Written by We’ve been waiting for years for moderately priced, internet-ready TVs to make it to the mainstream, and now that day has come. It only makes sense to merge all of our entertainment (TV, radio, online streaming, videos, games, music, social networking) in one device, and what better method than through a large, flat-screen TV? One popular HDTV touting such features is the Panasonic Viera TC-P42S30. This television seems ideal for those who want to enjoy all of their media while in the comfort of their couch, bed, or generally anywhere away from the computer. But, is this HDTV really revolutionary, and does it truly deliver on its promises?
Panasonic Viera TC-P42S30 Product Highlights
- 1080p Plasma HDTV
- 42 inches
- Internet-ready
- Long panel life (100,000 hours)
- Easy IPTV
- Game Mode
- Fast switching Phosphor
- 3 HDMI Ports
- More Details
What We Liked About the Panasonic Viera TC-P42S30
- Easy Setup – Basically, you just plug in this HDTV and it is ready to go. The setup is simple even if you have to hook up various accessories (game system, Blu-ray, DVD player, etc) since this Viera 1080p TV walks you step by step through the process.
- Picture – The picture is crisp and clean with deep blacks and vibrant colors, just as you would expect from a plasma tv. You can even adjust the display settings for your preferences.
- Size – The Panasonic Viera HDTV is relatively light and slim for a plasma tv. Its thin size makes it easy to mount on the wall, which can easily be done with two people.
- HDMI Ports – In our opinion, it’s a deal breaker if a HDTV doesn’t have enough HDMI ports. People buy HDTVs for a reason (because they want to watch stuff in HD), so it becomes incredibly frustrating when there aren’t enough ports to hook up all of your devices. In the end, you end up having to sacrifice the picture quality of one of your players. Luckily, the Panasonic TC-P42S30 is equipped with 3 HDMI ports, which seems to be just enough for most people’s needs.
- Game Mode – We had doubts about whether this feature would really enhance our gaming experience, but it is actually a pretty cool addition. When in game mode, the TV shortens the amount of time that an image is displayed (reduces aftereffects). This enables you to see movements much quicker, which is great for FPS games where you seem to be just a little quicker on the draw.
- Internet-ready – For us, this was a huge selling point. How great is it to be able to watch Netflix, listen to Pandora, or checkout your Facebook page from anywhere in your house?
- Click here for more details on the TC-P42S30
What We Didn’t Like about the Panasonic Viera TC-P42S30
- No WiFi Adapter – It isn’t really unusual that the WiFi adapter wasn’t included, but just once we would like to buy a device that has everything that you need already in the box. Of course, you could run a LAN cable, but if you’re like most, you will probably wind up buying the WiFi adapter separately.
- Picture Suffers in Bright Light – This is kind of expected with plasma HDTVs, but still, it is kind of annoying when you are watching TV in the day and you don’t see those promised “deep blacks.” The best solution is to position the TV away from glare and get some thick curtains.
- Speakers – The speakers are just ok. You can’t really expect too much from a 20 watt speaker, although you’d hope that it wouldn’t rattle when the volume gets loud. If you’re looking for home theater quality sound, you may want to invest in some higher-end speakers.
Summary
Overall, the Panasonic Viera HDTV does what it advertises. The extra features like Netflix, Pandora, and Facebook add so much value to your TV since it is really an entertainment hub. If you have another device hooked up to the TV that streams Hulu you may even consider ditching your cable and saving yourself a few bucks a month. From only an HDTV standpoint, this Viera 1080p tv is a great entry level plasma. For less than $800, you get crisp visuals, and vivid colors of a plasma without having to break the bank.
Click here to check out the Panasonic Viera TC-P42S30
Alternatives
Interested in some similar HDTVs? Check out these other two models:
Panasonic VIERA TC-P50S30 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV -
At 50 inches, this HDTV is a couple of sizes up from the TC-P42S30. It has all the same features as the smaller versions (internet, 1080p, HDMIs, etc), but with a bigger screen.
LG 42LK520 42-Inch 1080p LCD TV -
This LG HDTV is comparable in price to the TC-P42S30, but it is an LCD and not a plasma. The TV’s main features are its TruMotion, picture wizard, and contrast ratio of 150,000:1.
