Product Description

42" Plasma, 720p, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 30,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3425 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: black
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: TC-P42X1
• Released on: 2009-06-15
• Dimensions: 26.10" h x 4.20" w x 40.60" l, 57.40 pounds
• Display size: 42

Features

• 42-inch plasma 720p HDTV with three HDMI inputs
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive produces crisp, focused images for sports, dramatic action, and all other fast-moving scenes
• VIERA Image Viewer lets you share your digital photos with friends and family directly from SD cards
• VIERA Link lets you control your compatible Panasonic DVD recorder, Blu-ray Disc player, home theater sound system and HD camcorder
• Contrast Ratio: 30,000:1 Native; Infinite Black Panel

From the Manufacturer
Manufacturer's Description (April 23, 2009)
Setting the standard for image quality in their class, Panasonic's X1 Series plasma HDTVs are ideal for sports, movies and gaming, with crisp, focused images during fast-moving scenes. The 42" TC-P42X1 offers 600Hz Sub-field Drive for crisp, focused images, VIERA Image Viewer for easy photo sharing, and VIERA Link to control all compatible devices with a single remote. Add three HDMI inputs and other unique features like Panasonic's "Game Mode" and you've got the perfect center to your entertainment system.

Panasonic's new U1 Series Plasma HDTVs are ideal for sports and movies, with crisp, focused images during fast-moving scenes. Click to enlarge or view inputs.

The VIERA Difference
Panasonic VIERA TVs combine high picture quality, smart networking, environmental friendliness, and stylish design. The X1 Plasma series features:

• 720p Resolution
• Contrast Ratio: 30,000:1 Native; Infinite Black Panel
• 720 Lines of Moving Picture Resolution
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive
• VIERA Image Viewer
• VIERA Link
• AR (Anti-Reflective) Filter
• Game Mode
• 3 HDMI Inputs
• 100,000 Hour Panel Life

600Hz Sub-field Drive
600Hz technology lets you view superb full-HD motion and still images with 1,080 lines of resolution. For even greater clarity with motion images, Panasonic uses its own unique image-analysis technology. This technology converts the motion in each scene into data. And each frame is practically displayed for a shorter length of time than in previous systems, to reduce aftereffects.

Over 2,000,000:1 High Contrast (Native 30,000:1)
New VIERA models incorporate an improved panel production process and the new Real Black Drive system. A pre-discharge control system, the Real Black Drive system combines with achieve next-generation black reproduction. When you're watching movies, VIERA renders images just the way the director intended, even in scenes where it's difficult to achieve a proper balance of light and dark.

With VIERA Image Viewer, simply insert an SD card into VIERA to display photos and full-HD videos on the large screen.

Wide Color Viewing Angle
View breathtaking images with rich, vivid colors from anywhere in the room. Because plasma TVs are self-illuminating, images look beautiful from any angle. Black areas do not fade, and colors look virtually the same no matter where you sit.

AR Filter
This advanced filter keeps images sharp, with minimal glare. While dramatically reducing reflections from external light, it helps to produce clear images. This filter creates pure, crisp images in a wide range of colors.

VIERA Image Viewer
VIERA Image Viewer makes it easy to watch full-HD images by using the SD card slot. It lets you enjoy high-resolution, full-HD photos and videos with superb image quality and vivid colors on VIERA's large screen. Simply insert an SD card into the SD card slot to show your photos and full-HD videos on the large screen!

• Shoot still and motion images with a digital camera or HD camcorder.
• Insert the SD card into VIERA's card slot
• View photos and motion images in full-HD quality on VIERA's large screen.

The advanced AR filter keeps images sharp, with minimal glare.

View breathtaking images with rich, vivid colors from anywhere in the room.

VIERA Tools
With the new VIERA Tools user interface, simply press a button on the remote control and icons such as the photos or movies from the menu screen. Now you can just select the one you want. This kind of easy operation means you have more fun and less hassle.

The Next Level of Video Gaming
Take your team to the championship and your gaming to the next level. A specialized Game Mode helps ensure fluid and seamless gameplay by minimizing time lag when displaying game images. With Game Mode turned on, you get the motion resolution and enhanced details you need to win. And don't worry about racking up all those long hours playing; anti-image retention technology and a remarkable 100,000 hour panel life ensure that your VIERA HDTV will still run smoothly and beautifully long after you score the game-winning goal.

Network Your AV Devices, Quickly and Easily
With VIERA Link, you can control your compatible Panasonic DVD recorder, Blu-ray Disc player, home theater sound system and HD camcorder, all with a single remote and helpful on-screen menus. VIERA Link is a function that lets you easily operate various AV devices that are interconnected with your VIERA TV, using only the VIERA remote control. You can choose the connection method--either an HDMI cable or a LAN cable--to match your devices and applications. You don't have to keep switching remotes to operate each device, so there's no more hassle and operation is easier than ever. Networking your devices with VIERA Link adds both convenience and fun to AV entertainment.

Mercury and Lead Free Plasma Display Panel
Panasonic products are more friendly to the environment. All VIERA plasma display panels are mercury- and lead-free. This reduces the impact on the environment when recycling or disposing of them in the future.

600Hz Sub-field Drive gives you even greater clarity with motion images.

With the new VIERA Tools user interface, simply press a button on the remote control and icons such as the photos or movies from the menu screen.

Standby Power Save
When the VIERA power is turned off, the standby power of connected devices is minimized.

Auto Power Standby
Power loss is minimised by using VIERA Link control for interconnected devices.

Long Panel Life, Up to 100,000 Hours
These TVs can be used for over 30 years. Using high-quality products longer, and taking care of them, is the first step to environmental conservation. A newly designed phosphor process and rear panel process give the plasma panel a longevity of 100,000 hours. This is more than 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day, before the brightness of the panel decreases to half.

Exceptional Service
With its lead-free construction, TUF DISPLAY screen, and long lifespan, a VIERA HDTV is a safe, eco-friendly, durable and lasting investment in high definition entertainment. Of course, should your VIERA TV ever need service of any kind, you are entitled to the VIERA Concierge program--a free service made available to all VIERA owners to bring peace-of-mind to your purchase. Benefits of this extensive service program include: use of an exclusive toll-free expert hot line, live chat with a VIERA HDTV expert, priority service scheduling, and a personalized VIERA Concierge benefits card.

What's in the Box
Panasonic Viera X1 Series TC-P50X1 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV, Remote control, Remote batteries, AC cord, Pedestal with installation hardware, Cleaning cloth, Operating instructions, Quick setup guide

Customer Reviews

Awesome TV and Delivery Service
I purchased this from Amazon.com, with the scheduled delivery from CEVA. Ordered last sunday, delivery was one week later. Having the option of sunday delivery was great, and the delivery was very professional and definitely white glove.

Two people brought the TV in (carrying properly as this is a plasma), opened the box, put the TV on the stand, powered the TV on and waited for me to check whether there is any problem with the TV. They also offered to remove packaging if I wanted to get rid of it. Sometimes you cannot even get such good service when you pay $100+ for shipping. Given that shipping was free, I was thrilled.

TV is awesome, right out of the box. It looks great, works great. Picture is top notch. I put in an HD-DVD version of Transformers and was amazed at the picture quality. This is my first plasma TV and I believe it is much better than LCD. I had a Samsung 4061F before, and this TV has better picture than that one, despite the Samsung being 1080P and this being 720P. There's no motion blur whatsoever on this TV.

Checking on the web a little, I made the settings to be: pic mode custom, contrast +78, brightness +57, color +53, tint -9, sharpness +29, everything else off, black levels light and temp normal. These settings turned out to be perfect for the TV.

Five stars for the TV, purchasing experience and the delivery service.

Much better than LCD!
Currently, I have 4 HDTVs in my house. Sony Bravia LCD (less than 1 year old and it is a 1080P), Sony HD Cineza (1080i) in my theater room, Panasonic Plasma EDTV (about 9 years old which I pay a lot of money for it when Plasma first came out) and the newly purchased Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-P42X1 (720P). I can tell you that this Plasma is much better than the $1499 Sony Bravia LCD 1080P. The picture is super clear even just connect it with cable and Satellite. DVD is incredible and you do not need a Blue-Ray player becasue regular DVD is just as good as Blue-Ray on this one. I have all the technologies, cable/DirecTV, Toshiba HD-DVD player, Sony PS3 Blue-Ray, DVD recorder all connected to this set. So far this is the best $800 plasma you can buy. My old Panasonic Plasma which just was an Enhanced Definition and it is about 10 years now and the picture is still looking good. I never had any problem with Panasonic TV and it is a better brand in Japan than Sony. Go get one, you will be pleased!
P.S. The sound quality on this set is also above what other brands can offer. You have to hear and see it!

I made the right choice! Love this TV!
So I wont write a book about this TV, but I'll share my experience best I can.

I spent months deciding on a TV. Did I want LCD or Plasma? 50" or 40"? Panasonic, Sony, or Samsung? Etc etc. I even went to a couple stores and looked at them, that only helped to further confuse the situation.

So after lots of reading online and researching specifics like 720p vs 1080p and LCD vs Plasma, I decided to go with this one. Between the customer reviews, the specs, and the price....I couldn't find anything better.

The color is absolutely perfect! The 42" screen is exactly the right size for my room (couch is about 8-10ft away and its mounted above the fireplace). I mainly watch movies or play xbox 360, and I really had a hard time finding reviews on TV's from people with 360's. I just want to clarify that all my games look awesome! COD4, COD5, Assassin's creed, Fallout 3, all of them look incredible. The only issue is that some times it judders the picture. Not often, and not enough for me to worry, but it does happen once and awhile.

I hooked this TV up to a Onkyo 7.1 surround sound system, and mounted it on the wall with a mount from monoprice ($50 mount that swivels, tilts, and moves away from the wall). Everyone that has come over and seen it loves it. I finally have the perfect setup for myself!

And ordering from Amazon was a pleasure as always. The box did come with a big rip in it, but I wrote the info down on the delivery guys paper and took a chance. TV has zero problems and is packed well from the factory to take abuse.

Ease of install - 10
Aesthetics - 10
Picture quality - 10
Price - 10