» Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: LIKE SITTING IN A 3-D ART MUSEUM
Comment: I've been following this 42 inch Panasonic model through its growth and changes for six years waiting to finish college so I could give tv undivided attention. This is the most exciting piece of electronics I have ever purchased, or ever owned. I put up full-length black, black-out curtains which cut out any glaring from direct sunlight during the day, and provide a theatre atmosphere. The high def channels (Time-Warner) are so life-like and 3-D in appearance, I sometimes forget I am not actually in the scene, wherever it is.

The sound is certainly adequate on its own, if one is not an audiophile, but I wanted the Sony home theatre over the Panasonic and was worried they wouldn't be compatible. Much to my delight, the cable DVR and Sony Home Theatre are all controlled by the Panasonic Viera by just simply selecting the HDMI input source (there are three here) and naming the components I wanted to use. There is no hunting for numbers or holding and aiming remotes for a half-hour to find each component setting, as Panasonic Viera does that for you INSTANTLY, even if it is another brand. Push the Panasonic remote power button and the home theatre and DVR are started, vice versa when turning off.

I have also connected, by HDMI, a new Playstation 3 (thanks again Amazon) through the game port, and it is UNBELIEVABLE PICTURE QUALITY. Panasonic recognized them immediately and the menus on this tv are one push button drop down and simple to navigate. Likewise, the new Wii Console (from Amazon) is into another input using their video cables and the picture is crisp, clear and stunning. I chose the pre-selected game mode picture quality for the Wii, and custom picture settings for the cable and PS3. As I switch between them, the Panasonic remembers my screen settings for each so I don't have to "switch" back and forth manually as I change programming.

I'm sure I don't know half the things the TV does yet (purchased May 27th), but you cannot go wrong with this tv. I am sitting about twelve feet away in an apartment and it is just the perfect size screen. Next, is connecting my laptop to the PC input and "flying" Microsoft X flight simulator. That is going to be exciting!!!!!

The delivery took a while about two weeks, but the white glove service was excellent (actually two men who used to work for years delivering Sears tv's) and they were extremely knowledgable, helpful, and professional. If you want state of the art technology, with picture quality that passes for art every time, you want this particular plasma!!!!!!! By the way, I am a 58 year old single, female, and yes, while I am pretty technically literate and experienced, you don't have to be with this TV. Just plug and play!!!!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Big purchase, but worth it in the end
Comment: I went to HH Gregg and they quoted a much higher price than Amazon offered, sales tax of 9.5 percent on top of it, with an expensive warranty, here in Tennessee. They even did an "internet search" for me in the store. When I told them I could do better, the sales tactic was to tell me that these sites that were cheaper were "shady".

I got the TV for my mother in law, and it was delivered in pristine condition to her house. Overall, cheaper than local vendors. It works great! I would skip Amazon's warranty, unless you can't feasibly replace it (and then you probably shouldn't buy it if that's the case, but that's another story). The warranty doesn't cover a major failure of plasma TVs in general, and from what I hear the service is terrible. They take your money easily, but everything else is a headache.

But, I have never bought a TV before on the internet, so I was nervous, but it all worked out well in the end. I'm satisfied with it. The colors/brightness are brilliant, looks great. Works great. Would highly recommend.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Very pleased
Comment: The Panasonic Viera was everything I hoped it would be. It worked as soon as we connected it; the HD picture is brilliant, the color accurate (better in plasma than anything I've seen in LCD). My regular DVD's and even my DVD-R's transferred from my own videotapes look great.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It's okay.
Comment: I guess it's okay. Pictures don't seem to fit the screen very well. I think this whole flat screen phenomenon may be a lot of hype and illusion.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Fabulous TV
Comment: I just bought this as my first HDTV and I must say I am throughly impressed. It is a joy to watch, is easy to setup, and has the most lifelike picture. It looks great with SDTV as well, but really pops with a Bluray player. I highly recommend this TV.

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