If you would like to know anything more about this television that I haven't covered in this review, please feel free to contact me. There are so many different features that people look for in a television and it is so easy to miss these in reviews. I have tried to focus on the main features and the ones that most people will be looking for reviews on, but I don't mind being asked to go into further detail on any particular feature I have listed here or one that I have forgotten to add. :)


MAIN FEATURES
# High Definition plasma WXGA display, 1366 x 768p
# Integrated Digital Tuner for DVB-T reception
# HD ready for the highest quality display of HDTV signals
# Pixel Plus HD for better details, depth and clarity
# 3D combfilter separates colours for a razor-sharp image
# Incredible Surround for enhanced audio enjoyment
# Compact and slim design that fits in every room
# 1000 page Hypertext for instant fast access to teletext

Included Accessories: Table top stand,Power cord,Quick start guide,User Manual,Registration card,Warranty certificate,Remote Control,Batteries for remote control

SETUP
This television is very heavy compared to an LCD. It took two men to bring it in, and at 50 inches it isn't small. However, I did manage to remove it from the box, build up the stand, connect the stand to the television, and eventually lift it onto a television stand all by myself. It took about 45 minutes. I wouldn't recommend this, though. The box recommends at least 2 people and I agree. I just couldn't wait to get it up and running! It is quite thin, though, so it doesn't take up a lot of space at the back of the unit. After I had all that done it was simply a case of plugging it in, connecting an aerial, putting it on and going straight to the menu where most of the settings, including channel search, are automatic. If you prefer to manually configure your television then this can be done in the menu also. Within 10 minutes of turning the television on, I had it all set up and was enjoying watching both analogue and digital TV comfortably.

PICTURE
The picture is amazing on the digital channels. It is so crisp and clear, and it's instantly obvious why digital TV is the future. The analogue picture will be dependant on your current signal. If you receive a bad picture this is not the televisions fault. The settings can be set up automatically in different picture modes, or the user can manually set up colour, brightness, etc. I usually prefer the brightness a little darker than the automatic option allows, but I find the automatic settings are very good for watching television and DVD's. At 50 inches the detail on the screen is excellent. The HD picture through the HDMI input from my satellite receiver is amazing. The SD pictures on some channels can be not so good, but I wonder if this is more down to the satellite box and the broadcasting channel rather than the television. There is definitely a noticeable difference between SD and HD content, and blu-rays look great on this television. Although it isn't Full HD, it's far better than SD. The screen can be switched to 4:3 Movie expand, 14:9 Movie expand, 16:9 movie expand, Subtitle Zoom, and Super Zoom, Widescreen. Most of the time I leave it on 16:9, as most programmes are in this format. For shows that have black bars at the top and bottom you can easily switch to 16:9 zoom. The problem with a lot of plasma's is screen burn; the images being burned into the screen if they are on screen too long. I have noticed that this can sometimes happen, especially with television station logos. However, after several minutes it fades and doesn't burn in for good. Plasma's are especially good for darker rooms, but I have noticed that when any light from outside, such as sun light, gets onto the screen it can make viewing very difficult. Reflections during these instances are very noticeable. For that reason, I would recommend an LCD for a brighter room and not this one.

SOUND
This is the only problem I have found with the television. The sound is terrible. I connect my DVD player and satellite receiver to a separate HIFI for the sound because the television doesn't perform well enough for me. I also found that after a few months the right speaker started to rattle. It was so annoying that I just couldn't watch television with the built in speakers any more because it put me off the programmes I was watching. The audio is tinny and lacks bass. If you don't have the option of a separate audio unit, then you may want to take this into account when you consider purchasing this television. I recommend trying to hear it in a store before buying. I didn't have this option as I bought if from a catalogue, but this has taught me a lesson and I will be doing so for my next television. The surround sound feature changes the sound noticeably, but I don't think it's as good as a true surround sound speaker system.

CONNECTIONS
The unit has 2 HDMI connections, 2 scart sockets, and RCA inputs. There are also a couple of other inputs, but I don't use these and can't imagine most people would. I believe one of these other inputs is a Common Interface, I think for encrypted digital channels, but I am not 100% sure about that. I use the two scart sockets for an HDD recorder and a video recorder. I use the 2 HDMI cables for my Satellite receiver and my blu-ray player, and I use the RCA inputs for my games console. As more and more things are becoming available with HDMI output, it would be useful to have more than 2 HDMI inputs, but if all you want to use it for is television and blu-ray then 2 should be enough. HDMI hubs are also available, offering multiple inputs while taking up only one on the television.

REMOTE
The TV is supplied with a remote control and 2 batteries. The remote is user friendly and has all the functions available to use on the television. Do not lose the remote. If you lose the remote then the television becomes practically useless except for changing channel and volume. The remote fits nicely in the hand, and it's very responsive.

FREEVIEW GUIDE
The freeview guide is easy to use and navigate. It lists each channel available and shows programmes for several days ahead of time. As I have satellite I don't use this feature at all, but if you rely on freeview then it's a good feature to have.

VERDICT
I find that occasionally the picture can get blurry, especially the ticker on BBC News. My sisters 32 inch LCD TV does not have this problem and so I assume it's the television and not the channel. However, on HD channels there is no such blurriness. Watching sport on this television is very enjoyable, especially fast sports such as tennis and football, and movies look terrific.

I would recommend this television to people who are looking for a large screen in a darker room. The TV must be placed somewhere securely to avoid it falling, because it is very heavy at over 50kg, and could easily crush a child or small animal.

Personally, when I am in the market to buy a new television I will be considering LCD over Plasma because of the weight, problems with reflections, and BBC News ticker blurriness. Other than those reasons, though, I would happily give this television to someone else knowing that they would get years of enjoyment and use out of it.