It has been a while since we posted, frankly, not much seemed to be happening in the home cinema market to excite us. However, this lovely screen is ticking all the boxes!
Yes, it comes with built in Freeview HD (through an aeriel) and Freesat HD (through your dish) and it is 3D ready too. I have a Humax freesat box, and they are really great. Unless you are mad about sport and watching endless repeats, I see little point in splashing out on the premium satellite television services.
Not only that, Panasonic Viera’s are fantastic screens, and this is currently (March 2011) retailing in Amazon for £1,110.00. Considering my old Hitachi 1080p was £1800 when I got it, and my Humax box about £130, this is a great price for an excellent screen with years of life in it.
You only get 2 pairs of 3D glasses included, so if you have a large family you will need to get some extra pairs of 3D glasses for those new Disney films!
VIERA CAST – Chat with people all over the world, just like in Star Trek!
One other funky feature on this tele is the built in Skype. You can have video conference calls with other friends and family that have Skype access without having to turn on your PC, or get up off the sofa!
If you have never used Skype, give it a go. Call quality is clearer than most land and mobile lines in the UK. I routinely chat to friends in Switzerland over Skype, and my wife calls Brazil several times a week, so that he parents can chat with their new grandchildren.
VIERA CAST you can enjoy online videos, photos, and more. You can also check sports, news, weather and stock information with an easy-to-use Web interface that’s built into the TV. What’s more, VIERA CAST’s assorted online content has new additions, including the remarkably popular SkypeTM and Twitter® applications. VIERA CAST not only offers unique web entertainment but also expands your forms of communication. No extra equipment required.
All this screen is really lacking is a record option. The good HD set top boxes also allow you to record direct to hard drive, which is a massive bonus and a lot more convenient than recording to tape or DVD. But if you can do without an internal recorder, then this TV is for you!
Available from Amazon: Panasonic Viera TX-P42VT20B