2. Do I have to use a Panasonic wall bracket, or can I use other 3rd party wall mounts?
We recommend you use the optional mounting brackets manufactured by Panasonic. However, if you choose to use another brand of wall bracket, please be sure it will accommodate the position of the mounting bolt holes on the Panasonic Plasma TV (660mm x 320mm for models up to 58", 1075.2mm x 330mm for 65" models), the thread of the screws (M8 type), and support the weight of the display (consult the Operating Instruction manual for your model).

3. Can I mount the TV over my fireplace?
As long as the plasma TV will not be exposed to smoke or excessive heat, it should be fine. First, take a thermometer and tape it to the area directly above your fireplace -- where the plasma will be. Then build a nice fire and monitor the thermometer for the next hour or so. If the temperature is above 104 degrees F, then the area is too hot for your plasma to be operating. Of course, you could choose to keep your plasma turned off while a fire is burning. In the end, please use common sense. If the area above your fireplace is too warm or exposed to smoke, you probably want to put your plasma TV somewhere else.

4. What is the "break-in" period and what should I do during the break-in period to minimize any risk of image retention?
When your plasma TV is initially installed, the first 100 hours of use is known as the "break-in period." During this time, to minimize any risk of image retention, you should:

1. Make sure the plasma TV is in a viewing mode (aspect ratio) that completely fills the screen. The panel is shipped in this condition, in what is called the "Just" mode.
2. Turn down the Picture setting (in the Picture menu) to +0.
3. Briefly engage the 4:3 mode and confirm the side bars are set to "Mid", or "Bright". This can be adjusted in the Set Up menu.
4. Always return the display mode that fills the screen (such as Just, Zoom, Full, or H-FILL).
5. Try not to view channels with stationary backgrounds or logos for extended periods of time.
6. Avoid extended display of static images (video games, computer images, DVD title screens, etc.).

5. I've heard that plasma TVs can "burn-in" over time. What is "burn-in" exactly, and is it really a concern?
"Burn-in," or image retention, is an uneven aging of the phosphors in a display device, can occur on any display that uses phosphors to generate an image, including tube TVs, projection TVs that use CRTs, and plasma TVs. Such uneven aging happens when bright, static images are left onscreen for an extended period of time, which can leave a visible "shadow" effect.

Improvements in panel service life to over 60,000 hours have minimized the risk of image retention. In addition, screen savers, pixel shifting, and brightness level adjustments can dramatically reduce any chance of image retention. Use common sense when it comes to your plasma TV; don't pause video games or watch TV stations with station logos onscreen for long periods of time, and use one of the many display calibration DVDs available today for properly setting brightness and contrast.

The rule of thumb: if you don't worry about your traditional tube TV, you don't have to worry about a Panasonic plasma TV.

6. How long can I expect my plasma TV to last?
All displays (TVs, computer monitors, LCD, plasma) lose brightness over time. Believe it or not, that old tube TV you have in the den isn't as bright as it was when you bought it 10 years ago. And displays dim faster if you set the brightness and contrast very high.

Panasonic plasma TVs have a projected life of 60,000 hours before they're only half as bright as when they were new. That's 20+ years at 7 hours a day (which is the average daily viewing time per U.S. household).

7. I need help to get the best picture. Which connection should I use?
Panasonic plasma TVs allow a wide selection of video inputs to achieve the best picture quality possible from your video source.

The best connection from your cable/satellite box, home theater system, or DVD player is HDMI (flat multi-pin connector). If your video source doesn't have HDMI, the next best choice is component (color-coded red, green, and blue jacks), followed by S-Video (round 4-pin jack), then composite (yellow jack).

9. What is HDMI? Is it compatible with DVI?
HDMI, which stands for "High-Definition Multimedia Interface", is the consumer electronic industry's first connection capable of transmitting uncompressed digital audio/video signals. Components featuring HDMI can transmit both digital audio and video over one convenient cable, replacing the tangled mess that resides behind many home theater components. HDMI also offers improved quality over traditional analog connections thanks to all-digital transmission. Digital sources like DVDs and HDTV programming can now be transferred digitally from source to display without analog conversions that can degrade the original signal.

Unlike the HDMI interface, DVI only handles digital video. Through the use of an adapter, a DVI device can be connected to an HDMI device, but only video content can be transmitted. The audio signal would have to be transmitted through other methods such as analog RCA outputs or an optical digital output.

10. I need help with HDMI setup procedures for best picture.
Please connect HDMI cable and set up the "HDMI In" in the "Audio" MENU as follows.

11. What's the difference between an EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV) and HDTV (High Definition TV)?
While all current Panasonic plasma TVs can accept a 1080i HDTV signal, their ability to fully resolve all the details in such a broadcast is dependent upon their resolution. An HDTV-capable plasma TV has higher resolution capability than an EDTV model, which allows it to display more of the detail in an HDTV broadcast. EDTV plasma TVs must convert HDTV signals into a lower resolution that's compatible with the display capability of the plasma panel.

12. Do I need any additional equipment to watch HDTV programming on my plasma TV?
If you're like most people, and already have cable or satellite TV, the easiest thing to do is call your cable or satellite company. They'll hook you up with everything you need to get eye-popping HD programming.

Most Panasonic plasma TVs also have built-in HDTV tuners*. So, if you live close to a TV station broadcasting HDTV, you might be able to receive free over-the-air HDTV broadcasts with an antenna.

Also, many Panasonic plasma TV models have a built-in CableCARD slot. A CableCARD is a small card you can get from your cable provider that allows you to receive standard definition and high definition digital broadcasts without a bulky set-top box. Please check with your local cable company for details on pricing and availability.

*Models that do not have digital tuners:
PT-42PD1, TH-37PA20, TH-37PW5UZ, TH-42PA20U, TH-42PA25U, TH-42PW3U, TH-42PW4UZ, TH-42PHW5UZ, TH-42PM50U, TH-42PW5UZ, TH-42PX20U, TH-50PHW3U, TH-50PHW5UZ, TH-50PM50U, TH-50PX20U, TH-61PHW6

13. What is CableCARD and how does it work?
HDTVs with CableCARD slots can accept a small card from your cable provider that allows you to receive standard definition and high definition digital broadcasts without a bulky set-top cable box. Please call your cable company to find out if they offer this service in your area.

14. I need help with CableCARD setup and operation.

1. Connect the cable antenna to ANT connector.
2. Turn the TV on.
3. Set the input mode to TV.
4. Insert the CableCARDTM (with upper side facing you) into CableCARDTM slot on the back of the TV.
   Follow the messages displayed on the screen.
5. For additional assistance, contact your local cable provider.

15. What can I do if the CableCARD installation does not work?
Ask your cable installer if the authorization process for the CableCARDTM was successful. It may be necessary to try a few cards to rule out a malfunction of the card before requesting assistance with your TV.

In some cases, upgrading the TV's software may be necessary.

For further information or assistance, please call us at 1-888-843-9788.

16. Why do I still see black bars on my widescreen TV when viewing certain widescreen DVDs and HDTV broadcasts?
Even though a television station may be broadcasting in a high definition format, they may still make use of standard (or analog) video signals as a source. In order to accommodate the wide screen format of high definition digital transmissions, vertical side bars are inserted by the broadcaster.

By default, Panasonic plasmas display 720P and 1080i high definition transmissions in their native FULL aspect mode.

Your widescreen TV has an aspect ratio of 16:9 (1.78:1), which is the aspect ratio of HDTV. However, movies are filmed at several different aspect ratios, including 2.35:1. Also referred to as "CinemaScope", 2.35:1 is a very panoramic aspect ratio that provides a wide field of view in the theater. CinemaScope is much wider than your widescreen TV, so it still requires the use of letterboxing ("black bars") to fit the entire image on screen. Some TVs and DVD players have a zoom function that allows you to blow up the image so it fills the screen, but the sides of the image must be cropped in order to do so.

17. I have noticed over-emphasized green tones in the picture. Can it be turned off?
Panasonic plasma TVs have a special circuitry called Color Management. This feature automatically enhances green and blue to achieve a more vivid color reproduction, especially for outdoor scenes. This feature is set On by default, however, it can easily be turned Off from the Picture menu.

18. I need help connecting my home theater system to the TV.
For a full Home Theater sound experience, an external Dolby Digital decoder and a multi channel amplifier must be connected to the DIGITAL AUDIO OUT terminal on the TV.

*Dolby Digital provides five discrete full-bandwidth channels for front left, front right, center, surround left and surround right, plus a LFE (Low Frequency Effect) sub woofer channel.

19. Can I connect my PC to the TV?
Specific Panasonic plasma TV models (such as TH-42PX600U, TH-50PX600U, and TH-58PX600U) have a dedicated PC input, so you can connect your PC directly to your plasma TV. Please be sure to refer to the Operating Instructions for your particular model to obtain specific details regarding the compatible input signal types. For further information or assistance, please call us at 1-888-843-9788.

20. What does the Aspect button control?
The Aspect button allows you to change the shape of the television image depending on the format of the received signal, and your viewing performance.

For example, standard analog (4:3) images with black side bars can be stretched to fill your TV's wide (16:9) aspect. However, high definition signals (720P/1080i) which originated as 4:3 images with side bars and are up-converted by broadcaster to 16:9 can not be changed on some models.

The models, including TH-42PD60, TH-37PX60, TH-42PX60, TH-50PX60, TH-58PX60, TH-42PX600, TH-50PX600 and TH-58PX600 employ a new "H-FILL" mode which allows you to change the aspect on high definition signals (720P/1080i).

22. When I perform auto channel scan, why do I get channel numbers like 100-1, 110-2 ... 11-5?
Channel number assignments for digital transmissions can be up to four digits in length and include "sub channels".

Sub channels are typically multicasts on the same frequency band.

23. In some programs or channels, there is no sound from the digital audio output. However, the digital audio output returns when a different program is on. Why?
Depending on the TV program, the owner of the source material may require the digital audio portion to be copy protected. In some cases, upgrading the TV's software may also be needed. For further information or assistance, please call us at 1-888-843-9788.

24. What does "Viera" mean?
"Viera" refers to Panasonic's product line of flat panel televisions. The name "Viera" comes from "Visual Era."