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Panasonic TC-P42X1 Quick Take

CNET did not review the Panasonic TC-P42X1, but we did review a larger model in the series.

David Katzmaier Editorial Director -- Personal Tech
David reviews TVs and leads the Personal Tech team at CNET, covering mobile, software, computing, streaming and home entertainment. We provide helpful, expert reviews, advice and videos on what gadget or service to buy and how to get the most out of it.
Expertise A 20-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. Prior to CNET he worked at Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. He is known to two people on Twitter as the Cormac McCarthy of consumer electronics. Credentials
  • Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
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David Katzmaier

CNET did not review the 42-inch Panasonic TC-P42X1, but we did review a larger model in the series, the 50-inch TC-P50X1. The two plasma HDTVs are identical but for screen size and native resolution--the 50-inch model has a resolution of 1,366x768, whereas the 42-incher's resolution is 1,024x768--although both are called "720p" (more info). We don't expect that resolution difference to have a major effect on picture quality.

In our review of the 50-inch model we did notice a pattern of faint gray lines across the screen. Unfortunately, since we didn't review the 42-inch model yet, we have no way of knowing whether it also shows the lines. Other than that, we expect the review of the 50-inch model to provide a good indication of how the 42-incher will perform.

For more information, please refer to the full review of the Panasonic TC-P50X1.