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Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV


  • 057 4  The Panasonic S1 series is a pretty good overall tv . the only thing I'm not a huge fan of is the anti-glare screen . the anti-glare is definatly noticably less reflective then your standard gloss plasma screen but the standard high gloss screen gives a little better picture . I have this tv in a basement and it would have been better with the gloss screen . If you have a moderatley lit room but want a plasma then this would be perfect for you . I cant coment on the sound as i've never herd the tv's speakers I have evything run straight to a hometheater system . I would recomend this tv to a friend looking for a 40 + ' ' tv under $1000 .
    • 018 4  I love this ! The picture is very clear , and the controls / menu functions are easy to navigate . They also delivered very quickly . Very satisfied .
    • 108 4  I really shouldn't complain . . . but why not ? We have a Sony 46in 1080p , 2 yrs . old ( $1,600 then ) , mid-level model . Image quality of HD stuff ( Verizon FIOS , only transmits 1080i currently ) knocks me out . Picture has resolution , detail , brightness , color . . almost a feeling that you walk through the damn screen into the scene , a depth and ' solidity ' to objects , just breathtaking . And I haven't gotten tired of the experience . ( I do not work for SONY , no other disclosures ) . So for my 70th birthday , I decided to get a plasma 40 - 42in 1080p to watch my stuff : plasma picture is better , blacks this , color that , price . So I get the S1 and the picture doesn't measure up to the SONY . I've adjusted / played with the modes , adjusted the brightness , saturation , sharpness parameters , etc . , and only with some material , here and there , do I get the ' SONY ' experience . Unfair comparison ? Any Ideas ?

  • 072 4  I bought the Panasonic after much research & comparison . I was waiting for the earlier issues of plasma T。
    's to be resolved . I knew that the color was more vibrant than any LCD I had ever seen , but was worried about all the things that would sour my eventual purchase . Price , viewing angle , power consumption , screen burn-in , heat , weight , contrast ratio , ease of operation , etc . As time passed one by one every concern I had about plasma was resolved to a more than acceptable level . The TV has the easiest set-up menu I have ever seen and within 20 minutes of dragging the box in the door I had assigned the TV inputs to my SAT HDMI , my Blu-Ray to another input , my outside antenna to but another , and was watching HDTV . If you are someone who isn't real handy with technical babel I highly recommend this TV . The picture is amazing , and I was very surprised to how well the ' on-board ' speakers sound . It was a great deal , super fast delivery to my door by UPS , easy to set-up & use , and has been an absolute joy since I got it . If they had a sixth star I would rate it six out of six ! My son who has been leaning towards the new LED T。
    's came by to see mine and after about five minutes of being completely blown-away has since ordered a 58 Panasonic plasma for himself . The 2,000,000 - 1 contrast ratio really makes a difference in the sharpness & the blacks etc . For fast moving sporting events this plasma is the best I have ever seen & I have been staring at plasmas for five years waiting for all their quirks to be improved . Amazing TV and better than the Samsung that cost a thousand dollars more .
    • 050 4  I was looking for a bare bones but great picture HDTV . I reviewed all the pros and cons of plasma vs . LCD and decided to stick with Plasma . Price / performance of the screen is still in plasma's favor IMHO . I didn't want Internet connectivity and extra software . I also wanted a TV that was straight forward to connect devices with easy access . The first TV I received was dead on arrival , just got a buzz when I turned it on . I highly recommend when you receive any large electronics you test it prior to letting the delivery person go . I had to refuse the shipment and immediately called Amazon to have another one sent . . . great service ! The picture quality is crisp and the colors jump out at you . Keep in mind that if you have TV that is still in SD then you won't see the benefits of the HDTVs . I am using over the air HD and it's been impressive so far . I have watched bluray off my PS3 and played games at 1080p , you will not be disappointed , especially in game mode . The viewing angles are impressive and great for any size room . A slight knock is that sound is not going to impress you . I have heard other HDT。's with better sound but you won't complain about it either . Just medium quality . The remote's button arrangement can be improved . I find myself having to adjust the remote in my had to use various buttons . Only wish I have is that for digital channels it had a guide to select the channel you want to switch to rather than either entering the channel number or surfing through them .
    • 072 4  I bought the Panasonic after much research & comparison . I was waiting for the earlier issues of plasma T。's to be resolved . I knew that the color was more vibrant than any LCD I had ever seen , but was worried about all the things that would sour my eventual purchase . Price , viewing angle , power consumption , screen burn-in , heat , weight , contrast ratio , ease of operation , etc . As time passed one by one every concern I had about plasma was resolved to a more than acceptable level . The TV has the easiest set-up menu I have ever seen and within 20 minutes of dragging the box in the door I had assigned the TV inputs to my SAT HDMI , my Blu-Ray to another input , my outside antenna to but another , and was watching HDTV . If you are someone who isn't real handy with technical babel I highly recommend this TV . The picture is amazing , and I was very surprised to how well the ' on-board ' speakers sound . It was a great deal , super fast delivery to my door by UPS , easy to set-up & use , and has been an absolute joy since I got it . If they had a sixth star I would rate it six out of six ! My son who has been leaning towards the new LED T。's came by to see mine and after about five minutes of being completely blown-away has since ordered a 58 Panasonic plasma for himself . The 2,000,000 - 1 contrast ratio really makes a difference in the sharpness & the blacks etc . For fast moving sporting events this plasma is the best I have ever seen & I have been staring at plasmas for five years waiting for all their quirks to be improved . Amazing TV and better than the Samsung that cost a thousand dollars more .
    • 075 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I am really please with the Panasonic . I rated the sound 5 stars , but i have to point out that i have it connected to my sound system and not using the T。's sound . I didn't try it with direct hookup . With this hookup , i have theatre type sound . The picture is really crisp and clear . The colors are vibrant . Hooked to cable using HD service , there is almost a 3D depth to the scenes .
    • 076 4  I am really please with the Panasonic . I rated the sound 5 stars , but i have to point out that i have it connected to my sound system and not using the T。's sound . I didn't try it with direct hookup . With this hookup , i have theatre type sound . The picture is really crisp and clear . The colors are vibrant . Hooked to cable using HD service , there is almost a 3D depth to the scenes .
    • 083 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Positive - This TV is the first big purchase I have made in many years . I am very happy with the TV , the colors look amazing , the controls are easy , and it's easy to set up . Does everything I wanted it to do , with a good name brand to back it . One of my favorite features of the TV is that there are volume controls , channel controls , Menu , and Input all on the side of the TV . That means when you loose your remote , and all you want to do is play some playstation with your friends , instead of wasting your life looking for it you can just walk up to the tv and hit the input button . This was glorious to me because I loose my remote allot and all of the previous T。's I have had you need a remote to use the input button . Negative - Sometimes things look a little green when the TV tries to go in cinema mode . I think its supposed to make things look darker or something . I dont know I dont like it , I usually turn the colors on cool and turn the contrast up so I dont even notice it . If your going to be watching some hockey on this baby , put the color temperature on Cool , the ice looks way way better .
    • 084 4  Positive - This TV is the first big purchase I have made in many years . I am very happy with the TV , the colors look amazing , the controls are easy , and it's easy to set up . Does everything I wanted it to do , with a good name brand to back it . One of my favorite features of the TV is that there are volume controls , channel controls , Menu , and Input all on the side of the TV . That means when you loose your remote , and all you want to do is play some playstation with your friends , instead of wasting your life looking for it you can just walk up to the tv and hit the input button . This was glorious to me because I loose my remote allot and all of the previous T。's I have had you need a remote to use the input button . Negative - Sometimes things look a little green when the TV tries to go in cinema mode . I think its supposed to make things look darker or something . I dont know I dont like it , I usually turn the colors on cool and turn the contrast up so I dont even notice it . If your going to be watching some hockey on this baby , put the color temperature on Cool , the ice looks way way better .

  • 082 4  TV did not arrive at my house as promised . When I called the day it was to be delivered , the delivery company did not have my phone number to call me . I had to drive to the warehouse to pick up the TV , as they were to booked at that point to deliver and set up . My son and I picked up the TV and set it up , it was very easy to get up and going , but the components and my digital box did not talk to one another-the next few days the cable company came out and fixed the problem . TV is beautiful in living room , and everyone that sees the picture , says it is beautiful . . I like the big screen and I feel that I got a great deal for the TV and bonus dvd player . I would recommend Amazon to anyone , but make sure they have your number or you could be waiting at home for a long time .
    • 010 4  The whole process of purchasing and receiving this tv was absolutely trouble free . We experienced very bad customer service at Best Buy so we decided to try an online purchase of a big ticket item . Amazon made everything so simple . The delivery was just as simple because they called us and asked when would be convenient . They were actually early on the exact date ! ! ! ! ! We may never go to a store again ! ! ! !
    • 036 4  Couldn't be happier with this tv . Admittedly , the tv this one replaced was a 9 year old Sony tube that was starting to fade which made the difference more dramatic . Easy set up out of the box and the picture is fantastic . I did a lot of research before buying and kept coming back to this unit . It lacks some of the bells and whistles of the more expensive units but I wouldn't have used those extras anyway . If you're the average tv watcher you will love this set .
    • 120 4  I saw one other review that mentioned the panasonic power supply issue . Mine happened 45mins after turning the unit on . . . search the goog this is a fairly common issue . Amazon will ship a replacement unit , panasonic will send out a technician . I hope both methods are not just band aids until the product breaks when they are no longer responsible for the repairs .

  • 090 4  Great Plasma . Awesome picture when connected to the XBOX 360 , whether a game or movie is being played . I really enjoy this product . Sometimes , I have to use a standard def signal , which does not look good on this particular television , but the High Def signals are amazing .
    • 015 4  Great tv . excellent picture , good color , does fine in a well lit room or a dark one . Great black levels . Anti-glare feature works great . Sound quality is good . Enjoyed watching the game on a Sunday afternoon . 42 inch is a good size for a living room .

  • I live approx . 6 mi from the TV transmitters in my area . Previous TV for comparison : JVC D-series 27 CRT w / Insignia SD tuner box Other equipment : B & W speakers , Pioneer Elite receiver , Oppo BluRay player Tech level : High . I read AVSForum , listen to tech podcasts , and program computers for a living . Also note , this is my first HDTV purchase , and I made some mistakes in the process , so I'll share them with you so that you can perhaps avoid them . Advantages : - The fact that you get a performance plasma for a low price means this unit is a great value . You'd be hard pressed to find another plasma that has the performance / price ratio this one does . - It * is * a plasma . As such , you get spot-on motion resolution ( very natural ! ) , wide viewing angles , and good black levels . It produces a very nice , non-fatiguing picture , which many LCDs simply can't compete with , at or above this price point . - Optical audio output works very well ; it can even put out 2 - channel audio from HDMI input sources out over optical . - I thought I would hate the glass face ( potentially reflective ) , but I found that if you don't have lights back where you sit , it actually brings the picture out and makes it look better . Disadvantages : - The color performance on this display is so-so . People , in general , tend to look pale and bland ( too green ) , especially with DVD , SDTV material on TV after using a calibration disc . Out of the box it was too yellow . It's kinda boring to look at , perhaps like you're watching a lake with a mild algae infestation . Most of the Panasonic THX plasmas ( G10 , V10 ) above this model aren't this bad , so you may want to spend more if you don't like the color on the S1 . Note : With truly HD or BluRay material , I've found the color doesn't bother me as much and I'm okay with it . I'm not sure why , maybe its the way the S1 does color conversion . In short , this HDTV cannot provide a picture that's remotely close to reference , even with significant tweaking . It's better than many of it's peers , but it still falls short . - Calibration controls for this set are few . There is no 11 - step gray scale adjustment , or any color management system . Because of this , you really can't fix the color decoding issues without expensive external hardware . Even the service menu controls are limited , which means even an ISF calibrator would be hard pressed to fix these problems . - No VGA / PC input . Thought I wouldn't care too much about not having this , but discovered that I do . There are so many times where I wish I could hook up my laptop to my TV ( streaming video , playing video games , etc ) that I wish I had this . YMMV . I could get a VGA to HDMI adapter , but that actually costs more than moving to a 42 G10 with the VGA input . - The ATSC tuner is very bare-bones . You can't see extended show information , what's coming up next , no guide or anything other than the title of the show from show metadata . The tuner is also not very sensitive , I find I need to tweak the antenna a bit more to keep the station coming in well . ( I'm comparing to an Insignia SD tuner box I used previously ; LG made it and use a similar ATSC tuner system in their TVs , I believe ; much better IMHO ) . - After I got it , and had it in the room , I realized that yes , I could have gone 50 and it would have made a big positive difference . If your'e hunting for a TV , you may want to think about getting one size bigger than the size you want . Conclusion : while this display met my budget requirements , and while it is a pretty good display for the money , if you are kinda picky about picture quality you may be disappointed . I learned , after this purchase , that I should have saved a bit more and gone for a G10 / V10 , even if I had to mail-order it . I'll make a better decision next time .
    • 001 4  In my quest for a new MB / R TV , I had been researching LCD vs . Plasma , features , pricing , ratings and reviews for more months than I truly care to even mention . I caught a late October in-store special at HHGregg , which not only offered the lowest price I had seen anywhere on this TV , but also a free Panny Blu-ray player . That made the deal both irresistible and unbeatable , at just under seven Ben Franklins for everything . These newer Panasonic Viera plasmas with the fast 600 Hz Neo PDP panels are brighter , more power efficient , have an ultra wide viewing angle , suffer no image retention , run much cooler and are only just slightly heavier than an LCD TV of the same size . The more natural looking plasma picture quality , along with the full-time 1080p zero motion blur , is seriously , as good as your gonna get . Period ! ! They are an absolute steal in this price range , compared to any fast LCD or LED models . This combined with the legendary Panasonic build quality and reliability made it a no-brainer . The top-of-the-heap ratings from Consumer Reports magazine along with stellar customer reviews , absolutely sealed the deal for me , hands down . Simply put , I just couldn't justify spending 2x - 3x the coin for a 240 Hz LCD TV or an even pricier LED TV for about the same ( or less ) picture quality . You'd have to be a complete fool to spend so much more and get absolutely nothing for it . So I beg anyone to truly compare and understand the specs and features on TVs , ( or anything you're buying ) and DO IT BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING ! ! 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 T。'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 ! ) )
    • 002 4  I couldn't decide between a plasma and an LCD , so I bought both ( with the intention of returning one ) and set them up side by side , my cable hookup going to both . The plasma was a Panasonic TC-P42S1 , the LCD was a Samsung LN40B630 . I did my comparison channel-by-channel with lots of different programming , ranging from talk shows to cartoons to action movies to football games , in both high def and standard def . Both are very good 40 - 42 inch TVs , in my opinion . Once I had adjusted the settings to my liking , I was hard-pressed to say that one looked notably better or worse than the other , though each had its strengths and weaknesses . The Panasonic plasma had slightly more vibrant colors than the Samsung LCD . Blacks were noticably blacker and dark blues and purples looked deeper . The off-angle viewing was fantastic on the plasma , too . With the LCD , a smidge of color was lost when you shifted from 0 to 45 degrees . From deeper side angles , the picture was still watchable , but definitely shifted towards gray . However , the Samsung LCD had a brighter , crisper image . In a dark room , details stood out better , and any programming that wasn't dark looked a little sharper . During the day , with the sun shining in , the LCD's image held up a bit better , too . Motion is supposedly better on plasmas , but I couldn't really tell when comparing to a 120Hz LCD . Both TVs did equally well with typical television , and what blurs I saw seemed to be in the source material . I watched a football game for a while , but if the plasma gave a better viewing experience , it wasn't terribly obvious to me . Then again , I'm not a big sports fan , so maybe my eye isn't discerning enough . Color accuracy seemed great on both TVs , but the Panasonic needed some adjusting to get there . The picture is too green with the default settings . Both TVs did a near-equal job with standard def programming ( aside from the differences above ) . Sound : adequate on both . I have a surround-sound system , so I didn't really care . Hardware failures : I've read complaints about both brands - - seems like it's a roll of the dice either way . I went with a 4 year warranty . Other stuff : the Samsung had a better remote , a nicer menu system , and more fine adjustments available . I also like the swivel stand and the fact it's a lot lighter than the Panasonic . I didn't try the internet features on either TV . Overall , both are very good TVs , and all but the most picky videophiles would be happy with either . In 2009 , both plasma and LCD have come a long way and which technology is better really boils down to your wallet , viewing conditions , and personal preference . It was a tough choice for me , but , in the end , the bright , crisp picture of the Samsung won out . I can live with marginally less vibrant colors , weaker blacks , and imperfect off-angle viewing ( if I watch from the other room , I'll swivel the screen ) .
    • 003 4  I've been looking for a new TV to replace my 26 tube TV for at least a year or more . Everything I was looking at was quite expensive . Well , now that prices are dropping around to what I can afford , I've finally caved in and bought a new TV . 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 . . .
    • 004 4  I trusted the feedback that others had listed about this TV on Amazon and I was not disappointed . The TV is great ! Intuitive user controls , simple remote ( some may argue too simple ) , looks great , etc . Most importantly , the picture is phenomenal and there is no motion blur to speak of ! I agonized over the LCD or Plasma decision because our living room is very bright , but the bottom line is I did not want even a little motion blur during sports so I went with plasma for the better refresh rate ( 600hz ) . This TV is plenty bright for our sunny living room . 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 !
    • 005 4  I bought this when my 37 Olevia LCD went out on me after 2 years . Thought I would go with a name brand TV this time . I too was looking for LCD's but noticed how much better the picture was on the Panasonic Plasma's . The price wasn't much different either . I settled on the TC-P42S1 and absolutely love it . It was an easy setup and it has many features you can tweak to make the picture perfect for your room .
    • 006 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) It has been about 4 months since I purchased this TV . I also have a Samsung LN46A650 LCD TV that I purchased from Amazon a year ago . Delivery on both was very good although the delivery person for the Panasonic didn't know too much about setting up and connecting the set . The jack marking was confusing but togeather we worked it out . The Panasonic has vivid deep colors and I think the picture is a little sharper than the Samsung . The colors on the Samsung are however more true to life . The Samsung has more color adjustments available including flesh tone which allows better color reproduction . Maybe I am too picky but the Panasonic tends to reproduce flesh tones with a slight green tint on darker scenes and a rose tent on some others . Most scenes are OK however . The Samsung has much better sound . The Panasonic sound has a hollow characteristic . This may be due to the angle of the speakers and I have it a few inches from a flat wall . The viewing angle of course is better on the Panasonic plasma . The Samsung starts to wash out if you get over 30 degrees away from straight on viewing . A word of coution when shopping for a TV . In stores the LCD sets are usually set on vivid . This greatly helps the viewing angle . When you adjust it for normal in home viewing wash out is more apparent . Standard def . programing seems to be somewhat better on the Panasonic . Both are good on HD with the Panasonic maybe a slight bit sharper . Both are good TVs and when I am watching either one I think that it is the best .
    • 007 4  It has been about 4 months since I purchased this TV . I also have a Samsung LN46A650 LCD TV that I purchased from Amazon a year ago . Delivery on both was very good although the delivery person for the Panasonic didn't know too much about setting up and connecting the set . The jack marking was confusing but togeather we worked it out . The Panasonic has vivid deep colors and I think the picture is a little sharper than the Samsung . The colors on the Samsung are however more true to life . The Samsung has more color adjustments available including flesh tone which allows better color reproduction . Maybe I am too picky but the Panasonic tends to reproduce flesh tones with a slight green tint on darker scenes and a rose tent on some others . Most scenes are OK however . The Samsung has much better sound . The Panasonic sound has a hollow characteristic . This may be due to the angle of the speakers and I have it a few inches from a flat wall . The viewing angle of course is better on the Panasonic plasma . The Samsung starts to wash out if you get over 30 degrees away from straight on viewing . A word of coution when shopping for a TV . In stores the LCD sets are usually set on vivid . This greatly helps the viewing angle . When you adjust it for normal in home viewing wash out is more apparent . Standard def . programing seems to be somewhat better on the Panasonic . Both are good on HD with the Panasonic maybe a slight bit sharper . Both are good TVs and when I am watching either one I think that it is the best .
    • 008 4  I upgraded from a 42 EDTV ( 480p ) to the TC-P42S1 and the difference is drastic . The picture is awesome , the black levels are amazing . Overall this was a great purchase , I would recommend this to anyone looking for a 42 PDP .
    • 009 4  I am pleased with the entire experience from price , ordering , delivery and the actual product . The TV is excellent and easy to understand . I had it out of the box and running in minutes . The advnaced features are intuitive and simple to use . The SD card slot is a great bonus ! We looked at many TV s and for years have been Sony only people . So moving to this brand is a big departure . The only concern is screen burn in . This is our first Plazma and the owners manual takes a lot of time bringing this issue to attention . With care I am sure it will not be a problem .
    • 011 4  I was searching for a HDTV that was affordable and had a great picture . At first I was looking for a LCD TV , but figured that Plasma will probably give me more bang for my buck then LCD . This is the newest model for 2009 . I have an older Panasonic TV ( 2006 ) , where I had no compliants and enjoy everyday . That TV was $2000 for a 58 ' , and I got this for $850 . What a deal . Simple to set up , and the picture is great . There is a lag when changing channels , but thats life . Great TV for the price .
    • 012 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Here are just some general non technical feelings I have about my experience with the Panasonic 42 inch S1 . 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 .
    • 013 4  Here are just some general non technical feelings I have about my experience with the Panasonic 42 inch S1 . 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 .
    • 014 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Great tv . excellent picture , good color , does fine in a well lit room or a dark one . Great black levels . Anti-glare feature works great . Sound quality is good . Enjoyed watching the game on a Sunday afternoon . 42 inch is a good size for a living room .
    • 016 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I own and love 50 Pioneer ( purchased two years ago ) and this bedroom TV is almost as good for 1 / 3 the price . The delivery was quick and the set up was easy for this mechanically incompetent knucklehead . My only mistake was not buying an HDMI cable at the same time . I spent $50 for one at Radio Shack and later saw Amazon had one for $9.00 ! ! You cannot go wrong , on any level , with this purchase from Amazon .
    • 017 4  I own and love 50 Pioneer ( purchased two years ago ) and this bedroom TV is almost as good for 1 / 3 the price . The delivery was quick and the set up was easy for this mechanically incompetent knucklehead . My only mistake was not buying an HDMI cable at the same time . I spent $50 for one at Radio Shack and later saw Amazon had one for $9.00 ! ! You cannot go wrong , on any level , with this purchase from Amazon .
    • 019 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) The TV came highly regarded from Consumer reports and it has lived up to their review . The picture quality is very good from all seats in my Den . Setting up the TV was easy and I recommend a good quality HDMI cable if you want the best to come out of your TV viewing experience . Buying from Amazon was easy , the pricing very competitive , and the delivey was right on time . No complaints - would use Amazon again .
    • 020 4  The TV came highly regarded from Consumer reports and it has lived up to their review . The picture quality is very good from all seats in my Den . Setting up the TV was easy and I recommend a good quality HDMI cable if you want the best to come out of your TV viewing experience . Buying from Amazon was easy , the pricing very competitive , and the delivey was right on time . No complaints - would use Amazon again .
    • 021 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) did a lot of research before purchasing , has the newer generation plasma panel , is an energy star unit , highly rated by consumer reports , easy to set up , the HD picture is amazing , sound quality is good with some adjustments . got a great buy on amazon . i am very satisfied with this purchase .
    • 023 4  The Panasonic TC-P42S1 offers a decent picture and sound in a attractive package . The big pluses for me are a side connection for game inputs and convenient picture presets . I have not noticed any any picture or sound flaws other than the big one mentioned below . The biggest issue it that this TV comes with a default aspect ration of 16 : 9 . Although it offers a 4 : 3 aspect ratio option , the owner's manual warns of potential burn-in if that option is used for a significant amount of time . That means watching distorted , horizontally-stretched pictures . The P42S1 does offer a justified setting that minimizes the deleterious effects , but an LCD where burn-in is not an issue would have a big advantage here . Unfortunately , I needed a wide viewing angle and so went with the plasma technology . The TC-P42S1 also offers only a single front control , a simple on / off switch . That means if you want to change the volume or the input source , ( or even the channel if you're watching on-air , ) you have to have the remote . That's not always readily available in a house with young kids . Overall , I recommend this unit ( 4 stars ) compared to what else is out there .
    • 024 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I get comments all the time on what a terrific picture this set has . Great contrast color and brightness . That is the most important thing in a TV and why I give it 5 stars . Only thing I wish was different is that it does not have VGA or USB input capability which makes it difficult to view downloaded videos . If you have HDMI output on your computer this is not an issue for you . In my case I ended up buying a new DVD player with USB slot .
    • 025 4  I get comments all the time on what a terrific picture this set has . Great contrast color and brightness . That is the most important thing in a TV and why I give it 5 stars . Only thing I wish was different is that it does not have VGA or USB input capability which makes it difficult to view downloaded videos . If you have HDMI output on your computer this is not an issue for you . In my case I ended up buying a new DVD player with USB slot .
    • 026 4  So I go to a store that rhymes with HH Fregg and haven't decided on LCD or plasma and asked the salesman whether I should be concerned about the life of plasmas , burn-in etc . He said those issues are resolved and because of price I kept coming back to this one . ( It was on sale for S649.99 - regularly $1000 ) . The salesman was trying to get me to get the G series because it had the THX certification . I couldn't justify the extra $ $300 because of one setting that I honestly didn't notice much difference in the side by side comparison to warrant $300 more dollars . So I took this one and when I got it home and set it all up I was shocked to see how much better it looked at home even though I was impressed at the store . It was even that much better at home . The reason , the guy at the store told me they have the sets hooked up with component cables . When you hook it up using a good HDMI cable , yes there are different quality cables , the difference was huuuuuge ! I was shocked to hear how loud this TV is . The picture is awesome . I've seen a lot of HDTVs and this picture is just so brilliant and clear . Yes , you have to adjust the settings for the lighting in your room . The picture straight from the box is not impressive but once you adjust it to the lighting in your room and preference , I guarantee you won't be disappointed . I am impressed .
    • 027 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Pros : I use this TV with an antenna , and it pulls down digital HD1080 content , even in my usually interference-prone building . I also use it with a Wii , PS2 and media PC . The many inputs is a major plus , as well as the ability to mix and match sound inputs with video inputs . This TV also has a ton of extra features for those that will want to use them , but is easy enough to use w / o them getting in the way . Both the included stand and the TV itself appear and feel very sturdy and of good construction by my measure . The remote control also works with my VCR / DVD player , which is a nice plus . Finally , the up-sampling algorithm and plasma-screen effect work very well for displaying content at lower resolutions ( like PS2 and Wii games ) in full-screen ( this is in contrast to many other TVs , especially LCD ones ) . Cons : When Viewing a 4 : 3 channel or input , the TV displays the channel with gray bars covering the unused sides of the screen . I would much prefer black bars , especially given the plasma screen's true blacks , and there does not appear to be a method for changing their color . Using a MacBook or a Windows PC , there is always an edge all the way around the picture ( this may be a problem with the MacBook and PC though ) . Notes : Lack of a DVI input means you will need a DVI - > HDMI converter to use this with most computer video cards .
    • 028 4  Pros : I use this TV with an antenna , and it pulls down digital HD1080 content , even in my usually interference-prone building . I also use it with a Wii , PS2 and media PC . The many inputs is a major plus , as well as the ability to mix and match sound inputs with video inputs . This TV also has a ton of extra features for those that will want to use them , but is easy enough to use w / o them getting in the way . Both the included stand and the TV itself appear and feel very sturdy and of good construction by my measure . The remote control also works with my VCR / DVD player , which is a nice plus . Finally , the up-sampling algorithm and plasma-screen effect work very well for displaying content at lower resolutions ( like PS2 and Wii games ) in full-screen ( this is in contrast to many other TVs , especially LCD ones ) . Cons : When Viewing a 4 : 3 channel or input , the TV displays the channel with gray bars covering the unused sides of the screen . I would much prefer black bars , especially given the plasma screen's true blacks , and there does not appear to be a method for changing their color . Using a MacBook or a Windows PC , there is always an edge all the way around the picture ( this may be a problem with the MacBook and PC though ) . Notes : Lack of a DVI input means you will need a DVI - > HDMI converter to use this with most computer video cards .
    • 029 4  I've had this TV for about 3 months getting it from Amazon . Had the service where the truck and technician arrive and he sets up the Tv and shows you how to run it . This guy even volunteered to put it where I wanted it . But I had to wait for my absent wife's ultimate approval as to placement . Good service . Well , the TV is impressive . The clarity is simply outstanding , even without the upgraded digital service offered by my cable supplier . You will not be disappointed with this set even with normal cable . I told my wife to get the 46 , but she wanted the 42 . The colors and clarity are so good , the 46 would have even been better and seeing my neighbor's 46 model . Anyhow , 42 , 46 , seriously consider this plasma set over an LCD . Much better , much clearer . We looked at a lot of operating sets ( LCD vs plasma ) before buying . Plasma sharper and colors better . Only thing is the set would be nicer if it had a swivel base .
    • 030 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I spent a lot of time selecting my new tv and after reading all the great reviews about the Panasonic S1 I made my move . The TV looks nice and I find the picture to be excellent , especvially with blu-ray movies . It takes a bit for the tv to start up when you turn the power on . The sound is not very good . Before my technical issues I was looking to buy a surround sound system , because the television's speaker was not doing it for me . I have the television on a stand , so people who mount the tv on the wall may have a different experience with the sound . Overall I was happy with my purchase because I was aware of some of the sound issues before buying the product and for the price I felt it was a reasonable tradeoff . However , after only having the tv for a month and a half it would start randomly shutting itself off and the red light would start blinking . A search of the internet revealed that many people are having this same issue with Panasonic TVs and they have been doing so for years ! I called customer support and spent 45 minutes on hold . Finally they told me that a tech would have to come to my house . However , the next appointment would not be for several days . Not normally a big deal but in the middle of the olympics ( which was one of the reasons I bought my new tv for ) I found annoying . I will update with the results . It appears to me that Panasonic does not have quality control with their products and they send out units with defective parts . Some people say that these problems only happen to a small percentage of units sold . That may ( or may not ) be the case , but what I know is that it happened to me and it has happened to numerous other people as well . At least my problems happened during the warranty unlike others . 2 / 24 / 10 The repair person came out and replaced the broken component . The only thing that suprised him was that the component gave out in under 90 days . Apparently it fails often which I find frustrating because I do not want to have to buy a brand new tv every other year due to a company using cheap components . This is a nice tv when it works . If you do buy it I would strongly recommend buying an extended warranty since it does not appear to be built to last . If the tv did not break I would have given it four stars .
    • 031 4  I spent a lot of time selecting my new tv and after reading all the great reviews about the Panasonic S1 I made my move . The TV looks nice and I find the picture to be excellent , especvially with blu-ray movies . It takes a bit for the tv to start up when you turn the power on . The sound is not very good . Before my technical issues I was looking to buy a surround sound system , because the television's speaker was not doing it for me . I have the television on a stand , so people who mount the tv on the wall may have a different experience with the sound . Overall I was happy with my purchase because I was aware of some of the sound issues before buying the product and for the price I felt it was a reasonable tradeoff . However , after only having the tv for a month and a half it would start randomly shutting itself off and the red light would start blinking . A search of the internet revealed that many people are having this same issue with Panasonic TVs and they have been doing so for years ! I called customer support and spent 45 minutes on hold . Finally they told me that a tech would have to come to my house . However , the next appointment would not be for several days . Not normally a big deal but in the middle of the olympics ( which was one of the reasons I bought my new tv for ) I found annoying . I will update with the results . It appears to me that Panasonic does not have quality control with their products and they send out units with defective parts . Some people say that these problems only happen to a small percentage of units sold . That may ( or may not ) be the case , but what I know is that it happened to me and it has happened to numerous other people as well . At least my problems happened during the warranty unlike others . 2 / 24 / 10 The repair person came out and replaced the broken component . The only thing that suprised him was that the component gave out in under 90 days . Apparently it fails often which I find frustrating because I do not want to have to buy a brand new tv every other year due to a company using cheap components . This is a nice tv when it works . If you do buy it I would strongly recommend buying an extended warranty since it does not appear to be built to last . If the tv did not break I would have given it four stars .
    • 032 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) The tv / monitor is easy to set up and easy to use . Price for quality is good . The only complaint is that I was not able to use the screen as a TV monitor at the highest resolution 1920 by 1080 . I am running windows 7 and it is too large for the screen and I unable to re-size . However it does work as a computer monitor at 1776 by 1000 which is still pretty sharp . . . . . just slightly annoying when I run movies off my PC at the highest resolution and they slightly spill off the screen .
    • 033 4  The tv / monitor is easy to set up and easy to use . Price for quality is good . The only complaint is that I was not able to use the screen as a TV monitor at the highest resolution 1920 by 1080 . I am running windows 7 and it is too large for the screen and I unable to re-size . However it does work as a computer monitor at 1776 by 1000 which is still pretty sharp . . . . . just slightly annoying when I run movies off my PC at the highest resolution and they slightly spill off the screen .
    • 034 4  I researched and researched many TVs in order to best fulfil my high expectations of a HDTV while keeping within a reasonable budget . With that , I referenced the many reviews on Amazon , as well as those from CNET , to eventually decide that this Plasma was the best for me . I was lucky enough to stumble onto an outrageously good deal at a local store , and took it as quickly as I found it . Set-up was an absolute cinch , and my word , I love the picture quality . I could barely believe the difference between HD and non-HD TV . Whilst I'd seen many TVs in stores , often with the stores own images on repeat I'd always thought that the images could perhaps be better . . . after all you're spending a good chunk of change ; shouldn't you expect a decent picture ! ? Anyway , the picture quality is fantastic . The images are sharp , response is super fast , and there is no stutter or image loss ( I figured that the luge , downhill skiing , snowboard-cross , et al from the Olympics are a good standard to go by ) . I can tell you ; watching the Olympics in HD is a delight . I cannot mention anything about the sound , as I've run the audio straight through my Onkyo home theatre ( bought on Amazon last ; and it's a fantastic system ) to give me a delightful 7.1 experience . I definitely recommend this TV !
    • 035 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Couldn't be happier with this tv . Admittedly , the tv this one replaced was a 9 year old Sony tube that was starting to fade which made the difference more dramatic . Easy set up out of the box and the picture is fantastic . I did a lot of research before buying and kept coming back to this unit . It lacks some of the bells and whistles of the more expensive units but I wouldn't have used those extras anyway . If you're the average tv watcher you will love this set .
    • 037 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) So the TV itself is amazing . Fantastic picture , Easy to use , self explanatory menu , and all the connection you could ever want . I cannot praise this TV more for the TV itself . The problem : There is no analog audio out . If you have an older receiver and want to use surround sound , you'll need a new receiver or an optical to analog audio converter , which will run you $100 for 5.1 surround . VERY disappointed with this fact . The deal on the TV is pretty much negated by the fact I need a $100 little box or spend $200 + on a new receiver . [ . . . ]
    • 038 4  So the TV itself is amazing . Fantastic picture , Easy to use , self explanatory menu , and all the connection you could ever want . I cannot praise this TV more for the TV itself . The problem : There is no analog audio out . If you have an older receiver and want to use surround sound , you'll need a new receiver or an optical to analog audio converter , which will run you $100 for 5.1 surround . VERY disappointed with this fact . The deal on the TV is pretty much negated by the fact I need a $100 little box or spend $200 + on a new receiver . [ . . . ]
    • 039 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) When I saw the deal Amazon had on this TV , it was a no-brainer to buy it . This TV has been excellent . I've recommended it to everyone whom I know looking to get a new HDTV .
    • 040 4  When I saw the deal Amazon had on this TV , it was a no-brainer to buy it . This TV has been excellent . I've recommended it to everyone whom I know looking to get a new HDTV .
    • 041 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) After reading the numerous positive reviews for this television on Amazon.com and [ . . . ] , I decided to purchase this TV . Delivery was simple and quick . The TV itself is very attractive with a shiny black border and stand . I think it is quite thin for a plasma TV . The picture quality is UNBELIEVABLE . The colors were all correct and well saturated in every mode ( except Cinema which was a bit green ) . The standard video setting is excellent but Vivid mode is beyond belief ! I watched The Dark Knight as well as the Planet Earth series in blu-ray ( on a PS3 ) and they were phenomenal ( especially Planet Earth ) . The plasma really beats lcd technology with video being far smoother and blacks coming out much deeper than on an lcd tv . The speakers are quite good for TV speakers and there were no issues with the sound being too soft or inaccurate . There are absolutely no negative issues with this television at all .
    • 042 4  After reading the numerous positive reviews for this television on Amazon.com and [ . . . ] , I decided to purchase this TV . Delivery was simple and quick . The TV itself is very attractive with a shiny black border and stand . I think it is quite thin for a plasma TV . The picture quality is UNBELIEVABLE . The colors were all correct and well saturated in every mode ( except Cinema which was a bit green ) . The standard video setting is excellent but Vivid mode is beyond belief ! I watched The Dark Knight as well as the Planet Earth series in blu-ray ( on a PS3 ) and they were phenomenal ( especially Planet Earth ) . The plasma really beats lcd technology with video being far smoother and blacks coming out much deeper than on an lcd tv . The speakers are quite good for TV speakers and there were no issues with the sound being too soft or inaccurate . There are absolutely no negative issues with this television at all .
    • 043 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Overall , I am really pleased with this plasma tv . I would recommend it to anyone who likes to watch tv in low lighting conditions . It looks good in the day too , but it really pops in the dark ! The sound quality wasn't excellent so if you want a total audio experience I'd recommend a receiver . This TV is probably on about 12 - 15 hours each day , but it does not get overheated . Out of the box , the stand seemed a little light for such a heavy tv , but it ended up being very sturdy after it was screwed in . It took us about an hour to set up the tv between hooking up the blu-ray , vcr , receiver , satellite , and configuring it . I thought that was pretty good especially since our audio receiver is ancient . Though it still sounds good , it does not even have an hdmi hookup . Next purchase : new reciever / speakers .
    • 044 4  Overall , I am really pleased with this plasma tv . I would recommend it to anyone who likes to watch tv in low lighting conditions . It looks good in the day too , but it really pops in the dark ! The sound quality wasn't excellent so if you want a total audio experience I'd recommend a receiver . This TV is probably on about 12 - 15 hours each day , but it does not get overheated . Out of the box , the stand seemed a little light for such a heavy tv , but it ended up being very sturdy after it was screwed in . It took us about an hour to set up the tv between hooking up the blu-ray , vcr , receiver , satellite , and configuring it . I thought that was pretty good especially since our audio receiver is ancient . Though it still sounds good , it does not even have an hdmi hookup . Next purchase : new reciever / speakers .
    • 045 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) The screen is very clear from any angle . The TV remote also works with my blue ray player . So far , I've found no faults . The worst part of the deal was waiting for the TV to arrive .
    • 046 4  The screen is very clear from any angle . The TV remote also works with my blue ray player . So far , I've found no faults . The worst part of the deal was waiting for the TV to arrive .
    • 047 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Purchasing this Plasma was a bit of a debate . I was replacing a Sharp Aquos 32 for a wall mount installation in our family room . I'm not a tech weenie and really need to see the picture and play with the set befor buying . But finally it came down to one issue - viewing angle . I can't tell you the difference the plasma makes here . But this selection was much more . The purchase experience and delivery were superior to anything I've experience before . We ordered just before Christmas and took delivery the following Monday . The price was not the lowest . . . but I was bound to buy from Amazon because of ' rewards ' certificates . . . we ended up getting a fair deal no matter where we purchased from . The big payoff was Performance . . . . . SUPERB . . . from the ease of installation and set up . . . 5 minutes . . . and the factory settings were almost exactly what we needed . Changing the settings was simple and easy to get the desired results . We know this is a Bargin Plasma TCP42S1 but we we got top dollar results for our choice .
    • 048 4  Purchasing this Plasma was a bit of a debate . I was replacing a Sharp Aquos 32 for a wall mount installation in our family room . I'm not a tech weenie and really need to see the picture and play with the set befor buying . But finally it came down to one issue - viewing angle . I can't tell you the difference the plasma makes here . But this selection was much more . The purchase experience and delivery were superior to anything I've experience before . We ordered just before Christmas and took delivery the following Monday . The price was not the lowest . . . but I was bound to buy from Amazon because of ' rewards ' certificates . . . we ended up getting a fair deal no matter where we purchased from . The big payoff was Performance . . . . . SUPERB . . . from the ease of installation and set up . . . 5 minutes . . . and the factory settings were almost exactly what we needed . Changing the settings was simple and easy to get the desired results . We know this is a Bargin Plasma TCP42S1 but we we got top dollar results for our choice .
    • 049 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I was looking for a bare bones but great picture HDTV . I reviewed all the pros and cons of plasma vs . LCD and decided to stick with Plasma . Price / performance of the screen is still in plasma's favor IMHO . I didn't want Internet connectivity and extra software . I also wanted a TV that was straight forward to connect devices with easy access . The first TV I received was dead on arrival , just got a buzz when I turned it on . I highly recommend when you receive any large electronics you test it prior to letting the delivery person go . I had to refuse the shipment and immediately called Amazon to have another one sent . . . great service ! The picture quality is crisp and the colors jump out at you . Keep in mind that if you have TV that is still in SD then you won't see the benefits of the HDTVs . I am using over the air HD and it's been impressive so far . I have watched bluray off my PS3 and played games at 1080p , you will not be disappointed , especially in game mode . The viewing angles are impressive and great for any size room . A slight knock is that sound is not going to impress you . I have heard other HDT。's with better sound but you won't complain about it either . Just medium quality . The remote's button arrangement can be improved . I find myself having to adjust the remote in my had to use various buttons . Only wish I have is that for digital channels it had a guide to select the channel you want to switch to rather than either entering the channel number or surfing through them .
    • 051 4  I recently decided to upgrade my older Sharp Aquos LCD 37 1080P LC37D64U because it only had two HDMI ports and when changing the channel there was a 1 sec delay which was very annoying . I bought it back in 2008 and its amazing how it has depretiated in value by a $1000 since i purchased it . Anyways other than the two previous issues , i really enjoyed my Sharp and decided to go with a new Sharp Aquos LC40E77U 1080p , 120hz , 4 ms reponse , LCD and much to my dissapointment it too although a year model later had the same slow channel changing delay . So after recently selling it i decided to go with this plasma TC-P42S1 which i bought from Best Buy for $699 ( price matched SEARS ) . Took it home and hooked it up to my PS3 and put a planet earth blue-ray DVD in and WOW i was amazed at the picture . The black level was amazing and the motion blur of course was no longer an issue . Very vivid picture and sound sounds great . User controls and remote are spot on however tech geeks say it lacks a few programmable features . Also this plasma is very heavy compared to my LCD . Overall im very happy with my purchase . Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
    • 054 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) This is a great TV for the price . Easy setup - very surprised by the clarity of non-HD shows .
    • 055 4  This is a great TV for the price . Easy setup - very surprised by the clarity of non-HD shows .
    • 056 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) The Panasonic S1 series is a pretty good overall tv . the only thing I'm not a huge fan of is the anti-glare screen . the anti-glare is definatly noticably less reflective then your standard gloss plasma screen but the standard high gloss screen gives a little better picture . I have this tv in a basement and it would have been better with the gloss screen . If you have a moderatley lit room but want a plasma then this would be perfect for you . I cant coment on the sound as i've never herd the tv's speakers I have evything run straight to a hometheater system . I would recomend this tv to a friend looking for a 40 + ' ' tv under $1000 .
    • 058 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) We had originally planned on purchasing this television in store after researching for weeks . For the price at amazon it was too good to pass up . Great television , crystal clear picture and a great price . I would go with plasma over LCD any day and this is the best of the best .
    • 059 4  We had originally planned on purchasing this television in store after researching for weeks . For the price at amazon it was too good to pass up . Great television , crystal clear picture and a great price . I would go with plasma over LCD any day and this is the best of the best .
    • 060 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Detail and color on this television are phenomenal , especially given the price . I've gotten compliments on image several occasions in some cases from people who normally be attuned to this sort of thing . The primary concern with plasma is image retention and that is certainly something to consider . However , to date I haven't encountered any problems at all despite using the television for gaming , watching some television in 4 : 3 mode and the obsession networks have with sticking their logos somewhere on the screen . That said , to find an LCD of comparable quality you're going to have to look at considerably more expensive televisions .
    • 061 4  Detail and color on this television are phenomenal , especially given the price . I've gotten compliments on image several occasions in some cases from people who normally be attuned to this sort of thing . The primary concern with plasma is image retention and that is certainly something to consider . However , to date I haven't encountered any problems at all despite using the television for gaming , watching some television in 4 : 3 mode and the obsession networks have with sticking their logos somewhere on the screen . That said , to find an LCD of comparable quality you're going to have to look at considerably more expensive televisions .
    • 062 4  This is a very good plasma tv . It has many inputs ( except usb ) and picture is great . But there is one catch , if you have sunlit room the picture will be faded . If you can keep the sun out then get this one .
    • 063 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) WE paid four times as much for a Pioneer that doesn't work near as good .
    • 065 4  First of all , I love the picture . It surpassed anything I expected on a 42 HDTV for the amount I paid . What I notice is an annoying buzz , especially when the picture is bright . I've done some research , and I hear that all plasmas have a slight buzz , but you shouldn't hear it from more than 1 or 2 feet away . Most people say they can't hear it at all unless they stick their head behind the set . I confirmed this with a friend's 42 older Zenith plasma . You can only hear it if you put your ear right up to the back . Nothing can be heard in front of the screen . I can hear the buzz from 14 feet away rather clearly when the screen is bright , even when the volume is at a normal level . Whenever the scene gets quiet it's unreal . So I returned my first set , only to have the same problem with the new TV at the same noise level . They're both equally as loud . I really like the picture and hate to take the second set back , but I don't think I can deal with this noise . Two in a row must be more than a coincidence . Maybe I wouldn't notice the sound as much if the room wasn't so quiet , but it's very noticeable and very distracting since I usually listen to TV at lower levels . I'm now torn on what to do . If this buzz is normal for plasmas , I think I'll go with LCD . My Bravia is silent from any distance .
    • 067 4  I purchased this TV to replace a 26 Samsung Tube HDTV , which was a bit small for my living room . It has met my expectations , which were to be as good as the TV I purchased for my parents , a Panasonic 42 Plasma ( TH42 PX80 . ) The only feature I wish that the TC-P42S1 had , that the PX80 TV had , is a matte finish . Any light source in front of the TV is reflected off the bezel of the TV . Their is minimal glare off the screen itself , but the reflections aren't annoying compared to the glare reflected off the glossy bezel . If I'm being really nit picky , the PX80 also has a much better quality remote control than the S1 . Regardless , this produces beautiful colors ( I highly suggest taking a gander at AVSforums for calibration and color setting tweaks ) , is brighter than I anticipated , is very easy to use and is just a good looking unit ! For those of you interested in purchasing this TV , I only suggest that you do NOT put a light source in front of the viewing area of the television .
    • 071 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I bought the Panasonic after much research & comparison . I was waiting for the earlier issues of plasma T。's to be resolved . I knew that the color was more vibrant than any LCD I had ever seen , but was worried about all the things that would sour my eventual purchase . Price , viewing angle , power consumption , screen burn-in , heat , weight , contrast ratio , ease of operation , etc . As time passed one by one every concern I had about plasma was resolved to a more than acceptable level . The TV has the easiest set-up menu I have ever seen and within 20 minutes of dragging the box in the door I had assigned the TV inputs to my SAT HDMI , my Blu-Ray to another input , my outside antenna to but another , and was watching HDTV . If you are someone who isn't real handy with technical babel I highly recommend this TV . The picture is amazing , and I was very surprised to how well the ' on-board ' speakers sound . It was a great deal , super fast delivery to my door by UPS , easy to set-up & use , and has been an absolute joy since I got it . If they had a sixth star I would rate it six out of six ! My son who has been leaning towards the new LED T。's came by to see mine and after about five minutes of being completely blown-away has since ordered a 58 Panasonic plasma for himself . The 2,000,000 - 1 contrast ratio really makes a difference in the sharpness & the blacks etc . For fast moving sporting events this plasma is the best I have ever seen & I have been staring at plasmas for five years waiting for all their quirks to be improved . Amazing TV and better than the Samsung that cost a thousand dollars more .
    • 073 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) We aimed to buy a TV that offered the latest technology of interest to us and wouldn't be obsoleted anytime soon . This Panasonic is giving us just what we wanted . The picture quality is outstanding , it's viewable from the side , light from our sliding door doesn't create glare , etc . It can access Internet video , including Netflix .
    • 074 4  We aimed to buy a TV that offered the latest technology of interest to us and wouldn't be obsoleted anytime soon . This Panasonic is giving us just what we wanted . The picture quality is outstanding , it's viewable from the side , light from our sliding door doesn't create glare , etc . It can access Internet video , including Netflix .
    • 077 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) This was our first flat panel and plasma TV . I checked it out at Best Buy to double-check what the actual picture looked like . This TV has an incredible HD picture ! There are vivid and deep colors and little to no reflective glare that I read about in other reviews . I am more than satisfied this Panasonic model and am very glad I stuck to this model and a plasma set .
    • 078 4  This was our first flat panel and plasma TV . I checked it out at Best Buy to double-check what the actual picture looked like . This TV has an incredible HD picture ! There are vivid and deep colors and little to no reflective glare that I read about in other reviews . I am more than satisfied this Panasonic model and am very glad I stuck to this model and a plasma set .
    • 079 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) This has been a good second TV for us . We're very happy with the picture quality .
    • 080 4  This has been a good second TV for us . We're very happy with the picture quality .
    • 081 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) TV did not arrive at my house as promised . When I called the day it was to be delivered , the delivery company did not have my phone number to call me . I had to drive to the warehouse to pick up the TV , as they were to booked at that point to deliver and set up . My son and I picked up the TV and set it up , it was very easy to get up and going , but the components and my digital box did not talk to one another-the next few days the cable company came out and fixed the problem . TV is beautiful in living room , and everyone that sees the picture , says it is beautiful . . I like the big screen and I feel that I got a great deal for the TV and bonus dvd player . I would recommend Amazon to anyone , but make sure they have your number or you could be waiting at home for a long time .
    • 085 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Just watched my first movie ' Reign of Fire ' on this HDTV , great picture ! It's a steal for the price plus its 600Hz , can't beat that . Crystal clear picture , no complaints !
    • 086 4  Just watched my first movie ' Reign of Fire ' on this HDTV , great picture ! It's a steal for the price plus its 600Hz , can't beat that . Crystal clear picture , no complaints !
    • 087 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I'll be honest and say I absolutely hated this TV when I first got it . Thought broadcast television and gaming was just awful - - to the point that I had scheduled a return . I came from an lcd so I might have been biased against plasmas . But I decided to do some research and tweaked the picture , and also I think it takes a couple of days for the plasma colors to set or whatever the technical jargon is . Whatever it was , I couldn't be happier about the purchase now that I retracted the cancellation . Now , the picture / color / clarity is perfect ( for a $ [ . . . ] set anyway ) , but especially when the room is dark or darker . So if you are on the fence , I say take a look at your neighborhood store and give it a try if you like it there . Just give the tv about a week to set and go to [ . . . ] and search to see what settings are best for the TV .
    • 088 4  I'll be honest and say I absolutely hated this TV when I first got it . Thought broadcast television and gaming was just awful - - to the point that I had scheduled a return . I came from an lcd so I might have been biased against plasmas . But I decided to do some research and tweaked the picture , and also I think it takes a couple of days for the plasma colors to set or whatever the technical jargon is . Whatever it was , I couldn't be happier about the purchase now that I retracted the cancellation . Now , the picture / color / clarity is perfect ( for a $ [ . . . ] set anyway ) , but especially when the room is dark or darker . So if you are on the fence , I say take a look at your neighborhood store and give it a try if you like it there . Just give the tv about a week to set and go to [ . . . ] and search to see what settings are best for the TV .
    • 089 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Great Plasma . Awesome picture when connected to the XBOX 360 , whether a game or movie is being played . I really enjoy this product . Sometimes , I have to use a standard def signal , which does not look good on this particular television , but the High Def signals are amazing .
    • 091 4  I recently ordered this TV for my non-tech-savvy 70 - year-old mother ( I simultaneously upgraded her DishNetwork service to HD ) . In short , this TV exceeded all our expectations . PRO : - Blacks very deep and dark - High contrast - Extra sharp - Depth of field very good ( unlike ` flat ' LCD picture appearance ) - Excellent standard color settings - Very decent sound from the hidden speakers - Overall build quality seems outstanding - Delivery perfect ( on time , polite , unpacked , tested , offered to hook-up the set , and cleaned-up ) - No charge for delivery ( with Amazon as the seller ) - Much lower price than any TV with comparable picture quality CON : - Takes a few extra seconds to turn-on the set ( verses an LCD start up time ) . . . that's is the only downside I am picky about video picture quality , and assumed my next set would be a high-end LCD-LED . After the experience with this TV I have totally changed my thinking . . . I am now a total convert to Panasonic plasma ! The real proof : The evening after I installed the TV at my mother's house , she called me to say how remarkable the picture looked . . . she was right .
    • 092 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Purchased to replace my 40 - inch samsung lcd . My lcd got a black line down the screen after the warranty was up so I went with plasma this time and what a difference . This tv is amazing . Has everything I need and the picture is great .
    • 093 4  Purchased to replace my 40 - inch samsung lcd . My lcd got a black line down the screen after the warranty was up so I went with plasma this time and what a difference . This tv is amazing . Has everything I need and the picture is great .
    • 094 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Extrememly satisfied with purchase . Easy assembly . Great crisp , clear , picture . No glare . Good view from all angles . Audio is fine ( good sound , but not as high quality as picture ) I had got the 42 due to space limitations , but now realize that I could have fit a larger TV in my rooms corner . This was the most common regret I read about in reviews before my purchase , and sure enough I feel the same . All in all , a great tv at a great price !
    • 095 4  Extrememly satisfied with purchase . Easy assembly . Great crisp , clear , picture . No glare . Good view from all angles . Audio is fine ( good sound , but not as high quality as picture ) I had got the 42 due to space limitations , but now realize that I could have fit a larger TV in my rooms corner . This was the most common regret I read about in reviews before my purchase , and sure enough I feel the same . All in all , a great tv at a great price !
    • 096 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I'm very happy with this TV . Even SD looks great , which was my big concern . Highly recommended .
    • 097 4  I'm very happy with this TV . Even SD looks great , which was my big concern . Highly recommended .
    • 098 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) This Plasma is really good . I looked at different TVs at Best Buy and Plasmas look as good as the LCDs and don't cost as much . I have Dish Network and in HD these work really well . The color is really great . A swivel stand would be great , but other than that no complaints .
    • 099 4  This Plasma is really good . I looked at different TVs at Best Buy and Plasmas look as good as the LCDs and don't cost as much . I have Dish Network and in HD these work really well . The color is really great . A swivel stand would be great , but other than that no complaints .
    • 100 4  I bought this TV when it was 850 dollars and I love it . The picture is great and you just can't beat the price for a 42 TV . I highly recommend this TV .
    • 103 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I bought this Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV for my birthday - I couldnt be happier . I researched LCD vs LED vs Plasma and found Im a convert to Panasonic Viera Plasma . All of the fears about owning a Plasma are gone , no more need to fear burn in , it doesnt heat up a room , no glare from windows with the mat screen , turn on isnt any longer than my 32 Panasonic LCD and oh my goodness the picture - - so very true to life , its incredible ! ! LED's way over priced , LCD even at 240hz at more $ $ $ why bother , when this unit gives you 600hz ! ! ! ! Delivery free thru Amazon plus I have 12 months to pay it off ! ! I also purchased the Panasonic Blu Ray BD60 player perfect compliment to my Viera Panasonic Plasma with Viera Link . Great deal on that one too , they even threw in the blu ray Disney Movie of Snow White for free ! ! . . . . So , to sum up Panasonic Plasma gooooood . . . paying more for an equal to in options for a LCD or LED baaaaad . . .
    • 104 4  I bought this Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV for my birthday - I couldnt be happier . I researched LCD vs LED vs Plasma and found Im a convert to Panasonic Viera Plasma . All of the fears about owning a Plasma are gone , no more need to fear burn in , it doesnt heat up a room , no glare from windows with the mat screen , turn on isnt any longer than my 32 Panasonic LCD and oh my goodness the picture - - so very true to life , its incredible ! ! LED's way over priced , LCD even at 240hz at more $ $ $ why bother , when this unit gives you 600hz ! ! ! ! Delivery free thru Amazon plus I have 12 months to pay it off ! ! I also purchased the Panasonic Blu Ray BD60 player perfect compliment to my Viera Panasonic Plasma with Viera Link . Great deal on that one too , they even threw in the blu ray Disney Movie of Snow White for free ! ! . . . . So , to sum up Panasonic Plasma gooooood . . . paying more for an equal to in options for a LCD or LED baaaaad . . .
    • 105 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) best picture I have similar size LCD but there is nothing like the quality of the Plazma TV . . . .
    • 106 4  best picture I have similar size LCD but there is nothing like the quality of the Plazma TV . . . .
    • 107 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I really shouldn't complain . . . but why not ? We have a Sony 46in 1080p , 2 yrs . old ( $1,600 then ) , mid-level model . Image quality of HD stuff ( Verizon FIOS , only transmits 1080i currently ) knocks me out . Picture has resolution , detail , brightness , color . . almost a feeling that you walk through the damn screen into the scene , a depth and ' solidity ' to objects , just breathtaking . And I haven't gotten tired of the experience . ( I do not work for SONY , no other disclosures ) . So for my 70th birthday , I decided to get a plasma 40 - 42in 1080p to watch my stuff : plasma picture is better , blacks this , color that , price . So I get the S1 and the picture doesn't measure up to the SONY . I've adjusted / played with the modes , adjusted the brightness , saturation , sharpness parameters , etc . , and only with some material , here and there , do I get the ' SONY ' experience . Unfair comparison ? Any Ideas ?
    • 109 4  This review is going to be biased . Info : I live approx . 6 mi from the TV transmitters in my area . Previous TV for comparison : JVC D-series 27 CRT w / Insignia SD tuner box Other equipment : B & W speakers , Pioneer Elite receiver , Oppo BluRay player Tech level : High . I read AVSForum , listen to tech podcasts , and program computers for a living . Also note , this is my first HDTV purchase , and I made some mistakes in the process , so I'll share them with you so that you can perhaps avoid them . Advantages : - The fact that you get a performance plasma for a low price means this unit is a great value . You'd be hard pressed to find another plasma that has the performance / price ratio this one does . - It * is * a plasma . As such , you get spot-on motion resolution ( very natural ! ) , wide viewing angles , and good black levels . It produces a very nice , non-fatiguing picture , which many LCDs simply can't compete with , at or above this price point . - Optical audio output works very well ; it can even put out 2 - channel audio from HDMI input sources out over optical . - I thought I would hate the glass face ( potentially reflective ) , but I found that if you don't have lights back where you sit , it actually brings the picture out and makes it look better . Disadvantages : - The color performance on this display is so-so . People , in general , tend to look pale and bland ( too green ) , especially with DVD , SDTV material on TV after using a calibration disc . Out of the box it was too yellow . It's kinda boring to look at , perhaps like you're watching a lake with a mild algae infestation . Most of the Panasonic THX plasmas ( G10 , V10 ) above this model aren't this bad , so you may want to spend more if you don't like the color on the S1 . Note : With truly HD or BluRay material , I've found the color doesn't bother me as much and I'm okay with it . I'm not sure why , maybe its the way the S1 does color conversion . In short , this HDTV cannot provide a picture that's remotely close to reference , even with significant tweaking . It's better than many of it's peers , but it still falls short . - Calibration controls for this set are few . There is no 11 - step gray scale adjustment , or any color management system . Because of this , you really can't fix the color decoding issues without expensive external hardware . Even the service menu controls are limited , which means even an ISF calibrator would be hard pressed to fix these problems . - No VGA / PC input . Thought I wouldn't care too much about not having this , but discovered that I do . There are so many times where I wish I could hook up my laptop to my TV ( streaming video , playing video games , etc ) that I wish I had this . YMMV . I could get a VGA to HDMI adapter , but that actually costs more than moving to a 42 G10 with the VGA input . - The ATSC tuner is very bare-bones . You can't see extended show information , what's coming up next , no guide or anything other than the title of the show from show metadata . The tuner is also not very sensitive , I find I need to tweak the antenna a bit more to keep the station coming in well . ( I'm comparing to an Insignia SD tuner box I used previously ; LG made it and use a similar ATSC tuner system in their TVs , I believe ; much better IMHO ) . - After I got it , and had it in the room , I realized that yes , I could have gone 50 and it would have made a big positive difference . If your'e hunting for a TV , you may want to think about getting one size bigger than the size you want . Conclusion : while this display met my budget requirements , and while it is a pretty good display for the money , if you are kinda picky about picture quality you may be disappointed . I learned , after this purchase , that I should have saved a bit more and gone for a G10 / V10 , even if I had to mail-order it . I'll make a better decision next time .
    • 110 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) We really do like this TV , the only drawback to the TV is it lacks a digital tooner . we are not able to receive the free ( local ) HD channels . Other than that everything about the TV is great . We had no issues with Amazon , the TV we delivered on time and without dammage .
    • 111 4  We really do like this TV , the only drawback to the TV is it lacks a digital tooner . we are not able to receive the free ( local ) HD channels . Other than that everything about the TV is great . We had no issues with Amazon , the TV we delivered on time and without dammage .
    • 112 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I am so disappointed to be giving this horrible review . I have been a long time Amazon shopper and this is my first bad experience . I cannot really fault Amazon , the problem lies solely with Panasonic , yet I am surprised this problem was not mentioned in user reviews which I rely heavily on . I settled on this plasma set after six week of intensive research and visits to local retailers to see the model and talk to unbiased salespeople . Third party reviews by CNET confirmed that this set has the best picture quality of anything in its price range and handily outperforms comparable LCD models . I received my set in two days from [ . . . ] and after setting it up found to my horror , the dreaded 7 blinking light signal . No picture whatsoever . Upon googling the problem I realized this has been a major problem with Panasonic sets for some time . My complaints were channeled from Amazon customer service , to 6th Ave , to Panasonic , and lastly to a local service company contracted by Panasonic . Two days later a technician diagnosed three failed parts and tells me it could take anywhere between two days and sixty ! days to get parts . I am basically stuck with a brand new useless television occupying my living room . I still believe this set is a superior product , once it gets up and running . The service tech convinced me that once fixed the chances of a reoccurrence of the problem are very low , and if it performs well for the first year , the chances of failure later on are also quite low . So , I am twiddling my thumbs and trying to cope with this dilemma . Had I purchased this product from a local store I would be able to demand an exchange . Since it was ordered on line and shipped , the company refuses to exchange it . Buyer beware . * * Update * * Panasonic was relatively gracious and easy to work with . In the end , it took about three weeks to get the set up and running . I am more than happy with the picture quality , the deep blacks , the texture of the image , really everything about the set . The sound is fine with me but not overpowering , obviously one could improve their setup with external audio units . All in all , I am very satisfied with the unit and despite the aggravation of receiving a lemon , the fixed set is beautiful .
    • 113 4  I am so disappointed to be giving this horrible review . I have been a long time Amazon shopper and this is my first bad experience . I cannot really fault Amazon , the problem lies solely with Panasonic , yet I am surprised this problem was not mentioned in user reviews which I rely heavily on . I settled on this plasma set after six week of intensive research and visits to local retailers to see the model and talk to unbiased salespeople . Third party reviews by CNET confirmed that this set has the best picture quality of anything in its price range and handily outperforms comparable LCD models . I received my set in two days from [ . . . ] and after setting it up found to my horror , the dreaded 7 blinking light signal . No picture whatsoever . Upon googling the problem I realized this has been a major problem with Panasonic sets for some time . My complaints were channeled from Amazon customer service , to 6th Ave , to Panasonic , and lastly to a local service company contracted by Panasonic . Two days later a technician diagnosed three failed parts and tells me it could take anywhere between two days and sixty ! days to get parts . I am basically stuck with a brand new useless television occupying my living room . I still believe this set is a superior product , once it gets up and running . The service tech convinced me that once fixed the chances of a reoccurrence of the problem are very low , and if it performs well for the first year , the chances of failure later on are also quite low . So , I am twiddling my thumbs and trying to cope with this dilemma . Had I purchased this product from a local store I would be able to demand an exchange . Since it was ordered on line and shipped , the company refuses to exchange it . Buyer beware . * * Update * * Panasonic was relatively gracious and easy to work with . In the end , it took about three weeks to get the set up and running . I am more than happy with the picture quality , the deep blacks , the texture of the image , really everything about the set . The sound is fine with me but not overpowering , obviously one could improve their setup with external audio units . All in all , I am very satisfied with the unit and despite the aggravation of receiving a lemon , the fixed set is beautiful .
    • 116 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) Received the tv and spent all afternoon setting up my components and purchasing a new entertainment center to replace my 27inch Sansui . After work I was able to watch a show on it and was happy although my socks were not knocked off , although I had it going through regular satellite . The next morning ( Saturday ) my son was watching a dvd on it and I heard a pop . I ran in the room and saw my son sitting on the sofa staring at a blank screen and the power light was blinking red . I immediately called panasonic and they arranged to have a tech come and repair it Wednesday morning . After the tech came and attempted to repair it , it popped again , and they took it with them saying that it had 3 bad boards ! ! ! So I've had the set in my house for 5 days , 12 hours of which it actually worked and now its in there shop . Amazon said they will take a return but I have no box , and I still have not heard from Panasonic , but right now I am quite unhappy and Panasonic better give me some love if I am expected to keep the tv . If I wanted a refurb I would have bought a refurb . There was a review that I noticed after I bought the set that someone else's tv popped shortly after they plugged it in but I could not find the review .
    • 117 4  Received the tv and spent all afternoon setting up my components and purchasing a new entertainment center to replace my 27inch Sansui . After work I was able to watch a show on it and was happy although my socks were not knocked off , although I had it going through regular satellite . The next morning ( Saturday ) my son was watching a dvd on it and I heard a pop . I ran in the room and saw my son sitting on the sofa staring at a blank screen and the power light was blinking red . I immediately called panasonic and they arranged to have a tech come and repair it Wednesday morning . After the tech came and attempted to repair it , it popped again , and they took it with them saying that it had 3 bad boards ! ! ! So I've had the set in my house for 5 days , 12 hours of which it actually worked and now its in there shop . Amazon said they will take a return but I have no box , and I still have not heard from Panasonic , but right now I am quite unhappy and Panasonic better give me some love if I am expected to keep the tv . If I wanted a refurb I would have bought a refurb . There was a review that I noticed after I bought the set that someone else's tv popped shortly after they plugged it in but I could not find the review .
    • 118 4  Wife and I bought Samsung 55 850 ( LED backlit ) as our Christmas present to each other . Ever since setting it up we have loved it . It's a beautiful piece of engineering and display technology . The ease of use is awesome . Deleting unwanted TV channels is a piece of cake , quick & simple . Auto clock & date , too . The Panasonic 42S we bought today is much more difficult and awkward to delete unwanted channels . Hit the green button for next page of channels to remove or add takes 20 seconds for the new set to load . It takes 15 minutes to get to channel 112 because there is no direct jump to capability . User must start at channel 1 - 8 the hit the next page button , wait 20 to 40 seconds for pg2 and so on . Even just simple channel surfing , the channel changing is clunky - slow . TV processor speed and operating software are important yet overlooked elements of deciding which TV we consumers would want to bring into our homes . While we fuss endlessly about it with our desktops and laptops , no one pays attention to it with this new generation of HD digital T。's . There must be specs on this somewhere but I didn't see it mentioned during my shopping research . We did pay 6x more for the Samsung , but for $700 to $800 , the Panasonic s / b much easier to use than what it is . I am considering taking it back just for this reason . Our local cable provider re-arranges the upper digital channels on a weekly basis .
    • 119 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I saw one other review that mentioned the panasonic power supply issue . Mine happened 45mins after turning the unit on . . . search the goog this is a fairly common issue . Amazon will ship a replacement unit , panasonic will send out a technician . I hope both methods are not just band aids until the product breaks when they are no longer responsible for the repairs .
    • 121 4  Don't waste your money . . . don't buy a Panasonic . . . there overpriced junk ! Yes , they have an amazing picture but they only last on average about 2 - 3 years before breaking ( blinking light of death ) ! What good is a HDTV that doesn't work and cost 3 / 4 of the price of a new TV to get repaired . If that weren't enough , Panasonic only gives you a 1 year warranty which means that they won't stand behind their so called quality product . Don't be a sucker ! Buy a cheap off-brand TV and when it breaks in 2 - 3 years you won't be out that much cash . All TV manufacturers are using cheap Chinese electronic components which means you're lucky if your TV last more than 3 years . Don't be fooled into thinking your buying quality by buying Panasonic , Sony , Samsung , etc . . . . trust me . . . your not . . . they're are Chinese junk ! It makes no difference whether there LCD or Plasma . . . the outcome is the same . . . a junk TV . I have a workbench of broken flat panels ( LCD & Plasma ) to prove it !

  • Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I can start off with if you read any of these reviews at all read this one first so that when you see some bad ones you wont think about changing your mind . If you click below there is some pictures that say allot . Ok #1 there are some complaints about a humming noise coming from this Plasma tv and yes there is if you dont have any sound on @ all . This is because there are COOLING FANS IN THE BACK and to be honest my HP DV6 is about the same . #2 yes it does get warm but no more than a Ps3 / X box . #3 I was reading and going to all sores I mean stores in a 30 min drive for 2 weeks before I made this buy and seen 2 reviews that really got my attention , pc screen does not fit and bright rooms dont work with this tv @ all . Well look @ the photo's they say it all ! ! Ok screen did not fit when I hooked it up via HDMI but I tryd something that I guess the others did not do , I read the pop up that ask if you would like to fit screen to new HD tv , Who would of thought that something as easy as reading could help ? Brite rooms dont work-LIE or one of those people that find a complaint in everything . There can be a slight glar if you sit all the way to the side op of the light blazing in . #4 Sound as on any tv sucks and i must say Id rather watch a 7 with big sound than a 42 with stock speakers any day.I meen whats the point if your OH NO ! hold on need more coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ok and were back sorry about that were was I ? Oh if your going to get a big screen , high deff with all options for a great mix why not do it rite . Im going swimming but only going to put my feet in ? What the heck is that . So back to truth and maybe a bit more wise cracks , I got all my stuff from Amazon because I hate going into stores with sales men that think Ive not done my research or have there own opinion of whats good and whats not and you have people blocking your path asking a bunch of questions that the sales man is going to tell you what it is he thinks you want to here just to get the sale . I cant stress enough about doing research on some thing or all things that are going to be part of you having any regret's or not + warranty price alot better hope we dont need it . I found what i was willing to spend then added 1k on top . ( seem to work out well ) 42 panasonic s1 of course , sony str-dn1000 , polk mon 30 ' s mon center and Bic america surrounds and 1 Bose a5 sub and 1 yamaha 10 powered sub ( not here yet ) all hooked to my ps3 and or laptop.You may need to fool with the settings the colors are of the chart brite and the sync works great.Make sure you go through the instruction well it was not that hard for me but Im still finding things new that did not worked they way i thought they do . So with that said let me close this out with things We never watched before well HD who cares what its about LOOK AT THAT PICTURE ! My wife said before it came we dont need that ! Oh YHA ? she has fell asleep in front every night this week lol . IF IT HAD BLUETOOTH OH MY , AND WOULD I RECO THIS TO A FRIEND ? Thats a BIG HECK NO ! ! They would never come here for the games and i hate when friends have something as good or better than me . Not that i need to be better but like to have nice things that i can shear with others.My shopping started off with going to get a 32 LCD and that was it . AND 1 MORE THING IMPORTANT ! you will read that 720p and 1080p are very hard to tell apart on 42 or smaller . Thats some what true on this tv because it ups signal to 1080p if able to , But on all the other tvs i looked at and im talking 3 1 / 2 hrs @ best buy and who knows how long @ C City , and ABC wearhouse if you cant tell the dif . . . . On the next trash day go around and look for the big box of a flat screen and come back next week and they should have thrown out there old tv , then you can grab that up and save some money . There was one in front of my house but someone got it . And people if your going to post a photo of your HD tv You need a Hd camera be fair to the product please .
    • 066 4  THIS IS THE BESST PURCHASE I。VE MADE IN YEARS . EXCELLANT PICTURE , SOUND AND THE RIGHT FIT . I REALLY ENJOY THE SD CARD SLOT FOR VIEWIING MY DIGITAL PICTURES .
    • 069 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I have had this 42 Panasonic Viera Plasma TV for nearly four month's now ; I upgraded from a 21 Panasonic CRT . This is a really great TV at a reasonable price . I chose plasma because they got great reviews and seem to have less issues with backlighting and were a bit cheaper than current generation LED / LCD's . I opted for the S version over the X version because I don't have broadband . We get 20 odd channels over the air with an antenna , PBS which has a lot of HD programming comes in beautifully . We joined Netflix about the same time and have really been enjoying the home theatre experience . My TV room is narrow less than 12 ' so I made cardboard cutouts while deciding between the 42 and the 46 , in hind sight I could have gone with the 46 . I was worried a 46 from 7 feet away would be too big or grainy , the fact is you could be 12 away with HD before it starts to pixilate , and the picture is so good , bigger is better once you experience the feel of home theatre . I added the Blu-ray DVD player , have yet to try a Blu-ray disc , but we're ready for them . I already had an Onkyo 7.1 surround sound receiver , added a motley collection of speakers , a pair of old KL。's , some home built rear and recently added a BIC 12 sub woofer , now we can get all the sound effects and deep base we can handle . I used the HDMI connections for the Onkyo , Blu-ray and TV ; these are a must to get the HD experience . Needed the composite hook up for a somewhat antiquated VCR , and a digital optical input for the best sound from the Home Theatre Amp . The message here is DON'T FORGET TO ORDER CABLES ALONG WITH THE TV . The sound out of the TV itself is OK , not horrible but far from a surround sound experience . I have never adjusted any of the picture settings , colors are rich and accurate , occasionally a bit dark but this can be adjusted by opting for the theatre experience which enhances the picture abit . Controls and adjustments both on the TV and the Onkyo require studying the manuals and carefully selecting from multi-layer menus . Not always clear what you want or how to get it , since we don't do this everyday , adjustments require revisiting the manual . Once you are happy with what you have great , still need 3 remotes , haven't been successful using any one as a universal though all claim it's possible . Overall a huge upgrade from the old TV , enjoying it !
    • 101 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) REVIEWED CONSUMER REPORTS EVALUATIONS BEFORE PURCHASE . PRODUCT MEETS EXPECTIONS - EXCELLENT PICTURE , GOOD PRICE & PROMPT SHIPMENT BY AMAZON.COM
    • 102 4  REVIEWED CONSUMER REPORTS EVALUATIONS BEFORE PURCHASE . PRODUCT MEETS EXPECTIONS - EXCELLENT PICTURE , GOOD PRICE & PROMPT SHIPMENT BY AMAZON.COM
    • 114 4  This review is from : Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42 - Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ( Electronics ) I can start off with if you read any of these reviews at all read this one first so that when you see some bad ones you wont think about changing your mind . If you click below there is some pictures that say allot . Ok #1 there are some complaints about a humming noise coming from this Plasma tv and yes there is if you dont have any sound on @ all . This is because there are COOLING FANS IN THE BACK and to be honest my HP DV6 is about the same . #2 yes it does get warm but no more than a Ps3 / X box . #3 I was reading and going to all sores I mean stores in a 30 min drive for 2 weeks before I made this buy and seen 2 reviews that really got my attention , pc screen does not fit and bright rooms dont work with this tv @ all . Well look @ the photo's they say it all ! ! Ok screen did not fit when I hooked it up via HDMI but I tryd something that I guess the others did not do , I read the pop up that ask if you would like to fit screen to new HD tv , Who would of thought that something as easy as reading could help ? Brite rooms dont work-LIE or one of those people that find a complaint in everything . There can be a slight glar if you sit all the way to the side op of the light blazing in . #4 Sound as on any tv sucks and i must say Id rather watch a 7 with big sound than a 42 with stock speakers any day.I meen whats the point if your OH NO ! hold on need more coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ok and were back sorry about that were was I ? Oh if your going to get a big screen , high deff with all options for a great mix why not do it rite . Im going swimming but only going to put my feet in ? What the heck is that . So back to truth and maybe a bit more wise cracks , I got all my stuff from Amazon because I hate going into stores with sales men that think Ive not done my research or have there own opinion of whats good and whats not and you have people blocking your path asking a bunch of questions that the sales man is going to tell you what it is he thinks you want to here just to get the sale . I cant stress enough about doing research on some thing or all things that are going to be part of you having any regret's or not + warranty price alot better hope we dont need it . I found what i was willing to spend then added 1k on top . ( seem to work out well ) 42 panasonic s1 of course , sony str-dn1000 , polk mon 30 ' s mon center and Bic america surrounds and 1 Bose a5 sub and 1 yamaha 10 powered sub ( not here yet ) all hooked to my ps3 and or laptop.You may need to fool with the settings the colors are of the chart brite and the sync works great.Make sure you go through the instruction well it was not that hard for me but Im still finding things new that did not worked they way i thought they do . So with that said let me close this out with things We never watched before well HD who cares what its about LOOK AT THAT PICTURE ! My wife said before it came we dont need that ! Oh YHA ? she has fell asleep in front every night this week lol . IF IT HAD BLUETOOTH OH MY , AND WOULD I RECO THIS TO A FRIEND ? Thats a BIG HECK NO ! ! They would never come here for the games and i hate when friends have something as good or better than me . Not that i need to be better but like to have nice things that i can shear with others.My shopping started off with going to get a 32 LCD and that was it . AND 1 MORE THING IMPORTANT ! you will read that 720p and 1080p are very hard to tell apart on 42 or smaller . Thats some what true on this tv because it ups signal to 1080p if able to , But on all the other tvs i looked at and im talking 3 1 / 2 hrs @ best buy and who knows how long @ C City , and ABC wearhouse if you cant tell the dif . . . . On the next trash day go around and look for the big box of a flat screen and come back next week and they should have thrown out there old tv , then you can grab that up and save some money . There was one in front of my house but someone got it . And people if your going to post a photo of your HD tv You need a Hd camera be fair to the product please .
    • 115 4  I can start off with if you read any of these reviews at all read this one first so that when you see some bad ones you wont think about changing your mind . If you click below there is some pictures that say allot . Ok #1 there are some complaints about a humming noise coming from this Plasma tv and yes there is if you dont have any sound on @ all . This is because there are COOLING FANS IN THE BACK and to be honest my HP DV6 is about the same . #2 yes it does get warm but no more than a Ps3 / X box . #3 I was reading and going to all sores I mean stores in a 30 min drive for 2 weeks before I made this buy and seen 2 reviews that really got my attention , pc screen does not fit and bright rooms dont work with this tv @ all . Well look @ the photo's they say it all ! ! Ok screen did not fit when I hooked it up via HDMI but I tryd something that I guess the others did not do , I read the pop up that ask if you would like to fit screen to new HD tv , Who would of thought that something as easy as reading could help ? Brite rooms dont work-LIE or one of those people that find a complaint in everything . There can be a slight glar if you sit all the way to the side op of the light blazing in . #4 Sound as on any tv sucks and i must say Id rather watch a 7 with big sound than a 42 with stock speakers any day.I meen whats the point if your OH NO ! hold on need more coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ok and were back sorry about that were was I ? Oh if your going to get a big screen , high deff with all options for a great mix why not do it rite . Im going swimming but only going to put my feet in ? What the heck is that . So back to truth and maybe a bit more wise cracks , I got all my stuff from Amazon because I hate going into stores with sales men that think Ive not done my research or have there own opinion of whats good and whats not and you have people blocking your path asking a bunch of questions that the sales man is going to tell you what it is he thinks you want to here just to get the sale . I cant stress enough about doing research on some thing or all things that are going to be part of you having any regret's or not + warranty price alot better hope we dont need it . I found what i was willing to spend then added 1k on top . ( seem to work out well ) 42 panasonic s1 of course , sony str-dn1000 , polk mon 30 ' s mon center and Bic america surrounds and 1 Bose a5 sub and 1 yamaha 10 powered sub ( not here yet ) all hooked to my ps3 and or laptop.You may need to fool with the settings the colors are of the chart brite and the sync works great.Make sure you go through the instruction well it was not that hard for me but Im still finding things new that did not worked they way i thought they do . So with that said let me close this out with things We never watched before well HD who cares what its about LOOK AT THAT PICTURE ! My wife said before it came we dont need that ! Oh YHA ? she has fell asleep in front every night this week lol . IF IT HAD BLUETOOTH OH MY , AND WOULD I RECO THIS TO A FRIEND ? Thats a BIG HECK NO ! ! They would never come here for the games and i hate when friends have something as good or better than me . Not that i need to be better but like to have nice things that i can shear with others.My shopping started off with going to get a 32 LCD and that was it . AND 1 MORE THING IMPORTANT ! you will read that 720p and 1080p are very hard to tell apart on 42 or smaller . Thats some what true on this tv because it ups signal to 1080p if able to , But on all the other tvs i looked at and im talking 3 1 / 2 hrs @ best buy and who knows how long @ C City , and ABC wearhouse if you cant tell the dif . . . . On the next trash day go around and look for the big box of a flat screen and come back next week and they should have thrown out there old tv , then you can grab that up and save some money . There was one in front of my house but someone got it . And people if your going to post a photo of your HD tv You need a Hd camera be fair to the product please .
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