Panasonic Viera TH-42PV30A

Good – Although viewing HD video on a large HD Plasma is pure excellence. Unfortunately the fact that the heavy glass plasma enclosure is very delicate and prone to early failure makes LCD technology and other new concepts the way of the future. Consumer technology is designed to last an average of 4 years compared to the old days where it was supposed… Read more

to last for a life time. Something to consider when investing into something you expect to get extensive use out of for at least the next 5 to 10 years, especially old inefficient technology that uses glass and high voltages. Onemore thing to keep in mind is Plamsa will eventually cease to be produced unfortunately market and corporate adaption takes a long time and there is a hell of a lot of surplus screen panels that are waiting yet to be incorporated into new frames with new features posing as the newest products for release...... Any plasma or LCD TV is superior, I still have a CRT and love it so any average size LCD or Plasma TV would be an improvement anyday. Plasma, plasma plasma....its old technology similar to CRT using high voltages to excite the previewing surface, like the old green glow calculators from the 80's, plasma technology is destructive causing time depremental burn making it an ideal consumer product, HD LCD is way superior it is light and doesn't even require fragile glass anymore like with Plasma's, 90% of faulty plasmas I have seen were due to the glass breaking making them a great money maker. Although LCD's usually have square pixels making them better for data and Plasmas for video's with elongated pixels like CRT TV's. But with the current LCD technology its easy to see where the technology is going....LCD has without doubt a longer life span as it uses cold micro current display technology compared to high voltage and glass tubes of Plasmas...sound like something from the 60's that only made it to the shelves recently.

Excellent – The best TV I have owned till this day. The thing that really captured me was the new black drive system which really was excellent and it looks very sexy and makes my living stand out very nicely. Its very much value for money and worth every dollar as you are buying the best quality brand around today, with amazing sound and picture quality you… Read more

will enjoy this product for years to come! I love watching High definition TV and Blue ray movies as the smooth frame rate really shows when watching them. In terms of features the smart sound system built in is very noticeable and it really makes the movie experience a blast, if you don't have speakers that you can rely on the speakers on the TV will still blow your mind. It has an SD card slot to view pictures with its built in picture viewer and has a gamma system to make dark movies brighter. These are very unique features never seen on a TV before and made my purchase much easier. Its so easy to set up, you just unpack it and place it in a comfortable position and the TV is set to go with no adjustments, so easy and any one can do it. Affordable. None so far

Bad – Like all Panasonic products this television features supreme quality in both performance and appearance. I would recommend that everyone consider both the pros and the cons before making a purchase. Also, if you would prefer to mount your plasma on the wall this probably isn't the one for you. Because it is quite heavy and not a slimline it would… Read more

be advisable to use a pedestal stand. Personally, I wouldn't buy this one - there is too many others out there on the market with similar or more features at the same competitive price. 1)Features SD/PC memory card slots for easy playback of digital photos. 2)Banded cell structure to provide bright superior quality images. 3)built in speakers surrounding the screen which gives that cinematic sound quality.4)full digital processor to read both digital and analogue picture.5)multi-function remote is small and therefore fits comfortably in your hand, has 'glow in the dark' buttons.

6)images in dark scenes are clear and visible because it is able to reproduce 1,024 shades of gradation.7)Stylish in appearance with its modern curve design. 1)Doesn't have a built-in high definition tuner set top box - you will need to purchase this separately.2)has high power consumption of 398W.3)Does not have the air flow and heat sink innovations like 'Fujitsu' or 'Pioneer' and therefore has 4 fans to keep it cool.4)Is not slimline design and is somewhat bulky and heavy at 42kg.5)Does not provide HDMI input option.6)Skin tones are often red/orange in colour and looks a bit unnatural.

Excellent – THE GREATEST FORTY TWO INCHES I HAVE EVER HAD THE PRIVILEDGE OF VIEWING.It left the other contenders in its wake. Since purchasing our Palasonic Viera my Tv viewing has inceased by at least 50%.It is so lifelike you would think you are in the same room as the characters. In the showroom it stood out above the opposition in clarity detail and… Read more

style and virtually wiped out the others by its brilliant presentation. I can't think of a damn thing I dislike about my VIERA.

Excellent – I would buy this item I love the card slots so you can just see your camera pics easily. Also the real gamma system is wicked as i hate the dark in most movies, with this system in place you will see loads of details you do not normaly see in most movies Maybe the price is high but consider what you are getting

Excellent – We have had this TV for 3 years now and haven't had the slightest problem with it. The sound quality and picture quality are both great. You can watch this tv screen from a very wide angle and still see what is going on very well. You do need a large room to accomodate this TV. I would definitely recommend this brand to anyone who is looking to… Read more

purchase a plasma TV. You won't want to go to the movies anywhere near as much after purchasing this as it is much like watching a movie in your own home. Great picture quality. Great sound quality. A bit expensive but you are paying for a reputable brand name.

OK – I think the reception is generally very good but for the sensitivity to weather/powertools etc. Our older style tele does not get effected at all while the Viera does. Not sure if all modern tele's are sensitive like this or if it is just the Viera. Definitely worth mentioning I think. Otherwise the Viera is likeable. I like the size - it's… Read more

not too big (as I'm not into overly big tele's). Not sure if it's the tele or our connection but if someone is using a powertool down the road, for instance, it effects our Viera! The old fashioned 2nd tele that we have does not get the interference at all, only our Viera. The weather also seems to interfere with the reception but not the old-fashioned 2nd tele we have in the rumpus room. This is pretty annoying when watching something interesting!

OK – although these are costly what still panasonic products are quiltywise fine.these product have also long life then others & performance wise also fine. I like all panasonic products due to their long life. little bit costly

Bad – The Panasonics picture quality is of a very high standard though at times can be a bit unrefined. It is very well finished though if it was a little thinner and lighter it would increase its appeal. The fact that it needs 4 internal fans to keep cool is a bit of a worry when other plasmas have cooling technology that avoids the need for fans. It… Read more

comes with one a comprehensive one year warranty and is overall good buy. * Card reader facility to view family photos.

* Nice graphical menu system.

* Nice design.

* Wide array of options for aspect control.

* Remote has DVD operation buttons, how ever some may consider this as clutter.

* No requirement to purchase speakers separately. * Has 4 internal fans.

* Heavy and typically consumes more power than the other plasmas.

* May be a problem to wall mount.

* No HDMI input option.

* No DVI input option.

* Doe s not accept a 720p signal.

Excellent – The PV30 series contains a built-in analogue tuner, the same as a conventional television, thus allowing you to enjoy analogue television and Optional Stands & Mounting Systems is very nice and SD Memory Card slot and a PC card slot, giving you an easy way to enjoy large screen viewing of still images from a digital camera or other memory… Read more

card-equipped device, this is very nice. Elegant Flowing Design, Aero Floating Silhouette your screen emit much hot

Good – Unreservedly recomended. The newer sets have 3D capability and Internet access built in, great for watching the ABC's very good iView streaming service or accessing pictures and music from your PC. "Reviewers" like cosmik should confine their rhetoric to reviewing the product nominated, that said I've owned a number of Panasonic televisions CRTs… Read more

and plasmas and the new Pany plasmas are easily the best. Great sound, very good picture and useful options. LCDs are popular with manufacturers because they are much cheaper to build and because they weigh less cheaper to ship! More profit, not better pictures. Shame free to air has been dumbed down to mostly SD. Once again the viewing public has been cheated. All plasmas are heavy and consume a little more power than LCDs, LED backlit LCDs are even more economical to run but the difference is still not great and the plasma picture quality is so much better...

Excellent – Plasma TVs are superior to LCD TVs. Unlike LCD TVs, which have a refresh delay (even the newer 200Mhz units suffer from it), there is no blur when watching sport or other fast moving action on plasma TVs. The colours on plasma TVs are far richer than LCD as they don't rely on a light shining through from the rear. (Disregard the comments made in… Read more

the next review below about plasma TVs using the same technology as CRT TVs - that's rubbish.)

Plasma TVs do not suffer from burned-in images. We have had our plasma TV for 18 months and there is no sign of the watermark that various channels display during their programs. In fact, the engineers at Panasonic have stated that for an image to remain on the screen, you would need to have the same image displayed on the TV for more than 100 hours (ie. more than 4 days continuously). Even then, they stated, the image would fade after watching TV normally for a period of time. LCD is an inferior technology for TV viewing. Good solid colours

No ghosting or misting during fast moving action such as sport

Don't need to sit back far to watch it

All-in-one unit with monitor, tuner, speakers and stand

Very easy to set up

Much lighter than smaller CRT TVs

Doesn't suffer from burned-in images like the very early plasma TVs Supposedly uses a bit more power than an LCD, but not noticeable on the power bill

Good – I like this TV but I don't love it. The picture quality is really great and the sound etc etc but it wasn't the best TV we've ever bought. The way technology is changing I think I expected to be wowed and I wasn't. It is still really fantastic - I love watching movies and sport on it and can't wait to have family sleepovers in front of it. Just… Read more

maybe next time give me a reason to buy it for a friend as well. good viewing, nice large screen, perfect sound quality, overall quite a nice TV. The thickness around the edge of the screen is a bit annoying. It takes the modern-ness away.

Excellent – After getting married, we decided to splurge and finally get the plasma TV we had always wanted. We did a lot of shopping around and read lots of reviews and selected the Panasonic 42 inch Viera Plasma TV as the model of choice. We got a good deal from a local chain store and were very impressed by the features of this Plasma TV. We use the Plasma… Read more

TV in a range of ways, from lighting changes (from day to night) and for gaming (with great resolution and sound quality). Great picture, awesome screen and sound. Nothing really, we have had no problems with this tv.

Excellent – Ultitmate in TV viewing big screen.Simply the best...... The large screen size, would be terrific. I could just imagine watching the Bathurst races on it. The power of the large screen would make the cars look as if they were about to run you over when they drove towards you,I would have to force myself not to move away. This would the most… Read more

ulitmate thrill while watching TV. Almost a Virtual World in your lounge room. The price is a bit on the expensive side.It definately fits in the Luxury item category.Not for everyone but something to save up for.Definite the evny of your mates.Football and the Bathurst Races would be at your house.

Good – Very nice product, no complaints in anyway, shape or form. Very Smooth and looks great. Friends love it and want one of their own. Highly recommended for everyone. Ill probably keep this forever its very upto date and not behind the curve when it comes to what other people are buying. Very nice no complaints

Good – Good value for money, however there are much better televisions on the market now that easily outperform this one. If you are looking for a simple television that will last an perform great; than this is probably a good television for you. Brilliant picture quality and good colour. None I can think of

Good – The panasonic viera is basically your OVERALL up to date TV experience. Its Elegant sleek design makes it more than just your average living room Television, Its also great characteristics for viewers needs and wants for your mulimedia fulfillments. Enjoy:) This product is basically the forefront of what we call YOUR ULTIMATE MULTIMEDIA… Read more

EXPERIENCE! It has everything you need for addition inserts such as usb,sd/pc card ect. The Panasonic Viera is all you need for the "watch tv at ease" experience. There isnt really anything to say wrong about it. :)

Good – well what i have read about what others have said about it , well it will twist my arm to buying one some day as it seems to be really good Quality and the price is right :-) well i dont own one but it looks might fine. bad thing it isn't in my living room.. no there is no bad about it that i know of

Excellent – Looks great. Great brand name - highly reliable. Another "top shelf" product from Panasonic. This TV would be of excellent value, quality and appearance. I would highly recommend this product to anyone. I have owned a number of Panasonic appliaces and have found them all to be excellent. I would expect this Plasma TV to be of equally excellent… Read more

quality and it certainly has a great appearance. I have no dislikes. I think that It would be fantastic.

Good – Normally a company this big would not have many issues with their products for they expect best results out of them and if their were any error it would be instantly repaired and done up to reduce further damage. A company from Japan will always give the best result for all its customers. The price that they put it at is always a good standard… Read more

level. Giving normal families to have a more convenient life. Panasonic is a wonderful brand, first reasons why I love Japanese made products is its quality is superb and fantastic, the colour comes out nice and strong, something that you expect or even better, with many other features that other brands may not have The only disadvantages that you will find will probably be that you become an unlucky one buying the product which is broken but their is always the refund and the trade-in . So i don't really think their are really that many disadvantages that you can ge

Excellent – Overall, I think this is an item worth saving for. It would impress my family and friends if I owned one, they might even visit me more often. I would watch television more often if I owned this Plasma. It looks quite large and impressive. I like the base of it.I think wide screen is an exciting concept. Nothing I can think of. I would have to… Read more

turn on the switch to make that assessment. It is probably quite expensive. At least $5000 and depending on personal budgets, not everyone will be able to own it, which of course would impress others if one did manage to own it. That could be a major point.

Good – Would be really great for watching sport having a good size screen. Bit of a worry having 4 fans, would make it expensive to run. Superior picture even in dark scenes Still a bit pricey

Good – I have one of these, it is an excellent TV. I will always buy Panasonic in a TV, I have had great service and you cant kill them with a stick. Large, Great colour rendition. Good quality of build by a reliable brand. Comes with a stable stand, unlike some. Good price point. No built in set top box for HD. However is HD capable. Heavy item.

Good – I think it is a good quality product with a trusted name and modern contemporary looks that will fit well into most homes well.  I believe that it will sell very well but it would be a shame to clutter the clean look with added necessities. It looks great, very stylish and company has a great name.  Plasma are superior to LCD's and this… Read more

has&nbsp;an exciting modern look that is just right for the new age in entertaining <p>Not having an HD box, means extra clutter which is at odds with the sleek design</p>

Excellent – overall its something that youll easyly put on your dream list,to beable to watch tv with something so amazing.Its got my votes. its good in size,looks great,and has a wonderfull rang of settings,to abil perfect quiality. Its abit to much in cost.

Good – very modern, great picture and size for hours of viewing looks good would suit my house

Good – great would love to have one but waiting for price to come down good size great picture a bit on the expensive side

Excellent – Best TV on the market for value. It is quality for the price. I thinkl everone that buys one will enjoy the visability of the screen at all angles. Fantastic picture quality, brilliant colour