Panasonic's TH-42PX60U is a 42-inch plasma HDTV that looks as good off as it does on. The slim silver cabinet has stereo speakers built in below the wide-format screen, and the removable pedestal stand allows you to mount the monitor on the wall. Front-panel composite video/S-video inputs make it quick and convenient to connect an occasional component such as a video game console or camcorder.

The picture is the star on this plasma HDTV, which has a native resolution of 1,024X768 and an excellent contrast ratio of 10,000:1. Deep blacks and bright whites highlight the crisp images, and colors are very lifelike. A motion-adaptive 3-D Y/C digital comb filter reduces dot crawl and hanging dots, and the TH-42PX60U has video noise reduction to further improve the picture.

The stereo speakers are rated at 10 watts of audio output per channel, and the audio options include simulated surround sound. Inserting your digital camera's SD card into the memory card slot activates a photo viewer. Other convenience features include channel and input labeling, a sleep timer and parental V-chip controls. Unfortunately, unlike many competing models, this plasma HDTV does not have PIP or POP functions.

In addition to the front inputs, the TH-42PX60U offers a number of useful rear inputs and outputs, including two composite video inputs, two S-video inputs, two component video inputs, two HDMI digital-to-digital inputs, a composite video output and an optical digital audio output. It doesn't have a PC input, however, and it also lacks a CableCARD slot. The included remote control is a universal model.

Despite the lack of certain important features, the TH-42PX60U does a great job delivering a high-quality picture and can easily serve as the center of a home theater system.

Pros: Excellent picture, sleek good looks
Cons: No PC input, no PIP functions, no CableCARD slot

Warranty
1 year parts and labor, 2 years screen glass