VIERA S30

Released 2011

A 2011 UK Full HD plasma series in 42- and 50-inch sizes with Freeview HD and VIERA Connect.

Sizes: 42–50″
Panel: Plasma
Refresh: –
HDR: None
HDMI 2.1: 0 of 3
Software: VIERA Connect

What reviewers say

AVForums and HDTVTest both praised the reviewed 42-inch S30B's deep blacks, accurate colour and quick gaming response for its price. Both noted some fluctuating brightness and imperfect 50 Hz handling. AVForums also found its basic screen filter weak against bright-room reflections.

From avforums.com and hdtvtest.co.uk

Specifications

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Display

Panel: Plasma
Panel detail: Panasonic's exact UK 42-inch and 50-inch manuals identify Full HD plasma panels. The 600 Hz sub-field processing claim is not a native frame refresh rate.
Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
HDR formats: None
Picture processing: True Cinema mode and Intelligent Frame Creation. Unlike the G30, the S30 has no user-accessible white-balance, gamma or colour-management controls.
Picture modes: Dynamic, Normal, Cinema, True Cinema and Game modes described in the UK manual.
Motion handling: The two full reviews report fast gaming response on their 42-inch UK review samples, while noting some 50 Hz artefacts and slight brightness fluctuations. These observations have not been verified on the 50-inch size.

Sizes

Sizes: 42, 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, with HDMI2 supporting Audio Return Channel. The exact 42-inch UK manual also lists one RGB SCART, component and composite inputs.

Smart TV and sound

Smart TV platform: VIERA Connect
Speakers: 20 W
Speaker detail: The 42-inch UK manual specifies two 160 × 40 mm speakers rated 10 W + 10 W. The 50-inch speaker construction was not verified separately.
Audio features: The 42-inch UK manual lists analogue stereo, optical digital audio and a 3.5 mm headphone socket.
Casting: VIERA Connect and DLNA over Ethernet; optional wireless LAN adaptor.
TV tuners: UK Freeview HD DVB-T2, DVB-T and PAL I analogue terrestrial tuning; no satellite tuner.
USB: Two USB 2.0 ports and SD card slot. The 42-inch UK manual describes media playback; no USB hard-drive recording claim is made here.
Ethernet: RJ45 Ethernet for VIERA Connect and DLNA services.
Optical audio out: The 42-inch UK manual lists optical PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS output.

Design and power

Size: The exact TX-P42S30B manual gives 1023 × 637 × 93 mm and 20 kg TV-only, or 1023 × 671 × 288 mm and 23 kg with pedestal. The 50-inch dimensions are omitted pending a verified exact figure.
Stand: Rectangular pedestal supplied.
Power use: Panasonic rates the TX-P42S30B at 255 W, with 0.30 W standby or 16 W with monitor-out recording. The 50-inch figure is omitted pending verification.
In the box: The 42-inch UK manual lists remote control, two batteries, pedestal and mains lead. Panasonic's UK 2011 tuner list identifies the separate TX-P42S30B and TX-P50S30B; an exact first-sale month has not been verified.

Sizes

Size	Model	Weight without stand
42″	TX-P42S30B	20 kg
50″	TX-P50S30B	–

Pros and cons

Pros

Full HD plasma panel and Freeview HD reception
Three HDMI inputs and VIERA Connect networking
True Cinema picture mode

Cons

No user-accessible colour calibration controls
No built-in wireless networking
No satellite tuner

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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