Cons: Sound is tinny but a Home Cinema System would resolve this. Contrast levels could have been higher, am running at almost highest level

Summary: This is my first plasma; I have a UK version PS50A558 that is identical to this one. I was on the net for months looking around for my first purchase. Had this now for three weeks, I was initially concerned at reading some of the UK forums full of negative stories about this product. What finally persuaded me were the CNET positive reviews. I have to say the picture is perfect, I thought it would be fuzzy as in the UK we do not have a lot of High Definition broadcast yet, it is still pretty much Standard Definition (SD). SD transmission is not bad at all. Some programs are crystal clear so much so you can see the zits and sweat on people?s faces. Not that this should be the buying point. Some of the older programs are not so clear. Overall I am really happy with my purchase. There are between 20-35 picture controls so you can really tune up the picture to your desire. If anything the only negative point I would remark on is the contract resolution, the TV should have had this higher, I am running at close to the highest contract level with medium setting on energy saving. There are several built in modes like movie and sports and various setting for sound and external sources. This TV allows you to set the energy it consume to low, medium or high the pay off is you loose some contrast and quality on the picture. The sound is not that good, but I knew this having read all of the reviews, I have a Panasonic Home Cinema Sound system, so sound was not the reason I purchased this item. I bought this for the kids as they were hassling me and they love it, lets face it most of the time this TV will be used to watch kids programs like Disney Channel etc, I have not yet linked up to Blu-Ray or PS3, only because I don?t have one. Overall I am cool with this product and no doubt an improvement on my previous traditional Sony and JVC 28 TV. I have put it on a Cantilever stand and it looks brilliant, a floating television. Oh don’t forget if you are putting this up yourself make sure there are two of you, this TV weighs around 42KG with the stand but feels like a tonne. The TV is slim with black bezel, very shiny. Does attract dust, so I bought a small smooth duster, which I use to swipe on it every now and then. For the price this is a great TV, yes you could get better picture and better sound, but then be prepared to pay between £300-£1000 more for the best models on the market, This TV fits well for price and quality