Panasonic TH-42PV500 HD ready plasma TV

Posted by T3 Online on Mon 29 Oct 2007

The best Hi-Def plasma money can buy.

Panasonic has led the way for plasma picture quality forever. This, however, is the first 42-incher the company has produced with sufficient resolution to do Hi-Def full justice.

To mark the occasion, Panasonic has togged it out in gloss black with silver trim. It looks stunning - even more so if you add the £400 floor-standing cabinet.

The set boasts full HD-ready spec and connections, a built-in digital TV tuner, and the latest version of Panasonic's celebrated plasma picture technology, with all its refinements to colour management and motion enhancement.

The clamber up to Hi-Def has had a wholly positive impact on Panasonic's plasma picture quality. The contrast range is awesome, with lovely deep blacks at one end and crisp whites at the other. This produces a stunning sense of image depth during Lord of the Rings' entire Mines of Moria sequence.

Colours, meanwhile, are rich and solid enough to grab your attention. Images are pin-sharp and noise of any sort is well repressed. In fact, try as we might, we couldn't find anything bad to say about this TV at all. It really is that good.