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Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Product Description
Product Details
Video Reviews
Customer Reviews
As for the TV itself, the initial assembly was easy. The stand was very solid and stable, using a total of six stainless steel bolts for fastening to the TV to the stand. The rear panel is also made out of metal - not plastic, which would likely make for more sturdy wall mounting, if that's your choice. The remote also felt solid and worked well. Both the TV and Blu-ray easily programmed with my universal remote, making it even more convenient. The initial TV set-up menus were also easy to navigate and the Viera link automatically recognized and configured the Viera Blu-ray player flawlessly. Watching my local news and the recent World Series with free digital HD broadcast using only rabbit ear antennas in 720p looked awesome. The VZ FiOS TV HD channels looked incredible at 1080i and the Blu-ray movies were nothing short of absolutely breath-taking in 1080p - totally impressive!! The sound on the TV is also well above average for a flat panel, especially after you tweak the bass, treble and surround settings to your taste.
The Panasonic build quality is just what you'd expect: solid with a high gloss, piano black finish. They even include a soft polishing cloth to help preserve the TV's beautiful finish. I am absolutely impressed with the TV and can highly recommend it as an outstanding choice to anyone considering a fine addition for their home entertainment enjoyment. And no matter where you buy, don't be scammed by any in-store, shameless sales-hole trying to hose you with extended warranties or worse yet, overpriced "Monster-profit" HDMI cables. The truth is that you can get a quality 6-9 ft. HDMI cable online at many of the major online sites with no tax and free shipping for about the price of a sandwich! Trust me, there is NO difference; try it yourself and see. Save your hard-earned money for some of your favorite movie titles on Blu-ray. You will absolutely love this TV!! Just be sure and have at least one HD source - like an HD cable/sat. box or a Blu-ray player to enjoy it to it's fullest. I hope my honest review seriously helps anyone out there looking for a great HDTV at a more down-to-earth price. Enjoy life. ((Bob-O!))
I had my mind set on an LCD for the longest time. Supposedly, it was the kind of TV to get as a gamer. No blur, no burn-in: Important things like that. However, that was a year or more ago when I did my initial research. Now, plasma screens no longer have that kind of burn-in issue. Being heavily into gaming, this is perhaps the biggest issue to me. I didn't want to buy a TV that was just going to get ruined.
After telling my ideas to the salesman at HHGreg, he assured me that plasmas were great to use for gaming and this one would actually give me the best picture for what I'll be using it for. And it was a great buy (only $799).
Setup was a breeze right out of the box. I had it hooked up in less than 20 minutes. And 5 of those minutes were spent trying to find a way to get the main part of the box off (hint: It's the white plastic handle-like things on the sides. Unclip, then pull them off), while another 5 was me looking for a screwdriver, and yet another 5 spent on pulling things out of the box. So, if you're quick about it, you can probably get this thing running in 10 minutes.
The first thing I tested on this TV was Band of Brothers on Blu-Ray. Words are almost not enough for how amazing the picture quality is. And, I don't own a surround sound system, so all we had was what came from the TV. I almost wonder if I need a surround sound. Even at low volumes, this TV puts out great, crisp sound.
Next, I needed to see how a game looked. I picked Metal Gear Solid 4. It seemed almost like a completely different game than when I played it when it first came out. Again, everything was so crisp, clean, and clear as far as the visuals and audio was concerned. I have nothing but praise for this TV.
ADDITION!
So, I've had this TV for a couple of weeks and after coming home from work I popped in 'The Office' to watch a few episodes. I fell asleep with it on, and the DVD went to a very static (non-moving) screen for the DVD menu after the episodes on that disc were over. I woke up a little shocked after 6 hours to see the screen like it was. I turned the PS3 off, and saw there was a sliiiiiiiiight bit of image retention. But it cleared up quite quickly after turning it off while I went to some classes.
I still have nothing but praise for this TV, even if it, combined with my PS3, makes my room unbearably hot. It's a great winter investment...
Things to be aware of: 1. This TV has only two HDMI inputs in back, the third is on the side. 2. The stand sticks out 5 inches from the front of the TV which can be an issue if you are putting it into an enclosure because it has to be recessed at least 5 inches.
All in all great TV and might I add great ordering and delivery experience with Amazon!
I purchased this TV in December from Amazon and have been using it for a little over a month now. Here are my thoughts so far:
Delivery: Amazon used Ceva logistics to schedule an appointment with me. I've read mixed reviews and was a little anxious. The tracking number provided by Amazon is missing a last alphanumeric digit (mine was N) which prevented me from tracking it online. If you do call them (which I recommend) they will be able to provide you with the correct tracking number and confirm your appointment. Driver arrived a few hours late, but no big deal. Took it out of the package, set it up, and left.
Picture Quality: Initially I used composite cables to attach it to my HD cable box. I cannot stress enough despite what others might say, spend the 8 dollars or so on Amazon and buy an HDMI cable. It will do wonders for both your picture and sound quality.
-HD Cable: Picture quality is as good if not better than any Sony or Samsung LCD I've seen. The viewing angle is what sets this TV apart from any LCD. If you will be viewing your TV from the sides like I do, save yourself some heartbreak and get this TV. There is absolutely no fade or distortion from any angle. Colors overall are bright. Picture is sharp. Comes in energy saver mode. Change to vivid. No need to mess with the settings other than that unless you can see 1000 shades of green. And no, I did not notice any of the green problems some reviews state.
-Standard Cable: Not that great. I don't really watch standard channels anymore, so can't really comment.
-Blue Ray: One word.. amazing. You really shouldn't watch too many blue-ray movies, because everything else will look like a Monet.
-PS3: Games play really well on this TV. Colors are sharp. I've left it on pause for a few hours at a time. No burn in. No ghosting during fast movements. If you are one of those people who like to download movies/shows (legally of course), get a PS3. You can burn an entire season of a show onto one dvd, and the picture quality is quite amazing on this TV. I wasn't expecting much, but wow.
Sound: I have really sensitive hearing. This TV does make a buzzing noise. It gets better the longer the TV is on, but on power up it can be slightly annoying. I don't think most people can hear this frequency very well, but I can. After a few minutes though it doesn't even bother me. The speakers are fine. With HDMI connections, the volume is louder than you'll need, and it is clear. In a large room, things may be different, but in a bedroom or a smaller room, the TV speakers are more than enough.
Other Thoughts: The TV is on the heavy side. Nothing like a CRT, but because it does not have a swivel stand moving it around can be annoying. The remote is nothing special. I wish it had more functions, but I guess that's what a universal is for. The TV does tend to give off some heat. Not a lot, but noticeable if you get close. Friends always ask why I got a plasma when LCD or LED is the newer technology. For those wondering the same thing. Plasma and LCD have both their pros and cons. You have to remember this is a newer generation plasma, and I would argue that the Panasonic S1 has a better picture than most LCD's out there. Plus it offers this at a cost that is quite reasonable.
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