VIERA G20

Released 2010

A 2010 UK Full HD plasma series in 42-, 46- and 50-inch sizes, adding Freeview HD, VIERA CAST and USB recording.

Model history · 2 models, 2009–2010

2009VIERA G10 Compare
2010VIERA G20

Sizes: 42–50″
Panel: Plasma
Refresh: –
HDR: None
HDMI 2.1: 0 of 4
Software: VIERA CAST

What reviewers say

HDTVTest and What Hi-Fi? both praise the 42-inch G20's deep blacks, rich HD images, and combination of Freesat and Freeview HD reception. HDTVTest finds more accurate calibrated colour and cleaner standard-definition scaling than G10, though it still criticises interlaced film processing and flimsy sound. What Hi-Fi? considers the sound acceptable but judges the set expensive against its best rivals.

From hdtvtest.co.uk and whathifi.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Display

Panel: Plasma
Panel detail: Panasonic's UK TX-P42G20B, TX-P46G20B and TX-P50G20B manual specifies native Full HD NeoPDP plasma panels. The marketed 600 Hz sub-field drive is not the native image refresh rate, which remains unpublished.
Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
HDR formats: None
Picture processing: Panasonic's second-generation NeoPDP panel, Intelligent Frame Creation, Resolution Enhancer and advanced white-balance, gamma and colour-management controls. The THX picture mode is certified; the 600 Hz sub-field drive is marketing for the panel drive rather than native frame refresh.
Picture modes: Dynamic, Normal, Cinema, THX, Game and Photo where input-appropriate; ISFccc setup unlocks Professional 1 and 2 with per-input calibration settings.
Motion handling: HDTVTest measured 900 lines of motion resolution with Intelligent Frame Creation off and 1080 with it on, but saw some ball shimmer during sports. It found 1080p/24 playback free of telecine judder. These are measurements of the reviewed 42-inch set, not a native refresh specification.

Sizes

Sizes: 42, 46, 50″
Largest size: 50″

Gaming

HDMI ports: 4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)
Variable refresh rate: None
HDMI detail: Four HDMI Type A inputs; HDMI2 supports Audio Return Channel under HDMI 1.4, and all support VIERA Link HDAVI Control 5. Two RGB SCART inputs, component video and D-sub PC input also appear in the UK manual.

Smart TV and sound

Smart TV platform: VIERA CAST
Speakers: 20 W
Speaker detail: Two 120 × 35 mm, 6-ohm speakers with 10 W + 10 W output.
Audio features: Optical PCM/Dolby Digital output, analogue RCA stereo output and 3.5 mm headphone socket; HDMI2 supports ordinary ARC, not eARC.
Casting: DLNA media playback and VIERA CAST internet services; optional DY-WL10E-K wireless LAN adaptor, with no built-in Wi-Fi claimed.
Software updates: Broadcast and network service updates described in the UK manual; VIERA CAST app availability may have changed since release.
TV tuners: UK Freesat HD DVB-S/S2 satellite, Freeview HD DVB-T2 terrestrial, DVB-T and PAL I analogue UHF tuners.
USB: Two USB 2.0 ports for media and encrypted TV recording to a registered external USB hard drive; SD card slot also supports media.
Ethernet: RJ45 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX for Freesat, DLNA and VIERA CAST network services.
Optical audio out: Optical PCM and Dolby Digital output.

Design and power

Size: Panasonic TV-only dimensions, width × height × depth: 42-inch 1029 × 654 × 82 mm, 20.5 kg; 46-inch 1132 × 722 × 82 mm, 24 kg; 50-inch 1218 × 769 × 82 mm, 26 kg. With supplied pedestal: 1029 × 693 × 308 mm, 23.5 kg; 1132 × 761 × 335 mm, 27 kg; 1218 × 808 × 335 mm, 29 kg respectively.
Stand: Pedestal supplied; optional TY-WK4P1RW wall bracket.
Power use: Panasonic rated power consumption: 290 W (42-inch), 300 W (46-inch), 335 W (50-inch); standby 0.40 W without monitor-output recording or 32 W with it.
Colours: Gloss black bezel with a dark-blue appearance under some lighting, as HDTVTest observed.
In the box: N2QAYB000490 remote, two R6 batteries, pedestal, cable clamper, mains lead, two ferrite cores, instructions and registration leaflet. HDTVTest reported UK retailer warehouse arrivals and online orders on 26 February 2010; contemporary coverage said shipments would begin in March. Exact first delivery month is unverified, so released uses year precision.

Sizes

Size	Model	Weight without stand
42″	TX-P42G20B	20.5 kg
46″	TX-P46G20B	24 kg
50″	TX-P50G20B	26 kg

Pros and cons

Pros

Native 1920 × 1080 NeoPDP panel in all UK sizes
Integrated Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners
Four HDMI inputs, USB recording and calibration controls

Cons

Optional adaptor required for wireless networking
Film-mode deinterlacing drew criticism
Down-firing speakers limit stereo separation

Closest rivals

Model	Sizes	Panel	Refresh	HDR	HDMI 2.1	Software	Released
LGPG6000	42–50″	Plasma	–	None	0 of 4	None (no smart platform)	Apr 2008
PanasonicVIERA G10	42–50″	Plasma	–	None	0 of 3	None (no smart platform)	2009
PanasonicVIERA G30	42–50″	Plasma	–	None	0 of 4	VIERA Connect	Mar 2011

Previous model: VIERA G10.

Sources

Photo: hdtvtest.co.uk

Spot a mistake? Tell us