
2 expert reviews - 0 user reviews
Follow
0
0
Want it
0
Have it
0
Had it
0
We have collected 2 reviews of the Panasonic TX-P42S30. Experts rate Panasonic TX-P42S30 8.5/10. Reviewsor.com helps you find reviews, best prices, user reviews of the Panasonic TX-P42S30 and Panasonic Plasma TV.
Panasonic has been pushing 3D on its Viera plasma range this year, but it does still offer a few 2D-only models such as the TX-P42S30. This display uses last year's plasma technology rather than the latest tech found in its ST30, GT30 and VT30 siblings. However, this also means it's much more affordable. It can be bought for around £450 online. This may be a budget set but it uses the exact same menu system as Panasonic's higher-end TVs. This isn't necessarily a good thing as the user interface that Panasonic employs on this year's screens is some way behind what competitors are offering on their latest TVs. It's certainly not as slick or as sophisticated-looking as Samsung, LG and Sony's TVs. The main menu shows four tabs down the left-hand side of the screen for picture, sound, timer and set-up options. A small graphic is used to depict each one. When you actually enter the menu you'll find that they only really consisted of white text set against a blue background, so the presentation is quite dated. This TV lacks the calibration tools of Panasonic's higher-end models, so picture tweaking options are a little limited.
It's fair to say that Panasonic has had a pretty good year, thanks predominantly to the critical and commercial success of its latest 3D plasma models. The Panasonic TV under scrutiny today, though, the TX-P42S30B, is not a 3D model. Nor does it enjoy the new slender design sported by many of Panasonic's latest 3D TVs, or Panasonic's latest NeoPlasma screen technology; it relies instead on 2010's NeoPDP system.So why should you care? Because the P42S30B is so affordable, for a start. Panasonic quotes a price of around £800, but a quick Internet search finds it going for as little as £500, which qualifies as a massive bargain for a new 42-inch plasma TV bearing the Panasonic name.Also, even Panasonic's 2010 plasma panel technology is still a cut above the quality of most rival plasma sets, and the P42S30 manages to retain Panasonic's Viera Connect online service despite its affordability. It delivers a full HD resolution too, which is actually rare in the 42-inch plasma world.Surprisingly the P42S30 is the only model in the S30 range; there are no other size options.