Panasonic TH-42PX500U Review

The TH-PX500U series is the step up from the Panasonic TH-PX50U series. While we haven’t reviewed the PX500U series, we have reviewed the TH-42PX50U, which should deliver very similar performance to both of these models. In addition to slightly different cosmetics, the PX500U series offers some distinguishing refinements not found in the baseline models, including picture-in-picture, a VGA-style PC input, a front-panel A/V input, a built-in TV Guide On-Screen EPG, and an SD memory card slot. The 42-inch TH-42PX500U ($3,500) and the 50-inch TH-50PX500U ($4,500) are currently available.

General

* Product type
* - Color
* Technology
* Plasma (PDP)
* Diagonal size
* 42 in
* Image aspect ratio
* 16:9
* HDTV compatible
* Yes
* Digital TV Type
* High Definition TV
* Width
* 44.8 in
* Depth
* 5.4 in
* Height
* 28.7 in
* Weight
* 88.2 lbs
* Service & support
* Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year

Specifications:

Video System

* Resolution
* 1024 x 768
* Comb filter
* 3D-Y/C digital
* Image contrast ratio
* 3000:1
* Supported DTV Resolutions
* 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i

Audio System

* Sound output mode
* Stereo
* Surround sound effects
* BBE ViVA HD3D, Virtual Surround Mode
* Audio controls
* Bass, Treble, Balance, Sound mode
* Total output power
* 26 Watt
* Additional features
* Auto volume adjustment

Television Features

* Widescreen modes
* Full, Just, Zoom, Conventional 4:3
* Closed captioning
* Yes
* Display menu language
* French, English, Spanish
* Color temperature control
* Yes
* Additional features
* On-screen menu, JPEG photo playback, Video noise reduction

Tuner / Channel Details

* TV tuner multi-channel preview
* Split screen, Picture-in-picture (PIP)
* TV tuner reception system
* NTSC
* TV tuner channel coverage
* VHF:2-13, UHF:14-69
* Secondary audio program (SAP)
* Yes
* Channel labeling
* Yes
* Electronic program guide
* TV Guide On Screen
* Parental channel lock
* Yes
* V-chip control
* Yes

Remote Control

* Remote control type
* Universal remote control (Infrared)
* Supported devices
* TV, VCR, Cable box, DVD player, AV receiver, Audio system
* Remote control features
* Multi-brand compatibility

Connections / Cables / Slots

* Input/Output connections
* 1 x RF input (F connector) - Rear, 1 x G-Link Interface (Mini-phone 3.5 mm) - Rear, 1 x SPDIF output (TOS Link) - Rear, 1 x HDMI (19 pin HDMI Type A) - Rear, 1 x Audio line-in (Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm) - Rear, 1 x VGA input (15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)) - Rear, 1 x S-Video input (4 pin mini-DIN) - Front, 1 x Composite video/audio input (RCA phono x 3) - Front, 2 x Composite video/audio output (RCA phono x 3) - Rear, 2 x S-Video input (4 pin mini-DIN) - Rear, 2 x Composite video/audio input (RCA phono x 3) - Rear, 3 x Component video input (RCA phono x 3) - Rear, Audio line-in (RCA phono x 2) - Rear

* Slot(s) provided
* CableCARD, SD Memory Card, PC Card

Power

* Power device
* Power supply - Internal
* Voltage required
* 50/60 Hz
* Operational power consumption
* 410 Watt
* Operational power consumption (standby)
* 0.6 Watt