When it comes to LCD TVs, Samsung presently manufacture arguably the best and most frequent LCD TV models in the market. Panasonic on the other hand, holds the sovereignty when it comes to Plasma TVs. To put it simply, if you are torn amongst buying a LCD and Plasma HDTV, you will have to choose amongst and Samsung and Panasonic model. Here is a quick guide to aid you make your decision. Viewing Angle: Both Samsung LCD and Panasonic Plasma TVs have similar observing angles. Plasma TV’s observing angle may be as wide as 178 degrees, while LCD TV’s are up to 175 degrees. Although both types of TVs have similar watching angles, the images of Plasma TVs do not suffer from any degradation of quality even when viewed from odd angles. LCDs on the other hand, are best viewed from the front for the best visuals. Refresh Rates: Traditionally, Plasma TVs have lighting speed refresher rates, similar to the rates of CRT televisions. LCDs on the other hand have much slower refresher rates, but recent technical advancements have principally bettered the refresher rates of LCD TVs. Some high-end (and expensive) LCD TV models today have refresher rates of 5ms. Burn In: Plasma TVs are not well suitable for the display of static images. After prolonged use of displaying static videos, they are prone to burn-in effects, where it will leave behind permanent video ‘residues’ on the screen, very much like a permanent shadow on the screen. Newer models today have significantly curbed this problem. LCDs on the other hand, are prone to a similar problem called “retained pixel charge” where a pixel (or a groups of pixels) remains discolored. Fortunately, this problem is fixable. Life Span: Most LCD models today last amidst thirty thousand and sixty thousand hours. Plasma TVs take around the same amount of time to reach ‘half life’ (where the display fades to more than half of it is brightness). Recently, Panasonic has declared that it is Plasma TVs may last up to 100’000 hours. Durability: Plasma TVs are in general heavier and a little thicker than LCD TVs. Due to it is weight; it is best to leave the installation procedure to the experts, in particular if you plan to mount your Plasma on the wall. Plasmas are also more fragile, so extra care will have to be taken when transporting them. Image Quality: It is unquestioned that Plasma TVs formulated clearer and sharper images. This is due to this high contrasts symmetry that is unrivalled by even the most costly LCD model. The blacks are deeper and the visuals are more brilliant on a Plasma TV. On the other hand, the screen of LCD display reflects very little light, fabricating a better observing experience in a brightly lighted room. Panasonic Viera Tc P42gt25 42 Inch Plasma Panasonic’s 42-inch VIERA TC-P42G25 Plasma HDTV features a new panel with NeoPDP technologies that provide the best remainder of black and white underneath more glorious environments while also providing higher energy efficiency. The new NeoPDP Plasma panel also further reduces reflections and brings about sharper pictures with higher contrast in more splendid environments. This G25 series model provides 1080p resolution, full-time 1080 TV lines of moving picture resolution, and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity.

Building on it is award-winning 2009 Plasma line, Panasonic’s 42-inch VIERA TC-P42G25 Plasma HDTV features a new panel with NeoPDP technologies that provide the best remainder of black and white underneath more glorious environments while likewise providing higher energy efficiency. The new NeoPDP Plasma panel also further reduces reflections and brings about sharper pictures with higher contrast in more magnificent environments. This G25 series model provides 1080p resolution, full-time 1080 TV lines of moving picture resolution, and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity.

This and other models in the G25 line offer Panasonic’s bettered VIERA Cast functionality, which enables you to stream Internet video and audio programming as well as turn this HDTV into a high-definition, wireless video group discussion center with Skype capablenesses (when using the optional Panasonic communicating camera and Wi-Fi adapter accessories). You may likewise play back JPEG images and AVCHD videos stored on SD memory cards and operate a potpourri of VIERA Link components–from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras–through a single remote. Adhering to Panasonic’s commitment to the environment, this VIERA model–as well as all 2010 models–features bettered power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements. And you’ll get a long Plasma panel life of up to 100,000 hours–more than 30 years of watching when watched 8 hours a day–before the luminance of the panel decreases to half. Key Features

Panasonic’s VIERA G25 series Plasma HDTV with streaming content from VIERA Cast partners.

VIERA Cast: Enjoy a assortment of streaming movies, TV shows, and music, photo slideshows, and home video conferencing with VIERA Cast’s assortment of online content–including Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, YouTube, and Picasa. VIERA Cast’s addition of Skype (requires optional communication camera; model TY-CC10) enables you to connect and commune through voice and video calls from the ease of your own living room. This VIERA HDTV includes two USB ports for connecting a keyboard or a Wi-FI LAN adapter (sold separately) as well as an Ethernet port for wired LAN connection. No PC required.   VIERA Image Viewer: View full-HD images with the integrated SD card slot, enabling you to view JPEG photos and AVCHD videos captured from your digital camera or camcorder on the huge screen. Navigate your images by way of an easy-to-use thumbnail display, and choose from amid five types of background music and five display effects. Plus, messages and memos may be added to photos from a PC to construct elaborate travelogues and original slideshows with messages.   VIERA Link: Allows the interlinked operation of respective AV devices–from DVD and Blu-ray Disc players to home theater sound schemes to digital cameras and camcorders–using only the VIERA remote control by plainly connecting the gimmicks to each other by an HDMI cable (see pop-up illustration).   Game Mode: With Game Mode, quicker effigy response increments the enjoyment of video games when a game consolation is connected to the TV. What’s more, VIERA formulates the dark images in video games more clearly. This mode works with the anti-image retention (wobbling) function, too.

NeoPDP: By redesigning the Plasma panel’s cell structure and constructing an modern new filter, Panasonic has tripled the luminous efficacy (compared to 2007 models) of it is VIERA Plasma HDTVS–resulting in stunningly finelooking images while also reducing power consumption.   1080 Moving Picture Resolution: With 1080 lines of moving picture solution and integrated NeoPDP technology’s high-speed drive performance, the display time for each effigy frame is shortened to minimize afterimages, making decisive calls in football matches and delicate motions in figure skating performances appear crystal clear.   600Hz Sub-field Drive: 600Hz technology lets you view superb full-HD motion and still images with 1080 lines of resolution. For even dandier clarity with motion images, Panasonic uses it is own distinctive image-analysis technology, which converts the motion in each scene into data. And each frame is practically displayed for a shorter length of time than in former systems, to reduce aftereffects (see an illustration of 600Hz technology).   Infinite Black: The luminous efficacy of this NeoPDP Plasma panel has been bettered by reducing the electrical pre-discharge that causes graying has primarily intensified black gradation. The result is crisp blacks with no graying–even in living rooms with bright, afternoon lighting. And minimizing the electrical pre-discharge helps to both raise contrast and save energy.   THX Certified Display: THX reproduces film images as the filmmakers intended them. To receive THX certification, TVs undergo stringent tests to determine, for example, whether the precise same luminance and color are displayed at all screen locations, and whether black levels satisfy ordinary criteria.

Key Specifications

Series: G25 Screen type: Plasma Screen size: 42 inches Native resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels Contrast ratio: Infinite Black with 5,000,000:1 native/dynamic contrast Shades of gradation: 6,144 equivalent HDTV display capability: 1080p, 1080i, 720p EDTV display capability: 480p Speakers: 2 full range, 20W total power; surround sound capablenesses Image viewer: AVCHD, MPEG2, JPEG compatibility Aspect control: Normal, Zoom, Full, Just, H-fill for TV/AV modes 4:3, Full for PC mode Optional wall-mounting bracket: TY-WK4P1RW Multi-lingual menu: English/Spanish/French Energy Star qualified: Yes

Connections HDMI: 3 (1 side) Component (Y, PB, PR): 2; each with audio input Composite A/V: 2 (1 side); each with audio input Ethernet: 1 USB: 2 PC input (15-pin, D-Sub): 1 Digital audio output: 1 Dimensions TV with stand: 40.6 x 27.3 x 12.2 inches (WxHxD); 70.6 pounds TV without stand: 40.6 x 25.8 x 3.5 inches (WxHxD); 65 pounds What size TV ought to you get?

What’s in the Box

Panasonic G25 series Plasma HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

Series:

VT25 Plasma

GT25 Plasma

G25 Plasma

S2 Plasma

U2 Plasma

C2 Plasma

U22 LCD

X2 LCD

C22 LCD

Models: TC-P54VT25 54″
TC-P50VT25 50″ TC-P50GT25 50″
TC-P42GT25 42″ TC-P54G25 54″
TC-P50G25 50″
TC-P46G25 46″
TC-P42G25 42″ TC-P65S2 65″
TC-P58S2 58″
TC-P54S2 54″
TC-P50S2 50″
TC-P46S2 46″
TC-P42S2 42″ TC-P50U2 50″
TC-P42U2 42″ TC-P50C2 50″
TC-P46C2 46″
TC-P42C2 42″ TC-L42U22 42″
TC-L37U22 37″
TC-L32U22 32″ TC-L37X2 37″
TC-L32X2 32″
TC-L22X2 22″ TC-L37C22 37″
TC-L32C22 32″

VIERA Cast – – – – – –

VIERA Image Viewer
(AVCHD/MPEG2/JPEG/MP3 playback)
(AVCHD/MPEG2/JPEG/MP3 playback)
(JPEG)
(JPEG)
(JPEG)
(JPEG)
(JPEG)
(JPEG)
(JPEG)

VIERA Link
webcam capable
webcam capable
webcam capable

NeoPDP Panel – – – – – – –

THX Display – – – – – –

Contrast Ratio Infinite Black Pro / 5,000,000:1 Native Infinite Black / 5,000,000:1 Native Infinite Black / 5,000,000:1 Native Dynamic: 2,000,000:1 Dynamic: 2,000,000:1 Dynamic: 2,000,000:1 Dynamic: 20,000:1 Dynamic: 20,000:1
22″: 15,000:1 Dynamic: 18,000:1

Moving Picture Resolution 1080 lines 1080 lines 1080 lines 1080 lines 900 lines 720 lines – – –

Anti-Reflective Filter – – – – –

Display Capabilities 1080p, 1080i,
720p, 480p 1080p, 1080i,
720p, 480p 1080p, 1080i,
720p, 480p 1080p, 1080i,
720p, 480p 1080p, 1080i,
720p, 480p 720p, 480p 1080p, 1080i,
720p, 480p 720p, 480p 720p, 480p

600Hz Sub-field Drive – – –

Game Mode – – –

Speakers 3; 30W total 2; 20W total 2; 20W total 2; 20W total 2; 20W total 2; 20W total 2; 20W total 2; 20W total
22″: 6W 2; 20W total

Surround Sound

HDMI input 4 (1 side) 3 (1 side) 3 (1 side) 3 (1 side) 3 (1 side) 2 3 (1 side) 3 (1 side)
22″: 1 2

Component input (Y, PB, PR) 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1

Composite input 2 (1 side) 2 (1 side) 2 (1 side) 2 (1 side) 2 (1 side) 2 (1 side) 2 (1 side) 2 (1 side)
22″: 1 2

PC input 1 (side) 1 (side) 1 (side) – – – 1 1 1

USB 2 2 2 – – – – – –

Ethernet LAN input 1 1 1 – – – – – –

Digital Audio output 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

iPod Universal Dock – – – – – – – –

Energy Star

Series: VT25 Plasma GT25 Plasma G25 Plasma S2 Plasma U2 Plasma C2 Plasma U22 LCD X2 LCD C22 LCD

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Most helpful customer reviews

253 of 256 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent TV from Panasonic
By D. Meyer
I bought this plasma from a local electronics store [...]. This is the second flat screen I have purchased in as many days.

89 of 90 people found the following review helpful.
Very Pleased
By Steve
Although I have been working in the AV industry for many years I have been holding back – seen a lot of feature hype and hoopla go by but this is the first flat screen plasma I liked with a price that was reasonable.
For a couple of years now I have been looking for an HDTV with wide viewing angels – worked well in dark or well lit room without too much reflection – rich accurate color reproduction – Works well with games or sports motion – works well with over the air/cable SD signals or SD DVD play back – ease of use – easy break in – Minimal chance of image retention – Multiple input/outputs – reasonable price.
We have had our 42G25 now for several weeks and have been very pleased with our choice – did have to buy the component cables for our Wii which improved the picture quality fairly well for an SD video game. We also purchased a Panasonic Bluray player with the TV it works nicely with SD or Bluray playback – The TV’s THX certified picture setting is very pleasing and color accurate for movies – I use the Custom setting for over the air and cable TV watching with a few minor adjustment tweaks I got excellent results. Both the TV and player have internet abilities – I have used utube so far works fine. Also I was easily able to updated the firmware for both TV and player. Bought a Mini DVI to HDMI adapter to use my 2 yr. old MacBook computer works fine @ 1920x1080p resolution streaming Hulu etc. There is an RGB port on the TV but only lower resolutions work – since RGB is limited anyway I would use the HDMI port if your computer is 1080p capable. The sound is a little on the tinny side for me but my wife doesn’t seem to mind it personally I usually use the AV amplifier when watching TV or Movies. The TV remote is easy to use and lights up. The BR player remote is also easy use but does not light up not sure I get that – it makes it very awkward to use in the dark. So I just put everything on our Sony universal 2100 remote and the wife was happy controlling all sources with one touch screen remote that lights up.
One last thing – I’m keeping an eye on the alleged “rising black levels” but I have not notice anything yet. I’ll repost if anything comes up. However I do recommend this TV to all it’s a good value, sharp accurate picture and a great product.

UPDATE 11/17/10 I promised to give an update if I noticed any alleged “rising black levels” Well I must have a couple of thousand hours on the set now and have not been able to detect anything significant. The black levels now look the same as the day I purchased the TV. I ran a few simple tests the day I bought the set and just the other day (won’t bore you with details) so far the black level tests when compared are the same. I do expect there will eventually be some minor rise in black levels but this is true of most plasma sets anyway because of phospher life and built in bios adjustments – yawn – yawn etc. etc. — but were talking thousands of hours here and years of viewing time. Yet at the same time if there are any changes I expect them to be very minor not so noticeable by the naked eye when viewing TV or Movie content.

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful.
G25 label makes the difference
By Miha Ahronovitz
I already have a Panasonic 58″ since 2006, and it is in my opinion one of the best TVs on the market. I wanted to replace -in the second smaller family area upstairs – a TV replacing our old 32″. I bought first a Samsung 46″ LCD (not LED) and the screen seemed too big for the area. Maybe this was a subjective impression, because the view from sides was full of spots tainting the picture. They disappeared only if one sits right in front of the TV. I returned the TV next day.

I looked at all Panasonic plasma. The large electronics store and Costco sell cheaper 720p versions. Even the model S2, one step below G25, although it is a 1080p, it does not have the “infinite black” feature. I located the Panasonic G25 42″ in another electronic store. The difference between S2 and G25 was day and night for me. The sound is more than good for me. One feature G25 has and S2 doesn’t is the swivel from the base. Little detail, but significant in smaller rooms.

The price on Amazon was good. The reputation of Amazon is re-assuring even when buying a large item like a TV. However the G25 is sold by an Amazon third party. In the remote possibility that I need to return the item, I know from experience, Amazon policy is to redirect the buyer to the seller, and only if the authorized seller does not solve the problem, the Amazon will return the money. The process works, but it may take months.

This is the reason I purchased the Panasonic G25 locally. I highly recommend to anyone considering a TV.

Added June 18, 2010: Amazon offers this TV directly. This gives most buyers a reason to purchase from Amazon.

See all 161 customer reviews…

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