Panasonic TC-P42C1 Plasma TV Review

In its endeavor of launching plasma models fit for every pocket, Panasonic designed C1, a low entry series. While the 42 inch plasma TV model from the C1 series comes with a price tag that doesn’t make anyone roll their eyes, its features are only run of the mill, as it happens with most low entry products. Panasonic TC-P42C1 is clearly aimed at the budget minded consumer, interested in getting the basics fulfilled when shopping for a plasma, and not at all about fancy traits one would find in a more expensive Panasonic plasma TV. Seeing things from this perspective, C1 can hardly be compared with G10 or S1 series from the same manufacturer, and it even falls behind the X1 series, that comes only in models with 720p resolution. A thing that C1 and X1 series have in common is the panel, found in last year’s models, another sign of their low entry status on the plasma TV market.

Brief Specifications

• Panel: G12 Progressive HD PDP
• Resolution: 720p
• Contrast ratio: 15,000:1
• 600 Hz Sub-Field drive
• Viera Image Viewer

In order to get things straight to the point, we must say that Panasonic TC-P42C1 is not designed for the picky consumer, looking for the best plasma TVs are capable of offering today. This does not mean that Panasonic TC-P42C1 is a low quality product, it is just not the latest trend, and it matches in performance the plasma models that were sold on the market last year. It is true that its panel is not as eco-friendly as are the new panels used in high end Panasonic plasma TVs, and, if compared with X1 series, we can easily see that its contrast ratio is only at 50% of X1’s capabilities. Plus, its video processing features are more difficult to tweak in order to look good than on a X1 model.

Connectivity

The same low entry characteristics apply to Panasonic TC-P42C1 when it comes to connectivity. One can easily notice that its connectivity options are quite average, with the model still sporting two HDMI inputs, and one S-video input. There are also added two component video inputs that can receive up to 1080i video signals. Panasonic TC-P42C1 also has an RF input working for antenna and cable, an optical digital audio output, and an SD slot. The consumer buying a Panasonic TC-P42C1 will find easy to hook up the plasma with a Blu-ray player, or a video game console, which means the product is quite versatile, without going over the top.

Design

Exhibiting only 42 inches, Panasonic TC-P42C1 may not be the perfect plasma TV for a large room, but it works well for a smaller home. We do not talk here only about its performance, but also about its appearance. While it sports a black bezel with glossy finish, the model’s design may be considered quite old, (if by old you understand last year’s fashion demands for plasma TVs), but it is still stylish enough that it can complement any small sized room.

Performance

The best asset of Panasonic TC-P42C1 is, by all means, its price. It may not display all the bells and whistles the latest models have, but, in terms of overall performance versus price, it can be considered a good buy. Be aware that you will not get THX certified features, or the praised 24p cinema mode, but Panasonic TC-P42C1 still has some features that ensure that you won’t spend your hard earned dollar for nothing. For the inexpensive price, you will get a plasma model with perfect black levels, due to the Infinite Black technology Panasonic invested in this year’s models, and the image on your screen will be completely blur free, because of the 600Hz subfield drive.

Black Levels

As mentioned earlier, Panasonic implemented on the plasma models it released this year the Infinite Black technology, that allows any Panasonic plasma to display black levels that are so close to perfection that they got everybody on a riot. Here is how the technology works: in order to obtain the blackest blacks, the panel switches off its pixels, whenever a dark scene is shown; this way, there is no more light in that part of the screen, and the perfect black level is achieved. Not being necessarily the advocates of plasma, we can say, without any chance of being dishonest, that such levels of black cannot be achieved on an LCD TV, any LCD TV, at least up to this point. Why black levels are so important? Because they play an important role in showing shadow details and overall image accuracy.

Colors

While performing at its best in terms of black levels, Panasonic TC-P42C1 does not manage to do the same thing when it comes to colors. A drawback for displaying better color accuracy is the lack of the THX certification, a feature that the company decided to introduce only from the G10 models upward, so it is not available for this low entry series. A thing that is especially annoying, and related to the color accuracy issues, is the dominance of green, that can become offensive to the eye at times, in the same way it is happening in X1 models from the same company. Plus, the model is shortsighted in tweaking features for colors as well, and you have little to work with in order to adjust them.

Video Processing

First thing first, when we talk about video processing capabilities, we need to start with the resolution of the model. With 1080p resolution being all the rage these days, there is no wonder some think little of Panasonic TC-P42C1, that has only 720p resolution (the same goes for the X1 series, as well). While watching high definition television may not seem to be hindered by the low resolution, there are video sources, such as Blu-ray players that output 1080p content, and Panasonic TC-P42C1 can handle only 1080i. As you cannot make 1080p video content work on your C1 model, unless the video source is capable of outputting in 1080i format, there is no wonder why video processing capabilities are a drawback for this particular plasma TV.

Standard Definition (SDTV) Performance

Standard definition performance for Panasonic TC-P42C1 is only average. The model has the capability of resolving every line from SD video sources, such as regular DVDs, but it is not a great performer in the area. The main result for plasma TVs that do not display standard definition content at its best is represented by jaggies appearing along diagonal lines in some scenes. This is exactly the same thing happening with Panasonic TC-P42C1 when standard definition content is involved, that that is why its performance cannot be deemed more than average.

Anti-Glare

A common problem plasma TVs have to deal with is the glare. Too many times, in a room filled with light, plasma TVs cannot manage to display the same good quality picture, their colors tending to look washed out. That is why plasma manufacturers have struggle to come out with some bright ideas to overcome this issue, especially since their opponents, LCD TV manufacturers, have no problems in this area. Panasonic TC-P42C1 does not have such an anti-glare feature, now found in better and newer plasma models, but, since the model is so inexpensive, let’s say that this aspect is not quite a big deal.

Conclusion

While it is not the worst low entry plasma TV released this year, and it does have its strong points, Panasonic TC-P42C1’s strongest points remains the price. By all means, the model launched by Panasonic is meant for the budget minded consumer, seeking an alternative for several hundred dollars, and not willing to break the bank only to have the trendiest plasma on sale. However, it is true that Panasonic TC-P42C1’s price is unbeatable, but a fact to be taken into consideration is its overall decent performance, granted by exceptional black levels and good set of features, given its class.