Featuring Panasonic's 9th generation gas-plasma screen, the 50-inch TH-50PX60U features a width-to-height 16:9 aspect ratio similar to movie theater screens, providing a theater-like experience at home. Its maximum of 29 billion colors and over 3,000 shades of gradation provide exceptionally fine detail for outstanding HDTV reproduction. The set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. It also includes a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot, enabling you to take an SD card directly from a digital still camera or camcorder and insert it directly into the TV for quick and colorful photo slideshows.
A plasma screen renders vivid colors like you've never seen before (as in, up to 29 billion in this case), extremely wide viewing angles (wider, even, than those of most LCD screens), and easy placement due to a plasma monitor's slim profile--the TH-42PX60U is a mere 3.7 inches deep, one of the slimmest plasmas around--perfect for desk or wall mounting. Brightness tends to be extremely uniform across plasma screens, which are also impervious to the picture distortion and negative color balances that afflict CRT monitors when placed near lighting or sound systems.
The TH-50PX60U features a 1366 x 768-pixel resolution and an amazing contrast ratio of 10000:1. (The higher the contrast ratio, the greater a TV's ability to display subtle color details and not get washed out by ambient room light.) The 3D Y/C digital comb filter constantly analyzes the three dimensions of picture height, picture width, and picture changes-over-time, to reduce dramatically edge image artifacts while improving transition detail. Other features include V-Chip parental controls, on/off sleep timers, closed-caption decoding, aspect ratio control, and video input labeling.
The TV's internal stereo speakers are powered by 10 watts per channel (for 20 watts of total power). It features the following connection options:
Composite (RCA audio/video): 3 inputs (1 on the front), 1 output
S-Video: 3 inputs (1 on the front)
HDMI(High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any AV source with an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multi-channel digital audio--all using a single cable.
If a component doesn't have an HDMI connection, you'll also get great picture reproduction using the three-jack component video (Y/Pb/Pr) input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. Component video output is available only for DVD playback.
What's in the Box
Plasma TV, remote control (with batteries), pedestal base, power cord, printed operating instructions.
50-inch HD-ready plasma TV; measures 47.6 x 32.2 x 3.7 inches (WxHxD).
SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW'S 1)Amazing - simply amazing - I've had this TV for approximately 2 weeks now - It's my first Plasma TV - replaced a 10 year old 46" LCD television. After visiting every local store and kicking tires - I was sold that Plasma was the way to go. The clarity of the picture - 160 degree viewing angle with no decline in picture quality and sharp picture during fast moving picture ( i.e. sports ) + the vivid sharpness of blacks / reds / oranges / greens / blues made it pretty easy decision. I went with the PANASONIC b/c of Consumer reports review of last years models. It was rated as best picture for non HD programming over any of it's competitors. Going shopping for these things locally is similar to buying a used car - b/c most stores won't show you anything but a HD signal - but I was able to get one store to show me a digital signal to a couple models and was able to view a DVD of TOP GUN on this and a few other models. Alot of brands will have a significant dropoff in quality from HD to digital signal - NOT this panasonic.
The picture in HD is simply amazing. Clarity / sharpness / at all angles of viewing both near and far away from the screen. The speakers are very good too - I will play a movie through the Home Theatrre - but day to day viewing the speakers will be more than adequate for most viewers.
The picture in non - HD programming - Comcast digital cable signal. About 85 % of the programming is pretty close to the same quality as High Def. Alot of the cable programming seems to be formatted in anticipation of High Def viewing and look very sharp and clear. Occasionally ( maybe 10 - 15 % of cable programming ) you'll get a feed that's not quite as sharp and ther'es a noticeable decline in picture quality from the HD or normal Digital programming. However - I've checked that same programming on my older CRT television - I found that the ( Non-HD programming with poor signal ) picture on the 50" plasma is the same quality as what I'm getting on my 20" non digital television. The only difference is that most of the programming is so much better in quality on this plasma TV that it seems like the picture isn't good for those few broadcasts. BUT - it's not poor picture from plasma Tube - it's just a bad signal that looks worse in comparison to the other channels and/or programming.
*** Don't let a salesperson talk you out of this TV if you have a large pictue window. I almost decided against the Plasma tube b/c a circuit city salesperson said the reflection would annoy me with a large window in the room. We have a west facing picture window in the rear with a tree outside the window. There is reflection on this tube - but it's no different than the reflection you'd get with a standard CRT tube television. We just pull down the shades a bit - and we haven't noticed anything that would be bothersome when viewing a program. We bought it with the assurance that if the reflection was an issue we could swap it out for a LCD or other television. We're keeping the Panasonic Plasma!!!!
I'm totally happy we bought this TV - and have no regrets for choosing the Panasonic. I'd buy this TV again in a heartbeat. The only thing I don't know about is the longevity of this type of tube - but I'll learn that over time. We spent 400 bucks on an in home 4 year service plan to accompany the TV. The marketing says it will last 27 years if viewed 6 hours per day - but I think that's a little optimistic. I did however learn in my research that this technology has been around for 30 or 40 years so I'm hoping that means there won't be any technical quirks to still work out.
Panasonic's 720p plasma sets offer incredible value in an HDTV with theunbeatable contrast ratios and fluid motion of plasma technology. Advanced pixel resolution and image-processing technology with the plasma TV's natural ability to beautifully reproduce fast moving images, so every detail is rendered with amazing clarity, and all the action is delivered with a high degree of fluidity.
What's New This Year?
Dynamic contrast ratios are up to 1,000,000:1.
new anti-reflective filter; lead-free "Tough Under Force" panel is resistant to impacts and scratches.
Built-in SD card slot with Photo Viewer/Gallery Player software.
x.v. Color and Deep Color (HDMI 1.3 features).
24p native reproduction.
Game Mode auto-adjusts image quality suitable to games and includes anti-image retention.
Viera Link is now compatible with Onkyo and Yamaha home theater systems.
At least 3 HDMI inputs on all models (4 on PZ800 and PZ850 series).
THX Certification on PZ800 and PZ850 series.
Which Viera is Right For You?
Amazing color reproduction
The incredible black reproduction of a Panasonic High-Definition Plasma TV results in impressive contrast and beautiful, natural colors. So you'll get warm, accurate skin tones, gorgeous greens, breathtaking blues and vivid reds. For color that's as rich and bold as life itself, look to a Panasonic Plasma TV.
Consistent brightness from any angle
A Panasonic Plasma combines anti-glare and anti-reflection technology with the natural light-emitting properties of plasma, to give you a super-wide viewing range with a crisp, beautiful image from almost any angle.
Smooth, graceful motion
When you're watching sports or movies with fast-motion graphics, you want a TV that can keep up with the action. With over 900 lines of moving picture, self-illuminating plasma displays eliminate afterimages in fast-action scenes. So whether you're watching a sporting event or an action-packed movie, you'll always get the most impressive viewing experience possible.
1,000,000:1 Contrast
The Panasonic's Real Black system (a pre-discharge suppression system) and improved panel production processes combine to reproduce outstanding blacks with superb contrast. Each image is richly expressive, from bright scense, like scorching desert landscapes, to dark cave scenes. Compare the image produced by conventional HDTV on the left to the Real Black image produced on the right.
More Colors
Viera HDTVs support the xvYCC color profile (Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications), or "x.v. color" for short. Standard RGB color space allows the display of a portion of the colors that are viewable to the human eye. The next generation "xvYCC" color space actually offers an available range of colors that exceeds what human eyes can recognize.
Next-generation "xvYCC" color space supports 1.8 times as many colors as existing HDTV signals.
Lets HDTVs display colors more accurately.
Enables displays with more natural and vivid colors.
Deep Color
Where x.v. color expands the available range of colors your HDTV can display, Deep Color increases the number of colors your HDTV can display within that range, for smoother transitions from color to color.
Lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors.
Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors.
Enables increased contrast ratio.
Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white.
Connectivity
Viera flat panel HDTVs interact with an array of high-definition devices and services, making it easy for consumers to access and enjoy content as never before. As of 2008, Viera Link is compatible with Onkyo and Yamaha home theater systems.
Videos and stills recorded on SD cards can easily be viewed via the SD slots on Panasonic Blu-Ray Disc players and Viera HDTVs.
Viera Link means easy connectivity via HDMI cables. Finally, consumers can easily operate their Blu-Ray Disc players, DVD recorders and home theater systems with a single remote control device.
Long Life
Panasonic plasma panels are rated to last 100,000 hours, which is about 30 years of regular or 11 years of non-stop usage before the brightness of the display is halved.
Get Full HD with Blu-Ray Disc Players
A Panasonic 1080p plasma television is able to render 1920x1080 pixels, but standard DVDs have a resolution of just 720x480. Blu-ray discs output true 1080p High-Definition resolution and have a storage capacity ten times greater than standard DVDs, so no pixel gos to waste.
CLICK –
SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW'S
1) Great picture quality for the price -Price was a significant contributor to my decision to buy this TV. Conversations with tv-guys made me think that I needed to pony up for a 1080, but I just could not justify the premium over the 720p. Now that I have it, I am glad I saved my money. The picture quality is great, both in high def and for normal (low def?) viewing. Whenever I have guests and the TV is on, they are blown away by the quality and ask my questions about it.
I also like the anti-glare screen. At first I was a little concerned that the anti-glare picture would look "dull" compared to your average plasma, but that is no longer a concern - it looks great.
Another big plus for me was the appearance of the TV. Like other Panasonic models, this TV is sleek. Vizio and other manufacturers seem to incorporate larger speakers that look clunky in comparison. The size of the tv relative to the picture size is great - looks nice on the wall, and doesn't take up any more room than it needs to.
In fact, the reason why I am writing this review is because I am going to buy another one for a different room in the house. Panasonic has definitely won my repeat business with this one - I think that says it all.
Panasonic ZT60 Series Plasma HDTV (60 and 65-Inch)
A true leap forward in picture quality performance
The top-of-the-line ZT60 series features a Studio Master Panel with air gapless technology which offers reference-level optical performance with superb bright-field contrast and sharp, crisp images. By eliminating the conventional air layer between the panel and the front glass, the Studio Master Panel minimizes reflections from external light and improves panel light transmission, for the ultimate big-screen picture quality.
This TV has a sleek, minimalist design featuring one sheet of glass and narrow metal bezel. What's more, each member of the household can have their very own personalized screen. Choose a standard, preset configuration, or create your own fully customized screen tailored specifically to your taste.
Crisp , Moving Pictures
3000 Focused Field Drive technology allows for high motion-image performance. This function is great for dynamic sports scenes and breathtaking fast-action movie shots.
Rendering Ultimate Black
Enjoy remarkable contrast with incredibly deep black levels, even in bright rooms. Enhancements to the ZT60 series panel and cells allow for rich blacks and meticulous detail to be displayed.
Smooth , Velvety Images
Light is emitted in 30,720 steps for smooth gradation. Additionally, a wide color gamut (DCI 98% Color Space) allows for jet black, brilliant whites, deep reds, and a rich and vivid image.
Super Clear Resolution
With 1080p Pure Direct function and a fast image processor, Panasonic TVs reproduce video with stunning quality, bringing you high-res images with life-like colors.
Smart TV Made Easy
More fun comes via a cloud service. VIERAInternet-ready TVs feature VIERA Connect, a cloud service that provides access to apps for video, music, social networking, games, news, lifestyle, sports, and health/fitness. Popular apps include Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, and huluplus. Panasonic's Smart VIERA platform makes TV entertainment more intuitive, more comfortable, and lots more fun.
my Home Screen
Make your TV personal. VIERA allows you to instantly access your favorite content on a personalized TV screen. It's a whole new user experience that is all about....you.
Swipe and Share 2.0
Easily share special moments with your family and friends. Link your smart device to the TV and freely share content by swiping forward with one finger. Save by swiping back with two fingers.
Voice Interaction, Voice Guidance, and Remote App 2
Search for content, input text onto screen, or operate your TV by simply talking into your Touch Pad Controller (included) or smartphone (with VIERA remote 2 app downloaded). The VIERA remote 2 is a free app that allows you to not only change channels, inputs, and volume, but also adjust settings like color, contrast, and brightness on your TV.
Dual Core Hexa-Processing Engine
The Dual Core Hexa Processor analyzes and optimizes every image for crisp, detailed pictures even during fast-paced action. This powerful engine also streamlines multi-tasking between the TV's smart functions. Run applications, search via the web browser, or stream content quickly and seamlessly without delays or lags.
Technical Details
Video: 60 and 65-Inch class (measured diagonally), Full HD 1080p, 600Hz refresh rate, Dual Core with Hexa Processing engine. Key Features: Smart TV, Built-in wireless LAN & Bluetooth, THX 3D certification, ISFccc certification, VIERA Link, Electronic touch pencapable. Input and Output Connections: 3 HDMI, 3 USB. Eco-Friendly Features: Mercury and lead-free panel, long panel life (up to 100,000 hours). What's in the Box: ZT60 HDTV, 3D active glasses (2 pairs included), VIERA touch pad controller, TV remote, user manual.
CLICK –
SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW'S
1)The Current Industry Standard In Picture Quality - As a consumer who actually bought the ZT60, I think I can put a few things into perspective. Back in '09 I saw a demo of a 50" Pioneer Kuro plasma (the industry reference for black level quality until now) at a store with the lights switched off. Yes, I was impressed. Blacks looked visibly black. A couple of months ago I went to a Magnolia (Best Buy) store to see if the ZT60 could live up to its hype. The ZT60 was not in a controlled demo room but was placed on a wall directly under a VT60 with a lot of ambient store lighting. Under such lighting conditions, I honestly couldn't see the difference in black level between the VT60 and the ZT60. The main advantage of the ZT60 under bright lighting was somewhat less reflectivity/screen glare. I asked for a demo in the dark demo room but only a VT60 was in the room. I checked out the blacks using night scenes off my own "Taxi Driver" and "American Werewolf in London" BluRay discs. Blacks were inky black. Since I couldn't do an A-B comparison between a VT60, ZT60, or the Pioneer Kuro TV for black level using the same material the best I can do was base my comparisons of black level on memory. Given the Kuro's already impressive performance, can anything else "blow it out of the water", as some posters on CNET put it? I'll just say that the Kuro has finally been laid to rest. But let me say that when a black screen appears on the VT60 it looks extremely dark already. When looking at a black screen on my ZT60 at home at night with the lights off, it appears that the unit is practically turned off (really). At that level, it's just an exercise in futility to compare it to a Kuro and split hairs. It's plenty good enough for me.
In overall performance it handily beats the very best LED backlit LCDs I've seen, including the current Ultra HD 4K sets (except in resolution) I've seen (since all of them use LED backlighting). At this point, you may be wondering why I would compare a 1080P HDTV to a 2160P (4K) set. Based on the demos of 4K sets that I've seen on 60 to 65-inch screens, the difference (really just resolution) between 1080P and 2160P is only visible when you are standing several inches in front of the screen. Most people would rather view from several feet away in a living room setting. Also, the 4K demo material is video-based. I can't imagine seeing any more detail even from a transfer of a 70mm film print when seated at a normal viewing distance in a living room. In terms of 4K sources, the Blu-Ray format does not support that resolution, leaving Sony to offer a $600 4K media box that only works with their own brand of 4K TVs. There's another alternative in the form of an even more expensive source component. But all this points to a shaky start for yet another format that provides little benefit to consumers. In fact, 4K is just a transitional format for the 2nd tier of the Ultra HD standard, 8K. So why buy 4K at all? Anyway, I digress.
Back to the subject of overall picture quality. With all the statements about black level, you'd think that that was the only important picture parameter. I'll say that one of the first things I noticed about both the VT60 and ZT60 were the great reproduction of different shades of gray (maybe better than the Kuro set which had a tendency to crush dark shades of gray to black). On the ZT60 there seems to be, if anything, also a noticeable advantage in the reproduction of red. Reds are reproduced with a natural purity I've never seen before. I can't comment on the 3D performance of the ZT60 because I don't have a 3D BluRay player but I briefly converted a 2D Blu-Ray to 3D. The motion seemed to appear with the "soap opera" (video) effect. That said, 3D performance is not important to me so I consider the feature to be a "throw in" anyway.
My only pet peeve about all the professional reviews I've read about the ZT60 is the statement that SD sources look great. While it's true that DVDs appear extremely good on the ZT60 when using an HDMI connection, the aforementioned statement is obviously based on the reproduction of DVDs (which occasionally look like HD sources) and broadcasts. I say this because there is no support for legacy sources that use the S-Video connection. I've seen so many professional reviewers trash this connection by saying that making an S-Video connection was awkward (well, you don't do it often, do you?). Yet, there is no criticism of the old composite video connection's quality. I don't think a professional reviewer would mind putting up with the minor inconvenience, given the composite connection's dot crawl from inherent crosstalk between the luminance (black & white) and chrominance (color) signals. As expensive as the ZT60 is, you'd think that an S-Video input would be included. How much can such an input cost? I make a big deal about this because I have a lot of S-VHS recordings of material I simply can't buy or don't care to buy again in another format and I also have some laserdiscs. The composite input of the ZT60 rolls off the high end of the video signal. Looking at an S-VHS recording of a standard definition Snell & Wilcox resolution test pattern through the composite connection shows a horizontal resolution of well under 300 lines. Yet looking at the same recording through the S-Video input of my old old SDTV shows roughly 410 lines. So what to do? The receiver connected to my ZT60 doesn't have S-Video inputs either so I can't use it for any handshaking between the S-VHS VCR and the ZT60. Fortunately, I have a D-VHS machine that has S-Video inputs and HDMI outputs so I can either play my S-Video recordings through this machine or use its S-Video inputs for my S-VHS VCR (which does a better job playing S-VHS videos) along with the HDMI outputs to the receiver. Result? The 410 lines of resolution appears on the ZT60 and the recordings closely approach DVD quality.
Despite the S-Video omission, I still believe the ZT60 is a 5-star product. Its reduced screen glare/reflectivity, its practically perfect black level, the great reproduction of shadow detail, and extremely accurate colors have seduced me already. In fact, these performance parameters are unrivaled. As I've already mentioned, the first parameter cannot be matched by the current generation of higher resolution Ultra HD TV sets, given their use of LED-backlit technology.
To make the most out of the ZT60, I switch to the THX Cinema mode, load a Spears & Munsil Blu-Ray calibration disc then adjust the black-level, contrast, sharpness according to the disc's test patterns and set the color temperature to the normal setting. I didn't find the recommended picture adjustments of CNET reviewer, David Katzmaier, helpful. In fact, the settings seem to appear way off when looking at the results when using my OPPO BDP-83 Blu-Ray player as a source.
In a nutshell, I'd list the Pros vs. Cons as follows:
Pros: Unrivaled picture quality Extremely accurate colors/color temperature in the THX mode/EBU modes right out of the box Beats The Pioneer Kuros black level and gray scale reproduction Low screen glare/reflectivity compared to all other plasmas to date
Cons: Expensive No S-video input to make the most of S-VHS sources; composite video input rolls off high-end and makes SD sources appear duller than they are Comment | Looking for voting buttons? Sorry, we don't let customers vote on their own reviews.
2/28/2014 Update Regarding 3D viewing: Initially, I commented on a "soap opera" effect when switching to the 3D viewing mode. Upon closer examination, I realized that the motion-smoothing circuitry was turned on by default in this mode. Once I went through the "Picture" menu options to defeat the motion smoothing, the "soap opera" effect disappeared. Be that as it may, unless you have genuine 3D source material (mine is simulated from a non-3D Blu-Ray player), you may quickly grow tired of the 3D viewing mode. After about 30 minutes or less of viewing in 3D mode, my eyes felt a bit fatigued. So I just watched in 2D mode.
If I were to sum up the appearance of the 3D mode, the results are not unlike what you would see when looking through old "Viewmaster" 3D slides (remember those?). Rather than seemingly palpable images, objects appear to be 2D cutouts layered at varying depths. The appearance isn't unpleasant but it's not realistic either. I'm not faulting the ZT60 for this because this is a characteristic I've noticed with all the 3D sets I've watched.
Panasonic ST60 Series Plasma HDTV (50, 55, 60, and 65-Inch)
Spectacular Full HD 3D picture with smart connectivity
VIERA TVs offer the best possible picture quality -- achieving rich and robust blacks, high moving-picture resolution, smooth and velvety gradation, and vibrant colors. With stunning images and state-of-the-art design, VIERA TVs bring a special ambience to your living room.
2013 Panasonic TVs are focused on sleek, minimalist designs, where unncessary elements are stripped away to highlight the awe-inspiring images on screen. The ST60 features an Infinite Black Pro panel which allows images to be reproduced with smooth gradation and deep, rich blacks - even when viewed in bright surroundings. Additionally, share your favorite content with family friends and convert 2D images into high-quality 3D.
Crisp,Moving Pictures
2500 Focused Field Drive technology allows for high motion-image performance. This function is great for dynamic sports scenes and breathtaking fast-action movie shots.
Rendering Ultimate Blacks
Panasonic plasma TVs are legendary for their deeper, jet-black shades. Even in brightly lit rooms, deep areas and fine textures within dark scenes are rendered with meticulous detail.
Smooth Velvety Images
Light is emitted in 24,576 steps for smooth, velvety gradation. This allows for vivid colors on your TV like jet blacks and brilliant whites, with rich textures and smooth image performance.
Super Clear Resolution
With 1080p Pure Direct function and a fast image processor, Panasonic TVs reproduce video with stunning quality, bringing you high-res images with life-like colors.
Smart TV Made Easy
More fun comes via a cloud service. VIERA Internet-ready TVs feature VIERA Connect, a cloud service that provides access to apps for video, music, social networking, games, news, lifestyle, sports, and health/fitness. Popular apps include Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, and huluplus. Panasonic's Smart VIERA platform makes TV entertainment more intuitive, more comfortable, and lots more fun.
my Home Screen
Make your TV personal. VIERA allows you to instantly access your favorite content on a personalized TV screen. It's a whole new user experience that is all about....you.
Swipe and Share 2.0
Easily share special moments with your family and friends. Link your smart device to the TV and freely share content by swiping forward with one finger. Save by swiping back with two fingers.
Skype Communication and Social Networking TV
Use the social networking TV app to access social network sites and communicate with your loved ones while simultaneously watching TV. Watch live sports while upping the excitement by chatting with your friends as the game unfolds. *Skype camera not included.
Electronic Touch Pen Function Capability
Experience a new way to use your TV. Use the Electronic Touch Pen to write text or draw pictures on the screen, then trade them with friends or save them. *Electronic Touch Pen not included with purchase.
Technical Details
Video: 50, 55, 60, and 65-Inch class (measured diagonally), Full HD 1080p, 600Hz refresh rate, fast-switching phosphors, 24,576 gradation.
Key Features: Smart TV, Built-in wireless LAN, 2D-3D conversion, VIERA Link, Voice Guidance, Infinite Black Pro. Input and Output Connections: 3 HDMI, 2 USB. Eco-Friendly Features: Mercury and lead-free panel, long panel life (up to 100,000 hours). What's in the Box: ST60 HDTV, 3D active glasses (2 pairs included), TV remote, user manual.
CLICK –
SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW'S
1) Amazing Picture, Panasonic understands TVs! -I will keep this as brief as I can and will not get too technical. I have done a lot of the research and visited the HDTV enthusiast forums and looked high and low for the right TV in my price range. The TV I was told to buy from several sources was the Panasonic ST50. That TV was discontinued to make way for it's replacement (2013) model the ST60, so I got it. I have been nothing but pleased with this TV and it's features. If you want a superior quality pictures with all the right blacks and vivid colors, look no further. If you just want a great TV for the money, look no further. How this TV gets this quality at this price range is a mystery to me. It is a plasma TV, and there are some advantages and dis-advantages to that. Mostly advantages, but not for everyone. Disadvantages that might disqualify this TV to someone could be the weight, since plasma TVs are a bit heavier... so if you plan on hanging this somewhere that the weight might be an issue, get an LCD. Also if you view TV in the daytime in a room with a ton of windows for some reason (your likely watching soaps), you might want an LCD that handles highly lit rooms a little better. It is also a bit more fragile than an LCD and the glass is more likely to break if something hits it (kids toy, wii remote etc), you can buy a screen protector to solve that issue, but you will spend an extra $140 or so.
Anyhow, I have compared this TV to the ST50 and the quality of the image is the same. They use identical boards and screen tech. The only noticeable changes has been updates to the Smart TV interface and options and the slight difference in appearance (ST50 had transparent plastic rim along the frame of the TV, the ST60 has a small silver rim. The remote is also slightly different, the new one is not backlit and the 4-way controller around the "ok" button is now 5 buttons and not one connected pad. The ST60 comes with two pairs of 3D glasses, the ST50 came with none. The ST60 can also use the new Panasonic Pen (does not come with the pen) that can be used to draw on the screen to alter photos, draw pictures and play games (seems like a useless feature, I would not let my kids advance on my TV screen with a pen). In every other way the same TV.
Note: You should break in new Plasma screen TVs by allowing them roughly 100 hours of viewing before you watch too much TV with sidebars, Netflix interface and games with static HUD elements. They can potentially cause burn in if left on screen too long. Modern Plasma has mostly eliminated these issues, but it is a good idea to break in the phosphorus at the same rate if for nothing else to give your TV the best chance at a long life of use. Some people run color slides like a photo slideshow to break in their new plasma TVs... while this is not really necessary, it is common practice and I did it myself. It is just a good way to control the break-in process and it makes you feel like videophile (even if pointless).
There you have it, my bloated review of an awesome TV.
If you read nothing else, read this. This TV is a great buy. Amazon is a great place to buy this TV, so if you can afford it, and don't need the bleeding edge $4k TV... get this one it's just as good.
