42" Panasonic VIERA TC-L42E5 LED HDTV / IPS / Full HD / Wi-Fi Ready / Movie Apps - $399 + tax (Free Shipping)

Amazon will price match this under their TV price match guarantee. Just order it, then speak with someone in their "large items" customer service department and they will credit you back the price difference. Even though Paul's TV is a lesser known vendor, I had no problem doing this match a couple of days ago. This is a much better route for folks who don't have to pay tax with amazon.

Quote from elecrobento : The problem is that you're trying to use a USB adapter on this TV. All wifi-ready TV's require a specific adapter. What a bridge or the "universal" wifi adapters do is connect to your wifi network and translate it over to Ethernet, which any TV with an Ethernet port will be able to use.

I see what you are saying. I had assumed the link I quoted pointed to wifi adapters. Looks like you do need some sort of bridge device that can capture the wifi signal and then allow you to plug your TV into it via Ethernet.

So, why do wifi-ready TVs require a specific adapater? What are they doing that blocks regular adapters? My WDTV works great with pretty much any cheap adapter. Why couldn't they make the TV work that way (other than cutting into profits in selling a $60 adapter).

Quote from lexluthor : So, why do wifi-ready TVs require a specific adapater? What are they doing that blocks regular adapters? My WDTV works great with pretty much any cheap adapter. Why couldn't they make the TV work that way (other than cutting into profits in selling a $60 adapter).

It's pretty much that simple. Most people who want to use the smart features will assume that there's no other way to enable them but to buy the OEM adapter.

That, and introducing a bunch of different drivers into the TV operating system would cause some issues, leading to an increased cost for technical support. If they only have to support one adapter which was specifically designed for the TV, it eliminates quite a bit of overhead. I've worked a lot of technical support in my life and this reason is pretty damn legitimate.

quote from an amazon review

"Specifically chose this model despite higher cost because of the Viera Connect feature that claims to allow access to YouTube and other web content. Spent over a half an hour on Panasonic support line only to learn that this particular model allows access only to paid content. It does not include Viera Connect despite what some reviews and specs say. If this feature is important to you, keep looking. "

Quote from gxnickb : quote from an amazon review "Specifically chose this model despite higher cost because of the Viera Connect feature that claims to allow access to YouTube and other web content. Spent over a half an hour on Panasonic support line only to learn that this particular model allows access only to paid content. It does not include Viera Connect despite what some reviews and specs say. If this feature is important to you, keep looking. "

Yeah, the lack of Viera connect is mentioned on the Panasonic website.

However, having the E50 which has Youtube, for instance, I can tell you for sure you're not missing anything. The app barely works and doesn't allow you to view most of the content anyway.

Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon video work just fine though (aside from the Netflix app flashing black for a second every now and then while watching a video), and I think those are available on the E5.

I don't recommend any "Smart TV" features though. It's much more reliable and useful to use an HTPC ($100-$150) or WDTV ($50).

I use a Plex server on my PC to stream all sorts of "channels" (as well as videos on my PC) to my TC-L42E50. Took some time to tweak it right, but works pretty well now. I can stream Apple Movie Trailers, Youtube, CNet, TED Talks, Revision 3, CBS, ABC, etc.

Quote from kls629 : I pulled the trigger on this over the 42" samsung plasma cause this is 1080p and no need for glare on plasma

displays under 50" are very hard to discern 1080P unless sitting less than 2 feet away...and of course watching a blu ray disc

then the other part
The samsung plasma will absolutely have better color accuracy and screen uniformity, better motion control...and if you sit close and at an angle, far better off angle viewing capability

Quote from lexluthor : I use a Plex server on my PC to stream all sorts of "channels" (as well as videos on my PC) to my TC-L42E50. Took some time to tweak it right, but works pretty well now. I can stream Apple Movie Trailers, Youtube, CNet, TED Talks, Revision 3, CBS, ABC, etc.

Is that from your WDTV?

Quote from turnne : displays under 50" are very hard to discern 1080P unless sitting less than 2 feet away...and of course watching a blu ray disc

Hmm...maybe I'm weird, but it's pretty super easy to discern the difference between a 720p and 1080p display from well over 2 feet, even on those below 50"...

Quote from New_World : IPS panel. those that know...know. great deal PERIOD because of IPS.

not sure that an IPS panel really means much

LG and Pansonic models both have inferior picture quality that have IPS panels

Quote from elecrobento : Is that from your WDTV?

No, Plex is installed on my PC. I can stream from the PC to either my TV or WDTV box which is connected to a different (non-smart) TV.

Quote from elecrobento : Is that from your WDTV? Hmm...maybe I'm weird, but it's pretty super easy to discern the difference between a 720p and 1080p display from well over 2 feet, even on those below 50"...

well you have some incredible vision....and it makes me wonder if you are looking at 2 Tv's of similar picture quality when you do your comparisons

Quote from lexluthor : No, Plex is installed on my PC. I can stream from the PC to either my TV or WDTV box which is connected to a different (non-smart) TV.

Oh, yeah that's what I meant. I just have a desktop connected to my TV. I live in a small apartment though, so there's no real need to transmit media to or from anywhere.

Quote from turnne : not sure that an IPS panel really means much LG and Pansonic models both have inferior picture quality that have IPS panels

?
Panasonic Vieras are sought after precisely for their IPS panels

Then again, tastes differ. Wouldn't surprise me if people who go for the Galaxy line of smartphones would eat up a Samsung Super AMOLED HDTV with extra color saturation.

Quote from SlickPickSlim : ? Panasonic Vieras are sought after precisely for their IPS panels Then again, tastes differ. Wouldn't surprise me if people who go for the Galaxy line of smartphones would eat up a Samsung Super AMOLED HDTV with extra color saturation.

?

and their Plasmas..UT/ST/VT are on 90% of the top 5 lists I have seen for picture quality in 2012

I have not seen any of their LED/LCD products on ANY of those lists
My eyes would agree

Then again..like you say tastes differ..lol.....