Panasonic Plasma Review: Panasonic Plasma TV and Buying Guide Tips from PTBG

Advertisement:

Panasonic Plasma Review
Model: Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK Plasma Display Review Description: 42" HDTV Plasma Television, Widescreen 16:9 format Resolution: 1024X768 (HDTV) Includes: remote control, VGA input board, composite input board, component input board Color: Charcoal Black Reviewer: Robert Wiley Date: 09-11-2005 Copyright 2005 PlasmaTVBuyingGuide.com. All Rights Reserved.
on Panasonic Plasma TVs using our recommended reseller finder. Panasonic has been a leader as one of the top 3 manufacturers of plasma display products and was the first manufacturer to obtain CRT-like black levels by reducing pre-discharge emission. They have managed to maintain their competitive advantage that the company became known for in 2000 and 2001 with regard to black levels and gray scaling. Nevertheless, Panasonic is still tweaking performance. In this review we summarize the 42-inch offerings in Panasonics professional HDTV lineup, including the new 8th generation TH-42PHD8UK. The plasma panels used in Panasonics professional line of displays are cycled into the consumer line of TVs after they have run for a while in the pro-lineup. For example, the current-generation 42-inch consumer model, the TH42PX50U, uses the same panel 7th generation panel as the discontinued 42-inch TH-PHD7UY pro display. For now, the newest 8th generation panel can only be had in the TH-42PHD8UK or in the Panasonic Onyx series of high end consumer line plasma. While picture quality has been consistent throughout the latest three revisions of the 42-inch professional product, we explain the small changes that were made with each generation. TH-42PHD8UK vs. TH-42PHD7UY The new (8UK) series replaces the (7UY) series in the late summer/fall of 2005. Little has changed between these products and technical specifications remain unchanged.
For the (8UK) series display Panasonic replaces the Super Real Gamma System with the Advanced Real Gamma System, which they claim improves brightness levels. The buzzword change was the only definitive difference we could read in the panel specifications between the new and previous generation TVs. Contrast ratio, resolution, and panellife remain the same. The number of displayable colors and grayscale shade count remain the same as well. Major changes in the (8UK) series were made to the remote control. The 21-button remote control used in the older (7UY) and (6UY) series TVs was replaced with a 45-button remote control. The refreshed design includes discrete on and off buttons located at opposite corners at the top of the remote, replacing a single on/off button. The new remote also has separate buttons for each input, eliminating the need to repeatedly press a single input button to switch inputs as required with the older remote. A numeric keypad, absent on the old remote, makes its debut with the 8UK series and greatly eases the task of changing channels with the optional TV tuner. Control buttons were removed from the panel making operation possible exclusively with the remote control. The bezel on the 8UK series is now beveled along the outside, eliminating the sharp edge found on the TH-42PHD7UY series.
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th42phd8uk-review.html (1 of 7)3/22/2006 3:52:02 PM
Power consumption dropped modestly to 275 watts from 290 watts. Highlights of the Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY and TH-42PHD8UK Following are improvements that were made to the 7UY and 8UK series plasma products:

Panasonic claims to have improved the phosphors in the plasma display element (glass) - to better enable the plasma display to resist phosphor burn in from static images. The product life span specification increased to 60,000 hours half life (half of the plasma panels initial level of brightness) in normal conditions. Panasonic has changed the panel structure to a new bound cell design (a technique adapted from Pioneer technology). This structural change improves light emitting intensity and efficiency thus allowing for brightness improvement. Products life span is also extended as a result of the lower power requirement to effectively light cells. Panasonic has increased the video input card options to include the new HDMI digital broadcast standard on the 7UY and 8UK series. Optional cards for both the 7UY and 8UK series include composite, component, VGA,DVI, and HDMI optional input cards. Peak brightness has been increased by 10%. INTRODUCTION These plasma televisions may be purchased for professional broadcast use, but also can work well for the consumer in the home market. They do not include tuners or speakers, both of which can be purchased and installed as optional accessories. The ultimate test of all plasma display monitors is how well they show when they are actually tested for video quality. Forget the native pixel resolution, the built in progressive scanning converter, the astronomically unrealistic contrast ratio figure shown. The manufacturers wanting to sell their product provide the specifications. Comparing TV's of any kind side by side with the same input source at the same starting point is the way to truly understand how the signal information is converted, processed and shown. Call it the eyeball test. With plasma displays the differences are much more apparent than with conventional CRT direct view televisions due to pixel formation and lighting considerations. The new TH-42PHD8UK offers a few nice improvements as stated above from its predecessor. And yes, this is the 8th generation plasma display in the series produced by Panasonic. By now Panasonic has addressed the major concerns of potential plasma TV customers across its product line, including the TH-42PHD8UK. We receive these questions by the thousands, 1) "How long does the plasma last", 2) "I heard that images easily burn in.", 3) " Is plasma as bright as LCD?" 4) What are the best inputs to use with plasma?" These are legitimate questions given of all the conflicting information consumers are fed. So Panasonic has strived to answer and ease these concerns and has addressed them all with their new specifications and improvements introduced in 7UY series and carried through in the 8UK series. As listed above, life span is up to 60,000 hours for the two most recent series, phoshor burn in effects are substantially nonexistent, power consumption was reduced in the 7UY series to 290 watts and then again to 275 in the 8UK series, brightness levels have also been increased with each generation. However the very best improvement, and the area in which Panasonic is constantly thumping the competition, is in gray scaling. Not only have they maintained the gap in gray scale performance, they have widened it by adding (according to their specifications) up to 2,048 shades of gray for the 7UY and 8UK series. This translates into an improved viewing experience for the user - by enabling more detail in dark scenes and images. The Panasonic pro series of TVs is very sound technically and can be used in professional installations or a consumer environment. Panasonic's overhaul of the remote with the latest 8UK series displays makes home-use more fluid.

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th42phd8uk-review.html (2 of 7)3/22/2006 3:52:02 PM
Flesh tones are extremely accurate. THE PICTURE - 97/100 Since plasma monitors are primarily visual devices the picture displayed is omnipotent in consideration for which one to purchase. There are a few other considerations (listed in this review under "Other Considerations") but image quality is of primary importance unless computer presentation scaling is the call. The Panasonic plasma TV showed the best picture I have seen on a 42 high definition plasma display. With higher end signals of HDTV 1080I or progressive scan 480P the unit is unmatched for an 1024 X 480 native pixel resolution plasma TV. We have reviewed the Gateway, Sampo, Samsung, Akai, LG, NEC, Fujitsu, Hitachi and Sony plasmas, and the unanimous feeling among our reviewers is that the overall winner on picture is Panasonic. Panasonic has done a great job with its 1024X768 plasma displays and also with its TH-42PWD8UK 853X480 model, which has emulated the PHDs success in the EDTV-resolution market. Images are exceptionally sharp and crisp for HDTV input signals. Color reproduction was superb but the words most often used to describe the unit's on-screen image versus the other flat screen TV's were, "deep, rich and clear, amazing." I know the description of the picture sounds a bit like a good cabernet, but those were the thoughts as I canvassed the group. There are a few standout reasons that the Panasonic Plasmas triumph. One is the gray scaling in dark scenes. Two is the black levels. And three is color reproduction. 1. Gray Scaling: Image detailing in dark scenes is a sticking point with most plasma manufacturers due to the pressure of always attempting to increase black levels and contrast to keep up with Panasonic. With many manufacturers, much feature matter is lost as what was intended to be dark image matter turns to an over saturated black - thus losing all detail. Panasonic plasmas have been overcoming this problem for years and are only getting better with the new 7UY and 8UK plasma series. 2. Black Levels: The Panasonic TH-PHD7UY and TH-PHD8UK continue to show the dominant deep black levels that have won Panasonic so many accolades in this area. As discussed with gray scaling, it's really a combination of excellent black levels and great dark matter detailing within gray scales that create a superb picture for the human eye. Only Pioneer competes with Panasonic in this area. Though we dont entirely buy into the Panasonic (nor any other manufacturer) contrast ratio listing of 4000:1 (we measured the 8UK at around 855:1 with power on), I do believe they have the best technology in showing video imagery. The contrast ratio is the best in the plasma market and rivals even the best CRTs. Many manufacturers now list the same contrast ratio as Panasonic, but this has to do with two corruptible aspects of manufacturer spec listing. 1) They measure the contrast in different ways with differing devices and with different formulas. 2) I suspect that they are simply listing the same specification as Panasonic and each other to keep up. 3) Manufacturers can improve a spec but not the product, for instance by increasing peak white to improve the overall contrast ratio in ways that do not improve your picture quality at all. 3. Panasonic's plasma color reproduction has always leaned toward the cool side. I prefer this for the attestation that flesh tones on many plasma TVs are overly pink/red. This is a distraction to me and only Pioneer and Sony come

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th42phd8uk-review.html (3 of 7)3/22/2006 3:52:02 PM
close to Panasonic when viewing realistic flesh tones that are so vital to the TV viewing experience.
Dark Scene detailing in Fight Club was superb When viewing progressive 720P, 1080I, or 480P I would not hesitate to pit the Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK against any CRT direct view set. I think it is actually worth the extra $1000 for the Plasma with a 42" diagonal viewing area compared with a high definition CRT. Our plasma monitor tests were conducted with several inputs including HDTV broadcast through an Samsung SIRT165 high definition decoder box, Pioneer 47A Elite progressive scan DVD player, a DVD-Ram HD player iDVR100, a VCR, a PC signal with several resolutions, and, of course, a plain old cable input. When changing the signal from a DVD player to 480I from 480P, there is now an almost imperceptible decrease noticed in the picture quality on this plasma TV. This is due to the new and improved internal progressive scan conversion circuitry in the unit. It does an excellent job of line doubling the signal. An excellent 3:2 pulldown conversion chip for film and video processing is also included to deliver clear, smooth images from film sources. The Panasonic 42PHD8UK also upconverts satellite and cable signals to progressive scan quality, thus giving much better picture quality than before on television grade signals. While several manufacturers claim to have almost caught Panasonic in black level production and contrast, the Panasonic models continue to display the deepest blacks and smoothest gray scaling that I have seen. While viewing the anamorphic widescreen 2.40:1 DVD release of Fight Cluba dark film by anyone's descriptionI was able to discern sufficient definition in the dark detailing of fight scenes, clothing, and distanced objects. The proof that the Panasonic plasma could handle gray scales with no false contouring (banding effects in dark gradations) was also evidenced in the DVD release of Scorcese's Raging Bull. As De Niro pummeled opponents relentlessly, I was amazed that even with this black and white DVD release there were zero banding/ false contouring effects evident. It is not even a consideration any more with Panasonic's plasma TV offerings. This accomplishment is very difficult for most plasma TVs. The picture from the Panasonic plasma always deliver the most realistic colors, in part because these units do not get offensively warm with the reds as do so many other models. Gray scaling is drastically improved on this new modelwith the most even dark level variations witnessed and monitored by my Philips color analyzer. In addition to their phenomenal film and video handing, Panasonic plasma's are hands-down the most versatile displays to

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th42phd8uk-review.html (4 of 7)3/22/2006 3:52:02 PM
use with computer inputs. We tested the new TH-42PHD8UK extensively using the displays VGA input and a laptop computer. The VGA board down-sampled and up-sampled input resolutions ranging from 640x480 to 1920x1200 with incredible clarity. We tested 18 different resolutions supported by the TV's video board and each one immediately scaled to the center of the screen with incredible clarity. With Panasonic's scaling technology we saw quality at higher resolutions that exceeded what we've observed on even higher resolution LCDs. With more than 70 different resolution/refresh combinations supported, the TH42PHD8UK is by far the best plasma TV we've seen for conference room installations.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS - 94/100 This plasma TV runs virtually silent. It is fan-less and has one of the lowest power consumption ratings of any plasma along with Pioneer. I could not hear the unit running at all. Not even from a foot away. Easily the best in the market. The onscreen graphic user display on this plasma television is excellent and easy to use. There are options available for color temp adjustment, sharpness, color, brightness, tint, and picture. Picture controls contrast. If you have a darker room environment it is always a good idea to lower the contrast from the factory presetting of 25 on a scale of -30 to 30. I would lower it to around 20. As well I lowered sharpness to -15 - the minimum setting available. There is a sound adjustment menu if you are using the built in 8 watt amplifiers from which the outputs are neatly placed on the lower right and lower left back of the unit. The five aspect ratio options include Zoom, Normal (for 4:3 picture), Full, Just (displays 4:3 picture at full screen size but with justification algorithms in effect), Panasonic Auto (used to handle a mix of 16:9 and 4:3 programming, acting similar to Just mode). Color adjustments were spot on for me right out of the box at factory set levels.
The Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK features interchangeable terminal boards. Input connections are sufficient for most uses. Included video input connections include S-video, composite video (BNC), a row of 5 BNC connections for component/RGB, a serial port, a 15 pin VGA, a DB25 tuner in connection, and the two speaker output terminals from the built in amps. The back bottom input cavity is conveniently located for wall mounting and accessibility. The 8UK series continues with optional video terminal boards which can be purchased to assist any user with their individual setup. These include component terminal boards, composite terminal boards, and DVI/HDCP terminal boards and newly HDMI digital video boards. There is an optional empty slot (Slot 1) on the Panasonic plasma to allow the user to simply unscrew 4 screws on the back of the unit, take off the black plate, and slide in an optional video terminal board. This allows the consumer or professional user to be able to view picture in picture or side by side picture from the plasma. A configuration might look like this: *HDTV Cable Box connected to optional HDMI terminal board inserted in Slot 1

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th42phd8uk-review.html (5 of 7)3/22/2006 3:52:02 PM
*Component video cable from DVD to existing component video input This set up would allow the user to display side by side picture at the same time from Satellite and HDTV, and also optimize the set up for best possible picture. Note that some HDTV decoder boxes have DVI output or HDMI output. Either way, the Panasonic plasma has the input terminal boards to accommodate, and this flexibility is an excellent addition. Panasonic Plasma Input Slots cycle through the Multi PIP button on the remote then hit the select button then the input button to display PIP or Side by Side picture. Be sure to press the select button twice when necessary to change the input selection before depressing Input. The TH-PHD8UK's form is very similar to previous generations. The bezel/frame comes is a dark charcoal gray with black banding around the picture element. It is straightforward, sharp and understated next to some of the new polished silver consumer plasma models. The bezel is only an inch wide on all sides and slightly beveled along the exterior edges. The bevel is new in the 8UK series. The construction is solid with the input cavity located on the back bottom of the plasma to allow for easy flexibility when wall mounting. The THPHD8UK's dimensions are the same as its predecessors: a modest 3.5 inches deep, 40 inches wide, and 24 inches tall. The plasma is 65 pounds. The plasma makes no noise at all. Its silence has yet to be matched by high-end Pioneers costing thousands more. SPECIAL FEATURES UXGA (1600X1200) computer input acceptance 60,000 hour life span to half life Real Black Drive System for highest contrast and deeper blacks Full range of optional video terminal boards Wide Greyscale range - 2,048 shades Low Power Consumption - No fans necessary. Very quiet operation Most realistic color reproduction in the market
VALUE RATING - 97/100 With a new dealer price of sub $2400 the for the new TH-42PHD8UK it is the best buy in the HDTV market. It think it is the best buy in the high definition TV market period including LCD, CRT, DLP - everything. Pioneer and NEC make a quality 1st tier competitor but usually are priced higher. The competing Korean and Taiwanese brands are the only plasma displays selling for similar prices and do not compare quality/picture/performance-wise to the new Panasonic plasma products. The internal chip sets and components used in Panasonic plasma products keep getting better and for less $$!

OVERALL RATING - (picture double weighted) - 96.5/100
on Panasonic Plasma TVs using our recommended reseller finder.
Copyright 2005 PlasmaTVBuyingGuide.com. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th42phd8uk-review.html (6 of 7)3/22/2006 3:52:02 PM
NEW: How To Buy A Plasma TV in 10 Easy Steps NEW: How To Buy A LCD Television in 8 easy steps

LCD TV Models

| Panasonic | Sony | NEC | JVC | Samsung | Sharp | Toshiba | LCD TV Reviews | | Panasonic | Sony | Pioneer | NEC | BenQ | Eizo | Fujitsu | Hitachi | JVC | Luce | LG |

Plasma TV Models

| Marantz | Mitshubishi | Philips | RCA | Sampo | Samsung | Viewsonic | Toshiba | Zenith |
| Home | Plasma TV Reviews | Top 10 Plasma TVs | Plasma Comparison Chart | LCD TV |

Site Links

| Buying Tips | Current Models | Where to Buy | Check Latest Prices | About Us | Advertising |
Visit other Premier Sites from the Buying Guide Network Plasma TV Buying Guide DLP TV Review LCD TV Buying Guide
Please Support our Sponsors:
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/panasonic-th42phd8uk-review.html (7 of 7)3/22/2006 3:52:02 PM

100 -240V

0.5A MAX.

S OG DDS P SE RR SPARE

GAIN/ PEAK

10 0% UNI TY

50/6 0Hz

OUTPUT

Control PC

H. S HIFT

ID PIN 11 ID PIN 4
BUFFE RED LOCAL MONIT OR OUTPUT

Digital Signage PC

Audio L/R

RGB 109 xi

VGA I NT E FACE WIT H A DSP TM R
Crestron MC2E Ethernet Control System

S-Video Audio

VCR/DVD Player

Cable Tuner

S-Video
Extron Crosspoint 300 8X8 Matrix Switcher
50" Plasma Wall Mounted

Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK

Middleton Library Room 141
Crestron QM-RMC Media Conroller

Wall Plate

Network
42" Plasma on Mobile Stand

Panasonic TH-42PWD8UK

Middleton Information Commons
42" Plasma Alternate Location
Middleton Library Room 126