Panasonic Viera TH-42PX80U 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

I spent a lot of time bouncing between tech forums trying to decide which TV to purchase and I finally chose this one, and I can say I'm very happy with the purchase.

For Gaming - I hooked up my current gen game console to this TV with a HDMI cable and things look great. In the past with old plasma TVs, burn-in or image retention was a problem, but on this TV, I have had VERY LITTLE image retention on this TV (if there ever is any, it is only visible on a blank input screen. Never while there is a game, movie, or tv show on). Many people shy away from plasmas for gaming but that is not a problem on this TV set. If you are really paranoid about it, cycle TV watching with your gaming for the first month or two. On a less stellar note, I was disappointed with the picture quality of the PS2 while playing it on this plasma. Even with quality component cables, the picture quality was a little fuzzy at times, depending on the game. However, this problem is not unique to this plasma but occurs on other HDTVs as well. Just something to take note of.

Other notes: The vibrant colors and the deep, beautiful black colors on this TV are amazing. The TV is quiet, even while muted (no buzzing or humming sounds). I'm quite satisfied with the picture quality on standard definition TV (SDTV). Even with no cable box, the picture quality on channels is better than most other HDTVs I've seen in standard definition. Personally I can't wait to get Hi-definition on it.

Time of ownership: 3-4 months.

After two months of comparing models & prices, reading internet reviews, and visiting stores for hours of free viewing, I finally decided on purchasing the Samsung 42" plasma, due to the family's budget.
Sadly my bedroom's 32" Olevia LCD died in about 15 months, so I really did my homework this time. Unfortunately, my decision to buy was during the no-tax weekend, and the local BB was like a human feeding frenzy.
However this particular day turned out to be advantageous. So anyway, I'm standing in front of the Panasonic 42" Viera and absolutely loving the picture quality! The Samsung and the LG both looked great also, but the Panasonic was noticeably better. The store clerk interrupts me and asks if I'm ready to purchase. I said yes, but informed him that since my "out-the-door" budget was under $1K, I wanted the $897 Samsung. The Panasonic's price tag was $998 + 9.9% state tax.
After checking for availability, he returned and sadly said they were out of the Samsung models until around August 11th. After seeing my reaction, he said; let me talk to my manager. He returned and said, my mgr will not only give you the Panasonic for the price of the Samsung, but you will also receive 10% off! Unbelievable! So I ended up paying $970 out the door!
This plasma looks & feels like pure quality! Even the way it's boxed. The set up was a breeze, and within 15 minutes, we were watching an up conversion of the Matrix. What an experience! This was absolutely the most awesome picture and sound. After about 4 hours of viewing, I felt the rear of the TV, and it was warm to the touch. Not hot like my 32" LCD. Plus I didn't hear any buzzing sounds emitting from the rear, unlike some owners have noted. So here's my take on the Panasonic TH-42PX80U:

Likes:
1. Setup is extremely easy. The stand or mount attaches in about fifteen minutes.
2. Sexy and sleek body. The black gloss and mirrored bottom strip looks futuristic.
3. Very informative and easy to read Owner's Manual. (plenty of picture guides!)
4. Auto tuning was excellent. The Panasonic picked up 16 digital and 4 HD channels with a standard pair of rabbit ears!
5. Picture quality is excellent. Very deep blacks and the colors are crisp, clear and vibrant. (especially the reds, greens and yellows) Absolutely NO GHOSTING!
6. Hi-Def is a sight to behold! Like night and day when compared to my 4 yr old DLP! Also, my Toshiba 1080i HD-DVD movies look awesome! No need to buy a Blu-Ray player........yet.
7. The sound is great! Loud and crisp! No need to hook up a separate receiver, unless you opt for a sub-out. (I love a deep bass)
8. Standard definition looks great via the Direct receiver.
9. (3) HDMI ports, (3) component out, (1) optical, an SD slot, and (2) svideo. (for those who still own a VCR)
10. The remote control is very simple, easy to use, and the buttons are large and clearly labeled.
11. Panasonic's In-Home Concierge Program. You get your own personal 1-800 number for support issues.
12. Panasonic's awesome new plasma technology almost completely eliminates the worries of burn-in & IR (image retention) issues.
13. On-screen component labeling. (ie: DVD, VCR, DVR, etc.)
14. The anti-glare screen.
15. TV turns itself off, in case you fall asleep while watching.
16. Picture quality gets better after initial 100 hr break-in.
17. My wife loves it!

Dislikes:
1. None except the 100 hr break-in period. I can't wait to really see what this plasma is capable of!

Please go view the Panasonic and compare it with the others. The picture quality will convince you that Panasonic is one of the leading plasma producers as it relates to quality, design, technology, and dependability. I promise it will literally blow you away! I'm really glad I decided to purchase the Panasonic instead of the Samsung. Besides, what's spending an extra $100 compared to getting what you really want?
In fact, I'm so pleased with this television, that I'm seriously considering not investing in the $200 extended warranty. I have 30 days to decide, so we'll just wait and see.

This is the 4th Panasonic HDTV that I've purchased in the past 2 years. Always had good luck with them until now. This set worked for about 30 minutes and then the picture and sound were gone. Called Panasonic and waited on hold for over 35 minutes, was put through to the wrong dept. twice (another 15 minutes) and then the person that finally set up an appt. for a repair person to come out was RUDE. The repair was done in less then 48 hrs. and the person who came to the house was terrific. I am, however DONE with Panasonic. The product is good, but when there's poor support it's not worth buying.

I've had it for only 1 day so far. Whereas the manufacturer recommends about 100hrs break-in period, I have seen a huge improvement in picture quality since just in the last 24hrs. Of course, I put the TV on a channel that doesn't constantly show their logo and left it on the whole day while I was at work. Regular standard signal looks very clean for an HD TV set. Its not too grainy at all. HD signal over the air looks sharper. I matched it with a sony upconverting DVD player hooked via HDMI and the sound and image quality is superb. It upconverts automatically to 1080p. This TV has an optical out so you can get the best digital TV sound to your receiver. The one HD station I received broadcaseted in Dolby digital. I picked this set after weeks of research from which I concluded that for a 42 inch TV, you really won't see a difference between 720p vs 1080p. And an added advantage is that 720p looks nicer if you have standard signal for your tv. For those who are picky - the remote looks ugly but it works. Don't waste your money paying the store $300 to "callibrate" your tv. It looks just fine from the store and you can either use preset picture modes or play around with the 'custom' until you're satisfied. Plasma is the best choice! At the store, brighter isn't always better - when comparing plasma vs LCD. Plasma has deeper blacks and more natural colors. Great value - got mine at Best Buy for $999.

This TV is wonderful, it's a visual pleasure every moment you watch a high-def program... great blacks, great colors, great definition, all the time. And it looks good as an object too, although not as good as a Samsung maybe. However, only HD channels look good, others look worse, so you end up with less channels, although I can't do without PBS, Thirteen and the NYC channel, so I watch them anyway, and it's OK.

I also own a Wii and the games have a great definition on it.

It seems that below 46" it's not worth investing in a Full HD TV, which was my only concern about a HD-ready investment.

BTW the delivery man told me it seemed to him every TV he delivered were Panasonic!