Panasonic 52DL52 DLP Review

Overall Rating

Fantastic built in Scaler, Anti-glare screen, easy to use, weighs only 100 lbs., every input connector needed, side by side screen feature...many more. Exceptional VALUE!!! I recommend building an intermediate level home theater AROUND this unit.

While the front RGB input is convenient, it should be either in back or have an additional with a toggle. Sound quality is weak, but that is what home theater sound is for. Because it is high res, it will reveal the weaknesses in poor broadcasts, connections, and equipment.

$4k

I purchased the Panasonic 52DL52 with the new Mustang II DLP chip. I am overwhelmed. Besides the HiDef aspects. A major reason for the purchase was for the direct computer video jack connection. To make a long story (good story though) short, I haven't used my computer monitor since. I have a wireless keyboard and optical mouse. I do all of my computing and gaming on my leather couch.

What the others said about the DVD player is correct. I have a Pioneer Elite 300+1 dvd player hooked to mine. Lets just say that my smile is ear to ear. Pixelization and blocking also depends on source content. One of the things that my equipment has revealed, is the variance in quality of the transfer from film to a digital format. Some are better than others.

I would like to add that this set has an exceptional scaler built in. It displays so many different resolution ratios.

Another cool aspect is that it has just about every connector possible and comes with the very well shielded cables (long too) necessary to get started. It has 9 inputs! 1 DVI (digital in), 1 RGB(DB15), 4 composite, 2 digital component, 1 75ohm for broadcast (3 actual connectors-2 in for HDTV and Standard, - 1 pass through).

The graphical user interface is simple and convenient. I has two timers that I use to wake me up and another for turn off. (It is cool to wake up listening to ESPN sportscenter, every weekday morning).

Did you know that there are HiDef XBOX games available? There is nothing cooler than playing games in HiDef with your Dolby Digital 5.1!!!!! Especially on an anti-glare screen!!! This past summer, my friends and I had an outdoor Halo tournament in a huge tent. This HDTV was the most sought after seat at the event. Minimal glare! Imagine playing with a screen split into 4 sections, each the size of a 19" computer monitor. In addition, it has a unique picture in picture. Actually, it also has a side by side. So it is like having two 25" televisions next to each other. Nothing like being able to have the kids play xbox on one side while you watch your favorite sports team kick the Yankee bums at the same time.

Imagine the combinations. Your wife can watch her rubbish on one side while you watch the game with headphones on the other. So if she complains about not being with you or "watch this with me" you can without missing anything. If she has to talk or comment, lower the volume on the headphones man!

Warning!!!!! Pick these babies up while you can!!!! Panasonic has halted production on these due to royalty disputes with Texas Instruments. TI is the manufacturer of the DLP chips. Panasonic doesn't want to have to pay royalties to TI on every set.

Note: a line conditioner like the Monsterpower 5100 I am lucky to have improves everything severalfold when combined with high quality shielded cabling.