Panasonic TX-P42S20B review

Freeview HD-packing plasma TV that hits the sweet spot

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Panasonic TX-P42520
This is Panasonic's first Freeview HD set, but make sure you can receive a signal before buying

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freeview hd

Even when pushed hard by an action scene, the P42S20's reliable speakers keep sounding open and clear, with intelligible vocals, good detailing and no distortion. The soundstage enjoys a decent amount of width, too, helping you become more immersed in the action.

A little more bass is needed before we could raise the sound score to a five, but it's a good all-round effort nonetheless that's come a pleasingly long way from the extremely average sonics Panasonic's plasma TVs commonly suffered with in the past.

Value

We can't ignore the fact that full HD 40-42in TVs of real quality and longer feature lists are now available for considerably less than the P42S20's near-£1000 asking price. However, you also can't ignore the P42S20's key built-in Freeview HD tuner, LCD-bashing viewing angle properties and the fact that it can look better than the vast majority of rival 42in screens when showing dark HD scenes...

John Archer
John Archer
AV Technology Contributor

John has been writing about home entertainment technology for more than two decades - an especially impressive feat considering he still claims to only be 35 years old (yeah, right). In that time he’s reviewed hundreds if not thousands of TVs, projectors and speakers, and spent frankly far too long sitting by himself in a dark room.