Panasonic CS650 Series

Fair – It seems no one makes dumb-TVs anymore, which is what I wanted. This one had the lowest price at the time, because I guess the Smart feature isn't good. I never used it anyway, only tried it once and it was terrible, not many apps, not easy to setup, the software is rigid. But I presume many are, even the more expensive ones. My intention with the… Read more

TV has always been replacing the smart bit with a Google Ultra. Works well. Don't get it, or anything in this range for the "Smart" feature.

Good but also very disappointing – We chose this model solely for the fact it had twin tuners. We wanted to reduce the number of devices and remotes so the idea of using this TV as our PVR and ditching our Fetch box seemed like a great idea. The lived experience was different. Fetch, Foxtel and other dedicated PVRs do a nice job of indexing, series links etc. On this model the… Read more

interface is more like an old VCR, your recordings are listed by channel and date but the system doesn't pull down the EPG data until the program is recorded. In simple terms if you can't remember if you've set record for a favourite show you have to go back and forward between the recorder and the program guide and work it out manually. Also if you want to series link your favourite show, forget it.

Sound quality is poor on some channels with high mids on all channels, and particularly on the ABC including current affairs the background sounds are louder than the voice. We never had a problem with our old Panansonic, but on the new TV the ABC is barely listenable.

We spoke to Austrlaian tech support on both issues.

On 1. The response was "oh you want to use it as a PVR, it's not a PVR, the recording function is just s nice to have." (It is double the price of a single tuner)

On 2. They blamed the broadcaster and their codecs.

While both issues could be resolved with simple software update, tech support told us that Panasonic rarely does software updates on existing products. Again wth?

Unless Panasonic commits to doing software updates I'd stay away from their products in future.

Also, just as an FYI their hard drives are formatted in a proprietary way, so don't expect to plug an play your old movies without some messing around. We haven't bothered to do so yet as this will require buying yet another hard drive to test this.

Never again – User interface is weird, illogical and unusable on ANY Panasonic TV. Wouldn't have another if it was free! and connections (i.e can't connect headset!) are horrible. These have connections you would never use and not the ones that are useful. Possibly the stupidest TV on the planet. Also have LG 60"- 1000% better in every way!

Crap tv – My old black and white had a better picture on it before I threw it on the tip at least it had honest contrast true grays faster response time and did not try to be smart with easy to use controls, didn't have to use a belt to stay in place and was honest.

From Hero to Zero in under 3 weeks – I purchased a Panasonic TV at the end of last year. (I will never make that mistake again) It now has 40 horizontal black lines that extend down from the top of TV screen and I am trying to get it repaired or replaced by Panasonic. There was a lot to like about this TV. Well priced, clear and bright screen, lots of internet functionality and… Read more

easy to use menu functions. Sound is a bit tinny, but I have a surround sound system so I wasn't too worried about that part of the experience.

So when the TV broke within 3 weeks of purchase, I was disappointed, but it was a Panasonic and they are a reputable manufacturer. So I wasn't overly concerned, as I thought that they would replace or repair without any hassle. Boy, was I wrong.

I am having difficulty in getting anyone at Panasonic to even acknowledge that I exist.

I have contacted Panasonic on four separate occasions, each time they take all of my details, but no one will give me a reference number. So when I ring back I have to restart the process all over again and pass on all my details, and I then get told that there is no record of me ever contacting them. Today when I rang I was told that I now need a job reference number from their repairer as well. And no, we cannot do anything unless you have a reference number. Talk about a revolving door.

The crazy thing is that throughout this process I have been asking for a reference number, but it seems that Panasonic's rule is to not give a reference number to their customers and then just deny that they have ever spoken to them. It is the most frustrating experience.

All I want to know is, has a warranty claim has been lodged by your repairer, and will our faulty Panasonic television either be repaired or replaced.

How hard is this Panasonic?

TH-50cs650A – So far we're very impressed with the tv. My eyes were almost popping out over the quality and clarity of the picture compared to our old samsung plasma. The blacks are excellent and there is no lag watching sports. The 3 hdmi ports are handy. The picture on Netfilx is also very impressive. Sound is OK. Shop around as you can get it much cheaper than advertised. Overall recommended.