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Incredible value for money. Excellent quaility all round.

Nov 9, 2008

Rating: 10 out of 10 (Perfect)
Pros: Great picture quality. Cheap, excellent value for money.
Cons: Average sound quality.
Opinion:
I got the 42PV8 during a Panasonic promotion period which offered shopping vouchers worth 50% of the TVs price. That makes it incredible value for money.

What makes it more incredible is that for such a low price, the picture quality is truly beautiful. Colours are rich, bright and dynamic. Blacks are really black.

Picture quality is excellent with standard definition source (cable TV and DVDs). Running DVDs (not upconverted) on progressive output using a set of budget ($20+) component video cables produced stunning picture quality.

Playing cable TV material also produced very good quality results. Very sharp, and very good colours and blacks. Compared to a friend's premium brand full HD LCD, this budget plasma certainly performed better with standard definition material.

I can't compare high definition source as I don't own any HD equipement yet. Looking forward to the day I go high def with BluRay.

The sound quality from the stock speakers are decent (clear) but lacks oomph. My old 12 year old Panasonic 32" CRT TV sounded a lot better.

If you're hunting for a new TV and if your primary usage is with standard definition material (which will still be the norm for a while more), then this plasma TV is definitely one to consider.