Panasonic TH-42PD25U/P 42-Inch Enhanced-Definition Flat-Panel Plasma TV
Outstanding Value
Pros: Complete and up to date in every respect out of the box, with built-in HDTV tuner, table stand, speakers, optical audio output, cable card, HDMI interface, six additional rear inputs plus one complete set in front including RGB for total connection flexibility. Critically acclaimed picture quality. <br /> <br />Cons:  Speakers are not detachable, default picture settings too high. <br /> <br />Comments: I researched HDTV's for more than a year before taking the plunge. There are pros and cons to all available formats, but I decided I liked plasma best.  <br /> <br />Plasma TV's are like puppies: If you like them, it's hard not to like them all. Nonetheless, Panasonic leads the market and this model is the most universally well-reviewed plasma available, especially at its price (Consumer Reports to the contrary). <br /> <br />The picture on this ED set is slightly less detailed than on the HD model, but the difference is subtle and not worth $1500 to me. <br /> <br />I might have preferred the simpler styling and narrower width of the speakerless commercial version (TH-42PWD7UY), but after adding a tuner, stand and HDMI, the commercial model would have cost considerably more than the consumer TH-42PD25U, which also has a better warranty and local dealer support.  <br /> <br />It's a mystery to me why all manufacturers don't make speakers removable, as at this still early stage of acceptance, the vast majority of buyers must have separate sound systems to go with their expensive monitors. Sony, at least, provides for using their built-in speakers for the center channel, a big help with wall-mounted installations. <br /> <br />Choosing a TV set on a sales floor is difficult and frustrating. Too much depends on the picture settings and even the quality of the feeds. I compared my two finalists, this Panasonic to the Sony KE42M1 in several locations, preferring the Panasonic in some stores and the Sony in others. It was a close call, but in the end, I chose the Panasonic as a better value, with its built-in HDTV tuner and lower price as well as amenities such as PIP and greater connectivity. <br /> <br />I was impressed with the natural color I saw on the Panasonic in some stores, but had a hard time achieving it at home. The factory presets turn the picture control to its maximum in several settings, probably a recipe for shortened panel life. The factory's color balance was too green for my taste as well.  <br /> <br />After several days of experimentation and fine-tuning, I finally achieved the look I had admired. Broadcast program quality is variable, but the best over the air HDTV pictures are stunning, and well-mastered DVD's are theatre clear.  <br /> <br />A pleasant surprise was that the ATSC/QAM tuner pulled in perfect pictures from my 40-year-old rooftop antenna. In my location, several analog channels are unviewable due to ghosting caused by Chicago's tall buildings. I only watch them via satellite, so was uncertain what would happen when I tried the digital tuner. It was also fun to discover more than two dozen digital channels are broadcasting, albeit not all in HD.