Panasonic TX-P42S10B review: a 42-inch plasma TV at a good price
Panasonic released the TX-P42S10B in spring 2009 and while more current models are available now, this Full HD plasma TV is still a good buy for those who just want a great performance TV in their homes at a great value. Many of Panasonic’s high-end TV units have received rave reviews, but like any other entry-level, there is a lot to be desired with the Panasonic TX-P42S10B in regards to its features. But quality wise, this is best for the class it’s in.
Just looking at its external features, you will first get the impression that it is a solid TV and it has every promise to deliver. Its frame comes with the industry standard glossy black bezel and a stand that sadly won’t rotate. For its size, it has a dimension of 1929mm by 704mm by 334mm and surprisingly light compared to other 42-inch plasma TVs. But the serious business ends, and its appeal comes with the performance of the technology that Panasonic has given it inside.
One of the driving forces behind the excellent image quality offered by the Panasonic TX-P42S10B is its massive 2,000,000: 1 dynamic contrast ratio, along with its 400 Hz secondary field driving processing and intelligent frame creation, you get unmatched video performance. However, Panasonic’s famous NeoPDP system for plasma technology is missing, which has made its high-end plasma very remarkable.
Even when there are fast movements, the images do not become blurry and remain very sharp. This quality, however, suffers a bit when using standard definition quality. The Panasonic TX-P42S10B tends to display slightly skewed colors and skin tones. Another downside to the Panasonic TX-P42S10B is that it is not particularly bright. Although bright enough for normal viewing, it is best to keep the lights low for optimal performance.
The Panasonic TX-P42S10B may have some connectivity issues, there aren’t many. However, there are standard ports that are basically found on all plasma or LCD televisions, such as HDMI inputs, there are three of them, two on the back and one on the side, but there is no DVI or VGA input. A lone composite video input can be found on the side of the Panasonic TX-P42S10B’s frame, on the back, however, you will find two component video inputs. The good thing about the connectivity of the Panasonic TX-P42S10B is that there are four analog audio inputs that are integrated with an HDMI port, the composite port, and the two component ports. Connecting with a PC can be very difficult with the Panasonic TX-P42S10B, if you really need it, you will only have to buy a separate DVI to HDMI adapter. Another problem would be the lack of output ports, there is only one output port and it is an optical digital output, you will not find any analog video or audio output. There is no USB port either, but there is a lonely SD card slot for playing music or viewing photos, videos are sadly not supported.
However, the Panasonic TX-P42S10B plasma TV offers good quality audio; not spectacular, but adequate enough for simple television viewing. There are two 10-watt speakers built into the body that provide a fair bass output.
The Panasonic TX-P42S10B is a plasma TV that does not stop offering, knowing that it is in a price range designed to reach every home, it has enough capabilities to provide a satisfying viewing experience. While there may be some issues with this, its high-quality video output makes it a desirable addition to any home. If you can go with the flaws, this is definitely a great bargain.