electronicsme - Electronics / Televisions made easy

Print this page

Panasonic TC-P42C1: Review

Posted to Televisions 2010-02-01

Consumers who are looking for an entry-level plasma television should consider the Panasonic TC-P42C1 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV. Although categorized in the lower spectrum of plasma HDTVs, this mammoth is one of the better-valued models we've seen. It lacks several popular ports, but the picture quality and performance is spectacular. You may find better televisions than this one, but for the price, it is incredibly hard to beat. If you are ready to upgrade your home entertainment experience, then consider the 720p Panasonic TC-P42C1.

Without the stand, this flat-panel measures 40.6" x 4.2" x 26.1" and weighs 57.3 lbs. With the stand, it measures 40.6" x 12.9" x 28" and weighs 61.7 lbs. This particular model is impressive because it performs with higher-quality picture than similarly priced LCD televisions. The audio and other features need improvement, but if you are looking for a lower-end plasma widescreen, then the TC-P42C1 is definitely the one to consider. Overall, it is an amazing HDTV that will take your breath away- without taking away all your money.

Rating:

3.8 out of 5

Value

Of course, this model is not perfect, but for the price, it is difficult to compete against. Panasonic uses the highest-quality materials in their televisions, and this low-end plasma HDTV is no exception. There are a few complaints; for instance, this model features fewer ports than many other HDTVs, and the screen is so glossy that it produces an annoying glare in brightly-lit rooms. If these things don't bother you to the point of paying twice as much for a television, then by all means the Panasonic TC-P42C1 could be the perfect fit for your home.

Features

This model features a 42-inch display in 1024 x 768 (720p) resolution, which is not the best but close to the best picture you can get. The plasma screen offers a 15000:1 image contrast ratio and 2000000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, which allows for rich blacks and vivid colors in video. There are onboard NTSC, ATSC, and QAM tuners, which are flexible for any type of broadcast. As for other features, the TC-P42C1 includes a SD card slot, two HDMI ports, one composite port, one S-video port, two component ports, a digital audio port, and several line-in ports.

Summary

Clearly, the Panasonic VIERA C1 Series TC-P42C1 Plasma HDTV is a top-contender in the lower end of the plasma market, and for good reason. Although this model lacks a few ports and some of the more impressive features, it is all-around an excellent value for the price. The picture quality and performance is stunning, even compared to more expensive LCD TVs. If you want a great widescreen HDTV and don't mind the few flaws of this one, then mark it for consideration.

Pros

Value- Panasonic's 720p plasma widescreen is hard to beat
Performance- best picture quality and speed for the price
Flexible- perfect as an upgrade or replacement in any room
Featured- SD memory card, HDMI, component, composite

Cons

Cons- lacks ports, audio quality, and anti-glare

Recommended accessory:

Monster Cable ILS200-2M : Interlink LightSpeed 200 Digital Fiber Optic Cable, two meter length