Panasonic PT-40LC12 40 in. HDTV LCD TV

Pros: Beautiful picture, lighter and smaller than other projection televisions.
Cons: Blacks and detail not as good as other sets, only two component inputs.

This is a television for the masses, not the high-end user. If you are willing to compromise on picture, and some space, then it is an good HDTV solution. This is an LCD projection television and is designed for widescreen programming. Normally when ...

Pros: Great picture quality. No burn-in. Good sound quality. Very light in weight.
Cons: Blacks are not the deepest - that's the nature of LCD projection though.

I have had this tv since February 2003 (nearly 3 years) and we watch it a lot (at least 2 hours a day). I have not had to replace the bulb yet. However, I believe it may have to do with the fact that I run it through a UPS - a battery backup, rather than ...

Pros: Clarity, Clarity, Clarity! Did I mention Clarity?
Cons: Horrible blacks...

I really can't recommend this TV enough. Honestly. I've had friends with other HDTV sets that are ...

Pros: Sharp, bright, shallow, and light.
Cons: Horrid black levels and noisy fans.

The PT-40LC12 looked like the happy ending to my home theater TV quest. I have a small space set aside for a viewing area and most CRT "tube" TVs and rear projection TVs are nearly two feet deep. I wanted a widescreen high-definition ready monitor, that...

Pros: Widescreen viewing, brighter picture and better resolution than standard Projection TVs. Only 17" deep.
Cons: Lamp requires replacing every 5000 hours. Technology for LCD panel still early in refinement.

I went out searching for the largest TV that would fit in a Space 40" wide by 24" deep. I liked the plasma TVs but did not want to spend the high prices. This Panasonic Projection TV seemed to fit what I wanted. I was unfamiliar with the projection...

Pros: Nice picture, good sound.
Cons: Short projection lamp life, viewing angles (must watch it pretty much head on)

This tv was great for about 3 years, after which time it died. If you do a search on the internet, you will find that this tv has a projection lamp that needs replacement every 10,000 hours (per Panasonic). Lots of people claim that the lamp life does not even come close to that. Panasonic also has had an issue with other lcd projection tvs and even settled a class action law suit for some models (not this one).
I'm not going to do a full review of this unit as I recomend that you do not buy it. If you do, then prepare to replace the projection lamp on regular basis at a cost of around $300.00

Pros: Has a very nice matching stand.
Cons: Need I say more? This is a nightmare to keep the set working.

If you want an expensive set to repair, then this is for you!
Panasonic flopped on this one. I have replaced the lamp three times now and at a cost of $365 w/shipping I can't afford to replace it again. Wonder if it would make a good aquarium? Now, I am going to replace with a plasma since the prices have come down but it won't be a Panasonic! And for the record, if you want to be frustrated just try to deal with their customer service. They are farmed out to the Philippines and they are very hard to understand. You will go around and round and then told to call another number only to be directed to call the Phillippines again! Go figure! I guess they figure if you get frustrated enough that you will give up!

Pros: The set looks great and gives a nice HDTV picture.
Cons: The sound system includes effective surround sound but is otherwise mediocre.

I own this set for 2 years and find it a good HDTV set. It has functioned flawlessly.
I recommend getting a service contract IF it includes replacing the lamp (a very expensive maintenance issue).
I love the way it looks and I love having a good HDTV picture at a moderate price. The Rear projection does make viewing from a sharp angle unappealing at best.
The HDTV picture is quite good however the LCD format does produce blurring during close-up viewing of sports.

Pros: Good Picture and space saving design.
Cons: Way too costly to maintain.

What could have been a great TV, is now one that will cost thousands to maintain over the years. The lamps are only good for less than a thousand hours, not the 5,000 that Panasonic claims. I have put in my third bulb in about two years. It is no laughing matter that these lamps cost $300.00 each. I have contacted Panasonic many times to complain and ask that they help me out in some way but I get no response.

Pros: Picture, ease of use, flexibility
Cons: Reliability, technical support

I purchased the PT-40LC12 in late 2002 since then have had to replace the lamp twice at a cost of $300 each and the lamp ballast at $1,000. Panasonic claims life expectancy of the lamps to be 5,000 hours, but my experience has been about half that.

With the latest problem, Panasonic technical support was not helpful at all -- after a 30 minute wait for a technical representative, I was told to go to an authorized repair center (50 miles away). The tech. at the repair center knew immediately the problem (and also had two other Panasonic LCD sets in for the same type of repair). Subsequent calls to Panasonic technical support resulted in long waits on hold (25, 26 and 47 minutes respectively).

I have no complaints about the quality of the picture, but I am concerned about the lack of tech. support and the fact that Panasonic appears to be ignoring a known problem with reliability.

Pros: Great picture and sound
Cons: To the landfill on 30 months.

I have owned this TV for 30 months replace the lamp twice at $300. each and now have been told by the repair facility which has had the set for two months that it will cost 1900.00 to repair. Ballast, boards and Lamp Engine are all fried. I don't know why, it way hooked up to a state of the art monster surge protector.
Apparently there is a major design flaw with this set that Panasonic is unwilling to admit.
I think a two thousand dollar television should last more than 30 months. This one is now headed to the landfill after I retrieve my $300. lamp from it's dead carcass.

Pros: HDTV quality is good, "That It" other channels average
Cons: Life of the replacement lamp and the cost for a new lamp.

I had this TV for 2 and half years and I'm going thru my third replacement lamp. The manual said that the replacement lamp will last you 5000 hour. The replacement lamp cost around $300.00 plus shipping(very expensive for less than 5000 hours of lamp life). overall for the price I paid for this TV considering the replacement lamp, you are better off getting a plasma TV.

Pros: Good picture, good functionality, great looks
Cons: No sleep timer, horrible lamp life, expensive to maintain, filter is too fragile

I purchased this TV in 8/03 and am going on my THIRD lamp since the purchase! I paid $400 for a warranty that doesn't cover this part and have spent now a total of $800 on lamps, I'm frustrated about the situation/issue, but other wise I'm happy with the looks/productivity of the TV. Had I known it would cost so much and be so much like raising a child I would have NEVER bought the TV. I use my TV often because it dubs as my computer monitor, but I shouldn't have to pay so much to replace the lamp, I'm hoping that some aftermarket lamps come out soon because the cost of the lamp is getting out of control, I'm also worried about the lamp becoming obsolete...

Pros: Great picture
Cons: Ridiculous cost of replacement parts

Have had the TV for 1 year -- great system! BUT, now every time I turn it on it tells me to replace the lamp. No problem...I research how to get the lamp unit (which needs to be replaced every 5000 hours according to Panasonic), and discover it will cost me $300! You have got to be kidding me!
Pretty sneaky Panasonic...wish that little tidbit of info was revealed when I was purchasing the system. Never again!

Thank you Panasonic! This TV is absolutely phenomenal in every aspect! I went to at least 10 different stores and looked at every television on the retail market. This LCD/projection hybrid was the first television to catch my eye and the one that I took home after a month of searching. Let's start with clarity. The LCD technology, combined with a great comb filter and an enhanced progressive scan feature, all result in a picture that jumps out at you no matter what your connection is or what angle your viewing from. Look at how crisp lettering and onscreen logos are. Look at how the set never needs to adjust it's focus, much unlike some of the tube televisions (Sony XBR for example). Also, you don't have to worry about those fuzzy black lines that appear in between program shifts, because LCDs spare you that annoyance. I'm viewing basic cable and it's hard to imagine a better picture.