The Panasonic TC-P42S1 TV is part of the VIERA series that uses the latest Neo PDP display technology that delivers sharp images and superior details in any video application. This Plasma TV also features one of the best viewing angle and color accuracy performances in the Plasma TV category. Get full High Definition picture quality with this Panasonic TV that also features VIERA Image Viewer and Link capabilities and adds convenience and versatility to the TV’s performance.
A Plasma PDP screen powers this TV’s display. The screen has a 1080p native display format that delivers full HD video quality, perfect for playing Blu-ray movies, playing video games and the likes. The screen has a 16:9 widescreen image aspect ratio with four available modes – Full, Just, Zoom and Normal modes. The screen also incorporates an Anti-Reflective (AR) Filter that effectively limits glare and unnecessary light reflections for a crisper and sharper display. This advanced filter also helps produce an even and blotch-free display for a more accurate color and contrast performance. The edges of the screen show no flashlighting, even when viewing dark scenes and images. The panel life rates at 100000 hours.
The TV’s Dynamic Contrast ratio rates at 2000000:1 with an actual performance of 3900:1. The excellent contrast performance ensures consistent and sharp details in both shadow and highlight of any image or scene. It also ensures accurate skin tone display for a realistic image reproduction. The TV’s deep black and peak brightness levels sit at 0.09 cd/m2 and 400 cd/m2 respectively. The excellent deep black level is a common trait for many Plasma TVs.
Its color accuracy performance is one of its best features. It has solid color saturation and stunning contrast ratios that produce great pictures. The TV reproduces deep black levels and excellent shadow details that nearly rival the Pioneer’s Kuro models.
This Panasonic TV has a pixel orbiter that gradually shifts the images around the screen. This feature prevents temporary image retentions commonly called burn-ins. This Panasonic TV however lacks a Picture-in-Picture feature that allows users to view two video sources simultaneously. It also does not have the capability to freeze TV images temporarily, which is useful when catching phone numbers, for example.
Thanks to its viewing angle of 76 degrees, this TV allows you to view breathtaking images with rich, vivid colors in a wide angle in front of the TV. This performance ensures consistent video quality, no matter where you sit. Its black areas do not fade and colors retain its crispness. Images look beautiful from any angle since plasma TVs are self-illuminating. This is one of the TV’s best attributes.
The Panasonic TC-P42S1 is easy to use right out of the box, having adequate connectivity of three HDMI and two component-video inputs. There are two HDMI inputs on the back and a third on the side. Other back-panel connections include AV input with composite, S-Video and an RF input for antenna or cable. In addition to the HDMI ports and SD card slot, there is an optical digital audio output. The SD/SDHC memory slot supports playback of digital videos (JPEG format). This TV however, doesn’t have an Ethernet port for its VIERA Cast feature.
Its new design looks similar to the old models, despite its more rounded corners and edges. This TV sports the invisible speaker design system with audio coming from the bottom of the panel. Each speaker rates at 10 watts for a total audio output power of 20 watts. The glossy black covers the entire frame, adorned with a slim strip of silver shaped to follow the curved bottom edge of the panel. The TV’s overall aesthetic is stylish and sleek. This TV can easily compliment any room or office design.
The remote is similar to its previous models, but not as good. The tiny VIERA Link, VIERA Tools and SD Card keys are above the central cursor control and look unnecessary. The button designers place each key in an area where users won’t access frequently. The keys’ size, color and shape can help the user differentiate each function.
On the other hand, the new VIERA Tools user interface on the remote control allows an easy access of the photos or movies from the menu screen. The VIERA S1 Series includes VIERA Link and VIERA Image Viewer features that provide convenience and versatility to the TV’s performance.
The VIERA Link connects your TV with a compatible Panasonic DVD recorder, Blu-ray Disc player, home theatre sound system and HD camcorder using a single remote. It is a special feature that allows you to operate several AV devices conveniently, using the TV’s remote control. The VIERA Image Viewer, on the other hand, offers easy to watch full HD images using the SD/SDHC card slot. This slot, found on the left side, accepts SD cards with digital images. Sharing of digital photos directly from SD cards is also a breeze with this VIERA feature. Simply shoot still and motion images with a digital camera or HD camcorder; then, enjoy high resolution, full HD photos and videos with superb image quality and vivid colors on big screen. This VIERA also features an intuitive interface for easy navigation.
The TV’s dimensions are 40.6 x 12.9 x 28 inches (W x D x H), and it weighs approximately 60 lbs with its stand attached. This TV is also ENERGY STAR qualified, giving it power efficiency in both operational and standby modes. This TV consumes approximately 485-watts in operational mode and less than 0.3-watts in standby mode. Its operational power consumption is not as impressive as LCD or LED TVs of the same size. Plasma TVs naturally consume more power in operation than their LCD TV counterparts do.
One of its main competitors in its category is the Sony KDL-40S5100 LCD TV. The Sony TV offers an identical 1080p native display format, but a smaller 40-inch screen. The Sony TV’s deep black level is inferior, at 0.12 cd/m2 but its peak brightness is better at 450 cd/m2. Both TVs offer the identical color accuracy performance and connectivity options. The Sony TV has a far narrower viewing angle of 40-degrees, compared to Panasonic’s 76-degrees.
Get the perfect living room or bedroom TV with the Panasonic TC-P42S1 Plasma TV. Its excellent viewing angle performance ensures consistent color accuracy and video quality in a wide range of angles in front of the screen making it a perfect medium-sized room TV. Its VIERA features and its stylish design deliver a perfect TV that offers convenience without sacrificing its aesthetic value. This is one of the best Plasma TVs in the market.
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Technical Specifications
| Model Type | Plasma |
| Series | S1 |
| Model Year | 2009 |
| VIDEO | . |
| Screen Size | 42″ Class (41.6″ diagonal) |
| Display Resolution | 1080p |
| Contrast Ratio | Dynamic: Infinite Black Native: 40,000:1 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Native Resolution (Number of Pixels) | 2,073,600 (1,920 x 1,080) |
| Pixel Pitch (H x V) | 0.480 x 0.480 mm |
| Moving Picture Resolution | 1080 lines |
| Shades of Gradation | 6,144 equivalent |
| HDTV Display Capability (1080p, 1080i, 720p) | Yes |
| EDTV Display Capability (480p) | Yes |
| Aspect Control | Normal, Just, Zoom, Full, H-fill |
| Panel | G12 Progressive 1080p HD NeoPDP (Plasma Display Panel) |
| Screen Coating (Filter) | New AR (Anti-Reflective) Filter |
| Progressive Scan | Yes |
| 600Hz Sub-field Drive | Yes |
| 24p Cinematic Playback | No |
| 24p Playback(2:3) | Yes |
| Digital Cinema Color | No |
| Deep Color | Yes |
| x.v.Color | No |
| Studio Ref Mode | No |
| Pro Setting | No |
| THX Mode | No |
| Motion Adaptive 3D Y/C Digital Comb Filter | Yes |
| 3D Color Management | No |
| Sub Pixel Control | No |
| Motion Pattern Noise Reduction | Yes |
| 600 Hz Sub-field Drive | Yes |
| AUDIO | . |
| Speakers | Full-range x 2 (L, R) |
| Number of Speakers | 2 |
| Audio Output | 20 W ( 10% THD ) (6 ohms, 150 Hz – 16 kHz) |
| BBE® VIVA HD3D Sound | No |
| Surround Sound | Yes |
| INPUTS & JACKS | . |
| Integrated ATSC Tuner | Yes |
| SD Memory Card Slot (SDHC Compatible) | Y (JPEG playback) |
| HDMI Input | 3 (1 side) |
| Analog Audio Input (for HDMI) | Yes |
| Composite Video Input | 2 (1 side) |
| S-Video Input | 1 |
| Audio Input (for Video) | 2 (1 side) |
| PC Input | No |
| Component Video Inputs (Y, PB, PR) | 2 |
| Audio Input (for Component Video) | 2 |
| RS232C | No |
| Analog Audio Output | No |
| Digital Audio Output | 1 |
| LAN Port | No |
| CONVENIENCE | . |
| VIERA Link™ | Yes |
| VIERA Cast™ (IPTV) | No |
| VIERA® Tools | Yes |
| Game Mode | Yes |
| Pixel Orbiter (Anti-Image Retention) | Yes |
| Menu Languages | English/Spanish/French |
| V-Chip Program Lockout | Yes |
| Built-In Closed Caption Decoder | Yes |
| Timers | Yes |
| Video Input Label | Yes |
| Video Picture Memory | Yes |
| Remote Control | IR |
| GENERAL | . |
| Power Supply | AC 120 V, 60Hz |
| Rated Power Consumption | 485 W |
| Standby Power Consumption | 0.3 W |
| On Mode Average Power Consumption | 173 W |
| Energy Star | Yes |
| Receiving System | ATSC/QAM/NTSC |
| Operating Temperature | 32°F – 104°F (0°C – 40°C) |
| Safety Standard | UL6500/C-UL |
| Swivel Angle | No |
| Optional Wall-mounting Bracket | TY-WK4P1RW |
| SPECIFICATIONS | . |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) with Stand | 28.0″ x 40.6″ x 12.9″ |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) without Stand | 26.1″ x 40.6″ x 4.2″ |
| Weight (lbs.) w/Stand | 59.6 lbs |
| Weight (lbs.) without Stand | 57.4 lbs |
| Carton Dimensions | 30.4″ x 45.6″ x 11.2″ |
| Gross Weight [lbs (kg)] | 72.8 lbs. (33.0 kg) |