Panasonic S2 Series 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Panasonic’s VIERA S2 series of 1080p, Full HD, plasma HDTVs has headline features including; VIERA Link, VIERA Image Viewer, 600Hz Sub-field Drive, 3 HDMI inputs and a PC input. The S2 has the brilliant colors, deep blacks and a large dynamic contrast ratio (2 million : 1) associated with plasma HDTVs. Notably, this plasma HDTV has Panasonic’s latest NeoPDP plasma display design which is very energy efficient compared to other plasma HDTVs and even some LCD HDTVs.

Panasonic S2 series 1080p plasma HDTV

The VIERA S2 series consists of six models from 42 to 65 inches and includes; a 65 inch TC-P65S2, 58 inch TC-P58S2, 54 inch TC-P54S2, 50 inch TC-P50S2, 46 inch TC-P46S2 and a 42-inch TC-P42S2.

Panasonic NeoPDP Plasma Display Construction

The 2010 Panasonic plasma HDTV models are the first to benefit from design input from plasma HDTV engineers previously with Pioneer. As mentioned, the S2 plasma HDTVs have Panasonic’s second generation NeoPDP plasma displays. Panasonic has managed to quadruple the luminous efficiency of it’s plasma panels compared to 2007 models thereby yielding an energy consumption reduction of a truly significant 75%. In fact Panasonic was named as the 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products.

While the Panasonic S2 series displays are of NeoPDP design they are not the Infinte Black Panel Pro displays of the VT25 and VT20 3D models. Design and feature improvements which have been included are; dispensing with the second front glass panel, a new anti-glare filter, improved blur reduction and a re-engineered panel scanning system. Panasonic’s Neo Plasma Display Panel is capable of displaying 1080 lines of motion resolution. Unlike LCD HDTVs you don’t get get a loss of screen resolution with fast moving scenes. Read our technology guide on 600Hz Sub-field Drives .

The S2 series panel design has been simplified with just two sheets of glass, instead of three. The new arrangement increases contrast and reduces internal reflections. A new anti-reflective coating bonded to the top glass sheet is responsible for the significant reduction in reflected glare from external light sources. Plasma display burn-in or image retention is fairly much a thing of the past and to further reduce the possibility Panasonic have a Pixel Orbiter function.

The depth of the S2 displays is about 3.7 inches compared to depths of about one inch for edge-lit LED LCD displays. In some situations a reduced profile provides greater set-up flexibility.

Backlight Uniformity

Because plasma panels are self illuminating they have a solid lighting uniformity advantage over LCD HDTVs. LCD panels rely on a light guide behind the LCD surface to evenly spread backlighting over the whole of the LCD panel.

Like all Plasma TVs the S2 series has excellent viewing angles compared to LCD HDTVs.

VIRA Link

Panasonic HDTVs all have VIERA Link technology which utilises HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) and allows the operation of all VIERA Link compatible A/V components using only the TV’s remote control to navigate on-screen menus.

VIRA Image Viewer

The Image Viewer allows users to view their images (JPEG) and MPEG2/AVCHD videos on a large HDTV screen from an SD flash memory placed in the available slot (no USB port on this model). AVCHD is a format for recording and playback of high definition video jointly developed by Sony and Panasonic.

Audio

Panasonic S2 models have twin 20W speakers which can deliver a surround sound effect. The new High Definition 3D Sound technology included is BBE ViVA, which integrates a 3D enhancement effect with BBE High Definition Sound. ViVA creates an authentic and exciting 3D sound effect from stereo speakers while preserving the clarity, definition, presence and texture for which BBE High Definition Sound is acclaimed. See the fact sheet in Resources section below for more detail.