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HDTV models of the same brand usually carry the same features. They still have some key differences, though, which can greatly affect your decision to buy it or not, like in the case of the Panasonic TC-P50G10 and the Panasonic TC-P50S1 Plasma HDTV models.

In terms of design, both the Panasonic TC-P50G10 and the Panasonic TC-P50S1 look impressive enough to stand apart from the sea of HDTVs. They both have hidden speakers and glossy black frames accentuated with a thin silver strip at the bottom. The similarity ends there, though, as the Panasonic TC-P50S1 has more rounded edges while the TC-P50G10 has a fading silver wash and a very thin frame. The frame of the TC-P50G10, in fact, is one of the thinnest produced by Panasonic. While they both have non-swiveling black stands, the TC-P50G10 comes with a round one while the TC-P50S1 comes with the usual rectangular.

In terms of picture quality, the TC-P50G10 and the TC-P50S1 both produce deep black levels, excellent shadow detail and saturated colors in the default mode. However, the TC-P50G10 has an extra mode, the THX mode, which, when enabled, results in even better images with better shadow detail and greater color accuracy. The only problem with this THX mode is its low light output, but it still does well in recreating the visual ambience of a movie theatre.

Connectivity is a deciding factor when choosing an HDTV. After all, it is important to get an HDTV that is compatible with your existing devices. This is something you won’t have to worry about if you get the TC-P50S1, which has an SD card slot and three HDMI inputs where you can plug in your DVD player, Blu-Ray player and game console. If you have a computer, though, you might want to go with the TC-P50G10, which has a VGA input and a LAN port for the Viera Cast feature in addition to the connectivity options that the TC-P50S1 offers.

Another good thing about the Panasonic TC-P50G10 and the Panasonic TC-P50S1 is that they both carry the innovative Viera Link feature, which is similar to Sony’s Bravia Sync or Sharp’s Aquos Link. This feature allows you to control all of your HDTV-compatible devices with the push of a button on the remote control instead of having to turn them on and off individually. This makes it easier for you to watch movies and also keeps you from forgetting to turn off any device when you are done watching. Aside from this, both the TC-P50G10 and the TC-P50S1 come with a game mode, an anti-reflective filter and a pixel orbiter which helps prevent temporary image retention or screen burn-in.

One feature which sets the TC-P50G10 apart from the TC-P50S1 and previous HDTV models, though, is the Viera Cast mentioned earlier. This feature allows you to enjoy online content such as YouTube videos, Picasa web albums and Amazon Video on Demand, and other important information such as the latest stock market trends and weather reports, on a user-friendly web interface built into your HDTV. This means that you don’t need to have a computer to access all these. However, you will need an active internet connection and an ethernet line.

In terms of energy consumption, both HDTV models consume less energy than many Plasma televisions, particularly since they have a new type of Plasma panel called the NEO PDP panel. The TC-P50S1, in particular, qualifies for an Energy Star 3.0 rating with its relatively dim default picture setting. In spite of this, though, both models are still far from being as energy efficient as LCD televisions.

Indeed, both the Panasonic TC-P50G10 and the Panasonic TC-P50S1 are excellent choices with a number of similarities. They both even have price tags that are not that different from each other. Still, the Panasonic TC-P50G10 clearly has a few more perks, which makes it worth the few extra hundreds and clearly one of the best HDTVs released by Panasonic so far.

Edward is an electronics expert who writes plasma tv reviews. To learn more about the Panasonic TC-P50S1, visit HDTVReviewLab.com