Panasonic TH-42PX80U 42" Plasma TV
Panasonic - TH42PX80URelease Date: Mar 2008
The Panasonic TH-42PX80U delivers amazing bang for the buck.
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Summary of User Reviews
Number of Reviews: 18Positive Reviews: 100%
Negative Reviews: 0%
Positive Review
Reviewed by: atwnsw2 on 11-Mar-08
Strengths: Great Picture and Sound
Weaknesses: Only 1 RCA/S-Video InputLots of HDMI and other input. I just have some older technology which I haven't replaced.
Summary: I bought this TV just last week after reading consumer reports and other favorable ads. It lives up to expectations and exceeds them.Highly recommend. You can't go wrong.Enjoy
Positive Review
Reviewed by: kodiak48 on 12-Mar-08
Strengths: Excellent picture, ease of setup.
Weaknesses: None noted.
Summary: Seems to be a quality product and performs as described. Easy to set up and has a user friendly remote. Produces quality picture at all angles. 720P supplies clarity that I am well satified with. 42" is appropriate for my medium sized family room.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: mayday99 on 08-Apr-08
Strengths: Great picture and easy-to-use menus. Light-weight, set-up was a breeze. Sound out of on-board speakers is excellent. Guitar Hero for the Wii is sweet on this TV.
Weaknesses: Picture set-up requires some effort (contrast, brightness - but this is ubiquitious with plasma TVs apparently). Could use more composite connections in rear (only one RCA composite video).
Summary: I've never bought a TV prior to this purchase and shelling out nearly $1,000 was hard to stomach, but in retrospect, I am very glad for the purchase. After reading several on-line reviews, Panasonic is the tops in plasma TV technology and it shows with this unit. The dynamic contrast is the highest they have in 720p and I don't see the need for 1080p right now. Without AV components that use 1080p and since broadcast HD is only 720p for years to come anyway, I think this TV is best-of-class. The set-up of the TV was a breeze, though I could stand to have more composite video connections (only one in rear and one in front). Lots of HDMI and component video, so future upgrades will be a breeze (and the remote can control HDMI components). Just picked up component video cables for the DVD player. I'll update the review after watching a few movies in HD. Great TV!
Positive Review
Reviewed by: dskcsk on 09-Apr-08
Strengths: This is my second plama TV purchase after having purchased a Sony 4 years ago. Granted technology has advanced over the years, but I was not expecting the startling images generated by this Panasonic.
Weaknesses: I have wall mounted this TV and after almost 4 weeks of ownership, I cannot find anything to complain about..
Summary: This TV is a beauty, both visually and functionally. My programming is provided via satelite and the normal and HD content is just stunning. My wife appreciated the remote device as it has very large buttons for the channel and volume control functions. The sound capabilities of this unit are very good along with three HDMI inputs and an SD card slot hidden below the front of the screen. TIVO generated images were very crisp and sharp. Even in displaying my VCR tapes, the image quality was surprisingly good. As I do not own anything that generates images in 1080P, the Panasonic's 720P HD images exceeded my expectations. With discounted pricing hovering around the $1k mark, this TV is an absolute bang for your buck.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: bkt333 on 16-Apr-08
Strengths: Excellent picture in both standard or HD programming-Great sound-Easy set-up
Weaknesses: Other than a minor complaint with the operating instructions I have nothing but praise for this TV.No PC hook-up
Summary: One minor complaint was in the operating manual concerning wall mounting.It states that this TV is only for use with wall hanging brackets sold by Panasonic.Initially I panicked as I had purchased a Peerless mount and I couldn't find any mounting holes on the back of the TV.But my common sense kicked in about 5 minutes later and figured out where the brackets should be installed but I called Panasonic anyway to confirm.Panasonic informed me that they do not even sell the brackets referred to in the manual but instead sell Omnimount brackets on their website.Just I had suspected you just pop out the round plastic inserts in each corner to expose the mounting holes for the brackets.I think the manual should have been a little more informative on wall mounting as most Tvs will be wall mounted at some point anyway.With that said,I have to say that this TV produces one of the best pictures I have seen so far and I have researched quite a few TVs as this is my second plasma purchase in the last 6 months.My other plasma is a 50" Toshiba which I am satisfied with but this Panasonic's picture,sound and feature set far surpass it.I will definitely be shopping for another Panasonic plasma this Xmas in the 60"+ range.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: kegnor on 01-May-08
Strengths: love the sharpness of the picture, colors displayed very well, volume works well, stand is pretty, for under 1,000 it is a fantastic buy esp because it is a 720 opposed to 1080
Weaknesses: the remote is a little cheap looking, however number keys are big but not backlit
Summary: Overall, I love this TV! I am very impressed with the picture, the colors are displayed extremely well and the sound quality is great especially in the price range of under 1,000. I agonized over whether to go w/a 720 or 1080 resolution but I purchased it as a second TV for a bedroom and didn't want to pay extra for the 1080. The look of the TV is very nice and the stand is attractive. The remote is a little cheap looking and not backlit, but the keys are big. Also, setup is a breeze on this TV.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: cantbeyou on 21-May-08
Strengths: Great picture, deepest blacks for any tv in this range, 3 hdmi inputs, detachable mount, good antireflection screen
Weaknesses: Have to worry about break in period for burn in, "frown" looking frame at bottom of tv, no picture in picture
Summary: I love this tv. I had a 42" 1080p LCD tv for about 2 weeks, and got frustrated with it's limited viewing angles and purplish-grayish "blacks". I saw this tv on sale and figured that I couldn't go wrong with a panasonic plasma, given their reputation for the previous versions of plasmas. I have been very pleased with it so far.When you first get it, I would recommend using low picture settings for the first 100 hours and not leaving any static images up as well. This is to help prevent image retention. Right out of the box, the settings are very good. I like the cinema setting in particular. HD shows in cable look very good. It is almost like you are looking out of a window at the real thing happening. The glass screen has a good anti reflection coating on it that blocks most of the relfections that plasmas are known for. If you get up close, you can see a somewhat cross looking image of the reflection. Overall, this tv is great, but there are some things that could be improved:-only 720p (but it does accept 1080p images)-the lower part of the frame looks like it is frowning-no picture in picture-no universal remote included-may not be the best tv for heavy gamers (possible image retention)If you want to find out more about the tv (including peoples settings for the tv), i suggest you do a search for AVS forum and then find the thread for this series (px80u).
Positive Review
Reviewed by: msakham on 25-May-08
Strengths: Excelent picture. Setup is a breeze.
Weaknesses: Haven't noticed any yet.
Summary: Bought this 2 days ago. Setup was very simple. Excellent picture quality and the internal speakers are also very good. One thing I have noticed is that if you have older equipment then there are not many connections to support all. Only one RCA and 2 Composite. Overall I am very happy with it.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: GJJG on 06-Jun-08
Strengths: Great buy
Weaknesses: None
Summary: Setup was easy with the hdmi cables. Had a beautiful picture when I first installed it. Had the Geek Squad come in after 200 hrs and the picture is even better.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: reetska on 10-Jun-08
Strengths: Superb picture quality, low pricing, great sound
Weaknesses: No PC inputs
Summary: I bought this almost a month ago for $899. It is a great TV, I compared it to the other TV's at the store and the picture quality is superb, but the price is very affordable. It also has very good sound. I like the SD card reader in front as well as the component and hdmi inputs infront.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: tjmightymouse on 24-Jun-08
Strengths: Great picture quality and easy to set up and use.
Weaknesses: The remote looks very child like and cheap to me. I expected a more techno savvy look to it considering the tv that was purchased.
Summary: I have mixed reviews on the plasma for only 1 reason... I also own a 42 in LCD 1080p. As for picture quality, it is great even at the 720 on this set. Unless you are watching hi def everything you would never be able to tell. My only problem with plasma is the floating lines. I am very sensitive to light and it is something I would need to get used to as my other tv does not do it. I was told all plasmas have it to prevent burn in. However, my husband barely notices it and loves the tv. I would still purchase it again having seen the capabilities and would recommend it to others looking for a tv with these specifications. Great buy overall!!!
Positive Review
Reviewed by: cvssimon on 06-Jul-08
Strengths: 780p looks as good as 1080p
Weaknesses: color decoding and noise reduction ineffective
Summary: This tv has handsome exterior with 3 hdmi inputs with one set being in front which is very convenient;it doesn't have a VGA input which for some people like me may be disappointed since it can't be used as a monitor;the connection via hdmi is so-so. i have purchased it for 900 dollars which is considered as good buy; all in all, i like the brightness and color accuracy of this tv
Positive Review
Reviewed by: jmcasey1000 on 11-Aug-08
Strengths: Great color, light in weight
Weaknesses: None so far
Summary: Bought this TV for our getaway home. Never thought the picture would be so great. Got an HDMI cable and high def cable box and it's like being in a movie theatre. The size is perfect for the great room it is in. The colors are sharp, the sound is great and I am very satisified with this purchase. Our son liked it so much he went out and bought one for himself.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: Manish.kale_9595587831 on 29-Oct-08
Strengths: 3 HDMI helped me with Cable, DVD and HTPC
Weaknesses: HDMI mode does not display close captionsTV mode picture quality is not great
Summary: Picture - Once you see the cable thru HDMI you cannot go back on the TV mode. Sound - Good enough for my apartment Black Level - Good enough for my lighting No complaints $800 well spent.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: ralph493 on 03-Dec-08
Strengths: Picture quality
Weaknesses: none for my purposes
Summary: Purchased this two months ago. Have wall mounted in my finished basement. Picture quality and sound are tops. I'm glad now I went with the plasma and especially glad I chose Panasonic and this particular model.








