Panasonic TH-42PD60U 42-Inch Plasma EDTV

The realism of a TV's image is strongly linked to its contrast ratio, and this plasma features a high contrast ratio of up to 10,000:1. Such a wide range from black to white means great depth and dimensionality with vibrant colors?and this plasma can display an incredible 29 billion colors for a superior picture. Deep blacks provide excellent shadow detail during dark scenes, while brilliant whites allow our plasmas to render bright scenes with vivid realism.
As an EDTV with an 852x480 screen resolution, this 42" (diagonal) magnificent widescreen TV delivers optimal performance of all currently available TV shows and DVD recordings. It has both NTSC analog and ATSC digital TV tuners. When used with an optional HDTV antenna, the ATSC tuner can receive free over-the-air widescreen HDTV shows. The plasma display is incapable of presenting those images at 720p or 1080i resolutions. In addition to A/V, S-Video and Component-Video connectors, this set also has an HDMI port. An HDMI connector accepts high-quality digital video and audio via the same thin cable, allowing you to run one cable from the source to the TV. 2 Front Speakers - 10 Watts power to each speaker - stereo sound Connectivity - HDMI Input 1; Analog Audio Input (for HDMI) 1; Composite Video Input 2; S-Video Input 2; Audio Input (for Video) 2; Component Video Input (Y, PB, PR) 2; Audio Input (for Component Video) 2; Composite Video Output 1; Audio Output 1; Digital Audio Output 1 Unit Dimensions With Stand (H x W x D) 30.1 x 42.0 x 12.6; Dimensions Without Stand (H x W x D) 27.6 x 42.0 x 3.8 / Unit Weight With Stand 68.3 lbs. (31 kg) / Without Stand 63.9 lbs. (29 kg) Sleeper and On/Off Timers V-Chip for parental control over children's viewing An EDTV doesn't have enough pixels for true HDTV resolution but still offers a superior picture to most currently used TV models
Customer Review: Panasonic TH-42PD60U 42" Plasma EDTV
I recommend this TV be used with a HD receiver to get the best out of it. The TVs surround sound isnt that great, you can see a litle shadowing when viewing up close, but looks great from normal viewing distance. It is very bright which is good. The remote is great, it is pretty large with big buttons. I also recommend connecting DVD players, HD Tuners, etc. with the HDMI connector, it reallly make the movies look and sound better. You dont have to buy an expensive cable, I know amazon sells some for like $1.50. Over all this TV is great for the bedrooms, but for the living room, try getting a 1080p plasma, this one is only 480p
Customer Review: Hard to believe it's not 1080p
I have been researching TV's for the last few months and doing some serious demos of the various types of sets, DLP, LCD Plasma etc. Today I was in Tweeter comparing 1080p sets. All the sets were displaying the same satellite HDTV signal. I was studying the Samsungs, Sony Bravias and Pioneer Elites when I spotted this 42" Panasonic. I was amazed with the picture, it was so sharp, had such high contrast with such deep blacks, natural colors and 3D depth of image. I looked closer and saw that it was a 480p plasma. I couldn't believe it. I sat there scratching my head. Here was a $999 480p set blowing away $5000 1080p LCD and plasma sets! How could this be? How can this set be so good? I still don't know but will do further research. Understand this set is not HDTV, it is EDTV with a maximum resolution of 852 x 480. However it clearly produced a better looking picture than all the 1080p sets including the Panasonic ones! Quite a miracle.

HDTVs with 1080p resolution comprise of 1,920x1,080 pixels, which is the current highest HDTV resolution available in the market. Televisions like, the best Plasma TVs, are now capable of displaying images with this highest resolution in high definition broadcasts. These TVs offer more than double the resolution than the other step-down models, which typically have 1,366x768, 1,280x720, or 1,024x768 matrix formations. HDTV TVs with any of these resolutions fall under 720p category.

Prices of 1080p HDTVs are dropping to a range which is becoming affordable to people. Under such circumstances, the big question is whether you should go for a 720p HDTV resolution, or if you should spend a bit more and get 1080p HDTV. With all the interest that is being generated by 1080p Plasma TVs, the best solution would be to go in for 720p. The reasoning is that, with your viewing material being primarily in standard definition DVD, and HDTV broadcast of sports, there is hardly any difference in viewing between 720p vs 1080p. The HD broadcasts from Fox, ESPN, and ABC are in native 720p, and the images look as good when viewed on a 720p HDTV resolution. The enhancement of resolution in a 1080p HDTV will not be noticed at all since the broadcast signals have limitations to 720p.

There are few prime time broadcasts from CBS, NBC, and other networks which are in 1080i, and quite often your 1080p HDTV has the potential to display the images slightly sharper than what you would find in a 720p HDTV. This difference is not much in a real life scenario, and could be hardly noticed, since the 1080i signals viewed with a 720p HDTV resolution would look good to a high degree. Never-the-less, if you sit close to view a 1080p Plasma TV, viewing a program being broadcast in 1080i, you might notice some difference. But from a higher viewing distance, the difference cannot be noticed. Ideally you would want to get the right screen size and display resolution for the distance you will be sitting at.

The real advantage that you can get out of 1080p HDTV resolution is that, you can get the full effect of viewing from your HD DVD, and Blue Ray which are the only native 1080p sources. The pictures from HD DVD and Blue Ray discs are displayed on your TV screen as full 1920x1080 per frame of video, and are best viewed with 1080p HDTV. If you are a home theater enthusiast, and you have a hobby to upgrade your home theater hardware, 1080p HDTV resolution would indeed add more to your entertainment. Of course, you get this added benefit only if you sit at the right distance.

The trend of 1080p HDTV in the market is growing, as the price keeps on falling. People are going in for 1080p HDTV resolution as it comes within the manageable price range. However, a large majority of consumers are still not convinced about purchasing 1080p HDTVs yet, and would like to wait until the broadcasts are available to make any sense in having 1080p HDTV resolution. The market is still offering its best deals on 720p HDTVs, and for consumers who rents DVDs, or watches Sunday sports and action movies the picture quality of a 720p HDTV may be enough.

If you want to read more about Plasma TV & HDTV Resolution and find out more important details as well as a visual comparison (side by side pictures) of 720p vs 1080p come and visit our site. We also maintain a top of best plasma TV models on the market. You will find that very valuable if you intend to buy a plasma TV and want to get the best one out there.

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