New Panasonic TX-P42X10B plasma review now online

[Clare Newsome]

First of the 2009 sets from Panasonic has been in our test rooms for a week, being given a full workover. You can read the results - our review of the 42in TX-P42X10B - exclusively online here.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Clare,

are there any comments as to whether the TX-42PX10B is an improvement over last years TH-42PX80? just wondered if the viera 4 engine and the increased contrast ratio made any difference to performance?

 

[Anonymous]

24electric have the brand new Panny P42X10 for £646 delivered. In stock now.
Delivery in 2-5 days.
Panasonic Plasma TV TXP42X10B £646.71

 

[Clare Newsome]

Lebowski:
Hi Clare,

are there any comments as to whether the TX-42PX10B is an improvement over last years TH-42PX80? just wondered if the viera 4 engine and the increased contrast ratio made any difference to performance?

Well we didn't do an A/B between the two, though we did compare with current reference sets. Consensus of the test team is that contrast/blacks are superb for the money, and as good/better than many pricier sets (Pioneer Kuros aside!). Motion-handling doesn't seem to have made great strides forward, however, but then this is a budget TV.

 

[Anonymous]

Any improvement on the deinterlacing of broadcast film based material in 1080i? The old set, like most panasonics 2008, failed the 2:2 cadence.

 

[Anonymous]

I was hoping to get the 37PX10 and, although you have given the 42PX10 5/5, the review itself seems quite underwhelming.

As far as I can see the review for the 37PX80 is better which is surprising as the PX10 has better specs. Is it just down to different people doing the review?

I am concerned by the report of 'hint of softness to edges'. The Panasonic LCD I have just now is really sharp and has a 3D quality. Will I lose this if I go for Plasma?

I was looking forward to getting the 37PX10 to replace my 32LXD700 which has some backlight bleed and slight buzzing but not sure now?

 

[Clare Newsome]

You've got to remember that all our reviews are comparative and based on performance-per-pound.

At the 37in screen size, the PX80 was/is a no-brainer: exemplary with SD, great with HD and with cracking contrast/blacks its LCD rivals couldn't match. And all for an incredibly competitive price.

However, move up to 40-42in and it's a whole new world: for starters, SD is having to be scaled up to a larger screen size, plus you start to notice the difference more clearly between an HD Ready set and a Full HD set when running Blu-ray content. There's also a lot more competition.

So, in short, the 42PX10 is a superb entry-level plasma that can take on the best in its class for TV broadcasts, contrast/black levels and value - hence the five stars.

However, at its price level and resolution, it's not going to have the sharpest edges or very slickest motion - for that you'd need a higher-spec model.

 

[Clare Newsome]

rewerb:Any improvement on the deinterlacing of broadcast film based material in 1080i? The old set, like most panasonics 2008, failed the 2:2 cadence.

I'll ask the test team to insert some thoughts on this into the review.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Clare,

Will Panasonic be releasing any new 46" plasma's? If so, when will you be reviewing them?

Thanks

 

[Clare Newsome]

Yes, Panasonic is planning 46in plasmas for 2009 - seems like they're in the second tranch of releases (first is 37, 42 and 50in), so i'd expect them from next month.

We'll have far more details of UK model numbers and pricing - plus likely review dates - after spending a few days with Panasonic next week getting a hands-on preview of the whole range (including Blu-ray players and systems, too). Expect a lengthy report on this site by end of next week.

 

[Andy Clough]

Yup, I'm off to Amsterdam next Tuesday for the Panasonic European press launch, and have an interview booked with Mr Tetsuya Itani, Panasonic's chief engineer for video, so all will be revealed then.

In the meantime, we've a show in Bristol to attend to...

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
You've got to remember that all our reviews are comparative and based on performance-per-pound.

At the 37in screen size, the PX80 was/is a no-brainer: exemplary with SD, great with HD and with cracking contrast/blacks its LCD rivals couldn't match. And all for an incredibly competitive price.

However, move up to 40-42in and it's a whole new world: for starters, SD is having to be scaled up to a larger screen size, plus you start to notice the difference more clearly between an HD Ready set and a Full HD set when running Blu-ray content. There's also a lot more competition.

So, in short, the 42PX10 is a superb entry-level plasma that can take on the best in its class for TV broadcasts, contrast/black levels and value - hence the five stars.

However, at its price level and resolution, it's not going to have the sharpest edges or very slickest motion - for that you'd need a higher-spec model.

Thanks Clare.

I take it that on a 37" screen you wouldn't see much difference between HD ready and full HD?

I don't think there are any other 37" Plasmas are there? This is the biggest screen size I can accommodate.

As long as the 37PX10 is a good as the 37PX80 I would be happy as it has had great reviews.

 

[Anonymous]

Does the TV have a game mode? as in the USA.

 

[Andrew Everard]

rewerb:Does the TV have a game mode? as in the USA.

Yes.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Clare, Since CES 2008 I've been patiently waiting for my favourite TV size (94cm or 37 inch for the non-metrics) to come with the much besproken Neo-PDP panel. Just imagine 50% reduction on energy consumption. As I see no reference on any website to Neo-PDP on the 94cm I guess I'll have to wait another year??? Greetings from Holland, Panopio

 

[Anonymous]

No Neo-PDP panel on the 37" in 2009. Maybe this will happen in 2010, but then again, will there be a 37" plasma model next year, what with the steady move towards LCD technology by Panasonic highlighted by the new 42" LCD?

 

[Anonymous]

Why would Panasonic abandon plasma? I mean it's still a much better viewing experience overall compared to lcd. I saw a Pioneer plasma over the weekend, what a great picture quality compared to the Sony lcd junk that was next to it!!! The Panasonic 2008 model close by was also no match for the Pioneer. If it wasn't for the exorbitant electricity consumption I would have grabbed this tv - probably one of the last available Pioneers. All good things come to an end.

 

[ear]

Does this tv have mepg2 or mpeg4 tuner? anyone knows? specs at the website are not clear.

 

[Anonymous]

ear:Does this tv have mepg2 or mpeg4 tuner? anyone knows? specs at the website are not clear.

MPEG2 only in the UK.

 

[Anonymous]

I've been onto the Richer Sounds website and seen the TX-P42X10 for £630. Is this the same as the TX-P42X10B or are they different models? Thanks in advance.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not a dealer but pretty sure the answer is YES - the X10 in RS is the X10B. The B just stands for British model, whereas for example a TX-P42X10E would be the European model, which actually is the same as the British one for this tele (though the Japanese and USA models are different, but have different specs and not the round stand, so Richer Sounds are definitely selling the same tele as reviewed on the this site with 5 stars).

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Scotsgirl. You seem to be hard to convince that this is a great T.V. for £550 as the old rule of the thumb is "you get what you pay for ".

 

[Anonymous]

rewerb:
24electric have the brand new Panny P42X10 for £646 delivered. In stock now.
Delivery in 2-5 days.
Panasonic Plasma TV TXP42X10B £646.71

That link rings up £798.

 

[Anonymous]

Digital Direct £619 inc 3 years warranty + delivery = £660