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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 Sony KDL 40NX700
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13.Vs Samsung LN40C630
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14.Vs Toshiba 42ZV650U
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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-P42U2
Previous: Page 13
Vs Samsung LN40C630Next: Page 15
ConclusionVs Toshiba 42ZV650U
Value Comparison
The Toshiba 42ZV650U is priced higher than the Panasonic TC-P42U2, though in this case we’d probably recommend the Panasonic as the better performer. Though the color performance as stronger in the Toshiba, the contrast ratio and motion performance were rather poor. The Toshiba simply isn’t worth this price.
| Core Attributes Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
| Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2 | Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U | |
| Size | 42 in. | 42 in. |
| General Type | Plasma | LCD |
| Format | 1080p | 1080p |
Blacks & Whites
The Toshiba 42ZV650U gives a bad name to LCDs, propagating that myth that all LCDs are inferior to plasmas when it comes to black level. As you can see from the chart below, the Samsung LCD is nearly as good as the Panasonic plasma. As a result of the Toshiba’s poor black level, the overall contrast ratio suffered.
Color Accuracy
This is the one series of tests where the Toshiba 42ZV650U managed to outperform the Panasonic. It managed to maintain a very consistent color temperature, and the RGB color curves were incredibly smooth (save for one large hiccup in the blue channel.
| Color Temperature Comparison | |
|---|---|
| Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2 (Score: 8.74) |  |
| Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U (Score: 9.45) |  |
| RGB Comparison | |
|---|---|
| Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2 (Score: 6.58) |  |
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| Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U (Score: 8.44) |  |
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|
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|
Motion
The Toshiba 42ZV650U did not perform well in the motion tests. Objects in motion were not particularly smooth, and there was a lot of strobing in areas of high contrast. The TV offers options to smooth the motion, but it creates a strange look to the video that you probably won’t like.
| Motion Scores | ||
|---|---|---|
| Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2 | Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U | |
| Motion Score | ||
Viewing Effects
The Toshiba 42ZV650U was tied with the Sony KDL-40NX700 for worst viewing angle in this little comparison pool, managing only about 40 degrees in total, versus the 144 degrees of the Panasonic TC-P42U2.
| Viewing Angle Comparison | |
|---|---|
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|
| Panasonic Viera TC-P42U2: 10.24 | Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U: 3.65 |
Connectivity
The Toshiba 42ZV650U is blessed with another benefit: lots of ports. You can connect nearly everything in the house to this thing – save a DLNA home entertainment hub.
| 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 |
Shop for the Panasonic TC-P42U2
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