Rating: 
Summary: Expensive to maintain, poor technical support
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice set...
Review: After ten months of being over-joyed with this set, my projection lamp burned out after about 1/3 of the time it was supposed to last. Needless to say, my opinion changed quickly. However, the Panasonic service people were accommodating and for the most part courteous and helpful; so I got my replacement lamp in little over a week. The set is still under warranty, so there was no charge. I really do enjoy this set. I just want it to work. If there are problems with the projection lamps, I think replacements should be made VERY accessible.
Rating:
Summary: Great picture, but high maintenance
Review: Aside from having to clean the air filter frequently, I've had this TV less that a year and the lamp has burned out.
The set is light weight, the picture is great, but the amount of up keep is extremely disappointing. I wish I would have known this before purchasing.
Rating: 
Summary: LOVE THIS tv
Review: I had previously owned an RCA F38310 HDTV which was nothing but trouble. I have had this set for almost 6 months now - bought it sight unseen from circuit city and have been thrilled with it. Works great with digital cable, DVD, PSX2 and terrestial HD signals(need an HD reciever) and High Def DirecTv - standard DirecTv was not so great (looked washed out) but I am dropping my subscription - I only used it for High def channels and I just got HD Cable which is fantastic (Discovery HD Theatre is awsome)! the minor con -Speakers are not great but I'll bet if you are looking at this TV you already have or will get a quality surround sound system. The bottom line with this set is the picture, this set is on par with entry level Plasma sets and well exceeds any standard rear projection tvs. Absolutely no problems so far but if I have learned anything from my RCA HDTV purchase,always get a good warranty with in home service.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed with life of lamp
Review: I have had the Panasonic PT40LC12 40" 16:9 Widescreen Projection LCD Display for 26 months now. I am currently waiting on Circuit City to replace the 2nd lamp in the unit. After the first lamp one went out within 12 months, I bought another extended warranty after the original 24 month warranty had expired. It wasn't a month later that the 2nd lamp has now gone out.
It looks as though they are going to require replacing every year, which will be very expensive to maintain. Even though the unit has a great picture, I have found the maintenance problems to not be worth the purchase. Also, it has taken Circuit City over 1 week since first calling them and I still haven't got the unit repaired.
I would not buy one of these again and especially from Circuit City.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Pixel
Review: I like everything about this tv but a bad pixel in first week makes me a little nervous about the lifespan of this new expensive technology.
Rating:
Summary: BEST ON THE MARKET
Review: I love this set. I got a great deal that I couldn't pass up. This set is much lighter and smaller than the similar size CRT based displays. Great universal remote incorporates most functions of my cable box, DVD player and audio equipment. Only weighs 95 pounds - easy for 2 people to move without getting a hernia. Great crisp picture in comparison to the CRT based models. Blacks are a bit weaker than CRTS when comparing side by side. This LCD set has a bulb that will cost $$$ to replace after 5,000 hours but that is still better than having to have a technician come in and align the 3 colors for the CRT type displays. The sound quality is good/marginal but if you are going to invest the $ in a HDTV set chances are you have a sound system with all the bells and whistles, subwoofers, surround speakers etc. I don't think anyone will argue that there are any TVs on the market that produce sounds to the extent of a good system. However the TV does make one sound a tiny bit louder than you might hope. The cooling fan for the projection display does make a noticeable background noise. Chances are you won't notice it if you aren't listening for it, but be warned it does make a small noise.
Check availability of HDTV in your neighborhood before purchasing it based upon getting HDTV signals. Chances are you don't need anything more than a HDTV monitor. (Which this is) Your cable provider will be able to tell you what they offer as well as provide you with a receiver/cable box for receiving the HDTV feeds anyways. Chances are there aren't many HDTV channels you can receive with an antenna anyways. Which the need for the cable boxes makes buying a set with a HDTV tuner really obsolete. I love this set and highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing Resolution
Review: I purchased this TV locally from BestBuy and absolutely love it. The picture clarity is just amazing. I can see the tiniest detail in movies that I never noticed in the theater due to the fantastic picture resolution. (I had planned to use the TV with my computer to edit pictures and make photo CDs, but I'm frightened at the prospect of seeing my face with that kind of detailed imaging.) I often watch programs on mute while I'm exercising. Even across the room I have no difficulty reading the closed captioning. I also appreaciate how much less hassle the TV is than rear projection big screen TVs. No tuning at all, just turn it on. I had some friends over for a movie night and one of them stated that it made his tv look like a radio in comparison. I would highly recommend this product.
Rating:
Summary: Panasonic 40" LCD
Review: I rated this product 4 stars rather than 5 stars only because the air cooling fan for the LCD monitor is a little noisy. Not enough to bother you but I am a little critical. However, it did not stop me from buying the set for its great picture and great looks.
Rating:
Summary: See it in person first
Review: I was considering purchasing this TV, but instead went with the 50" Sony LCD projection. The difference is striking - it's in the contrast. Before buying this TV, make sure you see it in person, preferably next to other TVs (either regular CRTs or even the Sony LCD). It's very apparent that this TV does not have good contrast - everything looks faded compared to a regular television. The blacks aren't very black... they're just darkish grey. If this is okay for you, after a while you probably won't even notice. When you see it next to other TVs, or if you start to notice it after owning it, it will probably drive you crazy though. Sony put a lot of work into getting better black tones out of their LCDs... Panasonic didn't, it seems. It's kind of unfortunate, because the Panasonic is at a very attractive price for the technology. If you're willing to spend a little more but still want a lightweight TV, you might want to also consider the DLP-based sets, which are coming down in price.
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