 Samsung PN42A450 vs. Panasonic TH-42PX80U direct compare Strengths: Better picture, audio, remote control, and usefull swivel stand
Weaknesses: Auto-deleting of part-time channels, no lip-sync adjustment, harsh light grey 4:3 view sidebars, only 1 RF input, no PIP
Summary: 2008-09-17 20:37:37 I own both the 2008 Samsung 42" 720P PN42A450 plasma HDTV and the directly competing 42" Panasonic TH-42PX80U plasma. Comparing them side-by-side with power off: The Samsung's panel has a reddish hue. The Panasonic's panel is a slightly darker grey. Neither is pure black. The Samsung's screen is more glossy and reflective. The Panasonic's screen is more LCD matte-like. The Samsung has a slightly wider bezel or frame so its total width is wider than the Panasonic's. Side view, both seem equally skinny and both seem to have metal (not plastic) backs. To my eyes, both TVs have OK styling. When off, the Samsung is silent, while the Panasonic has a constant electronic buzz coming from the top left area. The Samsung's remote is better quality. Out of the box the Panasonic's remote buttons sometimes stick when you press them. Unlike all of the TVs I have ever owned, only the Panasonic has the channel-up and channel-down buttons on the left side of the remote which is backwards and needlessly awkward.
Turning the power on, and after turning down brightness, contrast and doing other fine adjustments, the Samsung has a more noticeable flicker when there are large areas of solid bright white. The Panasonic handles scenes with large areas of solid bright white better. However, the Panasonic seems to have less color depth than the Samsung. People's faces, even in HD, look more cartoonish or like claymation with the Panasonic. Faces look somewhat like blochy pink balloons compared to the Samsung. The Samsung shows detail of varying skin tones while the Panasonic displays a more uniform cartoonish look. Side-by-side, the Samsung makes real people look more natural. It seems that the Panasonic has fewer facial hue colors to offer than the Samsung. The Samsung has a 20,000:1 native contrast which is 5000 greater than the native contrast of the Panasonic, so perhaps contrast has something to do with putting depth and texture in human faces. The Samsung is also better with maintaining steady color. The Panasonic's color slightly shifts on its own rocking between purple and red regardless if the Panasonic's Color Management Mode is turned on or turned off. The Samsung also handles image noise a little better than the Panasonic. The Samsung boasts a better angle-of-view rating, but in reality I do not notice any difference between the two.
The audio from the Samsung is more natural for movies and TV shows. The Panasonic sounds great when there is music, but regular voices sound unnatural no matter how I make adjustments in the audio menu.
Adjusting the Samsung's zoom is a one-button procedure. With the Panasonic, adjusting the zoom is a tedious menu nightmare. As a PC monitor, only the Samsung has the 15 pin jack. You must set your PC to 1024 x 768 -- nothing higher.
The Samsung has become my primary TV. The Panasonic is now the kid's TV. R.I.P.
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