Product Description

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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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11631 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: black
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: TC-P42S1
• Released on: 2009-03-13
• Dimensions: 26.10" h x 40.60" w x 4.20" l, 57.40 pounds
• Display size: 42

Features

• 42-inch plasma HDTV with full 1080p HD resolution and three HDMI inputs
• Neo PDP screen provides brighter panel, Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution
• 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
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive produces crisp, focused images for sports, dramatic action, and all other fast-moving scenes

From the Manufacturer
(April 23, 2009)
Panasonic's new VIERA S1-Series Plasma HDTVs are perfect for sports and cinema-quality movies. Neo PDP technology delivers sharp, detailed images, deep blacks and remarkable brightness, and all with lower power consumption. Get the best from your viewing experience with the 42-inch TC-P42S1.

VIERA S1-Series Plasma HDTVs ensure full-time 1080 TV lines of resolution, even during fast moving scenes in sports and movies. Click to enlarge or view inputs.

Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution
Did you know that some HDTVs deliver considerably less than 1080 lines of resolution, when processing fast motion on screen? VIERA S1-Series Plasma HDTVs ensure full-time 1080 TV lines of resolution, even during fast moving scenes in sports and movies. The S1-series features:

• 1080p Full-HD Resolution
• Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution
• Contrast Ratio: 40,000:1 Native; Infinite Black Panel
• Brighter Panel
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive
• VIERA Image Viewer
• VIERA Link
• AR (Anti-Reflective) Filter
• Game Mode
• 3 HDMI Inputs
• 100,000 Hour Panel Life

Stunning Picture Quality
Time spent with family and friends can be even more exciting when you gather around the 50-inch TC-P50S1. 1080p Full-HD resolution brings you exceptional clarity and smooth, fluid motion--even during high-speed action. VIERA HDTVs offer incredible black reproduction, with a rated dynamic contrast ratio of up to 2,000,000:1, so you'll get warm, accurate skin tones, gorgeous greens, breathtaking blues and vivid reds. And now, all of your friends and family can get in on the action thanks to an extra-wide viewing angle that provides an excellent view from almost anywhere in the room.

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

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

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.

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.

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 achieves 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 S1-Series TC-P42S1 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, Remote control, Remote batteries, AC cord, Pedestal with installation hardware, Cleaning cloth, Operating instructions, Quick setup guide

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Customer Reviews

Awesome Picture, Value And Reliability For The Money
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!))

Compared carefully to a Samsung LCD
I couldn't decide between a plasma and an LCD, so I bought both (with the intention of returning one) and set them up side by side, my cable hookup going to both. The plasma was a Panasonic TC-P42S1, the LCD was a Samsung LN40B630. I did my comparison channel-by-channel with lots of different programming, ranging from talk shows to cartoons to action movies to football games, in both high def and standard def.

Both are very good 40-42 inch TVs, in my opinion. Once I had adjusted the settings to my liking, I was hard-pressed to say that one looked notably better or worse than the other, though each had its strengths and weaknesses.

The Panasonic plasma had slightly more vibrant colors than the Samsung LCD. Blacks were noticably blacker and dark blues and purples looked deeper. The off-angle viewing was fantastic on the plasma, too. With the LCD, a smidge of color was lost when you shifted from 0 to 45 degrees. From deeper side angles, the picture was still watchable, but definitely shifted towards gray.

However, the Samsung LCD had a brighter, crisper image. In a dark room, details stood out better, and any programming that wasn't dark looked a little sharper. During the day, with the sun shining in, the LCD's image held up a bit better, too.

Motion is supposedly better on plasmas, but I couldn't really tell when comparing to a 120Hz LCD. Both TVs did equally well with typical television, and what blurs I saw seemed to be in the source material. I watched a football game for a while, but if the plasma gave a better viewing experience, it wasn't terribly obvious to me. Then again, I'm not a big sports fan, so maybe my eye isn't discerning enough.

Color accuracy seemed great on both TVs, but the Panasonic needed some adjusting to get there. The picture is too green with the default settings.

Both TVs did a near-equal job with standard def programming (aside from the differences above).

Sound: adequate on both. I have a surround-sound system, so I didn't really care.

Hardware failures: I've read complaints about both brands -- seems like it's a roll of the dice either way. I went with a 4 year warranty.

Other stuff: the Samsung had a better remote, a nicer menu system, and more fine adjustments available. I also like the swivel stand and the fact it's a lot lighter than the Panasonic. I didn't try the internet features on either TV.

Overall, both are very good TVs, and all but the most picky videophiles would be happy with either. In 2009, both plasma and LCD have come a long way and which technology is "better" really boils down to your wallet, viewing conditions, and personal preference. It was a tough choice for me, but, in the end, the bright, crisp picture of the Samsung won out. I can live with marginally less vibrant colors, weaker blacks, and imperfect off-angle viewing (if I watch from the other room, I'll swivel the screen).

Simply Amazing
I've been looking for a new TV to replace my 26" tube TV for at least a year or more. Everything I was looking at was quite expensive. Well, now that prices are dropping around to what I can afford, I've finally caved in and bought a new TV.

I had my mind set on an LCD for the longest time. Supposedly, it was the kind of TV to get as a gamer. No blur, no burn-in: Important things like that. However, that was a year or more ago when I did my initial research. Now, plasma screens no longer have that kind of burn-in issue. Being heavily into gaming, this is perhaps the biggest issue to me. I didn't want to buy a TV that was just going to get ruined.

After telling my ideas to the salesman at HHGreg, he assured me that plasmas were great to use for gaming and this one would actually give me the best picture for what I'll be using it for. And it was a great buy (only $799).

Setup was a breeze right out of the box. I had it hooked up in less than 20 minutes. And 5 of those minutes were spent trying to find a way to get the main part of the box off (hint: It's the white plastic handle-like things on the sides. Unclip, then pull them off), while another 5 was me looking for a screwdriver, and yet another 5 spent on pulling things out of the box. So, if you're quick about it, you can probably get this thing running in 10 minutes.

The first thing I tested on this TV was Band of Brothers on Blu-Ray. Words are almost not enough for how amazing the picture quality is. And, I don't own a surround sound system, so all we had was what came from the TV. I almost wonder if I need a surround sound. Even at low volumes, this TV puts out great, crisp sound.

Next, I needed to see how a game looked. I picked Metal Gear Solid 4. It seemed almost like a completely different game than when I played it when it first came out. Again, everything was so crisp, clean, and clear as far as the visuals and audio was concerned. I have nothing but praise for this TV.

ADDITION!
So, I've had this TV for a couple of weeks and after coming home from work I popped in 'The Office' to watch a few episodes. I fell asleep with it on, and the DVD went to a very static (non-moving) screen for the DVD menu after the episodes on that disc were over. I woke up a little shocked after 6 hours to see the screen like it was. I turned the PS3 off, and saw there was a sliiiiiiiiight bit of image retention. But it cleared up quite quickly after turning it off while I went to some classes.

I still have nothing but praise for this TV, even if it, combined with my PS3, makes my room unbearably hot. It's a great winter investment...