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Introduction
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01.Tour & Design
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02.Blacks & Whites
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03.Color Accuracy
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04.Motion
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05.Viewing Effects
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06.Calibration
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07.Connectivity
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08.Remote Control
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09.Audio & Menus
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10.Multimedia & Internet
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11.Power Consumption
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12.Vs Panasonic TC P42U2
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13.Vs Samsung LN40C630
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14.Vs Sharp LC 40LE700UN
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15.Conclusion
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16.Series Comparison
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17.Photo Gallery
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18.Ratings & Specs
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19.Comments
Panasonic Viera TC-L37D2
Previous: Page 11
Power ConsumptionNext: Page 13
Vs Samsung LN40C630Vs Panasonic TC P42U2
Value Comparison
The Panasonic TC-P42U2 is an inexpensive plasma display. Panasonic certainly sells a lot more plasmas than LCDs, so it was interesting to match these TVs against each other. On the whole, neither one was great. The TC-P42U2 seemed to be equipped with a weak processor, as we saw lots of problems with upscaling lower resolution content. The Panasonic TC-L37D2 is smaller and yet more expensive. Sure, the included iPod dock is cool, but the terrible color performance and mediocre contrast ratio are probably not enough to win us over. If these two TVs are any indication, it seems like Panasonic just doesn’t build low and mid-level TVs nearly as well as they do high-end sets.
| Core Attributes Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Panasonic Viera TC-L37D2 | Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2 | |
| Size | 37 in. | 42 in. |
| General Type | LCD | Plasma |
| Format | 1080p | 1080p |
Blacks & Whites
The Panasonic TC-P42US, as a plasma display, easily beat out the LCD panel of the L37D2. However, plasmas typically have a weaker peak brightness, and that was the case here, as well. Overall, the P42US has a wider contrast ratio, but we tended to like the L37D2 better overall.
Color Accuracy
The Panasonic TC-L37D2 had a big problem with its RGB color curves, which definitely puts it out the running in a match-up with nearly any television, at least in terms of color performance. However, it did manage a better color temperature consistency, which is some small consolation.
| Color Temperature Comparison | |
|---|---|
| Panasonic Viera TC-L37D2 (Score: 9.59) |
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| Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2 (Score: 8.74) |
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| RGB Comparison | |
|---|---|
| Panasonic Viera TC-L37D2 (Score: 3.10) |
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| Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2 (Score: 6.58) |
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Motion
The motion performance of plasma TVs can sometimes be preferable to LCD displays, usually in terms of the image smoothness. That was the case here, as well. The TC-P42US was certainly not amazing, though.
| Motion Scores | ||
|---|---|---|
| Panasonic Viera TC-L37D2 | Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2 | |
| Motion Score | ||
Viewing Effects
The Panasonic TC-P42U2, as a plasma, easily trumped the LCD displays in this group. A wide viewing angle is one of plasma’s great strengths.
| Viewing Angle Comparison | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Panasonic Viera TC-L37D2: 3.21 | Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2: 10.24 |
Connectivity
Neither Panasonic TV is endowed with a huge number of ports. However, the Panasonic TC-L37D2 has the benefit of that iPod dock, which could come in handy. Notably, neither TV has an analog audio output, which may make it hard to connect to an older stereo system.
| Connectivity Comparison | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic TC-L37D2 | Panasonic TC-P42U2 | Samsung LN40C630 | Sharp LC-40LE700UN | |
| HDMI | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Component | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Composite | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| S-Video | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| VGA | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio In | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Digital Audio Out | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio Out | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ethernet | None | None | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | No | No | No |
| USB | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Card Types | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC | None | None |
| DLNA | No | No | Yes | Unknown |
Shop for the Panasonic TC-L37D2
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