Great TV - Great Price
ok I have to be honest. I didn't do any research before I bought my TV. I'm an engineer too.. you would think I would do my homework. But I didn't. My thought process was I would go out and buy whatever TV looked the best to me - forget the 'stats'. I thought what really matters is how do I like the picture. So, I went around looked at a bunch of TV's and this picture + the price was just an winner. So I bought it thoroughly convinced it was a HDTV.
And guess what.. IT ISN'T. BUT you can't tell! Besides the much higher end models - this picture is as good, if not better than all the HDTV'S in a similar price range. Anyway, it is a year and a half later, I still love it. The only thing is I wish it had an input for my computer and better sound. Generally, to hear anything I have to have the volume almost all the way up.

Nice
I've had my Panasonic for about 9 months and I have to say the picture is awesome. The sound is so-so. The video realism of this set is impressive. Visitors often rave about the quality -- little do they know it's only EDTV! Resolution isn't everything. Most everything I watch is via satellite (Dish) using S-video, and the quality is good. DVDs appear to be slightly better than satellite. I get one HDTV channel (via powered rabbit ears) in 720p but the aspect ratio is 4:3 (or at least it appears that way); the picture quality is outstanding on this source. The only negative on this set is a slight buzzing/whine which some people don't even hear -- unfortunately I do, but manage to ignore it in favor of the high quality visuals.

Best TV for the $$$
I've had this for over a year now.
This is an excellent TV with incredible image quality. Many TVs produce unpleasent reds, but this one handles every shade with ease. Blacks could be a little deeper, but it's not a problem thanks to adjustability and great controls.
The most detailed HD pictures look thoroughly convincing and vivid on this set. Even though it is rated an EDTV, this set looks better than most HDTVs sold up to 2005, and at this size of 42" the difference is hardly noticeable beyond 5 feet from the screen.
Sound is quite good with lots of presence and decent bass.
A steal at $[...] which is what I paid new.

Amazing Value, Best Bang for your Buck
Panasonic is the leader in plasma tvs and this model (and its successors) are hands down your best bet for quality. I did a lot of research before investing (because like many people, I don't have $[...] or so just burning a hole in my pocket) and switched from LCD to Plasma for its superior viewing angle and overall better color and what I can only call a better "living picture".

I went to Best Buy and other retailers looking at all the different models, including many HD models. I also viewed some HD flatscreens as well as HD DLP models in people's home that were much pricier than this model. This TV looks JUST as if not BETTER than those models.

This TV really has the best picture quality I have seen! Especially if you invest in a cable box and HD TV (and after the investment, why wouldn't you?). The HD picture on this TV is BEAUTIFUL, I was seriously mesmerized by how good movies could look. As many owners will tell you, this is may not be an HDTV, but you won't be able to tell the difference. I have had visitors also tell me the same that they couldn't tell it was an EDTV and it had a superior picture to an HDTV they had.

The stand and speakers are included, which makes it an even better value. At first I found some other models which seemed to be comparably priced, but when you added the hundreds of dollars for a stand and speakers, there is really nothing in its price range that can match this TV. The included speakers are fine, though of course I've hooked it up to a stereo system and it has enough inputs (and upgraded inputs like HDMI and component) that I can set up a respectable home theater system.

Highly recommended!

You get what you pay for
In December 2005, I purchased the Panasonic TH-42PD50U 42" Plasma EDTV. I consulted with Consumer Reports and CNet and they both concluded that this was the one to get (at least in my price range).

I've now had the TV slightly over a year. It continues to impress guests. Most do not realize that it's only an enhanced definition model. The key is the fact that the TV is across a large room from the seating areas. Currently, I have the TV hooked up to a Sony progressive scan DVD recorder via the component video inputs, a Comcast HD cable box via DVI to HDMI cable, a XBox via the component video inputs. All produce lifelike pictures. Standard definition, via an older Sony VCR and an older TiVo is not bad, but not great. It pays to have a digital signal hooked up correctly.

The integrated QAM tuner receives "free and clear" ED or HD signals passed though Comcast. I have not tried the over the air ATSC tuner, because the TV is located in a basement where SD signals fail. Standard definition cable signals are completely acceptable, but fail to do the TV justice of what a ED or HD signal will do. This TV does a great job with color accuracy, so the down conversion from 1080i or 720p to the TV's native 480p really is not the end all be all of this set.

Overall this unit has served very well and is a keeper. However, fast forward to January 2007, Panasonic's 42" HD plasmas can be found less expensive than what I paid for this TV 13 months ago. The HD plasmas are definitely the way to go now.