at least so that leaves us with the only 1080p medium today, other than vedieo game platforms being BluRay discs, which are double the price of standard DVDs which can be upconverted rather inexpensively to 720p/1080i. So, there are a lot of considerations on where best to spend your money. Personally, I opted to buy this 58" plasma for all the reasons above, and I don't need the stand or tuner so it was sort of a no brainer. Plus, I already own two Panasonics, one being the 42" Professional model so I know what I can expect. And those of you worried about reliability....don't. Panasonic has the best record of service and reliability in the business, and my first 42" model has been in continuous service for 4 years without missing a beat, and the picture is still just as crisp without a hint of burn-in.
One more note... if you're not using a home theater setup and don't plan to mount this tv on the wall, you will need the optional speakers and stand. If you are a smart shopper you can find them at reasonable prices on the web.
And finally, if you are down to an LCD vs. Plasma, a 58" plasma is going to win that battle everytime. If you're going smaller, then an LCD may be a better choice provided the refresh rate is fast enough to prevent ghosting. Thankee.
