-
Introduction
-
01.Tour & Design
-
02.Blacks & Whites
-
03.Color Accuracy
-
04.Motion
-
05.Viewing Effects
-
06.Calibration
-
07.Remote Control
-
08.Connectivity
-
09.Audio & Menus
-
10.Formats & Media
-
11.Power Consumption
-
12.Vs LG 37LH55
-
13.Vs Sony KDL 40S5100
-
14.Vs Panasonic TC P42X1
-
15.Conclusion
-
16.Series Comparison
-
17.Ratings & Specs
-
18.Comments
Panasonic Viera TC-P42S1
Previous: Page 11
Power ConsumptionNext: Page 13
Vs Sony KDL 40S5100
LG 37LH55 Summary
• The Panasonic had a lower black level and higher contrast ratio.
• The Panasonic had better RGB curves and a more solid color temperature, but the LG had the more accurate color gamut.
• Both performed similarly on our motion tests.
• The Panasonic's viewing angle is much larger than the LG's.
• The Panasonic is less expensive and has a larger screen.
Value Comparison Summary
The Panasonic out-performed the LG on many of our tests. It had a deeper black level, higher contrast ratio, a much more solid color temperature, and better RGB representation. Even though it lacks the LG's 240Hz mode, it still had comparable scores on our motion tests. The screen is larger as well, and for less money.
| Comparison Specifications | ||
 |
 |
|
| Panasonic TC-P42S1 | LG 37LH55 | |
| Size | 42 inches | 37 inches |
| Price | $999.95 | $1400 |
| Type | Plasma | LCD |
| Format | 1080p | 1080p |
| Other | N/A | 240Hz mode |
Blacks & Whites
The Panasonic has a much deeper black level than the LG, but is significantly less bright. The Panasonic has a much higher contrast ratio.
| Blacks & Whites Comparison Chart | |
 |
|
| Panasonic TC-P42S1 Score: Black Level: 9.51 Peak Brightness: 6.35 Contrast: 8.28 |
LG 37LH55 Score: Black Level: 5.47 Peak Brightness: 9.05 Contrast: 6.26 |
Color Accuracy
The Panasonic has a much more solid color temperature than the LG. Both TVs performed about as well on our RGB tests. The Panasonic's color gamut was pretty far off compared to the LG's.
| Color Temperature Comparison | |
 |
|
| Panasonic TC-P42S1 Score: 10.00 | |
 |
|
| LG 37LH55 Score: 7.96 | |
| RGB Comparison | |
   |
|
| Panasonic TC-P42S1 Score: 7.61 | |
   |
|
| LG 37LH55 Score: 7.97 | |
| Color Gamut Comparison | |
 |
|
| Panasonic TC-P42S1 Score: 3.98 | |
 |
|
| LG 37LH55 Score: 6.11 | |
Motion
Both TVs mitigated the effects of blurring well, but the LG had fewer artifacting issues than the Panasonic.
| Motion Scores | ||
| Panasonic TC-P42S1 | LG 37LH55 | |
| Motion Smoothness | 7.75 | 7.25 |
| Motion Artifacting | 4.75 | 6.25 |
Viewing Effects
The LG has a very small viewing angle. The Panasonic looks great almost out to a straight-on side view.
| Viewing Angle Comparison | |
 |
|
| Panasonic TC-P42S1 Score: 12.73 | LG 37LH55 Score: 3.69 |
Connectivity
The Panasonic has fewer ports than the LG. Notably absent are S-Video, VGA, and analog audio out ports.
| Connectivity Comparison | ||
| Panasonic TC-P42S1 | LG 37LH55 | |
| HDMI | 3 | 3 |
| Component | 2 | 1 |
| Composite | 1 | 2 |
| S-Video | 0 | 1 |
| VGA | 0 | 1 |
| Analog Audio In | 4 | 3 |
| Digital Audio Out | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio Out | 0 | 1 |
| LAN | 0 | 0 |
| USB | 0 | 0 |
| Memory Card | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
Other Comparisons
Neither TV has any additional media capabilities, online connectivity, or any other feature not discussed above.
Shop for the Panasonic TC-P42S1
Latest News
& Reviews
-
30-Jan-2012
Superbowl HDTV Buying Guide
The weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday are fraught with anticipation and last-minute big screen HDTV sales. But rushing a major purchase can often lead to buyer’s remorse come Monday morning. Let us coach you to a winning purchase with this helpful guide. Read More...
-
26-Jan-2012
Samsung UN32D5500 LED LCD HDTV Review
The D5500 has a rather high MSRP of $699, considering it’s only a 32-inch TV. There are some “premiums upgrades,” a term we use with some dubiousness, knowing that these features can be far less valuable than they appear. Nevertheless, at its core this is a good television. If you can find it a significantly reduced price it would make a great addition to a home theater. Read More...
Panasonic TC-P42S1 Manual
Top Rated HD Televisions
-
Also in this series
$1,739.001
Size: 59 in.Samsung PN59D7000
The Samsung PN59D7000 ($2,599 MSRP) is a stunning, high-end plasma TV fashioned by Samsung for 2011. It has 59 inches of great, 1080p picture quality, and as a second-generation plasma, it handles 3D reasonably well. Read full review
$1,739.00All TypesPlasmaOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
Also in this series
$2,608.002
Size: 60 in.Samsung UN60D8000
The Samsung UN60D8000 retails for a whopping $4299 (MSRP). That's well over a $1000 more than the equivalently-sized plasma from Samsung that includes nearly all the same features. Read full review
$2,608.00All TypesLCDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
$969.003
Size: 46 in.Samsung UN46D6000
Everyone wants a Smart TV, but how smart is buying the Samsung UN46D6000 for its $1299 MSRP? With its reasonably good performance in many categories and more internet features than you can shake an e-stick at, that question might be hard to answer if it weren't for this review. Read full review
$969.00All TypesLCDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
4
Size: 50 in.LG 50PZ950
This 1080p plasma television with internet and 3D capabilities is purportedly the best LG has to offer in 2011. Read full review
All TypesPlasmaOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
$714.935
Size: 42 in.LG 42LV5500
The LG 42LV5500 is packed with a lot of fun features that may sound good, but can distract from what a TV is supposed to do: deliver a good picture. Fortunately, the color performance cannot be beat. Read full review
$714.93All TypesLEDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsNo
Features
-
TelevisionInfo.com 2011 Select Awards
After testing dozens of televisions this year, the staff of TVI has made its official selections for the very best televisions of 2011. Read More...
-
3D TV, Not Ready for Prime Time
If you’ve been shopping for a new TV is the last two years, you’ve probably heard a lot of hype about 3D. As with most new technologies, customers are awash in baffling terminology and misinformation. Here’s a simple guide to walk you through the basics. Read More...
-
HDTV Streaming Content Compared
Televisions aren’t just getting their content through the coax cable anymore. Just as the internet has gradually moved towards a video-rich space—YouTube, Hulu, Vimeo, etc.—those same sorts of features are creeping into your TV sets. Like it or not, those 1000+ channels of direct cable are not enough anymore. Read More...
-
Technology Preview: Haier Completely Wireless Television
Imagine a TV with no wires. You’re talking about WiFi, right? No, we mean no wires, at all. Haier, the Chinese company better known as an appliance manufacturer, is showcasing a new technology here at CES that conducts electricity wireless to the TV, as well as streaming content. The TV is pretty far from production at this point, but it’s among the more amazing things we’ve seen at the show. Here’s an in-depth look at the technology and how it might be implemented in future products. Read More...
(add your own)