Panasonic TC-P46C2 46-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review
| Categories | Samsung Plasma HDTV |
| Product Code | B0036VNQ0Q |
| Product Rating |  |
| Price | |
| Where To Buy | See More Details |
| Customer Review | See More Reviews |
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #80328 in Consumer Electronics
- Color: black
- Brand: Panasonic
- Model: TC-P46C2
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 30.40" h x
14.10" w x
44.60" l,
67.30 pounds
- Native resolution: 1024 x 768
- Display size: 46
Features
- 46-inch Plasma HDTV with 720p HD resolution; 720 lines of moving picture resolution
- 600Hz Sub-field Drive technology for superb full-HD motion; 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
- VIERA Image Viewer for JPEG image slideshows directly from an SD memory card
- Inputs: 2 HDMI, 2 component, 2 composite, 1 digital audio output
- Includes removable stand; measures 44.6 x 30.4 x 14.1 inches with stand
- 46-inch Plasma HDTV with 720p HD resolution; 720 lines of moving picture resolution
- 600Hz Sub-field Drive technology for superb full-HD motion; 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
- VIERA Image Viewer for JPEG image slideshows directly from an SD memory card
- Inputs: 2 HDMI, 2 component, 2 composite, 1 digital audio output
- Includes removable stand; measures 44.6 x 30.4 x 14.1 inches with stand
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
97 of 97 people found the following review helpful.
Viera, Viera nice TV!
By nagappa
My wife and I were really planning on buying a 42" 1080p Samsung "LED TV" (i.e., an LED backlit LCD TV) when we came across this TV on sale for roughly 60% the price of the Samsung 42" LED TV. So I spent the best part of an evening researching LED versus Plasma, 1080p versus 720p and also the Samsung brand versus Panasonic. Details of my findings are in the Appendix at the bottom of this review.With the required research behind me, we concluded that we couldn't go wrong with either choice. The Panasonic won because not only would it would save us a bundle, but we would also get a 46" TV instead of a 42", which would be perfect for our living room HD cable setup. We decided, therefore, to postpone our purchase of a 42" 1080p LED TV for our bedroom to the near future when the prices for LED TVs would drop even further.Although the C2 series is the most basic of Panasonic's 720P Plasma lineup, the build quality is very nice and refined. It took less than 30 minutes to set up the TV and connect it to our HD cable box and digital receiver.The only initial calibration we made was to set the picture mode to "Cinema". Quite honestly, we were stunned at the quality picture when we first tuned to a HD channel - which was an English detective drama on PBS. The color reproduction, clarity, and fine details were way above our expectations, easily on par with the best LED TVs we saw in the showroom . With its 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, this TV is able to produce an awesome level of gradual black levels, with no dithering artifacts to speak of.This TV has a moving picture resolution of 720p. We watched the Hawaii Five-O remake premiere with disbelief. With its 600Hz refresh rate, there were very smooth image transitions in the action sequences, making for a very film like experience with none of the "digititis" with fast moving images that I was used to seeing on some LCD TVs.Being the most basic in the current Panasonic Plasma lineup, this TV has a basic set of features - which is actually a good thing because the menu system uncomplicated and intuitive. Some of the menu features can be accessed through dedicated buttons on the remote. For example there is a button to toggle between aspect ratios - which is handy when you need to watch old non-anamorphic DVDs.This TV also has "anti-image retention" features to prevent logos from being seared onto the surface of the Plasma display. For the first 100 hours or so, it is a good idea to watch 4:3 aspect ratio programs in "zoom" mode, to prevent retention of the black bars on the side, and to switch channels frequently to prevent "logo burn" from particular channels. Once the TV has crossed the "break in" period, you can resume normal watching.I have not tried Blu-Ray yet on this TV, but it does a pretty decent of upscaling DVD movies from 480p to 720p through component video, though not perfect. But playing DVDs through upscaling DVD players, like the Panasonic DMR-EZ48VP-K 1080p Upconverting VHS DVD Recorder with Built In Tuner, through HDMI is another story. From a normal viewing distance of 8 to 10 feet, DVD movies look almost like HD. I watched the DVD of the movie Downfall and it was hard to convince me that I was not watching full HD.The sound quality on this TV is pretty good and more than adequate for most program content.As for hum, it's present only when I stick my head right next to the back panel where a very low volume buzz can be heard. But from more than a few feet away this TV produces no audible hum!Cons:-----I can think only of a couple of downsides to this TV. The first is that the C2 model has no anti-reflective coating like the higher models in Panasonic's Plasma lineup. But, to be quite honest, the reflections were not noticeable or bothersome until we turned on some bright lights in the side in the direct line of reflection. Having said that, the front plate glass in all Plasmas are reflective and it is therefore best to set them up in an environment where you have control over light sources.The second issue is that this TV has only a single digital optical audio output, which limits you to using a digital receiver for external sound.Conclusion:-----------This TV represents the best bang for buck for any TV out there. Although this is an entry-level Panasonic plasma, Panasonic has not skimped on build quality and the thing that absolutely matters most - picture quality! This TV packs the latest display technology of Panasonic, at a fraction of the price you would have paid just a couple of years ago. Sure, it does not have ethernet or in-built streaming video. But if your really want streaming Netflix or iTunes movies, why not spend just an additional $99 and buy an Apple TV - MC572LL/A NEWEST MODEL?This TV is definitely in the "best buy" category and I have no hesitation in giving it a rating of five stars. Thank you, Panasonic!Appendix:---------LED versus Plasma:Both LED and Plasma TV's have excellent picture quality, colors and black levels as well a rated lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours. LED TVs are thinner, lighter, "greener" in power consumption, have less reflective screen surfaces, can be viewed in bright daylight conditions and do not require a "break in" period for the first 100 hours of use. Plasma TVs, on the other hand, have excellent color accuracy and refresh rates that are hard to match, and they support wide viewing angles. Plasma TVs now come with 600Hz refresh rates, while most LED TVs still are in the 120Hz level. That, in itself is worth the price of admission for videophiles and video enthusiasts, given that the higher refresh rates have the effect of making the viewing experience pleasing, more film-like and easier on the eyes.1080p versus 720p:1080p versus 720p is not much of an issue if most of your viewing is HD broadcast, satellite or cable, which is pretty much 720p for the most part. But if you are serious about Blu-Ray, then 1080p is preferable since the difference becomes noticeable for larger TVs and at close viewing distances. But in most situations it is hard for people to tell the difference between the two formats even with a 46" panel.Samsung's reputation versus Panasonic's:Recent TV ratings from Consumer Reports indicate that Samsung has top ratings in the LED TV technology. But Panasonic Vieras still occupy the top spot in Plasma! (Samsung Plasma TVs are reputed to have an annoying audible hum or buzz from the rear of the panel, which the Panasonic Plasmas do not have).Update: 02 October 2010:I made changes to the white balance for the Cinema/Warm picture mode using settings described in AVS Forum, based on reference settings from member "D-Nice". The picture now is really natural and awesome. I had to get into the Service Menu for this. Please see the link in the Comments section of this review for more details.
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful.Panasonic Plasma's Pimp Hand Is Strong
By Cass G
I'm not an expert, but I am an enthusiast, who loves watching tv and movies, and I continue to be blown away by Panasonic, this is my 3rd Panasonic hd set and I love it, for the price points of Panasonic plasmas, versus the competition, there is just no contest. I can see a lot of improvements on this set compared to my 5 year old 37inch plasma, the blacks are extremely dark and colors true and bright, and color adjusting is more sensitive, the set is very intuitive to its source and self adjusts format for each channel, 3:2 pull down adjusts to 24fps sources, pixel orbiter to prevent image retention, the just setting is improved for a more true less stretched picture, picture is very smooth and fluid,no dead pixels, no ghosting,fast action is great with the 600hz refresh rate, the tuner is improved for more free hd channels, the sound also improved with 2 10 watt speakers. I do have some nit picks though, the surface of the screen being large picks up alot of reflection from any light source and it is difficult to watch with out the windows covered and lights off, the remote is not universal, and I'm not a great fan of vera link because all of my components are not Panasonic, this set also has a CATS feature that adjusts the set to the lighting conditions of the room, while I appreciate the thought, this feature hinders viewing and you will want to set it to off on all your picture modes for optimal viewing, no vga, only 2 hdmi ports, speakers, although sound is good, are on the bottom of the set facing down in to the table. I can live with all of this though, it's a high quality BIG plasma set with an outstanding picture I will enjoy for years to come that I got for an incredibly low price.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful.Best Plasma for the price
By D. Pearl
First off, don't get sucked into the difference between 1080P and 720P. The difference is so negligible, you have to be right next to the set to be able to see it. Even then, most cable boxes don't even broadcast at 1080P anyway so you only get 720P on most 1080P sets.I was in the market for a plasma over LCD for a couple big reasons: First, the price is better. Second, the picture quality on a plasma is significantly better, especially when viewing from an angle. Plus, it's less strain on the eyes. You have deeper blacks, crisper images, better sound quality (in general with plasmas compared to LCD's). Now on to this particular set. I've had it for about a month, and after a few minor adjustments, I honestly think this TV is better quality than my sister's Samsung LCD 1080P TV. Be sure to turn the CATS feature off (in the default mode it's on). This is a feature that adjusts the screen to the ambient light in the room. While it sounds good, the screen is simply too dim with CATS on. 2nd, the contrast looks best at 58 (over the default mode of 50).The sound is good also after a few minor tweaks. Over all, for $499, there is no better deal for a plasma TV in the market. Plus, it's a Panasonic, the leader in plasma TV's, and probably among the best brand TV's in general over the past twenty years. If you are looking to spend around $500, I'd strongly recommend the Panasonic TC-P46C2!
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