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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.Audio & Menus
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09.Multimedia & Internet
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10.Power Consumption
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11.Vs. Panasonic TC-L42U25
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12.Vs. Sony KDL-40EX400
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13.Vs. Sharp LC-42SB48UT
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14.Conclusion
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15.Series Comparison
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16.Photo Gallery
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17.Ratings & Specs
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18.Comments
Panasonic Viera TC-L42U30
Previous: Page 7
ConnectivityNext: Page 9
Multimedia & InternetAudio & Menus
The Panasonic TC-L42U30 has fair audio quality and basic but functional menus.
Audio Quality (4.00)
The Panasonic TC-L42U30 is by no means a replacement for a dedicated 5.1-channel surround sound system, but its performance is about par for the course in its price range. Though you can manually adjust the bass and treble levels in the audio settings menu, there is no true equalizer. The Panasonic TC-L42U30 also has a simulated surround sound option that improves sound quality a bit, but nobody would think for a minute that it actually was a real surround sound system.
Menu Interface (6.50)
The Panasonic TC-L42U30 has a very standard, easy to navigate menu with few aesthetic frills. The left-aligned menu seems to take up a good chunk of the screen, often obscuring the view of whatever you’re watching as it is not transparent to a large degree. While simplicity does have its advantages, the controls to alter settings are a bit annoying, as only the d-pad can be used. Should you hit the OK button, nothing will happen at all, and you’ll sit around for a minute or two trying to figure out if the remote actually works or not until you realize that what would work for any other TV does not always work on a Panasonic.
Instruction Manual (8.50)
The Panasonic TC-L42U30’s operating instructions manual is not only informative, but clear and easy to read. Panasonic seems to have gone out of its way to make sure that the user knows exactly what they want to do and where to find whatever they’re looking for. Though the table of contents isn’t always straightforward, but the tabbed manual itself in concise enough to find information not specifically addressed in the table of contents easily. You can find the Panasonic TC-L42U30’s manual online here.
| Other Models in the TC-LxxU30 Series | |
|---|---|
| For more information on other models in this series, check our Series Comparison Page. | |
 Panasonic Viera TC-L32U3 32 in. |
 Panasonic Viera TC-L37U3 37 in. |
Shop for the Panasonic TC-L42U30
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