Product Description

Panasonic combines the very best in image quality, customization and size selection in its new Professional Series plasma family. With an up to 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 3,072 shades of gradation and industry-leading 16-bit color processing, the TH-42PH9UK delivers significant image quality improvements to produce an unforgettable visual experience. Panasonic's multi-function input slot system offers seamless integration in virtually any AV, PC or interactive environment, so it can be used in the widest range of vertical or horizontal display applications. This 42" panel is more lighter and more energy efficient than the previous generation, and its ultra-stylish design looks ultra sleek even when the panel is turned off. Taken as a whole, the TH-42PH9UK is a stunning 42" high definition professional plasma display that delivers the elegance and superb image quality for any installation, while providing full integration in an automated environment. The TH-42PH9UK comes standard with PC Input, Audio Input (for PC), Serial Control (RS-232C) Input, BNC Component Video/RGB Input and Audio Input, BNC Composite Video Input, S-Video Input, and Audio Input (for Video). There is an available slot for an optional terminal board. Or, the standard boards can be removed to allow up to three optional boards.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44036 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: TH-42PH10UK
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 28.00" h x 45.00" w x 17.00" l, 92.00 pounds
• Display size: 42

Features

• 16-bit processing to produce 3,072 steps of gradation
• Up to 10,000:1 contrast level with new Real Black Creation technology
• Outstanding 60,000-hour service life
• 1024 x 768 resolution
• New technology significantly resists burn-in

Amazon.com
A stunning 42" high definition professional plasma display that delivers the elegance and superb image quality for any installation, while providing full integration in an automated environment.

With an up to 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 3,072 shades of gradation and industry-leading 16-bit processing, the TH-42PH9UK delivers significant image quality improvements to produce an unforgettable visual experience. With Panasonic's multi-function input slot system, this 42" flat panel display offers seamless integration in virtually any AV, PC or interactive environment, so it can be used in the widest range of vertical or horizontal display applications. This 42" panel is more light weight (15% lighter than prior models) and more energy efficient, and its ultra-stylish design looks ultra sleek even when the panel's turned off. Panasonic combines the very best in image quality, customization and size selection in its new Professional Series plasma family.

The TH-42PH9UK comes standard with PC Input, Audio Input (for PC), Serial Control (RS-232C) Input, BNC Component Video/RGB Input and Audio Input, BNC Composite Video Input, S-Video Input, and Audio Input (for Video). There is an available slot for an optional terminal board. Or, you can remove the standard boards and mount up to three optional boards.

• Industry's leading 16-bit processing to produces 3,072 steps of gradation
• Up to 10,000:1 contrast level with new Real Black Creation technology
• New Deep Black Filter achieves highest contrast ratio when viewing in brightly-lit rooms
• Plug-in architecture allows the addition of multi-function terminal boards for added connectivity and functionality
• Outstanding 60,000-hour service life
• Newly-developed phosphor significantly resists burn-in as effectively as CRT displays
• New Advanced Dual Picture and built-in image enlarging function enhances multi-screen systems
• Expanded configurations for multi-screen displays and the ability to enlarge an image up to 4X vertically and horizontally
• 1024 x 768 resolution
• Supports VGA, SVGA and XGA (uncompressed); SXGA, and UXGA (compressed) PC signal compatibility
• Supports 1080/60i, 1080/50i, 1080/24p, 1080/24sf, 1080/25p, 1080/30p, 720/60p, 720/50p, 480/60p, 480/60i signal compatibility
• From an on-board PC to CAT5 to HD-SDI, Panasonic offers the widest array of optional boards to customize a panel to meet practically any application

Customer Reviews

Beautiful picture, simple frame
I'll start out by saying the PH9UK series by Panasonic isn't for everyone. This is an "industrial" model rather than a consumer model. Because of this, there are some things to consider before purchasing:
1) No built in tuner (not an issue if you have digital cable or satellite)
2) No built in speakers (not an issue if you use an audio receiver and surround sound to take advantage of the sound quality from HD channels!)
3) Stand/Mount not included (you have to buy it separately)
4) Limited included inputs (You can purchase a "blade" for HDMI or DVI, or even some for high-end video monitor input)

This is one great value for a plasma. The picture is beautiful. Image retention is virtually nonexistant--even when I pause things on my DVR for several minutes, nothing has "burned-in". I can't speak to video games, but CNN/ESPN tickers and channel logos are not an issue for this set.

You can tweak this monitor much more than the consumer models, perfect if you really are into A/V equipment and home theater. It has incredible black levels and a great contrast ratio.

I purchased the stable stand for this set. It's surprisingly sturdy. The TV is in no danger of falling.

If I had the choice again, I'd buy this set in a heartbeat. It's 5 months old and I have NO regrets.

Great Plasma
CNet was right on the money rating this plasma excellent. I would rank it as phenominal in terms of it's clarity, color, and performance. This is not a full 1080p resolution, only 1080i, but it honestly could matter on a screen this size (not to mention that nothing much is even in 1080p yet anyhow). Sportcenter looks amazing, Monday Night Football is stunning, and HBO HD has some really impressive movies that look great (I watched the original JAWS movie, and that initally sequence with the girl in the water took on a whole new scary feel). I also enjoy how I can hook up my computer and watch TV and browse the internet at the same time.

I researched plasma screens quite extensively, and this is the best bang for the buck out there. I am actually debating getting another one, the price was so good (how's that for a review, eh?).

I do have advise on this purchase, for others. It is in Panasonic's "professional" line and as such it has no tuner, no speakers, no HDMI input and no stand. Most people have a cable box or dish, so no tuner is rarely an issue--and you'll want to run the sound through your home stereo anyway to compliment sound with picture--but you absolutely will need to buy a wall mount or the stand for this screen. You will also need the HDMI input (sold separately), if you want the high quality input feed. You could probably get away with component video cables, but for an extra $130, it will be worth it in the end. I got the input and the stand (also both Amazon purchases) and was very happy about it.

Lastly, Amazon routed my purchase through Ritz Camera as the vender. I was skeptical at first, reading some of their online reviews from other users, but they deliever on time, with no problems at all. I would be willing to use them again, personally. Their customer service phone support isn't the best (they have no idea what they are doing), but it was a non-issue.

Enjoy, this is a great product.

Very Good near-HD quality plasma
Pros
* Amazing lifelike color
* HD content looks beautiful with lots of details
* SD content, while not as detailed, looks much better than on normal TVs (heck, better than most other HDTVs)
* Deep blacks with very good shadow detail
* Independent inputs (great for universal remote controls)
* Independent color settings for each input
* Good-looking minimalist frame
* Built to last forever (it's an industrial model)

Cons
* Stand sold separately (extra $200)
* Few input ports, and HDMI is an optional accessory (extra $175)
* Speakers sold separately ($350, but users should route through their stereo receiver or home theater A/V systems for much better sound anyway)
* No built-in channel tuners (but most people get broadcast signals from cable or satellite anyway, so you use their tuners instead)
* Glossy screen reflects surroundings, which may be distracting with daytime use
* 720P resolution isn't quite true HD (1080P, but as a 42" set, from 8 feet away you won't be able to tell, and almost all plasmas this size are not either).

This is one of the best values on a 42" HD set available today. Not only do you get class-leading video reproduction with great color and clarity, it's a tweaker's dream with extensive adjustments for tone, color balance, black level, etc. Compared to most consumer displays in its price range, the Panasonic has superior black reproduction and very accurate color.

It's few drawbacks -- you must buy some accessories separately that come standard with consumer models -- are more than compensated by it's low price and great performance. Plus, it looks great with a matte charcoal finish and no wasted embellishments like silver trim or lame built-in speakers.

The proof is when you watch HD content, either DVDs or high-def programming from Discovery HD or HDnet. Even ABC news in HD is amazing...wow, check out his hair...and her makeup! You've never seen a newsperson so clearly before. It's like a window into the studio.