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Best value 50-inch plasma HDTV Panasonic TC-P50ST30 *Est. $1000
Budget 42-inch plasma HDTV Panasonic TC-P42X3 *Est. $500

See All Plasma TV

Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1

Discontinued

Reviewed

November 2009

Pros

Good value
Strong blacks

Cons

Colors aren't outstanding
Diagonal lines visible in early production models
Limited features

Where to Buy

for $544.00

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The 42-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1 plasma TV is said to offer a good picture for its price. In fact, its sibling TC-P50X1 (*Est. $750) is the best budget 50-incher in reviews. Professional reviews won't say the picture quality rivals Panasonic's more upscale TVs, such as the Panasonic Viera TC-P42G10 (Discontinued). Features are limited compared to the TC-P42G10, and the Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1 lacks niceties such as a THX mode and access to online content. But owner reviews indicate overwhelmingly that users feel they got their money's worth, even though faint diagonal lines are detectable on some sets if you sit within 10 feet of the screen. That issue bothers some more than others, and CNET reports that Panasonic has fixed that problem. If you have a little more to spend, the 42-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P42S1 (Discontinued) delivers even better black levels and well-saturated colors.

ConsumerReports.org offers the best coverage -- testing the Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1 thoroughly and then ranking it in a chart for easy comparison -- but only subscribers have access. There's good but picky coverage at TelevisionInfo.com. CNET does not review the Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1, but does evaluate its 50-inch sibling. We found very helpful owner reviews at BestBuy.com and Amazon.com.

Where To Buy

Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-P42X1 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
(109 reviews) Buy new: $749.95 11 Used & new from $475.00

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Six 42- to 46-inch plasma TVs are rated in a chart, including the Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1. Testing is thorough and objective, but only subscribers have access to the information.

Review: Plasma TVs Ratings and Reliability, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Jan. 2009

2. TelevisionInfo.com

TelevisionInfo.com is known for its tough reviews and this multipage report is no exception. Reviewer Mark Brezinski says the price is attractive, but the Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1's lack of features and poor image quality make it a bad deal.

Review: Panasonic TC-P42X1 Plasma HDTV Review, Mark Brezinski, May 18, 2009

3. CNET

This review is of the sibling Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1, whose screen is 8 inches larger than the Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1. The Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 is called a good value because of its strong black levels and gets a rating of Good. The few owners that weigh in are even more impressed.

Review: Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1, David Katzmaier, April 22, 2009

4. BestBuy.comDetails/Subscribe

About 60 owner reviews combine to give the Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1 an extremely high average score; only two users give it less than four out of five. One says the picture is great, but he received a defective TV and had issues with customer service, the other is clearly commenting on an older Panasonic TV.

Review: Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1, Contributors to BestBuy.com

5. Amazon.com

The Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1 gets a very high overall score from more than 100 user reviews, with over 80 percent scoring it a perfect 5. Most negative reviews concern defective models. One complains about sound and difficulty in adding new over-the-air channels.

Review: Panasonic Viera X1 Series TC-P42X1 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV, Contributors to Amazon.com

Panasonic TC-P50GT30 *Est. $1,200

5 picks by top review sites.

Panasonic TC-P42ST30 *Est. $800

3 picks by top review sites.

LG 50PZ950 *Est. $1,400

3 picks by top review sites.

Samsung PN59D7000 *Est. $2,200

3 picks by top review sites.

Panasonic TC-P50S30 *Est. $800

2 picks by top review sites.


	Panasonic VIERA TC-P50S30 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1 Review

Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1