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The Panasonic TH-42PZ700U is a contender for best 42" plasma picture available. The world's only 42" 1080p plasma panel has over two-and-a-half times the pixel count of conventional 42" plasmas. The screen's ultra-fine pixels show remarkable detail, depth and texture.
Why 1080p matters
If you look at all of the high-definition programs available from broadcast, cable, and satellite TV sources, you'll find that most of them use 1080i format 1920 x 1080 pixels. The TH-42PZ700U's screen is a pixel-perfect match so you won't miss any details. By comparison, "720p" plasmas must downconvert 1080i signals, throwing away a significant amount of picture information. The downconverted image still looks crisp and clear, but there's definitely less fine detail.
Built-in HD tuners
The TH-42PZ700U's built-in analog/digital tuner can pull in every type of over-the-air TV broadcast, including gorgeous, free HDTV (antenna required). Plus, the set's "QAM" cable tuner conveniently allows cable TV subscribers to watch most unscrambled channels without the need for a set-top box including HD channels in many areas.
Clever connections that do more
The generous array of back-panel connections includes two HDMI digital inputs for hooking up the latest high-def components. If you're using other recent Panasonic HDMI-equipped components, the EZ Sync control system enables you to operate compatible models like one of Panasonic's Blu-ray Disc players using only the TV's remote.
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FREE "white glove" in-home delivery: This item will be delivered and placed in any accessible room in your home. Available to physical addresses in 50 United States only. Limited delivery available to Alaska and Hawaii for $99 per item call 1-888-955-6000 for more details. Sorry, we can't ship to P.O. Boxes or freight forwarders. Delivery takes 5-7 business days once your order has been processed. Extra charges may apply to items that must be carried up more than 5 flights of stairs. Allow extra time for delivery to remote addresses. Free return shipping not available with this model.
Great picture. Enjoyed watching the super bowl on it.
Jay, MAHWAH NEW JERSEY
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Features
Remote Control
Inputs and Outputs Notes
Mounting
Plasma Panel: The TH-42PZ700U has Panasonic's latest generation Plasma Panel with a 5000:1 contrast ratio and an anti-reflective coating on the screen.
4,096 Shades of Gradation: Plasma displays can suffer from an artifact called false contouring, where transitions between different shades of the same color are too sharp. These transitions can appear as distinct lines between the different shades of color. Having 4,096 shades of gradation helps minimize the false contouring artifact so color transitions take on a smooth, natural appearance.
High Definition Tuner: With built-in HDTV tuners for over-the-air (ATSC) and unencrypted cable signals (QAM), you don't have to purchase a separate digital set-top box to receive and decode HDTV/SDTV signals.
Native Resolution: The TH-42PZ700U has a display resolution of 1920 x 1080. All incoming signals are converted to this native resolution. The HDMI digital and component video inputs will accept 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i, and will display them as 1920 x 1080. The HDMI inputs will also accept a 1080p signal.
Aspect Modes: Depending on the input signal, you can choose one of the following aspect modes:
Zoom Adjust: You can adjust vertical size and image position when using the zoom mode.
Picture Adjustment: Several picture settings can be individually adjusted, including Picture (white areas), Brightness (dark areas), Color, Tint, Sharpness, and Color Temperature.
Picture Mode: You can choose one of the following picture modes:
Color Management: When turned on, color management enhances green and blue color reproduction. This is especially useful for outdoor scenes.
Contrast Automatic Tracking System (CATS): CATS adjusts the brightness and gradation to optimize contrast.
Video NR: Video Noise Reduction removes snow from a weaker analog TV signal.
Block NR: Reduces the block noise specific to digital signals.
Mosquito: Reduces HDTV flicker noise in the contoured sections of an image.
Digital Comb Filter: The motion adaptive 3D-YC comb filter minimizes noise and cross-color in the picture when the composite video input is used.
Color Matrix: When viewing a signal input through the component video inputs, this TV will automatically optimize the color parameters based on the color matrix setting:
HD Size: This mode selects between 95% or 100% for the scanning area of the HDTV. This allows you to move any edge noise out of the viewable area.
AI Sound: This audio feature equalizes the overall volume levels across all the channels and external inputs.
BBE ViVA HD3D: BBE ViVA High Definition 3D Sound provides a musically accurate natural 3D image with hi-fi sound. The clarity of the sound is improved by BBE while the width, depth and height of the sound image are expanded by BBE's proprietary 3D sound processing. BBE ViVA is compatible with any TV program; including news, music, dramas, movies, sports, and electronic games.
BBE High-Definition Sound: BBE High-Definition Sound restores clarity and presence for better speech intelligibility and musical realism.
Surround Function: The surround function enhances audio response when listening to stereo programming. This function is active only for the TV's optional speakers.
Audio Leveler: The Audio Leveler monitors the difference in audio levels between inputs and minimizes the change in volume when you change inputs. This function is active only for the TV's built-in speakers.
Sleep Timer: This television features a built-in sleep timer, set by remote control, that turns the TV off automatically after 30, 60, or 90 minutes.
Programmable On/Off Timers: The programmable timers allow you to program the TV set to turn itself on and off at designated times, on designated days, tuned to designated channels. Up to 5 events can be programmed using the timers. An event can have multiple episodes (Daily, Mon-Fri, Every Wed, etc).
Input Labels: Each input can be labeled to reflect the source connected. The label options are Skip, VCR, DVD, Cable, DBS, PVR, Game, Aux, and (blank). Only Skip and (blank) are available for the PC input.
Input Skip: If an input's label is set to skip, that input isn't selected when toggling through inputs with the TV/Video button.
Lock: The Lock function has four settings to block viewing of particular channels or inputs. You create a 4-digit password that's required to bypass the lock. The available settings are:
EZ Sync: EZ Sync HDAVI Control lets you operate all of your Panasonic "HDAVI Control" compatible home theater components connected by HDMI by pressing a single button on your TV's remote control. Panasonic equipment with the "HDAVI Control" function enables the following operations: Automatic input switching, Power on link, Power off link, Speaker control, and One-touch theater playback.
SD Card Slot: The SD card slot on the front of the TH-42PZ700U allows you to view JPEG photos on an SD memory card (including SDHC up to 4 GB, SD up to 2 GB, and miniSD up to 1 GB with an adapter). You can show pictures individually or as a slide show, with adjustable picture duration. Each image can be rotated in 90° increments. Panasonic's GalleryPlayer feature allows you to enjoy high definition art and photography on your HDTV. You can purchase and download images, then play them on your TH-42PZ700U.
Multi-brand Remote: The supplied remote is pre-programmed to operate this unit and a number of functions on other brands of components; including VCRs, DVD players, DVD recorders, personal video recorders (PVR), cable boxes, combination cable box/PVRs, DBS receivers, and combination DBS receiver/PVRs. The OK button and directional keys allow you to move the on-screen selector, making menu navigation simple and efficient.
HDMI Inputs: The HDMI 1 input has a dedicated RCA audio input, HDMI 2 uses the RCA audio input of A/V input 2 if needed. The HDMI terminals can accommodate copy-protected digital signals (HDCP) from other devices (such as digital set-top boxes) that have compatible interfaces. When using an adapter to connect a component with a DVI output, the RCA jacks are used to carry the audio signal. The HDMI inputs will accept 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i inputs.
Component Video Inputs: The two component video inputs will accept 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i inputs.Digital Audio Out: The rear-panel optical digital output allows you to send a Dolby Digital bit stream to a Dolby Digital receiver or decoder. If the program doesn't include a Dolby Digital soundtrack, a 2-channel PCM bit stream is output.
PC Input: The PC input consists of a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack and an analog RGB (D-Sub 15-pin) jack. This jack allows you to connect a personal computer with a D-Sub 15-pin output. When using the RGB (D-Sub 15-pin) jack, you must use the PC Audio input for your audio connection.
Front Panel Input: A/V input 3 on the front panel includes left and right RCA audio, RCA composite video, and S-video connections.
Pedestal Base: The TH-42PZ700U includes a pedestal base for cabinet-top mounting. With the pedestal base the TV weighs 99.3 pounds.
Wall Mounting: On the back of the TV are four threaded inserts to attach an optional wall mount bracket. The inserts require M8 (8mm) machine screws, the horizontal and vertical hole spacing is 25-7/8" and 12-1/2" respectively. Without the pedestal base attached the TV weighs 83.8 pounds.
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