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Panasonic TH42PZ70B Review
- Panasonic TH42PZ70B Introduction & Specification (current page)
- Panasonic TH42PZ70B Design, Connections & Operation
- Panasonic TH42PZ70B Calibration & Benchmark Testing
- Panasonic TH42PZ70B Real-Life Picture Quality
- Panasonic TH42PZ70B Review: Final Conclusion
The market share for plasmas has slowly but surely been eaten up by LCD televisions in recent years, as consumers are lured by the latter's higher specifications (for around the same price) and versatility (little/ no risk of screenburn). According to a report from Display Search (the leading flat panel display market research consulting company), LCD TVs accounted for 57% of the global TV market on a revenue basis for the first quarter of 2007.
Even more worryingly for plasma makers, the technology's traditional size advantage over LCDs is quickly being eroded. The same report revealed that within the 40 to 44-inch TV segment, market share for LCD TVs increased to 58% versus 41% for plasmas (the rest were rear-projection TVs). 50-inch and over is the only class where we can safely say that plasmas still dominate.
And that's not the end of the doom-and-gloom. LG Electronics, the world's second largest seller of plasma displays on a unit basis, plans to close down its plasma factory in Korea amid operating losses. I'm not sure if Panasonic – the plasma market leader – should rub their hands in glee at their rival's misfortune, or be worried by plasma's dwindling popularity.
But one thing's for sure... Panasonic have a game plan, and they're not going down without a fight. In the summer of 2007, they unveiled their first plasmas with true HD resolution – the PZ700 series – to satisfy the thirst of the public clamouring for 1080p.
Now, Panasonic brings us the PZ70 plasmas. While positioned as a cheaper "cut-down" version of the PZ700, the PZ70 range actually boast a higher contrast ratio and 1080p/24 capability. Competitively priced around the magical £1000 mark, Panasonic TH42PZ70B offers a serious alternative to 1080p LCD televisions for those looking to buy a 40" to 42" HDTV. Let's see how it performs...
Note: Panasonic has stopped selling the TH42PZ70B, and replaced it with the TH42PZ80B.
Technical Specifications
Physical Measurements
| Screen Size (Diagonal) | 42 inches |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Dimensions Without Stand (in mm) | 1134 x 641 x 116 |
| Dimensions With Stand (in mm) | 1134 x 688 x 330 |
| Weight Without Stand | 35 kg |
| Weight With Stand | 42 kg |
Display
| Native Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Panel | G10 Progressive Full-HD Plasma |
| Applicable PC Signals | SXGA |
| Displayable Colours | Max. 68.7 billion equivalent colours for darker part |
| Contrast Ratio | Max 10,000:1 |
TV Tuner
| Tuner Integrated | Yes |
| DVB Digital Tuner | Yes |
| Tuning System | PLL synthesizer 100-position auto-search tuner |
| Broadcast Stereo Reception | NICAM (FM) |
| Fastext | Yes |
| Receiving System | PAL-I, PAL-525/60, DVB, M-NTSC, NTSC (AV input only) |
Connection
| HDMI | 2 (19-pin; rear) |
| VGA | 1 (HD-15 + audio in; rear) |
| Component | 1 (YPbPr 3 x RCA connectors for video & L-R 2 x RCA connectors for audio; rear) |
| Scart | 2 (21-pin; rear) |
| S-Video | 1 (4-pin; side) |
| Composite (including audio input) | 1 (1 x RCA video & 2 x RCA audio; side) |
| Analogue Audio Output | 1 (L-R 2 x RCA connectors; rear) |
| Headphone Output | 1 (3.5mm stereo minijack; side) |
| Memory Card Slot | 1 (SD card; side) |
Audio
| Speakers | 2 |
| Power Output (RMS) | 2 x 10W |
| Ambience | Yes |
Power Consumption
| Voltage | 220 - 240V, 50/60Hz |
| Operation | 494W |
| Standby | 0.5W |
Source: www.panasonic.co.uk