TH-42PWD5UY vs. TH-42PWD6UY

The (6UY) replaces the (5UY) in September, 2003 as the new Panasonic 8X4 professional model. There are very few technical differences (not related to performance differences) to note as follows: Panasonic has increased contrast ratio yet again with this plasma TV to 4000:1 which is the highest in the industry and it is noticeable when viewing. As well the company keeps improving the gray scales from 1024 to 2048. The pixel cell structure has been changed and improved to an asymmetrical design to further "purify" reds and blues. This new structure may also improve light-emitting balance in the three primary colors. The 6UY as did the 5UY has a new phosphor type to help further enrich color reproduction. This plasma display has an improved remote control with enhanced menu functions notably image reversal (to further prevent phosphor burn on display units), and multi PIP functionality to allow for split screen viewing. The new Panasonic plasma has a whole array of optional video terminal boards to help the user with any configuration. I will go into these further in the "Other Considerations" section. Lastly, Panasonic has lowered the price on this plasma television to compete with even the Korean and Taiwanese manufacturers at an Internet price of around $3000 to $3300.

INTRODUCTION

This plasma television may be purchased for professional broadcast use, but works as well for the consumer in the home market. It does not include tuners, or speakers but has optional ones that may be purchased. The ultimate test of all plasma display monitors is how well they show when they are actually tested for video quality. Forget the native pixel resolution, the built in progressive scanning converter, the astronomically unrealistic contrast ratio figure shown. The manufacturers wanting to sell their product provide the specifications. Comparing TV's of any kind side by side with the same input source at the same starting point is the way to truly understand how the signal information is converted, processed and shown. Call it the eyeball test. With plasma display monitors the differences are much more apparent than with conventional CRT direct view televisions due to pixel formation and lighting considerations.

The new TH-42PWD6UY offers a few nice improvements as stated above from their predecessors. And yes, this is the 6th generation plasma display in the series produced by Panasonic. In sum, they are excellent improvements to an already exceptional performer. Better picture, gray scaling, contrast ratio, color balance, automatic contrast tracking (to preserve the unit), and optional configuration video boards, just to name the major differences. The unit also runs very cool due to the low power levels it requires (under normal use Max. Amps 4.0). It should run for many years and gives a 30,000 hour time frame to half life. The unit is very sound technically, and easy to use for the average consumer or professional environment. Panasonic, striving to get ahead of the game in the plasma market purchased PlasmaCo Technologies in Y2K, not only acquiring the company's leading plasma technology but also their leading plasma technology engineers.

The Picture

Since plasma monitors are primarily visual devices the picture displayed is really omnipotent in consideration for which one to purchase. There are a few other considerations (listed in this review under "Other Considerations") but image quality is of primary importance unless computer presentation scaling is the call. The Panasonics showed the best picture I have seen on a plasma display. With higher end signals of HDTV 1080I or progressive scan 480P the unit is unmatched for an 853 X 480 native pixel resolution plasma TV. We have reviewed the Gateway, Sampo, Samsung, Akai, NEC, Fujitsu, Hitachi and Pioneers, this was the unanimous feeling of all three reviewers. Panasonic has done a great job with the 8X4 plasma display and also with the new TH-42PHD6UY 1024X768 model has emulated the PWD's success in the high resolution market.

Images are sharp and crisp for all input signals we tried. Color reproduction was superb but the words most often used to describe the unit's on-screen image versus the other flat screen TV's was, "deep, rich and clear, amazing." I know the description of the picture sounds a bit like a good cabernet but that was the thoughts as I canvassed the group. The reason behind the superior performance from the top end signals is due to the unparalleled black levels and contrast caused in part by the new Real Black Drive System the company has incorporated. Though I don't buy the advertised contrast ratio Panasonic lists of 4000:1 (we measure it around 850:1 with the power on), I do believe they have the best technology in showing video imagery (as opposed to computer). The contrast ratio is the best in the plasma market and rivals even the best CRTs.

With progressive 720P, 1080I, or 480P I would not hesitate to pit the Panasonic TH-42PWD6UY (or PT-42PD3-P) against any CRT direct view set. I think it is actually worth the extra $1000.00 for the Plasma with a 42" diagonal viewing area compared with the high definition Panasonic Direct View CT-WX34X50 (34" viewing area). Our plasma monitor tests were conducted with several inputs including the Samsung SIRT165 high definition decoder box (with broadcast HDTV), Pioneer 47A Elite progressive scan DVD player, a DVD-Ram.HD player iDVR100, a VCR, a PC signal with several resolutions, and of course regular cable. When changing the signal from a DVD player to 480I from 480P, there is now an almost imperceptible decrease noticed in the picture quality on this plasma TV. This is due to the new and improved internal progressive scan conversion circuitry in the unit. It does an excellent job of line doubling the signal. An excellent 3:2 pulldown conversion chip for film and video processing is also included to deliver clear, smooth images from film sources. The new Panasonic 42PWD6UY also upconverts satellite and cable signals to progressive scan quality, thus giving much better picture quality than before on television grade signals.

While NEC has almost caught Panasonic in black level production and contrast, the Panasonic models continue to display the deepest blacks and smoothest gray scaling that I have seen. The picture from the Panasonic plasma monitors always deliver the most realistic colors, in part because these units do not get offensively warm with the reds as do so many other models. Gray scaling is drastically improved on this new model - with the most even dark level variations witnessed and monitored by my Philips color analyzer. With a PC I found the unit to display SVGA (800X600) resolution preferred by far over other resolutions. Panasonic has really improved computer compatibility and operational effectiveness. The new split screen capability will be a hit in the board room for video conferencing/ presentation combinations. This plasma tv runs virtually silent. It is fan-less and has one of the lowest power consumption ratings of any plasma display. I could not hear the unit running at all. Not even from a foot away. This is best in market.

The onscreen graphic user display on this plasma television is excellent and easy to use. There are options available for color temp adjustment, sharpness, color, picture, brightness, tint, and picture. There is a sound adjustment menu if you are using the built in 8 watt amplifiers from which the outputs are neatly placed on the lower right and lower left back of the unit. The five aspect ratios options include Zoom, Normal (for 4:3 picure), Full, Just (displays 4:3 picture at its maximum size but with aspect correction applied), Panasonic Auto (used to handle a mix of 16:9 and 4:3 programming). I like to adjust the color on almost any input signal I'm watching and I found the Panasonic's color adjustments for red, blue and green to be simple, straightforward and effective.

The monitor has plenty of inputs for all connection applications. S-video, composite video, audio L&R, a row of 5 BNC connections for component/RGB, a serial port, a 15 pin VGA, a DB25 tuner in connection, and the two speaker output terminals from the built in amps. The back bottom input cavity is conveniently located for wall mounting and accessibility. The newest and greatest feature to hit the plasma market in a year are the optional video terminal boards which can be purchased to assist any user with their individual set up. These include component terminal boards, composite terminal boards, and DVI/HDCP terminal boards. There is an optional empty slot in the Panasonic plasma to allow the user to simply unscrew 4 screws on the back of the unit, take off the black plate, and slide in an optional video terminal board. This allows the consumer or professional user to be able to view picture in picture or side by side picture from the plasma. A configuration might look like this:

HDTV Decoder/Tuner box output to optional component video board
An S-video cable run to the S-video terminal on the plasma from a satellite box
Another set of component video cable from DVD to existing component video input
This set up would allow the user to display side by side picture at the same time from Satellite and HDTV, and also optimize the set up for best possible picture. Note that some HDTV decoder boxes have DVI output or 15 in RGB output. Either way, the Panasonic plasma has the input terminal boards to accommodate, and this flexibility is an excellent addition. Cycle through the Multi PIP button on the remote then hit the select button then the input button to display PIP or Side by Side picture. Be sure to press the select button twice when necessary to change the input selection before depressing Input. The bezel/frame comes in a dark charcoal gray. It is straightforward sharp and updated next to its competitors with a wide black ribbon band framing the picture. The sleeker bezel is approximately one inch on all sides. The construction is solid, and the outputs allow for input cables to be easily hidden and routed out of the bottom of the unit. The unit is 3.5 inches in depth and around 69 pounds light. The remote control is a simple little device, easy to navigate with - unimpressive looking, but the onscreen menu more than makes up for it. With a new street price of around $2500 the new TH-42PWD6UY is probably the best buy in the market place. I have not come across a better one. The competing Korean and Taiwanese brands are the only plasma displays selling for less and do not compare quality-wise to the Japanese made Panasonic.