Panasonic TH-42PX500U 42-Inch Flat Panel HD-Ready Plasma TV

Other products by Panasonic

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 28.7 x 44.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 89 pounds
• 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: B0007WKB50
• Item model number: TH-42PX500U
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,435 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 28, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Panasonic's 42-inch TH-42PX500U gas-plasma TV offers a 16:9 widescreen dimension to match the aspect ratio of your favorite feature films and an HDMI input for direct-digital connection with high-definition sources. Not that you necessarily need them--the 1366 x 768-pixel set's built-in ATSC (DTV) tuner pulls HD signals (480p/720p/1080i) right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming.

The set's authorized CableCARD port means the set will also receive digital cable television systems services directly from a compatible cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box. You'll enjoy plug-and-play convenience wherever you are.

A plasma screen renders vivid colors like you've never seen before (as in, up to 8.85 billion in this case), extremely wide viewing angles (wider, even, than those of most LCD screens), and easy placement due to a plasma monitor's slim profile--just 5.4 inches--perfect for desk or wall mounting. Brightness tends to be extremely uniform across plasma screens, which are also impervious to the picture distortion and negative color balances that afflict CRT monitors when placed near lighting or sound systems.

The TH-42PX500U's contrast ratio is rated at an extraordinarily lifelike 3000:1, and its fine, 0.80 x 0.64 mm dot pitch means exceptionally smooth detail. With the 3D Y/C Filter you get minimized noise and cross color in your picture, providing you with a top quality picture, and the all-important quality you require from a large screen television set.

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) offers uncompressed digital data transmission between compatible devices, as between the TH-42PX500U and a DTV satellite receiver. JPEG images taken with a digital camera that stores images to a Secure Digital card can be viewed directly on the Panasonic with the built-in SD card slot. It also offers the following connection options:

• Composite AV In/Out: 3 in (1 front)/1 out
• S-Video In/Out: 3 in/0 out
• Component video (YPbPr) In/Out: 2 in/0 out
• HDMI In/Out: 1 in/0 out
• RF In/Out: 1 in/0 out
• Analog audio In/Out: 3 in (1 front)/2 out
• Digital optical audio In/Out: 0 in/1 out
• Headphones: xx

The TV's internal stereo speakers are powered by 13 watts per channel (26 watts total). Special surround processing creates spacious 3D effects from stereo speakers and a selectable audio leveler automatically adjusts the volume level on your TV to prevent wide variations in sound between different TV stations and types of programming. You'll also be able to enjoy 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound via the digital optical audio connection, which you can hook up to a compatible home theater receiver.

Other features include split screen picture-in-picture (PIP), TV Guide On Screen 8-day program guide, V-Chip parental controls, on/off sleep timers, an illuminated remote control, and closed-caption decoding.

What's in the Box
Plasma TV, detachable tilt/swivel stand, remote control (with batteries), AC cord, two cable clampers, IR blaster, printed operating instructions

Product Description

The Definitive High Definition Plasma With the TH42PX500 plasma TV, Panasonic has achieved picture quality that is sure to blow you away. The TH42PX500 displays over eight billion (that's right... over 8,000,000,000!) colors and 2048 shades of gradation. The stunning 3000:1 contrast ratio ensures exceptionally rich blacks and terrific color. The result is arguably the most detailed plasma TV in the world. The TH42PX500 boasts the new Digital Access Pack: a group of features offering the essentials for digital and high-definition viewing. It includes built-in ATSC and QAM tuners to receive digital content over-the-air or via cable, so there's no need for a set-top box. And it's CableCARD ready, which makes digital cable reception as easy as inserting a card. Simply put, it's digital made easy. The Digital Access Pack goes beyond DTV reception. It includes HDMI, which enables the transfer of high-definition video and audio via a single cable. That means you can enjoy HD entertainment without the inconvenience of numerous tangled cables. A Step Ahead The PX500 series offers a few special feature that the PX50 series doesn't have. First off, you get the convenience of SD/PC card slots. These slots make it easy to view photos taken with your SD Memory Card-comaptible digital camera. You don't even have to connect a cable. There's also TV Guide. This built-in program guide provides a handy on-screen list for checking what's on the tube. It also makes it easy to set up the recording of a broadcast on your DVD recorder or VCR. A PC Input lets you connect your computer and view images on your plasma panel. Another handy feature is the Multi Window function, allowing you to watch two programs on the same screen. The sound system is also different, and you can read more about that below. Now Hear This Incredibly slim and elegant, you'd never guess that the TH42PX500 includes an integrated speaker system. But just wait unt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth paying more for the 500U than the 50U, November 29, 2005

By	Chitta R. Baral (Gilbert, AZ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This model (Panasonic TH-42PX500U) is a lot more expensive than the Panasonic TH-42PX50U. The difference in prices in amazon for both items is a bit too much. This model is not available in most chain stores (Cicuit city, best buy etc.). A local store had both models and I could buy this model for a couple of hundred dollars more. I think for $200 more it is worth it, as it has the following advantage over the 50U.

1. 500 U has 6 speakers (2 bass-reflex woofers: 6 ohms, 120Hz-2Khz, 10%THD) (4 tweeters: 8 ohms, 500Hz-15Khz,10%THD) 26 W power. VS
50 U has 2 (16W, 6 ohms, 105Hz-20KHz 10%THD)

2. 500 U has BBE ViVA HD3D sound.

3. 500 U has a photoviewer (SD and PC card slots).

4. 500U has Sd card slot

5. 500 U has 2 rear and 1 front composite video input vs
50 U has only 2 rear ones.

6. 500 U has 2 rear and 1 front S-video input vs
50 U has only 2 rear ones.

7. 500 U has 2 rear and 1 front audio input (for video) vs
50 U has only 2 rear ones.

8. 500 U has PC input (RGB-VGA) i.e., mini D-sub 15-pin (rear)

9. 500 U has a audio input for PC (M3 stereo plug)

10. 500 U has a TV guide on-screen program guide.

11. 500 U has Picture-in-picture (split screen display -- 2 sources)

12. 500 U power consumpition is listed at 357 W and for 50U it is listed at 399W.

13. 500U dimensions: 28.7" X 44.&" X 5.4"
50U dimensions 27 39/64" X 42 3/64" X 3 51/64"

14. 500 U is 88.2 lbs; 50 U is 76.06 lbs.

15. The stand for 500U has a swivel but not in 50 U

So far i am very happy with my 500 U. My only wish was that it had two seprate inputs for cable and over the air programming.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful picture!, November 1, 2005

By	T. Huynh (Milpitas, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Panasonic has proven again that they do make one of the best plasma TV out there.
My TH-42PX500U arrived from Amazon is one perfect shape. Setup was super easy. The beauty of this plasma is viewing the HD channels...the quality is unbelievable.
Yes, I did my extensive research before making my purchase.
I researched LCDs and DLP LCDs (rear projection) as well as other plasmas.
Pioneer PDP-4350 and Sony plasmas were considered until I compared the picture quality side to side at the store.
Bottom line: the picture quality of Panasonic 42PX500U is equal or better in most cases.

My only complaint: the TV only has one input feed for RF antenna. I would prefer two (as Sony and Pioneer do have) input feeds where I can connect an DHTV antenna and as well as cable antenna.

Other than that, it's worth the keep!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful picture, December 6, 2005

By	Quoad Toad (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This is a great tv. The picture quality is supurb. The images from HD programs are especially impressive. I've had this tv for 2 months now and have no complaints.

Features that set this tv apart from others:

-PCMCIA slot - with a PCMCIA adapter you can use almost any camera memory card to view photos on your tv.

-Even standard definition channels look great on this tv. I know some people have had complaints that standard definition doesn't look as good as on a normal tv, but for wide aspect tv's, this one has great images in standard definition.

-Nice sound/invisible speakers - You can hardly tell that this tv has built in speakers. The tv itself is black and the speakers blend in perfectly. I used the tv speakers for a month before getting a new receiver and they worked great.

I researched pasma tv's for a couple months before selecting this model. The price is great (purchased for around $2,700) and the picture quality is excellent.