DPR editors' take

• By: David Katzmaier
• Published on: 09/06/2007

When it hits stores in a few days, the TH-42PZ77 will be the cheapest 1080p plasma.

Despite the fact that the benefits of 1080p native resolution are difficult to discern at the 50-inch screen size, let alone 42 inches, Panasonic has to keep up with the LCD competition if it wants to maintain spec-sheet parity in the eyes of comparison shoppers. That's probably the main reason why the plasma powerhouse announced two new, lower-priced 1080p models today at CEDIA in Denver: the 42-inch TH-42PZ77 ($1799) and the 50-inch TH-50PZ77 ($2799).

These sets trim $200 off the list prices of the formerly least-expensive 1080p Panasonic plasmas, the excellent 42-inch TH-42PZ700U and the ever-popular TH-50PZ700U, making them the most affordable 1080p plasmas on the market, and strongly price-competitive with similarly sized 1080p LCDs. Here are some more items from the press release:

Panasonic TH-PZ77 series key features

• 1080p native resolution
• Two HDMI inputs
• Antiglare screen coating
• SD memory card slot
• September release date

The most-notable item on that list from our perspective is the antiglare coating, which is the same magical stuff found on the screens of the lower-resolution TH-PX77U series. Don't confuse it with the "antireflective" coating applied to the screens of the more-expensive TH-PZ700U and TH-PZ750U series; Panasonic's antiglare coating, if it performs as well on the PZ77s as it did on the PX77s, does the best job of attenuating glare from room lighting of any plasma we've tested yet. Check out the full review of the TH-50PX77U for details. In fact, the PZ77 plasmas seem like 1080p versions of the PX77 models in most respects, down to the lack of a PC input. We'll know more when we have a chance to review them.

• Manufacturer: Panasonic


• Part Number:TH-42PZ77U

General

• Product Type 42 in Plasma TV
• Digital Television Certification HDTV
• TV Tuner 1x analog , 1x digital
• Video Interface HDMI , S-Video , Component , Composite
• Dimensions With stand
• Width 44.9 in
• Depth 13 in
• Height 27.1 in
• Weight 92.6 lbs

Display

• Diagonal Size 42 in - Widescreen
• Technology Plasma (PDP)


• Plasma Panel Technology Panasonic 10th Generation Plasma Panel
• Resolution 1920 x 1080
• Display Format 1080p (FullHD)


• Image Aspect Ratio 16:9


• Color Depth Up to 68.7 billion colors
• Image Contrast Ratio 10000:1


• Progressive Scan Progressive scanning (line doubling)
• Widescreen Modes Full,  Just,  Zoom,  Conventional 4:3


• Display Menu Language French,  English,  Spanish


• Analog Video Signal Composite video , S-Video
• Comb Filter 3D-Y/C digital
• V-Chip Control Yes


• Color Temperature Control Yes
• Additional Features On-screen menu , Anti-glare coating , JPEG photo playback , Video noise reduction

TV Tuner

• Analog TV Tuner NTSC

Digital TV Tuner

• Digital TV Tuner QAM , ATSC

Video Features

• HDTV Ready Yes
• Analog Video Input Signals NTSC
• Input Video Formats 480p , 720p , 1080i , 1080p
• Parental Channel Lock Yes
• Closed Caption Capability Yes

Memory Card Reader

• Supported Flash Memory Cards SD Memory Card

Remote Control

• Remote Control Remote control - Infrared

Audio System

• Sound Output Mode Stereo
• Surround Mode Yes
• Audio Controls Balance , Bass , Treble
• Speakers Included 2 speakers


• Response Bandwidth 70 - 17000 Hz
• Output Power / Total 20 Watt
• Speaker(s) 2 x Right/left channel speaker - Built-in - 10 Watt

Network & Internet Multimedia

• Functionality Digital photo playback
• Supported Pictures Formats JPG

Connections

• Connector Type 2 x HDMI ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear , 2 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono ) - Rear , 2 x Audio line-in - Rear , 1 x Composite video output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear , 2 x Component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear , 2 x Composite video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear , 1 x Composite video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Side , 2 x S-Video input - Rear , 1 x S-Video input - Side , 1 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono ) - Rear , 1 x Digital audio output (optical)
• Slot Provided 1 x SD Memory Card

Stands & Mounts

• Stand Included Yes

Power

• Power Device Power supply - Internal
• Power AC 120 V
• Power Consumption Operational 578 Watt
• Battery None