Customer Ratings & Reviews

Great tv. Everyone should get one. Good for price.

Great tv just wish I would have paid attention to how many audio outlets it had.

The picture is a little more fuzzy than our 42 inch Samsung. Both are plasma.

Meaning you will have to rearrange your whole entertainment configuration.

Great product. This is the third Panasonic TV we have in this house.

Great TV for the price that it was purchased at. Sale was going on

The picture was too dark even when adjusted. The surface of the set was so reflective that any and all light from windows or table, wall or ceiling lights shined back in your face to the point where you could not enjoy the picture. I brought the set back to the store after one day of use.

I took the TV back because I was convinced an LED TV was superior.

Great product with a very good price. Wonderful delivery service.

nice T V for the money, add a sound bar and it's a lot better.

I bought this TV to replace the 42" Panasonic plasma I bought in December 2006 when it recently developed the horizontal "green line of death" down the middle of the screen. After consulting with a local repair shop, I was told that fixing my old set would cost me somewhere between $100 (a fee I'd have to pay just to find out what was wrong with it, and if it ended up being a loose solder joint, that would be repaired during the diagnostic exam) and $400 (if it was a bad board; I was told it could also be a bad power supply). I knew I definitely didn't want to spend $400, and that I could end up gambling $100 away if it was more than a bad solder joint, so I headed down to Best Buy to look for a replacement [okay, I'd admit it--I was also jonesing for a full 1080P plasma with a refresh rate 10x as fast as my old one, and this was my excuse to get one ;-)]. The fact that my previous TV only lasted five years and four months did not exactly put me in the mood to walk in and buy another Panasonic. In fact, I wanted to buy ANYTHING BUT a Panasonic. After doing some research online, I was also figuring on having to spend around $1,000 for a new set, as it didn't appear that there were any out there without 3D (which I really didn't want) and Internet connectivity (which I really didn't need, since I already own a new Apple TV and an networked Blu-Ray player). After looking around a bit, I was greeted by a very helpful Best Buy employee who took the time to ask me about my home setup and what I was looking for in a new TV. After our discussion, it was clear that what I was really looking for was the best 2D monitor I could afford and, you guessed it, that ended up being the model you're looking at right now. The guy explained that Panasonic bought Pioneer's plasma TV technology (Pioneer's plasmas were the best in the business before they stopped making them), and that if he hadn't bought a brand new Samsung two weeks before this model came out (ouch!), this is the one he would have taken home. He was right; the picture on this set is phenomenal. It's so new that no one has posted optimal settings for it on one of the many blogs and forums out there (or at least hadn't yet when I bought it last month; I need to check again), but from previous experience, I was able to dial in a pretty killer picture on my own right off the bat. I run all my components (cable box, Blu-Ray player and Apple TV) via HDMI through my Onkyo receiver, so I can't comment on the sound quality of the set's speakers (I have them turned off). For this reason, I really only need one HDMI input on the TV, but other people connect their components directly to their sets, and only two HDMI inputs does seem a bit chintzy by 2012 standards. It may seem silly, but my only real complaint is that the unit didn't come with safety straps to connect the base of the TV to my entertainment center in case of an earthquake. My previous set came with them (and sat on a much sturdier base, I might add), so I was disappointed that this one didn't have them, to the point that I called Panasonic to ask if they were inadvertently left out of the box and was told that they weren't included). Maybe it's because so many people mount their sets on the wall these days, but some of us still don't, and how much can two plastic straps cost? Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase. In fact, the picture is so good that, unfortunately, it's really exposed the quality of my cable signal as not being so hot; throw in a Blu-Ray disc and prepare to be shocked and awed. Hopefully this set will last longer than my last one; if so, I'll be a very satisfied customer.

This is in our basement. Little light so a plasma tv is great.

sale price made this television a great value for the money

Only negative thing is the backlight dims and brightens.

There are enough HDMI cable ports for all my components

I returned the above TV for another type - did not like the Plasma picture quality. My service could not have been better. The exchange was made smoothly and I am really enjoying the TV that I purchased as a replacement - bigger screen and the quality is excellent.

I picked this up after our 7-year-old 42" plasma started having audio/video problems. At about half the price (amazing how technology gets better and cheaper), I consider this a nice upgrade. 50" is a nice, comfortable size for most living rooms. This TV doesn't offer 3D or network capabilities. That's fine with me - I'd rather have external devices for media and I'm definitely not sold on 3D in its current state. This panel doesn't have much in the way of ports. There are no PC connections (no DVI or VGA) and only two HDMI ports. I'm using an automatic HDMI splitter so I can hook up my 4 devices - which works fine and only cost about $40. Assembly of its wide foot was very easy and holds the set nice and level (a problem some thin post sets have, I'm told). I did find it necessary to purchase a digital audio cable (a clear, plastic tube which relays the sound as impulses of red light) so I could connect it to my stereo (which doesn't have HDMI inputs). Using only HDMI and the digital audio ensures the best possible signal. The set does have your typical array of RCA jacks for input from analog devices but I advise sticking with digital for best results. As for the picture, the first thing my family and I noticed was it wasn't as bright as our previous set. Here's what I did to get things looking right (for me, at least): I found the best setting (so far) for mine to be custom: 1> Set all extra video controls to "off" 2> Set contrast to 100 (yeah, all the way up!) 3> Set brightness to 80 4> Set sharpness to 100 5> Set pull-down (advanced video settings) to auto 6> Tint and color settings are at their default settings (zero). 7> HDMI settings are set to normal - no "photo" or other settings enabled. I used a "Monsters Inc" DVD to calibrate it. Not many people know this but any movie with the "THX" logo on the back has a "THX Optimizer" set of test patterns and sound tests in the DVD's setup menu. After setting everything there first, I returned to live TV (news, sports, anything live is usually good content - don't trust TV shows or commercials) and made a few minor changes to contrast and brightness (increasing both a bit till I was happy with the brightness). This set does take a bit more work to get it adjusted correctly (when compared to my previous Philips 42" plasma). My challenge was to balance the amazing, ultra-deep blacks this set is capable of with my need to brighten the screen up satisfactorily. If it's not done right, you'll end up with over-blown whites which wash out detail. Done correctly, you'll end up with a theater-grade picture. Just don't expect content on every channel to look perfect! Adjust for the best signal possible and leave the settings alone or you'll drive yourself crazy.

I had been looking around for a new TV to replace my 6-year old 42" HP plasma for a while, and thought I'd give an LCD a try because I thought both the price and energy consumption would be better than the average plasm, and it would have a decent picture. I purchased a Toshiba 46" LCD several weeks ago for about $200 less than this unit, and returned it within several days . . . maybe I'm just used to watching plasma, but the picture was terrible (and yes, I get that LCD will have some blur on movement, but this was outright chop - looked like I was only watching every other or every third frame of action). After poking around some more on various websites, I came across this product. It received good reviews on every website that I could find reviews on, and the price was reasonable, even when compared to brand-name LCD's in this size range. I stopped into my local Best Buy to actually see it in action (learned my leason about buying sight-unseen from the previous fiasco) and was pleased with the picture - it's clear and sharp even on action, as expected from a plasma. I was also surprised to discover that its Energy Star rating was better than the LCD that I had previously purchased by about 1/3 (showing $21 a year to operate at the assumed Kwh pricing and 5 hour/day usage, the LCD was in the low $30's). As an extra-special bonus, it is quite light (my old beast weighs 83# with the speakers attached, this feels well under 50#, but I didn't look into the details. It also has a nice double-leg base which makes it feel much more stable on its stand as opposed to the single leg stands on some TVs - with a small child in the house, it makes us feel a little more secure that the TV isn't going to tip over just because someone bumps it wrong. The only complaint that I have to date (and we've had it for a week now, so we haven't explored everything yet) is that it only has 2 HDMI connections - HD Satellite and Blu-Ray suck those up for us, so if we want to connect a gaming console, we either have to purchase some sort of HDMI splitter or use a different connection type. That's a little disappointing, but we'll probably survive it.

I purchased this TV to replace a brand new LG LCD and and an old Samsung DLP TV. Also, I own a large LG LED in anoher room. Since I pretty much own a variety of different styles. I can confidently say that this TV blows them all away. First of all, I refuse to comment on the DLP. (thank god that technology has died. because that t.v. gave me nothing but headaches with such a horrible picture. It made me sick to know I spent a lot of money when it first came out) The picture quality on this Panasonic is outstanding. The colors are amazing and the refresh rate is flawless. There are no boxes, or twitching lines like that of the other T.V.s. Even non HD shows are amazing. Much different than the LCD and LEDs. The TV is heavier than the other two. But 40 lbs to me is not heavy at all. In fact, I like it better. I kind of makes you think that you have a better quality TV, than a cheap plastic junk. Besides, if you are going to mount a TV on a wall. It has to be mounted to a stud, So the weight should not make a difference. Much of the weight comes from the glass screen. LCDs and LEDs have plexiglass. The difference between the two is key. Glass does create a glare when placed in a well lit room; plexiglass doesn't. My family room has heavier curtains, so this was not a factor. However glass is much easier to clean and gives a much better picture when on. Also the glass is much stronger than the plexiglass. The reason I had to replace my LCD (after 3 months of use# was because my son through the wii remote through the screen. The plexiglass didn't break. But the actual picture screen shattered. If you don't know what I mean. Press the screen on a LCD or LED TV or moniter. And you will see the screen blanch different colors. This is what broke, turning the TV into next days garbage pick-up. I also wanted to dispute any misknown facts about Plasma TVs. There are NO burn in issues as of yet. In fact, the picture is still brand new. Burn in concerns and been addressed and fixed with Panasonic. And the other misknown fact is the life span of a plasma TV. I was told that they may not last as long. Although I can or cannot dispute that. I will say. In general, Are TVs made to last long? NO!! No TV is going to last a long time. They aren't made that way any more. Maybe your tube TV you have hidden somewhere lasted 20 plus years. But not anymore. All TVs, now, are disposable. They work for a few years, break and get thrown out. Nobody fixes them. And with the fast changes in technology. Nobody wants to. My only gripe with this TV, are the connections. There are way too few connections. 2 HDMI and 1 composite OR 1 component connections. Which make hooking things up a real problem. There are just two few of each connection. With the cable box, DVD player, Xbox and Wii. I find myself constantly switching cables. And without the option of side connectors, it outright sucks. But that is it. All in all, I found this TV to be outstanding. I love it. The picture is by far the best. Sound is good #great for flat TV standards) and the refresh rate makes the picture so real. With a picture like this, you don't need the 3d picture. And the quality is excellent. As one would expect from an respectable company such as Panasonic. The Bottom Line..... LCDs and LED aren't in the same League as this Plasma. It is not even close.

I almost sent this back because it was too big for the room. But after I watched a movie on it I was hooked! Fantastic picture, great contrast, no ghosting or motion blur. The receiver picks up an additional channel my old TV couldn't get. Features are great. It's coordinating with my Yamaha receiver through HDMI like it's supposed to. The speakers you can get into such a narrow box leave a lot to be desired, but if it's part of a theater system you won't care because you'll be using the receiver anyway. If not, add a $150 sound bar and you'll love it! You can have either Component OR Composite video in but not both. 2 HDMI ins and a digital audio out (for the above mentioned sound bar), but no RCA audio out. The delivery team was on time and very helpful.