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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 6
CalibrationNext: Page 8
Audio & MenusConnectivity
The 2011 model TVs are starting to abandon analog video and the Panasonic TC-L42U30 is no different.
Connectivity (0.00)
The Panasonic TC-L42U30 has a handful of input ports, allowing use of many of the standard connections any user should be accustomed to. In addition to the component/composite hybrid port, the 3 HDMI ports and coaxial cable in, there is an SD/SDHC card slot on the side panel of the TV set which seems to be present on many Panasonic LCD TVs.
The Panasonic TC-L42U30 has fewer ports than we’re accustomed to, but this is something we’ve seen with other 2011 LCD TVs. Like the other TVs we’ve seen, the Panasonic TC-L42U30 has a shared component/composite input port in the back of the set. While it may have cut costs for Panasonic, this choice of input ports is a little puzzling, as it means that users cannot use more than one component or composite device at a time.
Like it was with its predecessors, the Panasonic TC-L42U30’s ports are easy to identify and access. Similarly, the Panasonic TC-L42U30 has a side panel with some of the ports, but this model of Panasonic LCD TV only has an HDMI port and the SD/SDHC card slot on it. All other ports are on the back of the set.
The following is a chart comparing the number and types of port available on the Panasonic TC-L42U30 against similar competitor models.
| Connectivity Comparison | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic TC-L42U30 | Panasonic TC-L42U25 | Sony KDL-40EX400 | Sharp LC-42SB48UT | |
| HDMI | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Component | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Composite | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| S-Video | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VGA | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio In | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Digital Audio Out | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio Out | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ethernet | No | No | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | None | No | No | No |
| USB | None | No | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Card Types | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC | None | None |
| DLNA | None | No | No | No |
Placement (6.50)
All of the Panasonic TC-L42U30’s input ports are located on the back of the TV set, minus the SD/SDHC card slot, which is on the left side of the TV set, along with the third HDMI port. The rear input panel is difficult to reach, however, as the stand does not swivel. This forces the user to physically move the entire TV set or fish around the back blindly should they want to change inputs, which is now more likely to happen now that the Panasonic TC-L42U30 has only one shared component/composite video in. That being said, all ports are clearly marked and easily located.
| 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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