In our image-quality tests, the TC-P50ST30 had particular problems with motion. The landscape vibrated significantly in our diagonal-panning test, for instance. To be fair, that torture test is designed to exaggerate problems that would be slight in real-world use. But we saw plenty of motion problems in our real-world tests, too. Moving-camera shots from the Blu-ray releases of Mission: Impossible III (chapter 7) and The Dark Knight (chapter 9) produced shimmering. In our baseball test, one judge noted that the pitcher's mound was vibrating.

Color and contrast problems cropped up as well. The TC-P50ST30 tended to apply red or orange tints over light colors, so pale skin tones often ended up looking sunburned. Scenes often appeared dark or oversaturated.

The audio was considerably worse than the picture. With the volume turned all the way up, the sound was horribly distorted. At 50 percent (a far more reasonable volume), we still detected considerable distortion. When a singer in Phantom of the Opera (chapter 2) sang the word "indeed," I could hear the speakers straining with the high note. The simulated surround was acceptable but unexceptional.

At this point in every HDTV review, I remind readers that all TV speakers have their limits, and that you should buy a separate surround receiver and speakers for the full cinematic 5.1 audio experience. With the TC-P50ST30, that advice goes double.

But then again, if you buy a TC-P50ST30, you may also want to invest in special glasses. This HDTV offers , but it doesn't provide the necessary glasses. Panasonic sells them for $150 a pair.