VIERA VT30

Released 2011

A 2011 Full HD 3D plasma TV family with UK 42–65-inch sizes, VIERA Connect and four HDMI inputs.

Model history · 2 models, 2010–2011

2010VIERA VT20 Compare
2011VIERA VT30

Sizes: 42–65″
Panel: Plasma
Refresh: –
HDR: None
HDMI 2.1: 0 of 4
Software: VIERA Connect

What reviewers say

What Hi-Fi?’s 50-inch and TechRadar’s 55-inch reviews praise deep blacks, detailed pictures and convincing 3D with little crosstalk. What Hi-Fi? likes the punchy image and motion; TechRadar finds brightness limited in bright rooms and some 50 Hz judder. Both consider sound respectable but less impressive than the pictures.

From whathifi.com and techradar.com

Specifications

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Display

Panel: Plasma
Panel detail: UK Full HD 3D plasma series in 42, 50, 55 and 65 inches. Advertised 600 Hz subfield drive is not a native refresh figure; native refresh is omitted. Active-shutter 3D and two eyewear sets included on the read UK42/50 manual.
Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
HDR formats: None
Picture processing: NeoPlasma, Infinite Black Pro and High Contrast Filter Pro; THX and ISF calibration controls documented in both exact reviews.
Motion handling: 600 Hz Sub-Field Drive and Intelligent Frame Creation are processing/drive descriptions, not native panel refresh. TechRadar's 55-inch review reports 50 Hz judder, improved with IFC Mid.

Sizes

Sizes: 42, 50, 55, 65″
Largest size: 65″

Gaming

HDMI ports: 4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)
Variable refresh rate: None
HDMI detail: Four HDMI inputs; HDMI2 supports ARC. HDMI 3D, Content Type, Deep Colour and x.v.Colour; HDAVI Control 5. UK42/50 manual lists 1080p 50/60/24 input support, distinct from native refresh. Component, composite and RGB SCART via included terminal adaptors.

Smart TV and sound

Smart TV platform: VIERA Connect
Speakers: 22 W
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), included USB adaptor
Speaker detail: UK42/50 manual confirms 6 W + 6 W front speakers and 10 W woofer, 22 W total; 50-inch What Hi-Fi? review agrees. Untested larger-size amplifier differences not inferred.
Audio features: Dolby Digital Plus/Dolby Pulse decoders, CONEQ processing; optical PCM/Dolby Digital/DTS and analogue audio/headphone output.
Casting: VIERA Connect internet-service gateway; manual says no full browser. Apps may be discontinued without notice; launch-era services are not a promise of current compatibility.
Software updates: Maker UK firmware 1.610 dated 23 June 2020 improved network applications; YouTube/Skype service termination notices include VT30 regional models.
TV tuners: UK DVB-T/T2 and DVB-S/S2, Freeview HD and Freesat HD, analogue PAL I and CI slot. Manual distinguishes UK and Ireland terrestrial standards.
USB: Three USB 2.0 ports; USB HDD and SD-card recording, media playback, USB keyboard/gamepad and included Wi-Fi adaptor.
Ethernet: RJ45 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX; DLNA media playback.
Optical audio out: Fibre-optic digital audio output via included adaptor.

Design and power

Size: UK42-inch without pedestal: 1018 × 630 × 50 mm, 23.5 kg; with: 1018 × 664 × 320 mm, 27 kg. UK50-inch without pedestal: 1202 × 733 × 50 mm, 31 kg; with: 1202 × 768 × 335 mm, 35 kg. Configuration weights exclude pedestal; larger-size values omitted after bounded maker attempt.
Power use: Rated: 350 W (42-inch), 410 W (50-inch). Standby 0.30 W or 30 W with monitor-out recording. These are rated values, not reviewer-measured use.
In the box: UK42/50 pedestal, N2QAYB000593 remote/R6 batteries, USB wireless LAN adaptor, two active-shutter eyewear sets, clampers/ferrites and terminal adaptors. Maker 2011 releases planned regional April/May and July/August availability; actual earliest on-sale month remains unverified after bounded hunt, so release uses 2011.

Sizes

Size	Model	Weight without stand
42″	TX-P42VT30B	23.5 kg
50″	TX-P50VT30B	31 kg
55″	TX-P55VT30B	–
65″	TX-P65VT30B	–

Pros and cons

Pros

Full HD active-shutter 3D
Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners
Four HDMI inputs with ARC

Cons

No HDR
No 4K input
Legacy internet services depend on provider support

Closest rivals

Model	Sizes	Panel	Refresh	HDR	HDMI 2.1	Software	Released
PanasonicVIERA ST50	42–65″	Plasma	–	None	0 of 3	VIERA Connect	Mar 2012
PanasonicVIERA VT50	50–65″	Plasma	–	None	0 of 4	VIERA Connect	2012
PanasonicVIERA VT60	50–65″	Plasma	–	None	0 of 3	my Home Screen	2013

Previous model: VIERA VT20. Newer model: VIERA VT50.

Sources

Photo: Panasonic official support photograph of the US 55-inch TC-P55VT30; regional configuration shown, supplied white canvas and screen artwork retained.

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