Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic PT40LC12 40" 16:9 Widescreen Projection LCD Display

I was searching for a HD-ready widescreen TV but was not ready to pay the [$$$] for a 42" plasma set. This came along in May ... with a price tag for less than [$$$]. It is HD-ready, 40", and has a matching stand available for it. The picture with non-HD TV is good, and you are able to either select either zoom, justify, or full to fill in the vertical and/or horizontals and fill-in the 16:9 screen with the 4:3 picture. With DVD, the picture is above average, and with an HD tuner hookup (over-the-air or DirecTV HDNET/HBOD) the picture is superb. I would rate the HD picture very close to plasma, and for the price, a better value at this time. As with all LCDs, the blacks are not pure black, but I don't watch a lot of space movies. HD sports is great due to the excellent color saturation it produces. LCDs also produce some motion artifact, and there is no exception here. I find it slightly annoying, but certainly not much worse than on plasma sets. A set definitely worth the money if you are interested in a widescreen, HD-ready set.

I've had this tv for over a month. (Also purchased the new Onkyo 950 home theater package to go with it.) While more than your average projection TV, this LCD rear-projection offers almost the same resolution as plasma. The delivery guys from Best-Buy brought it to my house and set it up had never seen one before. After we plugged it in and fired it up, both of them uttered, "wow" as the screen came alive. They had set up two plasma tvs for NASA in the past, and both of them througt this Panasonic was as good .... with a lot less hassle than a plasma.

Reactions from new viewers on DVDs is predictable: universal acclimation that it's a much. much better experience than in the theater. Stunning clarity: you will notice more visual details than in the theater.

It doesn't get any better than this, unless you're willing to fork over MUCH more money. Couldn't be happier.

I purchased this TV locally from BestBuy and absolutely love it. The picture clarity is just amazing. I can see the tiniest detail in movies that I never noticed in the theater due to the fantastic picture resolution. (I had planned to use the TV with my computer to edit pictures and make photo CDs, but I'm frightened at the prospect of seeing my face with that kind of detailed imaging.) I often watch programs on mute while I'm exercising. Even across the room I have no difficulty reading the closed captioning.

I also appreaciate how much less hassle the TV is than rear projection big screen TVs. No tuning at all, just turn it on.

I had some friends over for a movie night and one of them stated that it made his tv look like a radio in comparison. I would highly recommend this product.

I had previously owned an RCA F38310 HDTV which was nothing but trouble. I have had this set for almost 6 months now - bought it sight unseen from circuit city and have been thrilled with it. Works great with digital cable, DVD, PSX2 and terrestial HD signals(need an HD reciever) and High Def DirecTv - standard DirecTv was not so great (looked washed out) but I am dropping my subscription - I only used it for High def channels and I just got HD Cable which is fantastic (Discovery HD Theatre is awsome)!

the minor con -Speakers are not great but I'll bet if you are looking at this TV you already have or will get a quality surround sound system.

The bottom line with this set is the picture, this set is on par with entry level Plasma sets and well exceeds any standard rear projection tvs.

Absolutely no problems so far but if I have learned anything from my RCA HDTV purchase,always get a good warranty with in home service.

I love this set. I got a great deal that I couldn't pass up. This set is much lighter and smaller than the similar size CRT based displays. Great universal remote incorporates most functions of my cable box, DVD player and audio equipment. Only weighs 95 pounds - easy for 2 people to move without getting a hernia.

Great crisp picture in comparison to the CRT based models. Blacks are a bit weaker than CRTS when comparing side by side. This LCD set has a bulb that will cost $$$ to replace after 5,000 hours but that is still better than having to have a technician come in and align the 3 colors for the CRT type displays. The sound quality is good/marginal but if you are going to invest the $ in a HDTV set chances are you have a sound system with all the bells and whistles, subwoofers, surround speakers etc. I don't think anyone will argue that there are any TVs on the market that produce sounds to the extent of a good system. However the TV does make one sound a tiny bit louder than you might hope. The cooling fan for the projection display does make a noticeable background noise. Chances are you won't notice it if you aren't listening for it, but be warned it does make a small noise.
Check availability of HDTV in your neighborhood before purchasing it based upon getting HDTV signals. Chances are you don't need anything more than a HDTV monitor. (Which this is) Your cable provider will be able to tell you what they offer as well as provide you with a receiver/cable box for receiving the HDTV feeds anyways. Chances are there aren't many HDTV channels you can receive with an antenna anyways. Which the need for the cable boxes makes buying a set with a HDTV tuner really obsolete. I love this set and highly recommend it.