wow 1024x768!!! Am I awake or is 1992?

I think this is the model my dad just bought. :/

No VGA input

great TV. better picture quality than most lcds out there but obviously thicker, heavier, and slightly more power hungry than them. sucks if you're gonna use it for a computer monitor via hdmi, but for movies its excellent. dont listen to morons who complain about resolution or 720p.

Absolutely, #4. It's still amazing how little people actually know, or complain about. A 42" Panny plasma for actual TV viewing at $495? I guess it doesn't brew coffee, take out the trash, etc., etc. How silly...

#4 and #5 ...

"I guess it doesn't brew coffee, take out the trash, etc., etc. How silly... "

... or produce a native computer monitor resolution equivalent or better to a standard pc display produced 10 years ago.

Agree with #1 and #3, skip it if you are a computer user who actually values any real estate on your screen. Even my old box CRTs push better resolutions.

Hmm... such a tempting price. There is a significant difference however, between the C1 and the X1 series. Looks like this is the lower end of the two with a slightly inferior contrast ratio (15K vs. 30K). It also has 4096 shades of gradation vs. the X1's 5120. Also fewer HDMI inputs, and lacks an anti-reflective screen coating. The two specs can be compared on Panny's site: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Televisions/All-VIERA-Flat-Panel-HDTVs/model.TC-P42XS11002_705702#tabsection and http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Televisions/All-VIERA-Flat-Panel-HDTVs/model.TC-P42CS11002_705702#tabsection

Just pull up two browser windows and compare specs side-by-side.

Nevertheless, the price is pretty good, and I'm not sure I (or the average Joe) could tell the difference in contrast ratios (the inputs don't matter to me, as I would use this as a bedroom TV).

Wonder if Amazon will start dropping their prices as the SuperBowl approaches.

Anyone have any input on whether the difference in the contrast ratios is noticeably visible to the average person?

you morons, CRTs have long been able to push a higher resolution than most lcds made today. Furthermore, those buying this probably are NOT buying it for a monitor, simply something to display video on. Get with the program you nay-sayers.

#8, well said.

A little Googling shows that this price is about what the unit was going for in the November 2009 timeframe. In fact, the slightly better TC-P42X1 (see my post #7) was going for the same price. So looks like pricing is good, but not "drop everything and buy it now" good.

Hopefully prices will drop prior to the SuperBowl, and we'll see "Black Friday" type pricing again.

I just hate what California sales tax and e-waste fee do to the final price!

Who the f*ck has a desk big enough (not to mention the need) for this to be used as a computer monitor? It's marketed as a TELEVISION...Jesus...not every TV is meant to also tempt you to use it as a monitor. At this price, stick it in the bedroom or thekid's room and STFU.

#10, time to leave Cali...

Exactly, #11..bacon's a freaking HDTV. It's not being marketed as a computer monitor. That said, I have a 37" Panasonic plasma about 4 years old now. No VGA port. 720P/1024x768 native (although 1024x768 has nothing to do with how a pc signal would resolve on it). I use a VGA-Component transcoder with Powerstrip to feed it the timings it needs. I have the laptop connected to it, and it's doing the functional equivalent of 1080i (960x514p). Looks absolutely fine in that mode. If you check at forums.entechtaiwan.com and my nic, you'll see the timings. Bottom line: This is an excellent HDTV for the money. No one's calling it a PC monitor.

Don't bother with the C series TVs. These are the bottom-of-the-iine Pannys with specs inferior to the rest of their TVs. Pay $50 or so more and get an X series TV.

Love my x series 42" Panny, but if I buy again, will need to handle 1080p for Blu-Ray... although the one I have does a wonderful job with Dish HD.

Next year's line-up has been announced, so it should just be a few weeks and we'll see them with prices... might want to hold out until then.

Costco is still stocking the x series 720p Panny's, with the same pricing they did in December. Checked yesterday.

#12: Tell me about it! 9.75% sales tax, and a $25 e-waste fee!

#15: It is not required to have 1080 for your BluRay. I have a TC-P50X1 (720p) with a BluRay player and it works fine. I compared the Panny against a 1080 at the store and couldn't see any significant difference (if any at all)... and this was with BD source material. At 5+ feet from the screen, the issue becomes even more moot. Of course the 1080 is preferable, but not at a difference of $200+ (at least not for me).

Also, #15, the Costco models are X15 (or something like that). If you look at the specs at Costco, you'll see they more closely match those of the C series (contrast ratio, etc) than the X1.

kcfong2 -

Haven't compared 720p to 1080p lately... but most can't see the difference, thus you're correct. Also why I bought the 720p when I did.

Yes, the Costco model (X14) has a mix of specs of the X1 and C1, but weighs the same as the X1, as well as has the same rated power consumption, so I'm inclined to think it has more in common with the X1. It's a moot point, as the new models should be arriving soon.

Oh, and I pay 5.5% sales tax... but you should see my property tax bill!