Panasonic TH-42PZ700U 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic, the leader in high definition and Plasma TV, shows an exciting new direction with its first Full High Definition 1080p 42" plasma television, further demonstrating its leadership in big screen Plasma entertainment. Today, the sports and high-definition movies that drive the demand for high-definition viewing, require blacker blacks, faster response time, and the millions of colors that Panasonic Plasma screens deliver. The TH-42PZ700U features an SD Memory Card slot with Photo Viewer that transforms the plasma into a digital photo gallery. By utilizing high definition images available for purchase from GalleryPlayer that are embedded on SD cards, the consumer has access to thousands of images ranging from art masterpieces to dazzling photographs. GalleryPlayer's content partners include National Geographic, MoMA, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New York Times and Time-Life. Resolution - Full HD - 1920x1080 Colors - 29 Million Colors Aspect Ratio - 16 - 9 Features - Full HD 1080p Native Resolution Built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM Tuners for Analog and Digital Broadcasts (Requires Antenna for over-the-air broadcasts) EZ-Sync HDAI Control /2 HDMI Inputs / Contrast-Ratio - 5000 - 1 1 Year Warranty
The Panasonic TH-42PZ700U 1080p Plasma HDTV sports a 42-inch plasma screen with 1080p resolution for a crystal clear viewing experience. It will feel right at home as the centerpiece of a home theater setup. An Understated Beauty
The TH-42PZ700U does not look like it's trying too hard. Instead, it lets the big screen speak for itself. The glass is surrounded by a thick glossy black bezel on all sides, with a door on the bottom to keep controls out of sight. Another hatch hides a slot for SD memory cards. Speakers--matching in color and barely noticeable--are set on both sides of the display. The understated look would be an elegant addition to any decor. 
The understated elegant looks of this Panasonic HDTV will fit in with any decor. View larger. |
The TH-42PZ700U has connections for all your home theater components. View larger. |
Outstanding Performance
The TH-42PZ700U is 1080p, meaning it has a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest HD resolution available for the clearest and sharpest picture. Because of its plasma display, the black levels are deep and the uniformity of brightness is superb. The unit has 4096 shades of gradation and has up to a 5000:1 contrast ratio. Video noise reduction circuitry and a digital comb filter make sure the picture on screen is always optimal. The TH-42PZ700U will upconvert any signal you feed it and display it at 1080p.Connections
On the back, the TH-42PZ700U features two HDMI inputs, two component inputs, two composite inputs, and two S-Video inputs. Hidden beneath panels in front is another composite and S-Video input, a component video input, and a slot for SD cards. Insert an SD card filled with photos and you can watch a slide show with the built-in Photo Viewer software. TV as an Art Gallery
The TH-42PZ700U includes GalleryPlayer software you can use to display high-definition art and photography on your TV. A free collection of images is included so your television can display art even when it's not on. One-Touch Convenience
When you use the Panasonic EZ-Sync technology to connect to other compatible EZ-Sync devices via the HDMI connector, you get one-touch control over all your home theater components. For example, with one touch of a button, you can turn on the DVD player, turn on the receiver, and set the DVD player as the source while also adjusting the sound level, turn on the TV--which will accept the input signal--and play the DVD. Instead of fumbling to find all the right buttons, you can watch your movies without wondering how to set everything up. The TH-42PZ700U is backed by a 1-year limited warranty for parts and labor. What's in the Box
TH-42PZ700U plasma HDTV, remote control (with batteries), AC cord, pedestal, two cable clamper, and antenna adapter.
Panasonic TH-42PZ700U 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Accessories
 Cables To Go - 40315 - 2M (6.5ft) Velocity HDMI Digital Video Cable (Blue)
Peerless ST650P Tilting Wall Mount for 32" to 50" Flat Panel Displays (Black)
Panasonic DMP-BD30K 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
Cables Unlimited 6-Foot HDMI Male to Male Cable (PCM-2295-06)
HDMI Cable 2M (6 Feet)
Panasonic RP-CDHG15 High Speed HDMI Cable - 4.9ft (White)
Sony PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Disc Remote
PlayStation 3 40GB
Blade Runner (Five-Disc Complete Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]
Panasonic TH-42PZ700U 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Reviews
The manufacturer warranty is only 1 year so I find it convenient that this happened on month outside the warranty. It had very good reviews and I got a killer deal on it but now it doesn't work. I had this TV for 1 year 1 month and now it will not turn on. If you buy this TV I hope you also buy the extended warranty that some places offer. By doing an internet search for "panasonic power light flash" you can find that 7 flashes mean that internal boards need to be replaced. I woke up this morning and hit the power only to have it flash 7 times at me.
Love the picture quality. No problem. 42" is a bit unusual size and worked for me. I have somewhat complex connections besides Cable with DVR I have my iPod, DVD recorder, even a VCR. Ipod sounds great coming through the speakers.
The black levels weren't at all up to par and even the HD channels weren't sharp. The HD picture is excellent, and standard digital looks much better than on any LCD. So when I started looking for a 42" for our bedroom, I wanted something in the same league. For larger TVs (42" and above), I still prefer plasmas for their realistic colors and black levels. Of all the plasmas, this Panasonic has to be at the top of the list even though it's not the latest model. It arrived quickly and might as well be new.
I've owned the 50" version of this TV (TH-50PZ700U) for about 2 years now and it's superb. No matter what I tried I couldn't get the standard channels to look anything like my Panasonic. Don't know what I was thinking trying out others. Maybe the new line of Panasonics has higher contrast ratios and four speakers, but the picture and sound of this TV are more than adequate for me. And the picture is just as amazing as that of my other TV. While waiting for Panasonic's newest version (TH-42PZ800U) to come down in price, I found a great deal on a Toshiba LCD.
After returning it, I saw an awesome deal on the TH-42PZ700U refurbished from Amazon Warehouse.
And this is with us pushing. It took them 11 days from the original call just to make a decision on the repair and ship the part to the service company. After I explained this was not a satisfactory answer, I was told 1 days for delivery and typically another 3 days for the repair. Delivery was as advertized, Amazon kept us updated, the plasma TV was delivered on time. The TV is great, very crisp image, good colors, but I would not buy it again.
To add to this desapointment, I found Panasonic warranty service very poor. Certainly no over-promessing here. When I asked the customer service department how much longer it would take to get it back, I was told "the time for the service company to do the repair". Thanks. We bought this plasma TV back in November 2007 through Amazon. so best case, considering they do not count weekends, this will mean 17 days from the original call, and, again, this is with us pushing.
It broke after only 8 months (July 2008). Now granted this is just a TV, it is not as if we cannot live without it, but frankly, who needs the aggravation.
You'll have multiple ways to configure the audio/video/picture to your liking - I fell in love with this set when I was watching College Gameday on ESPN & actually noticed a small bit of dirt on their camera lens. I will say that this TV has the best display I've come across. No lag, no B.S., no grainy images, great refresh rate. The sound is quite remarkable also, especially when using a high quality HDMI cable. A+ completely, without reservations. To be honest with you, the video quality will spoil you on other HDTVs as you "expect" them to be as good, but they are just not.
it's that good. I've had this wonderful plasma TV for almost 10 months now without any of the aforementioned problems that other reviewers are seeing. Couple this with a DirecTV HD/DVR and you'll just get unBELIEVABLE resolution. I couldn't be more pleased - got it for under $1500, including shipping.
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