Samsung HPT4264 42-Inch Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There's a HUGE difference in the picture quality between this model and the one from last year. Don't waste your time with the small Terk antennas, they all stink for the money. The ANT301 is the best one I've found (I've tried 10 or more different ones) for OTA HD.
Be SURE to change the picture settings out of the box. The ones it ships with are terrible and might make you think the blacks aren't fantastic on this, when they ARE amazing. You need to set up EACH input.
Here's the settings for the component input (from AVSforum):
Mode: Movie
Contrast: 65 (58 for dark room/low light settings)
Brightness: 35 (36 for dark room/low light settings)
Sharpness: 0
Color: 48
Tint: G 54/46 R
Color temp: "Warm2"
Dynamic contrast: OFF
Black level: OFF
Edge enhancement: OFF
DNIE: OFF
DNR: OFF
Detailed settings:
Color space: WIDE
Gamma: 0
White balance:
R offset: 13
G offset: 15
B offset: 15
R gain: 13
G gain: 15
B gain: 15


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Offering a rich feature set and exceptional quality for its price, Samsung HPT4264 42-inch 720p plasma TV uses the company'slatest DNIe enhancement circuitry to deliver outstanding brightness, contrast, and image clarity. Use it for home theater and use it for your PC--it's perfect for both. In addition to a standard-broadcast NTSC tuner, it also features an integrated ATSC tuner that can capture over-the-air digital broadcasts from local network affiliates (the set will still require a set-top tuner for receiving non-terrestrial HD broadcasts from channels like HBO or Discovery).Other noteworthy features include a 60,000 hour panel life, Samsung's unique auto pixel-shifting technology to prevent burn-in, a gaming mode, cinema progressive film mode, and 3 HDMI connections. This model is also compatible with an Auto wall-mount Samsung will release this year that is controllable in 3-dimensions via the HTDV's own remote control.
Samsung currently offers two 42-inch 720p plasma models; this one and the lower priced HPT4254. this model is set apart from the HPT 4254 by its cosmetic design and by the inclusion of a USB 2.0 connection for playing photo files or MP3s. Both models offer the same high level of digital image processing, 15,000:1 contrast ratio, and HDMI connectivity. If you don't need the USB connection, you may want ot consider the the HPT4254.
The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) Video Enhancer refines all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe improves contrast, white level, picture detail and incorporates digital noise reduction to improve lower quality video inputs. Thanks to the new 13-bit processing capability of DNIe, the HP-S4253 can produce over 549 billion colors (compared to the one billion colors that TVs with 10-bit processing can produce.
Single-tuner Picture in Picture This HDTV has a picture-in-picture feature, but it only has a single tuner which does not allow POP to function n the same mode. For example, you can't watch one TV channel in the main screen and another channel in the PIP screen. You can watch a tv channel in one screen and view contnet from your computer or a DVD in another. This tends to be the functional limitationof PIP in most HDTVs currently available.
Connections:
HDMI connections: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
S-Video Inputs: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
Component Video A/V Input: 2 (rear)
USB 2.0 Connection: (1 side)
PC (RGB) input: 1 (rear)
Composite video input: 1 (side)
Headphone Jack: 1 (side)
RF input: 2 (rear)

What's in the box Plasma HDTV, Remote control, 2 AAA batteries, Power cord, Owner's Instructions/Quick Setup Guide, Warranty Card, Registration Card, Safety Guide Manual, Cloth-Clean.

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Panasonic TH 42PX600U - 42" VIERA plasma TV - widescreen - 720p - HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I recently purchased the Samsung 46 inch LCD (LN-S4692D). I bought this TV because I loved the style and the no glare aspect of an LCD was appealing to me. When I got it home, I was very dissapointed with the picture quality. The analog channels were unwatchable and I think buying a $3000 TV for a handful of HDTV channels is crazy. I then switched to this plasma because when I asked Best Buy associates to turn the channel to an analog channel, I was very pleased with the picture. I purchased it, took it out of the box and I didn't even have to make any changes! The difference between this plasma and my old LCD was astonishing. Almost every channel is crystal clear and the blacks are deeper than any other TV on the market (even the Pioneer). It's also brighter than the Pioneer, if that is an issue for you. If you are serious about picture quality, purchase this Panasonic. The 600U has a cooler design than the 60U and a cable card which are very important to me. The digital camera slot is pretty cool too.
So, if you are in the buying stage and still wondering if you should go LCD or plasma, here is my take:
Only go LCD if you play video games, have an extremely bright room and watch TV a lot during the daylight hours, or plan on using your monitor as a computer (LCD's are immune to burn in.) If you want a clear picture with eye popping color, buy a Plasma but not a cheap one, buy this Panasonic. Good luck shopping!

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The realism of a TV's image is strongly linked to its contrast ratio, and this plasma features a high contrast ratio of up to 10,000:12. Such a wide range from black to white means great depth and dimensionality with vibrant colors-and this plasma can display an incredible 29 billion colors for a superior picture. Deep blacks provide excellent shadow detail during dark scenes, while brilliant whites allow our plasmas to render bright scenes with vivid realism. Panasonic plasma HDTVs with CableCARD slots can accept a small card that allows you to receive standard definition and high definition digital broadcasts. No bulky set-top cable box-perfect for a wall-mounted plasma TV. Contact your cable company to find out if they offer this service in your area. Sports, movies, and original network programming are all available in high definition from many local broadcasters. Receive and view local over-the-air broadcasts on this plasma in stunning HDTV clarity using the built-in HDTV tuner. If your cable company passes through HDTV broadcasts from local broadcasters, you can decode and tune those as well. If you have even a moderately complicated home theater setup, you probably have a pile of tangled cables on the floor behind it. Imagine replacing all those cables with a single cable that carries both digital video and audio at the same time. With the new HDMI standard, that's exactly what you get. The HDMI connector on this TV accepts high-quality digital video and audio via the same thin cable, allowing you to run one cable from the source to the TV.

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

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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 TV'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!))


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42" Plasma, 1080p, NEO PDP Panel which is brighter, Full-time 1080p TV lines of moving picture resolution, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 40,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive

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Panasonic TC-P42U2 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my first HDTV purchase and I'm very happy with it. A friend suggested I go with Panasonic as I'd get the most bang for my buck, and she was right.
The stand was easy enough to assemble and the set looks and feels well-constructed and appropriate for any room decor. The menus are user-friendly and initial setup was a breeze; an explanation is shown for every available option, so people who aren't familiar with funny acronyms don't need to look through the user manual.
The video quality is outstanding. I tested it first with my PS3 (my main reason for buying a tv) and the colors really pop out at you. I was worried that the plasma would be too dark, but it handles both bright and dark colors exceptionally well. Nothing looks washed out or too black. The only complaint is that the screen brightness can be overpowering with the Game and Vivid settings (I'm more a fan of the latter, but it depends on the game), but the brightness can be adjusted and the adaptive lighting seems to work well enough. I would have liked an overall gamma setting, but you can tweak the video to be nearly perfect with the tv options and the video source's settings. Also, the anti-glare works well enough that I can keep one set of curtains open while viewing and the picture doesn't suffer.
Next, I connected my laptop through its HDMI output (most customers probably don't have this but I'll mention it anyway). 1680x1050 resolution seems to work the best as 1920 left the desktop looking too small and making it easier to notice the pixels, and anything smaller doesn't fit just perfectly. I think these are issues with my laptop giving the tv strange resolutions that it's not used to, but these aren't enough to detract from the quality of the tv. I tested a few games at 1280x960 and they looked better than they do on my laptop's screen (anything less than 1680 on my computer is fuzzy). As mentioned before, small portions were cut off of the left and right sides but it was only enough to notice while on menus. I'll definitely be using this tv as a monitor for schoolwork. Movie quality is great with compressed video files, so I'm sure the blu ray will be amazing.
The speakers are sub-par, but they're not terrible. I was still able to enjoy the games without the extra oomph of a solid set with a woofer, but my next priority will be audio.
I'm satisfied with the connections in the back of the tv. I'm only using it for HDMI and occasionally the RCA at the moment, but the optical audio out is convenient if go that route for speakers (I'm not sure if this is standard now but I like it).
Overall, I'm very happy with the tv and would buy it again. The price you pay is well worth the quality you get out of it. Aside from a few minor issues and poor speakers, it's a great HDTV.

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Building on its award-winning 2009 Plasma line, Panasonic's 42-inch VIERA TC-P42U2 Plasma HDTV features a full HD 1080p resolution, 900 TV lines of moving picture resolution, and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity. This and other models in the U2 line offer Panasonic's VIERA Image Viewer feature, which enables you to play slideshows of JPEG images stored on SD memory cards, as well as the VIERA Link feature for controlling a variety of compatible components--from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras--through a single remote.
Adhering to Panasonic's commitment to the environment, this VIERA model--as well as all 2010 models--features improved power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements. And you'll get a long Plasma panel life of up to 100,000 hours--more than 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day--before the brightness of the panel decreases to half.

Key Features Panasonic's VIERA U2 series Plasma HDTV.

VIERA Image Viewer: View full-HD images with the integrated SD card slot, enabling you to view JPEG photos captured from your digital camera or camcorder on the big screen. Navigate your images via an easy-to-use thumbnail display.


Key Specifications


What's in the Box Panasonic U2 series Plasma HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

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