Panasonic has had such success with its 3D plasma TVs over the last year that it's a wonder the TX-P50G30B even exists.
But while a high-end, 50-inch plasma TV that holds no truck with the third dimension is unlikely to get tech-heads salivating, it should still appeal to those convinced that the current 3D craze is just a passing fad.
The TX-P50G30B is the most highly specified 2D TV in Panasonic's stable, and is the biggest of its G series screens; the 42-inch TX-P42G30B is the option for those with smaller living rooms. Below it in the Panasonic hierarchy are the S, U and C series plasmas; above it sits the all-3D VT range that houses the brand's flagship sets, such as the TX-P46VT20B.
There are also 3D G series screens - indeed, buyers would be forgiven for believing that this is just the 2D version of the TX-P50GT30B - but the latter does feature a few more niceties than the 3D engine, which helps to explain the �300 difference in price.
The TX-P50G30B wears its screen size and (traditionally bulkier) plasma technology well. Its domestic appeal is helped by a relatively slim design (only 70mm at its widest point), plus a thin, gloss black bezel surrounding the screen that has some neat, angular edges. Compare it to a plasma set from a couple of years ago and it looks like a work of art.
Panasonic's build quality, meanwhile, is typically first rate.
The TX-P50G30B, like most of Panasonic's Viera range, is dripping with features. If you're looking for a smart TV, you've found one.
The Panasonic begins with a dazzlingly healthy selection of modes, tweaks and technology designed to deliver the kind of AV performance anyone spending �1,100 on a TV will expect. It has a full HD resolution (1920x1080 pixels) and a built-in Freeview HD tuner (but no Freesat version, surprisingly), while picture processing is from Panasonic's powerful Vreal Live engine.
Further picture enhancement features include proprietary Intelligent Frame Creation motion smoothing technology, 600Hz sub-field drive and Content Auto Tracking System (CATS).
The TX-P50G30B has been certified by both THX and the Image Science Foundation (ISF). This means that users get a THX-certified preset optimised for movie watching (although, annoyingly, there's no dedicated button for it on the remote control) and the ability to pay an ISF-trained calibrator to pop round and fine tune two further dedicated presets.
You could, of course, have a go at doing this yourself, although Panasonic makes it hard for you to do so by accident. You need to go into the Setup menu (not the Picture menu) to unlock access to the Professional1 and Professional2 modes - then you can run wild in the advanced picture sub-menu, experimenting with the white balance, colour management and gamma tools.
The vast majority of buyers will be perfectly happy with one of the many picture presets, though.
The impressive AV chops are complemented by the TX-P50G30B's extensive multimedia talents. The set is DLNA-certified and network-savvy. Via the Viera Tools button on the handset, you can access media stored on your home network (via wired Ethernet if you don't want to splash out on the optional dongle), USB and SD card.
We had no trouble connecting to our resident NAS device and pulling down music and photo files (you can even watch a slideshow accompanied by some cheesy background music). Video playback was a bit more hit-and-miss - AVI, AVCHD, MP4 and DivX files played, but the TX-P50G30B turned its nose up at .MKV videos.
Then there's Viera Connect, Panasonic's own content portal. This is slickly designed and chock full of apps, though some are of less appeal than others. BBC iPlayer (with HD content), Acetrax, YouTube, Eurosport and CineTrailer are among the standout offerings. Typing via the Panasonic handset is not a fun experience, though, and a smartphone is a far superior means by which to access Twitter and Facebook.
The Panasonic TX-P50G30B is one of the best connected TVs in the business, with four HDMI inputs (one-side mounted) and three USB inputs (one dedicated to recording from the TV's own in-built tuner).
Add in Ethernet, SD card, optical digital audio, PC input, and those Scart and composite connections that you'll probably not bother with, and it has every base covered.
Plasma is often lauded by videophiles as the best technology for movie watching, and the Panasonic TX-P50G30B's performance certainly backs up this viewpoint. With Blu-rays, Panasonic's TV delivers a cinematic performance - and the 50-inch screen size helps, too.
For most of this test we stuck resolutely to the THX preset, on the assumption that the scions of George Lucas must know what they're doing. With this setting, the screen breezed through our regular bouquet of test patterns.
A 32-step black-to-white screen showed an absence of crushed blacks and bleached whites and the same impressive performance was true with colours. Clear gradations were visible.
Just for fun we swapped to the Dynamic mode and were immediately rewarded with a total lack of subtlety with bright reds, greens, blues and yellows, which suggests that you'd do well to avoid this particular preset like the plague.
Curiously, the THX preset is the only one that disables the screen's Overscan feature. If you prefer, say, the equally agreeable Cinema mode, you have to put up with extreme areas of the image being lost, unless you are sufficiently clued-up to find the Off switch lurking in the ISF submenu.
Motion processing is top-notch. Fast-moving material retains details, and if you're not prepared to put up with a little judder with 1080p material you can switch on Panasonic's IFC mode, which (even on its lower setting) manages to smooth out motion without introducing the kind of artefacting that can seriously blight the viewing experience.
The innate sharpness of full HD material and the TX-P50G30B's natural colour performance and deft touch with fast motion means movies come across as lifelike and easy on the eye. The leafy jungles and orange-tinged interiors of sci-fi snorter Predators (2010 Blu-ray) were delivered with considerable aplomb, and free from any sort of noise and picture flaws.
We could happily watch movies on this TV all day.
This enjoyment is also helped by the TX-P50G30B's impressive black levels. Plasma technology reaps benefits here, and it's refreshing not to have to contend with the backlighting issues that are sometimes prevalent on CCFL and LED-based sets.
In a head-to-head comparison with Philips' 46PFL9705, we found a greater depth and subtlety to the Panasonic's dark tones, even though more would still have been welcome. We even resorted to lowering the brightness level on the THX preset a touch (sorry Mr Lucas), but this had the inevitable impact on the picture's overall punch.
The TX-P50G30B's brightness lets the side down. Peak whites seem to lack a bit of pop, an observation that is backed up by an objective luminance measurement from the lab that recorded 21.3fL in THX mode (compared, for example, to 79fL on a Panasonic 32-inch LCD).
Away from Blu-ray, the set is perfectly adequate with Freeview material. Images from HD channels are noticeably better than standard-def, but even the latter survive the journey from tuner to 50-inch screen with their dignity intact (provided you don't watch with your nose all but pressed up against the screen).
You may also want to ramp up the brightness a touch if you're viewing in a well-lit room, or switch on the CATS feature, which will do that for you.
Sound
The audio performance of the TX-P50G30B is adequate, but nothing more. Users are restricted to three presets - Music, Speech and User. Under the first two you can tweak treble and bass; the latter option brings an eight-step equaliser into play.
We used this to try to lend some low-end muscle to the sound, but were still left craving a subwoofer. A TV of this quality deserves a 2.1 system at least.
Alongside the presets are V-Audio and V-Audio Surround options. These do add a bit of width to the TX-P50G30B's soundstage, but it's hardly like going to the Odeon.
One positive about the set's sonics is that, given the right material, its width lends itself to some decent stereo separation.
Value
Retailing for around �1,100, the TX-P50G30B is not exactly the last word in value for money; there are more affordable 50-inch plasmas around, particularly from LG. And, at the time of writing, retailers seem to have a good supply of 2010-model plasmas to shift, which are even better value if you can live without the most up-to-date Smart TV platforms and picture technologies.
However, the TX-P50G30B is such a good performer, and (3D aside) so well featured, that we don't think anyone will be disappointed with their investment.
Ease of use
For everyday use, the TX-P50G30B will pose no problem for anyone with a scintilla of technical know-how, with onscreen menus that are straightforward and simple to navigate - there's no XrossMediaBar-style tomfoolery here to befuddle older generations.
Having said that, hanging around in these menus is hardly a luxurious experience. Yes, Panasonic has introduced some colourful flourishes and snazzy icons, but these sit alongside some dull-looking areas. The whole presentation is schizophrenic: the Viera Connect menu is all glitz and glamour, but go deep into the Viera Tools media browser and you'll feel like you're using a PC from 1995. A bit of spit and polish would be appreciated here.
Also, while the supplied remote control is not mind-boggling complex, it could do with a revamp. Some of the buttons are too small - Menu, particularly - and could be positioned more intuitively. And who uses the buttons 1-9 to change channel these days, anyway?
Installing the TX-P50G30B is definitely a two-man job, unless you're Dolph Lundgren, but at least the weighty stand and sizable screws give it an air of indestructibility.
The TX-P50G30GB is proof not only that Panasonic hasn't become so pre-occupied with 3D that it's forgotten how to knock out a quality flat-o-vision screen, but also that plasma can still hold its own against its LED counterpart.
Its performance with Blu-rays is utterly beguiling, enabling it to provide a genuine alternative to a night at the local fleapit.
We liked
Built like a tank, and designed with panache, the TX-P50G30B feels worthy of its �1,100 price tag as soon as you take it out of the box. That feeling continues with cinematic images, worthwhile Viera Connect portal and calibration possibilities.
We disliked
Compared to LED rivals, the TX-P50G30B lacks a bit of brightness and its speakers are short of oomph. In terms of usability, some of the menus and the remote control would benefit from a redesign and having Overscan switched on by default is just plain irritating.
Final verdict
The TX-P50G30B is a fine hi-def TV. On top of this, it's a multimedia marvel, so if you want your next TV to be smarter than a PhD student, this could be it.
However, you may want your next TV to be 3D ready, which the TX-P50G30B isn't. More importantly, you may want it to be the absolute best the brand offers, and for that you'll need to step up to Panasonic's VT30 range. Of course, doing that means you're getting 3D whether you like it or not.
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