Price Paid:  $650.00 from A&A Appliances

Summary:
I purchased this set when it first came out. I considered Panasonic after getting great quality from my Panasonic DVD player. It replaced a Sony 27" Trinitron (Tuner went out after 13 months, how convenient for Sony to have a 12 month warranty). I've owned this TV for two years now and have had no problems other than the remote (which could be attributed to a 2 year old child getting a hold of it). This set has been retired to the bedroom and is great for watching while laying in bed. The sleep timer is great!! TV's have improved a lot over the past two years, so I'd have to say this was a good purchase two years ago. And for those complaining about this set not having component inputs I say this: Component video inputs were not common when this set came out, especially on 27" TV's. And another thing, don't complain about a product not having a certain feature after you purchased the product. That makes you look ignorant. Next time do some research.

Strengths:
Panasonic Quality, Picture Quality, Features, Perfect bedroom set!!

Weaknesses:
The remote control buttons that are used to switch from each component is not working very well anymore. The light button on the remote stopped working completely. Solution, I can always get another remote!!

Similar Products Used:
Sony 27" Trinitron

Price Paid:  $700.00 from International Stereo (stay AWAY!)

Summary:
I bought this T.V. from International Stereo here in Edmonton. I won't get into it but I paid too much and realized later that I paid 150 dollars (CDN) for the dual tuner and I never use the feature. I'll never take my business to this place again. On to the T.V. ..
This t.v. has great color, black is black and whites are brilliantly white. The ease of use of remote + navigation through the menu is nice. Front A/V jacks are handy.

Problem: 1/4" to 1" difference vertically from left to right at the top when watching wide Screen DVD's. I thought the set took a bump which caused this anomoly but I'm convinced now after reading a few reviews that the flat screen and not properly being set up at the factory causes this, I am wondering however if I get a gun-alignment if this is going to help. Probably not. If anyone knows how I can get this fixed I'd appreciate some help. Thanx

Strengths:
Great Color, Front A/V connection

Weaknesses:
Screen alignment problem.

Similar Products Used:
nope

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Myer-Emco

Summary:
This review is about the Panasonic CT-27SF37 (the last "SuperFlat" ever made):

After years of looking for a quality set to be the centerpiece of a small, but a high quality home theater system for my bedroom, I have found this set to offer me the best picture for the money and one of the nicest feature sets money can buy. And all of that for a reasonable price of $600.00. The picture is about as good as it gets aside from the picture that I am bound to get from the bigger and more expensive Sony XBR's. And it is on par with some of the best sets I have seen from Samsung. Only HDTV can top it as far as picture quality is concern. Connect it to a good DVD player (using the component video outputs on the back of the DVD player and the corresponding inputs on the back of the set), and the picture is nothing short of astounding. The sound is also pretty decent, but it's no world beater. The TV's sound system is okay if you are watching network TV, cable TV, or anything of the sort. However, when you are watching movies or sports, I think it is better to have it hooked up to a good sound system. And by any circumstances, don't use the "Spatializer" setting on the set (I have it switched off on my set). All that it does is create a slight dropout on certain signals when you are watching movies or watching sports. The "Two Tuner Picture-In-Picture" is quite convenient also. I tend to use it when I am watching news and TV programing at the same time. And it is definitely useful when I am watching sports.

I believe though, that this set is discontinued, and thus, this set may become hard to find pretty soon, if it isn't already. But if you by any chance happen to run into one and can get it at a good price, I jump on it immediately before they are gone forever. The next replacements I believe, will be their new "Tau" (which by the way, compete with the Wega sets from Sony, but they are available at much better prices) sets. But that's another story in itself. The reason I say that is because, the next TV that I will buy, will be a "16:9 Aspect Ratio, Widescreen LCD" set. But in the meantime, when it comes to watching sporting events or movies, the CT-27SF37 is where it's at. And it is DEFINITELY unbeatable for the price. If you can find one, snap it up immediately. If you have one already, hold on to it until HDTV becomes more commonplace.

My Home Theater System:

Television/Monitor: Panasonic CT-27SF37

DVD Player: Toshiba SD-1600 (but I am seeking a Toshiba SD-9000 or SD-9100 (used))

S-VHS/Hi-Fi VCR: Sony SLV-R5UC

Audio/Video Receiver: Harman/Kardon AVR-210

Headphones: Sennheiser HD-580

Speakers: TBD. They will be added either this fall or early next spring.

Strengths:
Great Picture. Nice Feature Set (Clock, Auto Turn-On, Auto Turn-Off, Two Tuner Picture-In-Picture, Etc...). And lastly, the remote control is also easy to understand and easy to use. Oh yes, did I mention that I also have a set of "Component Video Inputs" on the back of the set??

Weaknesses:
Only two "S-Video" inputs. No "S-Video outputs, and no jacks on the front panel (man, that sucks!!!!).

Similar Products Used:
I have compared it to the 27-inch versions of the Toshiba "Cinema Series" sets (picture quality is okay, but nothing to brag about), and the 27-inch Sony Wega (nice picture, nice sound, and a decent picture set, but they cost too damn much)

Price Paid:  $699.00 from Tweeter

Summary:
Awesome picture. I was between this and the Sony Wega in the store and looking at the two of them side by side, this one had the better picture. A more natural feel. Just beautiful! I had an initial problem when my roomates supposedly shielded speakers caused a problem. I needed to degauss the screen manually but it cost too much money. Therefore, I left it alone and somehow the problem went away by itself. DVD picture quality is superb. The sound is great as I used it initially before I got into surround. I recommend highly!!! This is expensive for a 27inch TV but is a good deal when compared to the more expensive Wega.

Strengths:
Picture quality, sound

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $499.00 from The Good Guys

Summary:
This review is for a CT-27SF37. After a bad experience with a JVC 27-inch D-series (see my review in the JVC section), I proceeded to compare other products from Panasonic and Sony. Since I already had a bias toward Panasonic because of a good track record with my bedroom TV, I attempted to order a new 27-inch Tau series.

It seems that the 27-inch Tau is the TV that will never appear. It has received great reviews and a lot of hype, but apparently it is an extremely difficult TV to get. Apparently Panasonic hasn't "ramped up" the production capability yet.

After five weeks of waiting, I decided to purchase the CT-27SF37 Superflat instead. When I brought it home, I was overwhelmed. This is a fabulous television with an absolutely phenomenal picture and outstanding sound quality, a convenient remote, a great variety of features and a bulletproof reputation for reliability. The only drawback is the lack of A/V outputs in the front -- but I don't think I would use them much anyway.

This unit is a great combination of a black tube, a flat screen, surround sound and useful features. I even was able to get a small discount because of its ready availability and the fact that it has been replaced as the "newest big thing" by the Tau -- wherever it may be.

It seems that many people end up choosing between Sony and Panasonic according to personal preference. Sony seems to have brighter, more "processed" pictures, while Panasonic's units appear to be more natural and higher-contrast because of the darker tube. In my case, I prefer the Panasonic look. I highly recommend this set to anyone who wants a truly solid unit that should last for many years -- at least until HDTV becomes more commonplace.

Strengths:
Absolutely outstanding picture quality; excellent sound

Weaknesses:
No front A/V inputs

Similar Products Used:
Replaced 15-year-old NEC and newer, defective JVC D-series; also compared products from Sony and Toshiba.