Panasonic VT/GT/ST.....what is the real world difference?

Going from the ST50 into the GT50 you gain the THX certification which is nice, and in turn the THX mode which is also nice especially if you don't plan on calibrating. And you're supposed to be getting more shades of gradation, IE better black levels. And you get Bluetooth built into the GT which is nice should you ever use the web browser because you can use a Bluetooth keyboard.

Going from the GT50 into the VT50 you're getting again more shades of gradation for better black levels and you're getting the best of the best, cherry picked panels. The VT50's touted by most who've reviewed it or tested it to be the best TV of the year and just that much closer to the prestigious Kuro's . And the VT comes with an auto calibration feature which is a full 10 point. That to me alone is an awesome feature if you don't wanna fork out the $ for a professional calibration or if you're not certified and equipped to DIY

All of that being said, they're all great TV's, the ST50 included, and I would say for some people, you're not going to see a huge leap forward in terms of performance. Just a matter of pickin your poison and what makes sense to you. You'll be happy with all of them. They're spectacular TV's

For what it's worth a friend of mine has the GT50, which has been fully calibrated, and it's a face melter. The thing is an absolute thing of beauty.

In the Plasma Forum:

VT50 vs GT50 vs ST50: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1386141/official-panasonic-2012-lineup-and-information-thread-no-price-talk#post_21467390


Actually the GT50 and VT50 both have the 24,576 Equivalent Steps of Gradation (twice that of the ST50) but in the real world it provides no benefit according to D-Nice (pro-calibrator). And they don't contribute to the black levels, the VT50's black filter is a bit darker which is what makes it a little blacker than the GT50/VT50. But that black filter also makes the VT50 a little dimmer than the ST50/GT50 so that has to be taken into consideration if the TV will be watched in the daytime.


Panasonic doesn't hand-pick the VT50's panels, they just use them straight from the production line. It's the same core panel as the ST50/GT50 before the filter and on-board electronics are added.

I would say yes, but how much better is going to be a matter of perception.

I stand corrected about the steps of gradation spec. Thanks Randy!
You have the GT50 no? What made you pull the trigger on that over the ST?

1. I much prefer the design of the GT50's slimmer bezel, and i don't much care for that clear plastic fencing on the ST50.

2. I like the GT50's THX Bright Room mode for watching sports and car racing during the daytime, and the THX Cinema mode looks good on movies.

3. The 4th HDMI input.