Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ800U

Manufacturer: Panasonic Part number: TH-42PZ800U

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More product information:: Editors' review; Product brief; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: CNET did not review the Panasonic TH-42PZ800U, but we did review a larger model in the series.

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CNET editors' review

By David Katzmaier, 03/11/08

Panasonic's flagship 850U series adds IPTV capability.

(Credit: Panasonic)

(Updated 08-28-2008) Panasonic's plasma HDTV lineup for 2008 includes five total series, each with multiple screen sizes but identical features within the series. In case you're wondering, we have reviewed four models so far, the TH-46PZ85U, TH-42PX80U, TH-50PZ800U and TH-50PZ850U. Most models detailed below are available now, although the larger 58- and 65-inch models in the 800U and 850U series (the other series max out at 50 inches) will ship in September.

Panasonic TH-PX80U series

The TH-PX80U includes the company's entry-level plasma models.

(Credit: Panasonic)

If our positive review of the 42-inch version is any indication, the PX80U series provides excellent bang for the buck. These two entry-level models are the only ones without 1080p resolution. Since we consider the benefits of that extra resolution nearly impossible to discern at this size, and since these models cost $400 (for the 42-incher) and $800 (for the 50-incher) less than their 1080p counterparts, we expect the TH-PX80U series to be extremely strong sellers, much like the company's bestselling TH-PX75U series from last year.

New for this year, Panasonic has added an improved antireflective screen, which is the same on all of its 2008 models. Gone is the anti-glare screen we liked so much on the '07 TH-PX77U and TH-PZ77U models; Panasonic claimed that focus groups preferred the antireflective screens over the antiglare versions, which were said to suffer in color fidelity due to their diffusing screens. According to our review, the new screen is very good at reducing reflections, although it can't compete with the anti-glare screens from 2007. The company also says that its latest panels are good for 100,000 hours before fading to half-brightness--that's up from 60,000 hours for last year's models. It was also eager to show off its panels' resistance to shock, dubbing the screens "Wiimote-proof" and bouncing a steel ball repeatedly against a demo panel.

An SD card slot is now standard now throughout the line along with three HDMI inputs and a Game mode said to minimize lag time between the controller and the on-screen action. These PX80U models boast a 15,000:1 contrast ratio as opposed to the 07s' 10,000:1 spec, and they do deliver excellent black level performance.

Models (estimated selling prices)

Panasonic TH-42PX80U review ($999)
Panasonic TH-50PX80U ($1,399)

Key features of the TH-PX80U series

"720p" native resolution (42-inch: 1,24x768; 50-inch 1,366x768)
15,000:1 native contrast ratio
Three HDMI inputs
Anti-reflective screen
SD card slot
Game mode

Panasonic TH-PZ80U series

The TH-PZ80U is the lowest-priced 1080p series in the lineup.

(Credit: Panasonic)

The least-expensive 1080p series of Panasonic plasmas is also the first to include a 46-inch screen size. Meant to compete directly with like-sized LCDs, it fits neatly between the 42- and 50-inch versions. The company also ups the contrast ratio ante, but that's about it for step-up extras compared to the baseline TH-PX80U series.

Models (estimated selling prices)

Step-up features of the TH-PZ80U series

1080p native resolution (1920x1080 on all sizes)
20,000:1 native contrast ratio

Panasonic TH-PZ85U series

The TH-PZ85U series improves the contrast ratio and hides the speakers.

(Credit: Panasonic)

The step-up line of 1080p resolution plasmas costs about $200 extra in each screen size. For that scratch the biggest improvement comes in a 30,000:1 contrast ratio spec, and since that matches the more-expensive 800U and 850U models, we expect this 85U series to deliver Panasonic's best black levels for the buck. Our review of the 46-inch model found that indeed those black levels approached those of Pioneer's Kuro panels like the PDP-5080HD. The other big addition is a VGA-style PC input, and in this series the speakers are hidden along the bottom of the panel.

Models (estimated selling prices)

Step-up features of the TH-PZ85U series

30,000:1 native contrast ratio
VGA-style PC input
Hidden speakers

Panasonic TH-PZ800U series

The THX-certified TH-PZ800U series incorporates a new one-sheet-of-glass design.

(Credit: Panasonic)

This three-size series adds THX Display certification, which in our review of the 50-inch version meant exceedingly accurate color and an all-around superb image. Beyond THX, the 800U models also add one more HDMI input and the company also touts the 24p capability of these models, which supposedly allows them to display 1080p/24 sources without 2:3 pulldown, resulting in a smoother picture according to the company. According to our tests, however, this mode caused the image to flicker too much to be watchable.

Models

Step-up features of the TH-PZ800U series

THX Display Certification
5,120 levels of gradation
24p native reproduction
4 HDMI inputs

Panasonic TH-PZ850U series

Although it's the most expensive series of Panasonic plasmas announced so far in 2008, the TH-PZ850U lacks the THX Display certification of its step-down 800U brothers. Instead it adds Digital Cinema Color, which increases the color gamut to 120% of the HDTV color space. The company claims that the wider gamut makes the colors appear closer to digital cinema, but in our review of the 50-inch model we found that they weren't accurate by HD standards. Another big step-up comes in the form of an Ethernet jack on the back panel, allowing the 850U series to offer limited IPTV interactive services. In our tests we were able to use YouTube, the Picassa photo-sharing service, Bloomberg, and The Weather Channel on the TV itself.

Models

Step-up features of the TH-PZ850U series

Digital Cinema color
IPTV capability

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Product brief

Intro: The Panasonic TH-42PZ800U is a 42-inch, plasma television.Compared to other plasma TVs on the market, it is midpriced at around $2,300.In general, a liquid plasma display can output more realistic black-levels than an LCD display can.

Noteworthy Features: Has a 3D-Y/C digital comb filter.This is more favorable than the average TV on the market today, but is to be expected for a TV of this price.(A 3D filter is one of the best types available, and is "motion adaptive," meaning it utilizes a special method for clearing up the moving parts of the picture, as opposed to the static parts.)Also, this TV 1080p (FullHD), which is than some similarly priced TVs.In fact, the typical cost of a product this is $3,055.With built-in HDTV compatibility, this unit can display images that are significantly sharper and more realistic than regular television, as long as the source is high definition.(It can easily render standard-resolution digital TV broadcasts and also depict the full resolution of widescreen DVD video.)The 3:2 pulldown feature of this set reduces artifacts that can occur when motion pictures are transferred to a digital format such as DVD.

Weaker Features: Has only a 42-inch screen size, which is somewhat smaller than some similarly priced TVs.For example, the Vizio VM60PHDTV, at around $2, 500, has a 60-inch screen size.

Suitability: A plasma TV, suited for personal entertainment and home theater.

Value: Overall, this TV's features seem a bit weak for its price, compared to most other TVs.In fact, you would typically pay about 35% less to get a plasma TV having roughly the same viewable size.

Suggestions: (1) For assistance in shopping for a new HDTV, read CNET editors' Ultimate HDTV Buying Guide.(2) If donating or repurposing your old TV is not a viable option, CNET encourages households to recycle their electronics.Please explore the following website to find a recycling center in your area Electronics Take Back Coalition.

Receiving HDTV broadcast: The three common methods to receive HDTV broadcasts are via satellite-TV set-top box, cable system set-top box, and over-the-air reception from a digital HDTV broadcast station.

True HDTV: True HDTV programming is broadcast in three resolutions: 720p, 1080i, or 1080p.

Tuner options: An HDTV-ready satellite or cable box will act as an outboard HDTV tuner for your digital television set that lacks a built-in HD tuner.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

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7 stars

awesome tv

by daniel hobbs on August 11, 2008

Pros: i like watching this tv

Cons: sometimes i watch too much tv

Summary: tv - there's always something on, but that doesn't mean its good

Summary: tv - there's always something on, but that doesn't mean its good

1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Part number: TH-42PZ800U

General
Product Type 42 in Plasma TV
Series VIERA
Digital Television Certification HDTV
TV Tuner 1x digital, 1x analog
Video Interface HDMI, Component, S-Video, Composite
PC Interface VGA (HD-15)
Dimensions With stand
Width 42.5 in
Depth 12.9 in
Height 28.9 in
Weight 79.4 lbs
Display
Diagonal Size 42 in - Widescreen

Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ800U

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