EDTV design (all signals displayed at 480p) * receives and decodes digital HDTV/SDTV signals from over-the-air broadcasts (antenna required) and cable TV service (CableCARD required) * widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio * 852 x 480 pixels * 4000:1 contrast ratio * 160?(H) x 160?(V) viewing angle *
Panasonic's flat-panel, big-screen, VIERA series TH-42PD25U/P will make you fall in love with movies all over again. The 42-inch, 852 x 480-pixel gas-plasma TV offers a 16:9 widescreen dimension, a JPEG photo-viewing SD Card slot, and an HDMI input for direct-digital connection with EDTV-resolution (480p) sources. Its ATSC tuner pulls 480p signals right out of the airwaves, however, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming, and 2-tuner/split-screen picture-in-picture gives you unparalleled viewing convenience with scalable image sizes.
The set's authorized CableCARD ability means the set will also receive digital cable television systems services directly from the cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box.
With a plasma screen you get vivid colors like you've never seen before, extremely wide viewing angles (wider, even, than those of most LCD screens), and easy placement due to a plasma monitor's slim profile--the TH-42PD25U/P is a mere 5.5 inches deep, 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-42PD25U/P's contrast ratio is rated at an extraordinarily lifelike 4,000:1, and the TV is capable of producing over 1 billion colors. Picture-enhancing technologies include the Mach Band Effect Enhancer, a Gamma Enhancement System, and Panasonic's New Real Black Drive System.
The way human eyes perceive objects is influenced by the colors of the objects surrounding it; this is known as the mach band effect. The TH-42PD25U/P's mach band effect enhancer uses this principle to improve image sharpness and vividness. And Panasonic's New Real Black drive system further enhances image clarity and realism to help the display reach its stunning 4,000:1 contrast ratio.
The set's gamma enhancement system, meanwhile, imparts greater nuance to dark scenes and heightens image depth by increasing the number of gradation shades at low brightness levels (the unit is capable of rendering a total of 1,536 shades). The gamma enhancement system employs non-linear signal processing to reproduce images that help accommodate the high sensitivity of the human eye.
A handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format is 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown reversal digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) offers uncompressed digital data transmission between compatible devices, as between the TH-42PD25U/P and a DTV satellite receiver. Other connections include dual SD/ED component-video inputs, 3 each composite- and S-video inputs, and front-panel AV jacks for easy hookup with external devices, including an RGB PC input (15-pin mini D-Sub). A set of composite-video-based AV outputs (including an optical digital-audio output) simplifies hookup with an external AV receiver and speaker system.
The TV's internal stereo speakers are powered by 8 watts total per channel. BBE ViVA HD3D surround processing creates authentic-sounding 3D effects and exceptional sound-stage imaging, helping to ensure optimal clarity for centrally staged audio material such as dialogue. Artificial intelligence sound automatically adjusts the volume level on your TV to prevent wide variations in sound between different TV stations and types of programming.
Other features include V-Chip Program lockout, picture freeze, on/off sleep timers, a remote control, and closed-caption decoding.
What's in the Box
TV, remote control, remote batteries (2 AA), a pedestal base, an AC power cord, F-type coaxial antenna adapters, ferrite cores, 2 clampers, a warranty card, a customer card, and a service-center list.
1 Extremely Happy, Use the Cable Card!
Picked this unit up a few weeks ago and I am very happy with its performance. This system converts whatever signal it receives into 480p, and it does it very well. 1080i broadcasts are a dream, 780p are excellent, and the 480i from digital and analog are both great. In fact, my standard 480i analog channels are much cleaner than ever before. I tested out the reason why and determined it is due to using the cable card (via Time warner Cable). Without the cable card analog signals are fuzzier, with more noise.
I tested this by taking the same analog signals into the TV from a set top box component outputs, and also tried taking them through a new Toshiba TIVO system component outputs. These analog signals are degraded relative to using the cable card. It makes sense; when the signal has to go through these boxes it comes in as analog, is processed through the boxes inferior tuners, is converted to digital, and then back to analog as it exits the box. The TV must then convert it back to 480p digital before displaying it. With the cable card it comes into the card as analog, goes though a quality tuner, and is immediately converted to 480p digital. The resulting 480p signal is quite impressive, basically making the analog signals as high-quality as the standard digital signals.
The overall system is quite impressive; I now have my TIVO (with DVD), audio receiver, and VCR all working from the panasonic remote control.
The speaker system a fine for family and normal listening. But you would be missing out if you didn't take the optical digital audio output into a Dolby Digital receiver for surround sound.
My only complaint with the system has been reversed; I originally didn't like the fact that using the remote to cycle through the different inputs was a drag. With so many inputs (Video 1, Video 2, Component 1, etc.) it is a drag pressing the input button 6 times just to cycle through them to get back to the cable TV input. But I discovered an apparently undocumented feature; you can go directly back to the cable TV input from any other input by pressing the Channel button. SWEET. No more cycling through inputs.
I am an electrical engineer and former satellite installer. I researched these systems very thoroughly (who wouldn't for $2800) before I purchased. Take it from me, this is just as good, and in fact better than an HDTV unit. Consider that an HDTV (as opposed to en EDTV) will not display analog signals as well, or 480i digital as well. This is because it needs to process and add so much to the signal in order to convert it into its native format. This unit shows it just like it is, at 480p. Anything above 480 looks just as good as HD. Can't tell the difference between an HD system and this one with 1080i and 780p!
2 Outstanding Value
Pros: Complete and up to date in every respect out of the box, with built-in HDTV tuner, table stand, speakers, optical audio output, cable card, HDMI interface, six additional rear inputs plus one complete set in front including RGB for total connection flexibility. Critically acclaimed picture quality.
Cons: Speakers are not detachable, default picture settings too high.
Comments: I researched HDTV's for more than a year before taking the plunge. There are pros and cons to all available formats, but I decided I liked plasma best.
Plasma TV's are like puppies: If you like them, it's hard not to like them all. Nonetheless, Panasonic leads the market and this model is the most universally well-reviewed plasma available, especially at its price (Consumer Reports to the contrary).
The picture on this ED set is slightly less detailed than on the HD model, but the difference is subtle and not worth $1500 to me.
I might have preferred the simpler styling and narrower width of the speakerless commercial version (TH-42PWD7UY), but after adding a tuner, stand and HDMI, the commercial model would have cost considerably more than the consumer TH-42PD25U, which also has a better warranty and local dealer support.
It's a mystery to me why all manufacturers don't make speakers removable, as at this still early stage of acceptance, the vast majority of buyers must have separate sound systems to go with their expensive monitors. Sony, at least, provides for using their built-in speakers for the center channel, a big help with wall-mounted installations.
Choosing a TV set on a sales floor is difficult and frustrating. Too much depends on the picture settings and even the quality of the feeds. I compared my two finalists, this Panasonic to the Sony KE42M1 in several locations, preferring the Panasonic in some stores and the Sony in others. It was a close call, but in the end, I chose the Panasonic as a better value, with its built-in HDTV tuner and lower price as well as amenities such as PIP and greater connectivity.
I was impressed with the natural color I saw on the Panasonic in some stores, but had a hard time achieving it at home. The factory presets turn the picture control to its maximum in several settings, probably a recipe for shortened panel life. The factory's color balance was too green for my taste as well.
After several days of experimentation and fine-tuning, I finally achieved the look I had admired. Broadcast program quality is variable, but the best over the air HDTV pictures are stunning, and well-mastered DVD's are theatre clear.
A pleasant surprise was that the ATSC/QAM tuner pulled in perfect pictures from my 40-year-old rooftop antenna. In my location, several analog channels are unviewable due to ghosting caused by Chicago's tall buildings. I only watch them via satellite, so was uncertain what would happen when I tried the digital tuner. It was also fun to discover more than two dozen digital channels are broadcasting, albeit not all in HD.
3 Don't be a victim of Fraud
A customer who finds an unbelievably cheap price of the market seller must know:
1)They want you to contact them before ordering
2)They want you to send money not thru Amazon payment but thru
the other line, such as Western Union
3)They return confirmation email to you such as "support@amazon.com" or "Amazon Customer Service [THEIR EMAIL ADDRESS). A customer will surely believe that it was from Amazon. Yet, if you check your email, you may find that your sent-email to "support@amazon.com" failed to be sent.
4) Once you send your money to them thru Western Union as they suggested, your money is gone!
5) BE CAREFUL! Only pay resonable price and thru directly Amazon.
4 Very Pleased
This plasma is an excellent choice for those of you who don't want to pay the higher prices of an HDTV. You are really not missing much. Superb display for DVD movies and sporting events. The fact that it has a cable card slot is perfect for me although you can't order movies-on-demand with the cable card. While that might bother some it dosen't bother me because I usually watch movies from the DVD. The cable card allows you to have cable without having a cable box which leaves more room on your tv stand for home theatre equipment if you have that. More than likely you will want to hook up a home theatre system to have sound as spectaculer as the picture. But if you want the audio straight from the TV, that's pretty decent too. The one year in-home manufacturers warranty is a plus for an added sense of security that it won't break down. I also purchased the stand that goes with it and it complements the TV nicely.
On the downside, is the gray bars on either side of the picture when viewing in the 4:3 format. The manual says that can cause burn-in if the 4:3 format is used for long periods of time. Fortunately, I generally don't use that format so it may not be a problem for me. Also, there is 1 - 2 second delay when swithing channels. I don't know if that is because of the cable card. Those are the only 2 things that stops me from giving this a 5 star rating. However, I've only had this tv for 2 months and I'm still exploring all the neat new features.
5 One of the best values now for a highly-rated plasma
This TV has a great picture with a DVD source! Remarkably better than the (old) Sony 32"XBR it replaced. For cable sources I prefer the Sony for a few reasons. First, most cable sources are 4:3 ratio and the picture is about the same size on this TV. Second, when looking at a 4:3 source with the grey bars on the sides I worry about (but haven't seen) burn-in. All-in-all it is a good purchase, lots of options for aspect ratio, color adjustment,and inputs (including computer).
