Panasonic's 42-inch TH-42PX500U gas-plasma TV offers a 16:9 widescreen dimension to match the aspect ratio of your favorite feature films and an HDMI input for direct-digital connection with high-definition sources. Not that you necessarily need them--the 1366 x 768-pixel set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. The set's authorized CableCARD port means the set will also receive digital cable television systems services directly from a compatible cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box. You'll enjoy plug-and-play convenience wherever you are.
A plasma screen renders vivid colors like you've never seen before (as in, up to 8.85 billion in this case), extremely wide viewing angles (wider, even, than those of most LCD screens), and easy placement due to a plasma monitor's slim profile--just 5.4 inches--perfect for desk or wall mounting. Brightness tends to be extremely uniform across plasma screens, which are also impervious to the picture distortion and negative color balances that afflict CRT monitors when placed near lighting or sound systems.
The TH-42PX500U's contrast ratio is rated at an extraordinarily lifelike 3000:1, and its fine, 0.80 x 0.64 mm dot pitch means exceptionally smooth detail. With the 3D Y/C Filter you get minimized noise and cross color in your picture, providing you with a top quality picture, and the all-important quality you require from a large screen television set.
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) offers uncompressed digital data transmission between compatible devices, as between the TH-42PX500U and a DTV satellite receiver. JPEG images taken with a digital camera that stores images to a Secure Digital card can be viewed directly on the Panasonic with the built-in SD card slot. It also offers the following connection options:
- Composite AV In/Out: 3 in (1 front)/1 out
- S-Video In/Out: 3 in/0 out
- Component video (YPbPr) In/Out: 2 in/0 out
- HDMI In/Out: 1 in/0 out
- RF In/Out: 1 in/0 out
- Analog audio In/Out: 3 in (1 front)/2 out
- Digital optical audio In/Out: 0 in/1 out
- Headphones: xx
Other features include split screen picture-in-picture (PIP), TV Guide On Screen 8-day program guide, V-Chip parental controls, on/off sleep timers, an illuminated remote control, and closed-caption decoding.
What's in the Box
Plasma TV, detachable tilt/swivel stand, remote control (with batteries), AC cord, two cable clampers, IR blaster, printed operating instructions
Customer Review: 42 " Plasma HD ready
Great set, except when viewing HD the commericals are very loud, especially the background music. Also, was not told that in order to view HD I would be required to purchase a special cable box and the monthly cable fee would be greatly increased (Dish network)
Customer Review: Nice Picture, BAD Service
We bought or Panasonic in October 2005. We installed a cable card but were unhappy with the lack of a DVR. Almost immediately the TV Guide feature failed, then the clock, then the re-call program data feature. We got a new tuner installed (took 4 weeks) and then failed again. After 4 service calls (they recorded 2 because "they don't count until we fix it"). In February, Comcast came out and pulled the 'not ready for prime time cable card' and installed a cable box. The TV's features were built around the cable card and the service guys told me they are nothing but trouble. The second tuner was defective from the factory so they put the lame one back in. By now it was April and 5 months after buying my new plasma I've had very little use of the features I paid for, So I got a hold of Panasonic and they told me about the jerk (Peterson) field service rep who plays God about who gets a new TV. Long story short, you need to hire an attorney when you purchase a Panasonic product. It's now June, and after taking my TV into their shop for 3 weeks it finally works. But I have a used TV I've barely used and never again will I buy Panasonic.
Panasonic has high-def TVs that are consistently ranked high, and they have a commanding lead in making exceptional plasma TVs. In particular, the Panasonic Viera line has produced exceptional plasma TVs that, while on the expensive side, are affordable for most home users. The Viera doesn't have the very best plasma qualities - the blacks aren't quite as velvety as on some brands, and the contrast is just a little off - but Panasonic has some qualities that make up for it. For instance, they have a THX mode that creates the closest 3-D illusion you'll find on the market today. Overall, these televisions are among the very best on the market today.
Pioneer is a good brand to go with, though they are not quite up to the standards of the top-line high-def TVs because, surprisingly, of some programming issues. The Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD plasma TV has consistently ranked at the top of the heap for its exceptional black color and its great resolution and contrast. However, there are some issues; its color programming is a little off, which means not that you'll have bad color but that you'll have trouble tweaking things to suit yourself. Pioneer also prices its sets high in comparison to the rest of the market - not surprising when you consider its overall quality. If you don't mind a little fiddling, however, you will probably find the Pioneer sets to be superior even to the excellent Panasonic.
Samsung is emerging as a top player in both rear-projection DLP TVs and in LCD TVs. Their LN52A65 model has surprisingly deep black colors for an LCD TV, though the tradeoff may be the shiny screen that picks up a lot of glare in lit rooms. In their DLP department, the HL61A750 rear-projection model has, like the LCD model, surprisingly good blacks for a DLP TV, and everything else about the set performs at or above expected level for a good DLP. Of the two, the LCD TV gives superior performance, but the DLP set is an incredibly good value for what you get.
Sony does not do as well with plasma TVs as Panasonic, but it does very well with more digital technology like LCD and DLP. Their Bravia line of LCD TVs, like the Samsung models, have excellent black reproduction, and overall the sets are truly excellent for both television viewing and use as a monitor or gaming system. Oddly, the main problem with Bravias may be that they are TOO good; complaints are mostly about the picture being unnaturally smooth rather than the more usual problem with jittery images. Almost exactly the same goods and bads were reported about Sony's rear-projection DLPs (not surprising as the programming is similar), though the projection models were significantly cheaper.
You'll find that once you exit the top brand names that quality does begin to suffer, though prices come down a bit. For a television you want to have for years, though, is the couple of hundred dollars in savings really make it worth getting an inferior TV?
SNS Designs, Inc. owns a number of websites. They carry wide selection of High Def TV, Samgung LCD TV, Plasma TV. They offer the most popular in home theatre and a number of televisions that range from Sony, Pioneer to LG that everyone can afford.
Panasonic Plasma TV 58 inch
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