Panasonic S60 plasma TV review: Low price, high performance
Hi.
I'm David Katzmaier from CNET.
Standing next to me is Panasonic TC-P50S60.
it's a 50-inch plasma TV 2013, it's the second cheapest that Panasonic makes.
This series also comes in a 42, 55, 60 and 65-inch size, so, nice breath in the S60 series.
This basic 1080p plasma series includes a little bit of smart TV but the real benefit here is the picture quality.
The picture quality in TV is excellent for the
price.
One of the best pictures you can possibly get for the money, get to that in a little bit but first, just take a look at the styling.
Panasonic didn't try to do too much with the exterior's set.
It's a pretty basic black all around.
The bezel is relatively thin, it's glossy black.
It has also a little bit of accent mark above and below.
The stand is not low but it is pretty low profile.
So, all in all, a very understated design.
Feature set on the S60 is bare bones.
The top of the list is the Smart TV Suite.
It's really not like the Smart TV Suites of the Step-Up's Panasonics or even the Samsung's and
LG's to the world, however, it's extremely basic.
You really only get 6 apps, Netflix, Amazon, Instant, VUDU, Hulu Plus, CinemaNow and YouTube.
That's really all most people are gonna want, however, most people don't really utilize all those um-teen other apps found on a lot of the Smart TV Suite.
So, in that way, if you like simple, this is pretty good.
Panasonic also has built-in WiFi, so that's a nice touch.
On the flip side, you're not gonna find 3D or any of the other fancy features found on some of the Step-Up sets.
The real downside to that strip down feature set is the back panel.
There's only two HDMI
inputs available on this set.
We really feel like 3 is kind of the minimum these days with the amount of things that you wanna connect.
Of course, you can always buy an external switch or something like that but it's really nice Panasonic included that 3rd HDMI input.
Other connectivity includes a pair of USB ports and a component video port.
This set is also missing the SD card slot found in its Step-Up brethren.
Picture adjustments on the S60 are actually extensive in going to the newly redesigned and much better menu system and find things like a color management system, as well as 5 different picture presets.
There's also a few settings that address image retention, which where
the plasma TV like this, if you use it normally isn't a big deal at all.
I mentioned the real story here is picture quality for the money.
The S60 isn't quite as good as the ST60, we reviewed a little bit earlier but it is spectacular.
The real strength is deep black levels when you get into a dark room that blacks in this TV or as inky as any you'll see.
The downside happens when you turn up the lights however.
Under bright lighting is TV's image does wash out because it doesn't have the same kind of dark screen finish found on more expensive plasmas.
So, for extremely bright rooms, I think this TV is not the best choice but if you do have pretty good control over
ambient lighting, it's an excellent deal.
That's a quick look at Panasonic's TC-PS60 series.
I'm David Katzmaier with CNET.
Up Next
Super Bowl TV Shopping? Here Are Our Favorite Picks
Up Next
Super Bowl TV Shopping? Here Are Our Favorite Picks
Best TVs of CES 2024
Best TVs of CES 2024
The Hisense 110UX Could Be the Brightest TV Yet
The Hisense 110UX Could Be the Brightest TV Yet
I Saw C-Seed's $200,000 Folding TV
I Saw C-Seed's $200,000 Folding TV
This 115-Inch TCL TV Makes Your Screen Seem Tiny
This 115-Inch TCL TV Makes Your Screen Seem Tiny
LG's 2024 OLED TVs Cut Wires, Boost Brightness
LG's 2024 OLED TVs Cut Wires, Boost Brightness
LG Transparent OLED Turns From TV Into Animated Art
LG Transparent OLED Turns From TV Into Animated Art
Samsung Shows World's First Transparent MicroLED, 8K Wireless Projector
Samsung Shows World's First Transparent MicroLED, 8K Wireless Projector
Best TVs of 2023: From High-End to Budget, to the Price-to-Picture Sweet Spot
Best TVs of 2023: From High-End to Budget, to the Price-to-Picture Sweet Spot
Samsung's 98-inch 8K TV Is Big, Bright and Really Expensive
Samsung's 98-inch 8K TV Is Big, Bright and Really Expensive
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e
First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e
Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For
Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Testing BruMate's Leakproof Tumbler
Testing BruMate's Leakproof Tumbler
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro