Panasonic CT-27HL14 27" TAU Series HDTV-Ready TV
PIECE OF CRAP
I have this TV for past serveral months and have *Love* *Hate* relationship with it.<br /><br />The *Love* Points<br /><br />1. Can't Beat the price for this HDTV<br />2. Can't Beat the size, It is small enough to fit into those tight entertainment centers, Honestly buying a bigger TV means you will have to replace your existing old Entertainment center which will cost you another $200 not to mention the pain of replacing the old Entertainment center.<br />3. Great HDTV reception via Component Video Input. (Note: Needs additional OTA HDTV tuner)<br />4. Very Good Picture quality for the price.<br /><br />The *Hate* Points<br /><br />1. Constant buzzing sound from the speakers even when the volume is low<br />2. Poor convergence at the edges looks that Speakers inside the TV produce magnetic interference that the manufacturer failed to notice.<br />3. Picture is too Dark in Standard Defination Mode (SD)<br />4. Unable make the 4:3 Aspect ratio lock permanently when used in HDTV mode it always defaults to 16:9 after power off.<br />5. The Menu for adjusting TV settings is TOO bright and *NOT* transparent.<br />6. Only *ONE* component Video Input!!!!!!!!!!! Come on panasonic, What were you thinking?.. This is a HDTV for Goodness sake!<br />7. HDTV ready only, No HDTV tuner included!!<br /><br />If you can learn to live with the *Hate* points, then this is a decent TV.<br /><br />I am keeping this TV as in HDTV mode the picture quality is excellent! in 1080i mode. It upconverts all signals to 1080 mode (Frequency doubling). It also as 3:2 pull down conversion for Flims, Velocity Modulation and Video Noise reduction makes the pictures very clean and sharp.<br /><br />If you can ignore the poor convergence or lucky with your set you can surely keep this one for years to come.<br /><br />EDIT: (PIECE OF CRAP)<br /><br />Just after 2 years of use, My TV just Died! - No Picture, Sound OK.<br /><br />I believe the Picture Tube is DEAD!<br /><br />Part Number A68QCP891X CRT 27\\" 294.07 + Taxes and Shipping from Panasonic parts.<br /><br />DO NOT BUY THIS TV.