Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P46S1 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

by Panasonic

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 44.6 x 28.5 inches ; 66.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 81 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B001UAD100
• Item model number: TC-P46S1
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,294 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

(April 23, 2009)
Panasonic's new VIERA S1-Series Plasma HDTVs are perfect for sports and cinema-quality movies. Neo PDP technology delivers sharp, detailed images, deep blacks and remarkable brightness, and all with lower power consumption. Get the best from your viewing experience with the 46-inch TC-P46S1.

VIERA S1-Series Plasma HDTVs ensure full-time 1080 TV lines of resolution, even during fast moving scenes in sports and movies. Click to enlarge or view inputs.

Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution
Did you know that some HDTVs deliver considerably less than 1080 lines of resolution, when processing fast motion on screen? VIERA S1-Series Plasma HDTVs ensure full-time 1080 TV lines of resolution, even during fast moving scenes in sports and movies. The S1-series features:

• 1080p Full-HD Resolution
• Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution
• Contrast Ratio: 40,000:1 Native; Infinite Black Panel
• Brighter Panel
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive
• VIERA Image Viewer
• VIERA Link
• AR (Anti-Reflective) Filter
• Game Mode
• 3 HDMI Inputs
• 100,000 Hour Panel Life

Stunning Picture Quality
Time spent with family and friends can be even more exciting when you gather around the 50-inch TC-P50S1. 1080p Full-HD resolution brings you exceptional clarity and smooth, fluid motion--even during high-speed action. VIERA HDTVs offer incredible black reproduction, with a rated dynamic contrast ratio of up to 2,000,000:1, so you'll get warm, accurate skin tones, gorgeous greens, breathtaking blues and vivid reds. And now, all of your friends and family can get in on the action thanks to an extra-wide viewing angle that provides an excellent view from almost anywhere in the room.

The advanced AR filter keeps images sharp, with minimal glare.

View breathtaking images with rich, vivid colors from anywhere in the room.

600Hz Sub-field Drive gives you even greater clarity with motion images.

With the new VIERA Tools user interface, simply press a button on the remote control and icons such as the photos or movies from the menu screen.

Wide Color Viewing Angle
View breathtaking images with rich, vivid colors from anywhere in the room. Because plasma TVs are self-illuminating, images look beautiful from any angle. Black areas do not fade, and colors look virtually the same no matter where you sit.

600Hz Sub-field Drive
600Hz technology lets you view superb full-HD motion and still images with 1,080 lines of resolution. For even greater clarity with motion images, Panasonic uses its own unique image-analysis technology. This technology converts the motion in each scene into data. And each frame is practically displayed for a shorter length of time than in previous systems, to reduce aftereffects.

Over 2,000,000:1 High Contrast (Native 30,000:1)
New VIERA models incorporate an improved panel production process and the new Real Black Drive system. A pre-discharge control system, the Real Black Drive system achieves next-generation black reproduction. When you're watching movies, VIERA renders images just the way the director intended, even in scenes where it's difficult to achieve a proper balance of light and dark.

AR Filter
This advanced filter keeps images sharp, with minimal glare. While dramatically reducing reflections from external light, it helps to produce clear images. This filter creates pure, crisp images in a wide range of colors.

VIERA Image Viewer
VIERA Image Viewer makes it easy to watch full-HD images by using the SD card slot. It lets you enjoy high-resolution, full-HD photos and videos with superb image quality and vivid colors on VIERA's large screen. Simply insert an SD card into the SD card slot to show your photos and full-HD videos on the large screen!

• Shoot still and motion images with a digital camera or HD camcorder.
• Insert the SD card into VIERA's card slot
• View photos and motion images in full-HD quality on VIERA's large screen.

Network Your AV Devices, Quickly and Easily
With VIERA Link, you can control your compatible Panasonic DVD recorder, Blu-ray Disc player, home theater sound system and HD camcorder, all with a single remote and helpful on-screen menus. VIERA Link is a function that lets you easily operate various AV devices that are interconnected with your VIERA TV, using only the VIERA remote control. You can choose the connection method--either an HDMI cable or a LAN cable--to match your devices and applications. You don't have to keep switching remotes to operate each device, so there's no more hassle and operation is easier than ever. Networking your devices with VIERA Link adds both convenience and fun to AV entertainment.

VIERA Tools
With the new VIERA Tools user interface, simply press a button on the remote control and icons such as the photos or movies from the menu screen. Now you can just select the one you want. This kind of easy operation means you have more fun and less hassle.

The Next Level of Video Gaming
Take your team to the championship and your gaming to the next level. A specialized Game Mode helps ensure fluid and seamless gameplay by minimizing time lag when displaying game images. With Game Mode turned on, you get the motion resolution and enhanced details you need to win. And don't worry about racking up all those long hours playing; anti-image retention technology and a remarkable 100,000 hour panel life ensure that your VIERA HDTV will still run smoothly and beautifully long after you score the game-winning goal.

Mercury and Lead Free Plasma Display Panel
Panasonic products are more friendly to the environment. All VIERA plasma display panels are mercury- and lead-free. This reduces the impact on the environment when recycling or disposing of them in the future.

Standby Power Save
When the VIERA power is turned off, the standby power of connected devices is minimized.

With VIERA Image Viewer, simply insert an SD card into VIERA to display photos and full-HD videos on the large screen.

Auto Power Standby
Power loss is minimised by using VIERA Link control for interconnected devices.

Long Panel Life, Up to 100,000 Hours
These TVs can be used for over 30 years. Using high-quality products longer, and taking care of them, is the first step to environmental conservation. A newly designed phosphor process and rear panel process give the plasma panel a longevity of 100,000 hours. This is more than 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day, before the brightness of the panel decreases to half.

Exceptional Service
With its lead-free construction, TUF DISPLAY screen, and long lifespan, a VIERA HDTV is a safe,durable and lasting investment in high definition entertainment. Of course, should your VIERA TV ever need service of any kind, you are entitled to the VIERA Concierge program--a free service made available to all VIERA owners to bring peace-of-mind to your purchase. Benefits of this extensive service program include: use of an exclusive toll-free expert hot line, live chat with a VIERA HDTV expert, priority service scheduling, and a personalized VIERA Concierge benefits card.

What's in the Box
Panasonic Viera S1 Series TC-P46S1 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, Remote control, Remote batteries, AC cord, Pedestal with installation hardware, Cleaning cloth, Operating instructions, Quick setup guide

Product Description

46" Plasma, 1080p, NEO PDP Panel which is brighter, Full-time 1080p TV lines of moving picture resolution, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 40,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect HDTV. Low price. Stunning picture. What more could you want?, July 30, 2009

By 

Aaron J Ginn (Chandler, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P46S1 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Electronics)

I ordered the TC-P46S1 from Amazon on July 6. TV was delivered exactly one week later by CEVA logistics. Fantastic service!

Now on to the set. I have owned two televisions in the past 15 years. The first was a 19" Zenith CRT. The second was a cheap 27" Apex CRT that I bought from Sam's Club about seven years ago. I had been waiting to buy a HDTV until a decent 1080p set was available for a price that I considered reasonable if amortized over ten years. Each person has their own definition of reasonable, but I felt that time had finally arrived.

I researched this purchase for about two months. Early on I decided I wanted Panasonic plasma. Plasma is currently the only choice for those who want the best possible picture at a given price point. The only question was which model and what size? There were three models in my price range when I decided to buy: the X1, the S1, and the G10. The X1 series is Panasonic's 720p line of plasmas. It comes in 42" and 50" sizes. For my viewing distance (10 feet), 720p was a definite possibility. The S1 series is Panasonic's lowest 1080p plasma line. The G10 is a step up from the S1 and includes a THX mode and Viera Cast, Panasonic's internet and video on demand service. A decent rule of thumb is that each step up in size is about $200 and each step up in model type is about $200. For example, the 42" G10 is about the same price as the 46" S1 and the 50" X1.

I created cardboard mock-ups of the 42", 46", and 50" sets and placed them where the TV would go to help determine the correct size. It quickly became clear that 42" was too small while 50" was too large for my personal taste. The 46" was perfect. Unfortunately, this eliminated the X1 series from contention as there is no 46" set in that line. I would have bought the X1 had it been available. That set is the best HDTV for the money that is offered right now, IMO. Still, 46" was the sweet spot for me, so I was going to have to move up to a better model. Now the question was should I go with the TC-P46S1 or TC-P46G10?

In my case, I was planning on buying the Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player to go with the set. When I was ready to buy, Amazon was offering $150 off the BD player when purchased with an S1 set or $200 off when purchased with a G10 set. The price of the BD60 itself was $200, so that made the deal irresistible. The BD60 also offers Viera Cast, which would have duplicated that functionality if I went with the G10 set. So the decision came down to whether or not I wanted THX for an extra $150. In the end, I decided the cost was not worth it and went with the S1. I have no regrets about that decision at all.

The color and detail on this set is fantastic. Watching the BBC Planet Earth Blu-ray set in 1080p is awe-inspiring! This set paired with the BD60 is a match made in heaven and a much better setup than many others costing hundreds of dollars more. Colors look realistic (and can be made more realistic with some tweaking or a professional ISF calibration). The set has plenty of connections including three HDMI inputs; however, I've found that pairing this with a good AV receiver that has HDMI output makes the number of the connections on the set irrelevant. Even the onboard sound on the TV is decent, but if you're purchasing a TV of this caliber, you would probably want to hook it up to a decent sound system to fully appreciate the home theater experience. The set also has an SD card slot for viewing photos, so the TV can stand in as a very large digital picture frame if you are so inclined.

One of the knocks against plasmas are that they put off more heat than LCDs. Really, this is a non-issue, IMO. The amount of heat generated is far less than a much smaller CRT. Yes, it's warmer than an LCD, but are you really willing to live with all the faults of LCD (less contrast range, poor off-angle viewing, and poor black levels) just to have a TV that is a little bit cooler? Are you watching TV in your family room or a freezer? One consideration that is a possible concern is that the anti-reflective coating is not very effective. If you have strong reflections that you are unable to control, you may want to consider an LCD, although the best LCDs have glass panels instead of matte screens anyway. Overall, I don't think you can buy a better TV for the money (well, maybe the TC-P50X1). Highly recommended!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good value, July 10, 2009

By 

Daniel Plasma (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P46S1 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Electronics)

Here are the most important things I can tell you about my purchase:
1) order TVs directly from Amazon -- do not, I repeat, do not order from one of their partners. I got my first TV delivered and it was cracked -- totally destroyed -- but because I got it directly from Amazon they were able to ship me out another right away without and hassle. These TVs are fragile and you may have problems in freight -- be smart and order directly from Amazon.
2) This is a beautiful TV with a great picture but mostly at night. Plasmas do not do well in the light of the day. When it's dark out and I am watching a movie it's wonderful. Do not buy a Plasma for a bright room.
3) This is a value model -- meaning you get a lot of bang for your buck but it doesn't have a lot of fancy bells and whistles. It's fine -- especially if it's an upgrade or your first high def tv.
4) HD channels look amazing -- regular channels don't look very good. Because this tv is so sharp you see all the imperfections in anything other than HD. I can't really even watch the regular, non HD channels, because it looks terrible.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT PRICE GREAT SERVICE GREAT PICTURE, August 15, 2009

By 

Ellen Barnhill "Mouser" (Seattle WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P46S1 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Electronics)

After much reviewing of LCD/LED and Plasma types, it was obvious that Plasma was still the way to go. "Rounder" picture; no video cam feel to the crispness. Even the kid at Fry's admitted that the complaint about the LCD/LED types was that the crispness made the picture feel like a daytime soap in video. As we will be watching DVD's (no blueray yet), movies and now wildlife TV, I chose to honor the cinematographer and see the picture in the fashion initially designed. Yes, the HD channels are fabulous. But even in the non-HD channels, you can see all of Mariners' Centerfielder, Franklin Guttierez' eyelashes!
Pilot Air Freight delivered with the best Amazon ordered service. They did not plug in the cable, but did unload, plug in and double check that all lines were scanning properly - no bars or burnt out spaces. Once again, Amazon.com is $200.00 cheaper than Fry's or others and their door delivery (free) was excellent.

One issue: The size. I was allowing my husband's demand for the largest set to get in the way of my choice. We bought the 46" and should have bought the 42" for our size living room. It is possible to get eyestrain from "scanning" the whole screen! Our Comcast cable techie did help with deep programming to eliminate the automatic 4:3 stretch that was soooo bothersome. Now everything is received on the screen in the proper format without any fiddling by the user. Eliminated eye strain as well.

Note: the stand is extremely stable - no fears of tipping by active 3 year old grand niece. Also, the Plasma is in front of a picture window with no (never) drapes or blinds. There is no problem with dimming in full daylight (maybe a smidge) and no reflctions from other lighting in the room. Best choice for those conditions.