VIERA S20

Released 2010

A 2010 UK Full HD plasma series in 42-, 46- and 50-inch sizes with integrated Freeview HD.

Sizes: 42–50″
Panel: Plasma
Refresh: –
HDR: None
HDMI 2.1: 0 of 3
Software: None (no smart platform)

What reviewers say

HDTVTest and What Hi-Fi? both found the reviewed 50-inch S20B good value, with strong black levels, convincing HD pictures and sound Freeview HD reception. HDTVTest measured low gaming lag and praised colour accuracy, while What Hi-Fi? found less picture subtlety and weaker sound than the higher-range V20. Both noted the lack of internet TV features.

From hdtvtest.co.uk and whathifi.com

Specifications

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Display

Panel: Plasma
Panel detail: Panasonic's exact UK manual lists 1920 × 1080 pixels on all three sizes. The 600 Hz sub-field drive marketed for this generation is not native image refresh.
Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
HDR formats: None
Picture processing: NeoPDP panel with Intelligent Frame Creation. Picture controls are basic, without the higher-range THX mode or user-accessible advanced greyscale and colour controls.
Motion handling: HDTVTest measured 16 ms input lag in Game mode on its 50-inch UK review sample. This measured figure is not asserted for the other sizes.

Sizes

Sizes: 42, 46, 50″
Largest size: 50″

Gaming

HDMI ports: 3 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)
Variable refresh rate: None
HDMI detail: Three HDMI Type A inputs; HDMI1 and HDMI3 are version 1.3a, while HDMI2 adds HDMI 1.4 Audio Return Channel. Two SCART inputs, component and composite video are listed in the UK manual.

Smart TV and sound

Smart TV platform: None (no smart platform)
Speakers: 20 W
Speaker detail: Two 160 × 40 mm, 6-ohm speakers rated 10 W + 10 W.
Audio features: Optical PCM/Dolby Digital output, analogue RCA stereo output and 3.5 mm headphone socket.
Casting: No wireless or DLNA media streaming. The Ethernet socket does not add VIERA CAST online services.
TV tuners: UK DVB-T2 Freeview HD, DVB-T and PAL I analogue terrestrial; no satellite tuner.
USB: No USB socket is listed in Panasonic's UK specifications; an SD/SDXC card slot supports local photo and video media.
Ethernet: RJ45 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX is present, but neither VIERA CAST nor DLNA media streaming is provided.
Optical audio out: Optical PCM and Dolby Digital output.

Design and power

Size: Panasonic TV-only width × height × depth and weight: 42-inch 1029 × 661 × 93 mm, 23 kg; 46-inch 1132 × 722 × 93 mm, 26 kg; 50-inch 1218 × 769 × 93 mm, 29 kg. With pedestal: 1029 × 704 × 334 mm, 24.5 kg; 1132 × 767 × 401 mm, 28 kg; 1218 × 814 × 401 mm, 31 kg.
Stand: Circular pedestal supplied.
Power use: Panasonic rated consumption: 275 W (42-inch), 285 W (46-inch), 320 W (50-inch); standby 0.40 W, or 16 W with monitor-out recording.
In the box: Panasonic's manual includes a pedestal, remote, batteries and mains lead. The earliest exact UK on-sale month was not confirmed; released uses year precision.

Sizes

Size	Model	Weight without stand
42″	TX-P42S20B	23 kg
46″	TX-P46S20B	26 kg
50″	TX-P50S20B	29 kg

Pros and cons

Pros

Native 1920 × 1080 plasma panels across all three sizes
Freeview HD tuner and three HDMI inputs
HDMI Audio Return Channel on HDMI2

Cons

No VIERA CAST or network media streaming
No satellite tuner or user-accessible advanced calibration controls
SD card media playback but no USB input

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 G20	42–50″	Plasma	–	None	0 of 4	VIERA CAST	2010

Sources

Photo: hdtvtest.co.uk

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