-
Introduction
-
01.Tour & Design
-
02.Blacks & Whites
-
03.Color Accuracy
-
04.Motion
-
05.Viewing Effects
-
06.Calibration
-
07.Connectivity
-
08.Remote Control
-
09.Audio & Menus
-
10.Multimedia & Internet
-
11.Power Consumption
-
12.Vs Sony KDL 40NX700
-
13.Vs Samsung LN40C630
-
14.Vs Toshiba 42ZV650U
-
15.Conclusion
-
16.Series Comparison
-
17.Photo Gallery
-
18.Ratings & Specs
-
19.Comments
Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2
Previous: Page 6
CalibrationNext: Page 8
Remote ControlConnectivity
Lots of AV ports, but no VGA in, no analog audio out.
Connectivity (0.00)
Input Ports (6.0)
The ports on the Panasonic TC-P42U2 are grouped together in two places, a lower corner of the back and the left side. There’s a solid selection of ports here, but several key omissions remind you that this is an entry-level TV. Sure, there’s 3 HDMIs, 2 component AVs, and 2 composite AVs, but notice the absence of USB ports and ethernet. For that matter, where’s the analog audio output, or even a VGA input? Not here. You’ll have to upgrade to a better Panasonic if you want these.
Output Ports (1.0)
The Panasonic TC-P42U2 has just one output port, a digital analog out. There is no analog audio, so if you’re planning on hooking the TV up to a sound system, you’d better be sure it’s a newer model.
Other Connections (0.0)
There are no other connects, except the media card slot, described below.
Media (3.0)
The Panasonic TC-P42U2 has a card slot to accommodate SD/SDHC cards. The TV only displays photos stored on the cards, not movies or music. Again, this is something Panasonic could have turned on very easily, but chose to hold back because the TV is lower down in the line-up.
| Connectivity Comparison | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic TC-P42U2 | Sony KDL-40NX700 | Samsung LN40C630 | Toshiba 42ZV650U | |
| HDMI | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Component | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Composite | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| S-Video | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| VGA | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio In | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Digital Audio Out | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio Out | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ethernet | None | None | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes | No | No |
| USB | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Card Types | SD/SDHC | None | None | SD/SDHC |
| DLNA | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Placement (6.50)
The port placement on the Panasonic TC-P42U2 is perfectly fine. Our only complaint is that the base does not swivel, which makes the rear ports a little trickier to access. Fortunately, the ports most likely to be used for ‘quick changes’ are placed on the side of the TV. All the ports are well labeled.
| Other Models in the TC-PxxU2 Series |
|---|
| For more information on other models in this series, check our Series Comparison Page. |
 Panasonic Viera TC-P50U2 50 in. |
Shop for the Panasonic TC-P42U2
Latest News
& Reviews
-
18-May-2012
Samsung UN46ES6500 3D LED LCD HDTV Review
This TV has the performance and picture quality to match its good looks. Samsung’s robust Smart TV platform is just icing on the cake. Read More...
-
18-May-2012
Samsung's 2012 Smart TV Platform: Explained
Samsung’s 2012 Smart TV Platform revolves primarily around the Smart Hub. The Smart Hub gathers all content the TV is capable of displaying under one roof: live TV, apps, streaming video and music, and personal media. Read More...
Panasonic TC-P42U2 Manual
Top Rated HD Televisions
-
Also in this series
$2,599.001
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
$2,599.00All TypesPlasmaOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
Also in this series
$1,299.002
Size: 51 in.Samsung PN51D6500
The Samsung PN51D6500 is one of the best deals for a big screen plasma TV. The performance is strong in most regards and the weakness are endemic to plasma TVs, not with this model in particular. Read full review
$1,299.00All TypesPlasmaOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
$1,749.993
Size: 47 in.LG 47LM6700
In addition to opinion-changing 3D images, this LG has a newly improved Smart TV menu system, and a remote that makes navigating the ever-expanding sea of content less of an odyssey. . Read full review
$1,749.99All TypesLEDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
$1,500.004
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
$1,500.00All TypesPlasmaOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
$1,299.005
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
$1,299.00All TypesLCDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes
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)