The Awesome Panasonic 42 inch 1080p LCD TV

In Plane Switching (IPS): The latest iteration of Panasonics IPS LCD panel features excellent light transmittance and a wide viewing angle. The wide 178-degree viewing angle--both horizontally and vertically--ensures clear images even when viewed from an angle. And the panel backlight's wide transmission aperture enhances the contrast between light and dark, improving motion-image response.

VIERA Image Viewer: View full-HD images with the integrated SD card slot, enabling you to view JPEG photos captured from your digital camera or camcorder on the big screen. Navigate your images via an easy-to-use thumbnail display.

VIERA Link: Allows the interlinked operation of various AV devices--from DVD and Blu-ray Disc players to home theater sound systems to digital cameras and camcorders--using only the VIERA remote control by simply connecting the devices to each other by an HDMI cable.

* Series: U25
* Screen type: LCD (EEFL backlight)
* Screen size: 42 inches
* Filter: Fine Black Panel
* Native resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
* Contrast ratio: 20,000:1
* Viewing angle: 178 degrees
* Receiving system: ATSC/QAM/NTSC
* HDTV display capability: 1080p, 1080i, 720p
* EDTV display capability: 480p
* Speakers: 2 full range, 20W total power; surround sound capabilities
* Image viewer: JPEG compatibility
* Aspect control: 480i/p -- Full, Just, 4:3, Zoom; 1080ip -- Full, H-Fill, Just, 4:3, Zoom
* Optional wall-mounting bracket: TY-WK3L2RW
* Multi-lingual menu: English/Spanish/French
* Energy Star qualified: Yes

Connections:

* HDMI: 3 (1 side)
* Component (Y, PB, PR): 1 with audio input
* Composite A/V: 2 (1 side); each with audio input
* PC input (15-pin, D-Sub): 1
* Digital audio output: 1

Dimensions:

* TV with stand: 40.2 x 26.8 x 12.2 inches (WxHxD); 45.2 pounds
* TV without stand: 40.2 x 25.1 x 4.2 inches (WxHxD); 39.7 pounds

"Bought this set as a "Gold Box" deal and am very satisfied. It certainly is not the greatest TV, but it is a great value. I saw all the negative reviews, and they have merit, but when all is considered, this TV is very worth it. It took a bit to get the picture right (mostly brightness and contrast), and the speakers were weak, but whe we used the HDMI and Component cable inputs, the sound improved immensely. Very happy with this $500 TV."

"1. Picture is fantastic, amazing colors, no issues with brightness, solid blacks.

2. Absolutely no clouding or back light uniformity issues that SO MANY other LCD and LED TV's have. The screen is perfect from this standpoint.

3. IPS panel, what more can one say, these are best LCD panels on the market which give you a better picture and much wider viewing angle without much loss of brightness or color.

4. IF YOU ARE USING FOR COMPUTER MONITOR KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND: You will only be able to use this at 60hz, if you are buying this because you want to view 120hz for games or 3D, this is not the monitor for you. Whether you are using HDMI connection from your video card or the VGA cable, the MOTION PICTURE PRO 4 OPTION, which simulates 120hz, is grayed out, this is by design as this TV is not really meant to be a computer monitor. It does look pretty good when hooked up to HDMI and you get the full 1080P resolution. If you hook up the VGA cable, this TV maxes out at 1368x768 resolution, which is way too big for a 42 inch screen. So if your video card does not have HDMI out, forget about this as a viable option for a computer monitor. If you want a TV that will simulate 120hz as a computer monitor, the LG5300/5400 series is the only one I have seen that is capable of it using HDMI out. If you go for the LG TV, keep in mind that unless you get the 42 inch or higher set, you run the risk of not getting an IPS panel, it is a crap shoot that many have lost. The inferior VA panels are not up to par and have horrible off angle viewing. The LG's also have back lighting issues on all sets that I have seen, from LCD to LED.

If 120hz was available for computer monitor use this would be a 5 star rating. But for the price, it is an acceptable limitation. 120hz (non tv) monitors are now coming out, if you want a gaming panel this is the way to go, I believe they max out at 24 inches so far, but larger ones are surely on the way."

"I've read that other folks had issues with settings, I didn't have any problems. The box arrived in pristine condition (thanks FedEx) and setup was easy for me. I turned it on, set the picture to 'Cinema' and turned down the color and the picture is outstanding! Excellent blacks, contrast, color, saturation and brightness. At this price point, this set is a real value, it replaced a 6 year old Sony CRT HDTV that lost it's sharpness. I've always been a fan of Panasonic products and have no problem giving this 5 stars!"