Amazon.com Product Description--August 05, 2008 With its 2008 Panasonic Viera Plasmas, Panasonic brings an astonishing 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio to the table. advanced pixel resolution and image-processing technology with the plasma TV's natural ability to beautifully reproduce fast moving images, so every detail is rendered with amazing clarity, and all the action is delivered with a high degree of fluidity.
What's New This Year?
Super Contrast--native contrast ratios on the PZ85, PZ800 and PX 850 series are 30,000:1, double last year's 15,000:1.
Dynamic contrast ratios are up to 1,000,000:1.
new anti-reflective filter; lead-free "Tough Under Force" panel is resistant to impacts and scratches
Built-in SD card slot with Photo Viewer/Gallery Player software
x.v. Color and Deep Color (HDMI 1.3 features)
24p native reproduction
Game Mode auto-adjusts image quality suitable to games and includes anti-image retention
Viera Link is now compatible with Onkyo and Yamaha home theater systems
At least 3 HDMI inputs on all models (4 on PZ800 and PZ850 series)
THX Certification on PZ800 and PZ850 series
Which Viera is Right For You?
Click here to see a comparison of step up features on each Viera series.
One Sheet of Glass Design
Beautiful, elegant, and functional -- a single pane of glass covers the entire front of the television, including the bezel. This design reduces or eliminates the "halo" effect that can occur around lettering and logos with traditional 3-pane designs
Amazing color reproduction
The incredible black reproduction of a Panasonic High-Definition Plasma TV results in impressive contrast and beautiful, natural colors. So you'll get warm, accurate skin tones, gorgeous greens, breathtaking blues and vivid reds. For color that's as rich and bold as life itself, look to a Panasonic Plasma TV.
Consistent brightness from any angle
A Panasonic Plasma combines anti-glare and anti-reflection technology with the natural light-emitting properties of plasma, to give you a super-wide viewing range with a crisp, beautiful image from almost any angle.
Smooth, graceful motion
When you're watching sports or movies with fast-motion graphics, you want a TV that can keep up with the action. With over 900 lines of moving picture, self-illuminating plasma displays eliminate afterimages in fast-action scenes. So whether you're watching a sporting event or an action-packed movie, you'll always get the most impressive viewing experience possible.
24p native reproduction
Movies are shot at 24 frames per second. Unfortunately, TVs operating at 60Hz can only refresh 20 times per second, which means they must drop every fifth frame. With its 2008 Viera PZ85, PZ800, and PZ850 models, Panasonic introduces 24p native resolution, which means 24 frame per second movie content is reproduced frame for frame exactly, making for true-to-source smoothness of motion.
1,000,000:1 Contrast
The Panasonic's Real Black system (a pre-discharge suppression system) and improved panel production processes combine to reproduce outstanding blacks with superb contrast. Each image is richly expressive, from bright scense, like scorching desert landscapes, to dark cave scenes. Compare the image produced by conventional HDTV on the left to the Real Black image produced on the right
More Colors
Viera HDTVs support the xvYCC color profile (Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications), or "x.v. color" for short. Standard RGB color space allows the display of a portion of the colors that are viewable to the human eye. The next generation "xvYCC" color space actually offers an available range of colors that exceeds what human eyes can recognize.
Next-generation "xvYCC" color space supports 1.8 times as many colors as existing HDTV signals
Lets HDTVs display colors more accurately
Enables displays with more natural and vivid colors
Deep Color
Where x.v. color expands the available range of colors your HDTV can display, Deep Color increases the number of colors your HDTV can display within that range, for smoother transitions from color to color.
Lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors
Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors
Enables increased contrast ratio
Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white.
Connectivity
Viera flat panel HDTVs interact with an array of high-definition devices and services, making it easy for consumers to access and enjoy content as never before. As of 2008, Viera Link is compatible with Onkyo and Yamaha home theater systems.
Videos and stills recorded on SD cards can easily be viewed via the SD slots on Panasonic Blu-Ray Disc players and Viera HDTVs.
Viera Link means easy connectivity via HDMI cables. Finally, consumers can easily operate their Blu-Ray Disc players, DVD recorders and home theater systems with a single remote control device.
Equipped with an RGB input terminal, VIERA can connect with your PC and serve as a large-screen monitor.
4 HDMI inputs to connect all of your devices directly to your television.
Long Life
Panasonic plasma panels are rated to last 100,000 hours, which is about 30 years of regular or 11 years of non-stop usage before the brightness of the display is halved.
Get Full HD with Blu-Ray Disc Players
A Panasonic 1080p plasma television is able to render 1920x1080 pixels, but standard DVDs have a resolution of just 720x480. Blu-ray discs output true 1080p High-Definition resolution and have a storage capacity ten times greater than standard DVDs, so no pixel gos to waste.
100,000 Hours to Panel Half-Brightness (>30 years @ 8 hours/day)
Lead-free Panel
TH-50PX80U
50 inches
15,000:1
2
3
4,096
TH-42PZ80U
42 inches
20,000:1
2
3
4,096
TH-46PZ80U
46 inches
20,000:1
2
3
4,096
TH-50PZ80U
50 inches
20,000:1
2
3
4,096
TH-42PZ85U
42 inches
30,000:1
2
3
4,096
TH-46PZ85U
46 inches
30,000:1
2
3
4,096
TH-50PZ85U
50 inches
30,000:1
2
3
4,096
TH-42PZ800U
42 inches
30,000:1
4
4
4,096
TH-46PZ800U
46 inches
30,000:1
4
4
4,096
TH-50PZ800U
50 inches
30,000:1
4
4
4,096
TH-58PZ800U
58 inches
30,000:1
4
4
4,096
TH-46PZ850U
46 inches
30,000:1
4
4
5,120
TH-50PZ850U
50 inches
30,000:1
4
4
5,120
TH-58PZ850U
58 inches
30,000:1
4
4
5,120
TH-65PZ850U
65 inches
30,000:1
4
4
5,120
Product Description The home-theater concept keeps getting better! The Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 50" VIERA 1080p Plasma HDTV meets performance benchmarks for both standard and high-definition video, ensuring that all your sources will look their best. Movie fans will love THX Movie Mode, a picture preset that optimizes settings for watching movies on DVD, Blu-ray, and broadcast TV. THX enhancements close the gap between movie screen and TV screen. Progressive Scan Video Noise Reduction Digital Comb Filter - Motion Adaptive 3D-Y/C Color Purity Optimizer (3D Color Management) Sub-Pixel Controller Motion Pattern Noise Reduction Digital Cinema Reality 480 Hz Sub-field Drive 24p Playback (2 - 3) Deep Color x.v.Color Audio Speakers - Full-range x 2 (L, R) Audio Output - 20W (10% THD) (8 ohms, 70Hz-17kHz) Surround Sound VIERA Link Game Mode Pixel Shifter (Anti-Image Retention) Video Picture Memory English, Spanish, French On-Screen Display Languages V-Chip Program Lockout Built-In Closed Caption Decoder AR (Anti-Reflective) Filter Screen Coating Built-in Speaker and Pedestal Stand Inputs and Outputs - SD Card Slot, Composite Video, HDMI Rear Input, Front Input, 1 Analog Audio Rear Output, 6 Rear Input, 1 Front Input, 2 Component Video Rear Input, S-Video Rear Input, and Front Output Dimensions - Height 31.1 x Width 49.0 x Depth 3.7 / 33.2 x 49.0 x 15.2 with stand Weight - 83.8 pounds / 88.2 pounds with stand
Fantastic!January 6, 2009 I've been very happy with this 50 inch Panasonic. The THX setting provides a practically perfect picture and is excellent except when there is a ton of daylight in the room. I think the sound quality is pretty terrific also. Great for movies and sports. The TV this replaced, that I moved upstairs, was a 2007 42 inch Panasonic. And this is head and shoulders above that set which I thought was pretty awesome before this one arrived. Two thumbs way up.
Every bit as good as I knew it would be...January 6, 2009 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I did a lot of research so I already knew I was getting a great tv. This is my first HDTV and it is just great. I connected a PS3 and surround system and played my only blu ray movie, Ironman. Wow, I spent 2 hours with my mouth hanging open. Better experience than a movie theater in my opinion. Dish Network will be installed this weekend, looking forward to that. THX mode and 24p settings are great for movies. You may wish to turn off the C.A.T.S. setting. It made the picture much too dark.
Some people are reporting excellent "white glove" delivery and some are not. "White glove" sounds like something special. My delivery was anything but special. After several days I called Pilot to ask about the tv. They said they had it and they may be in my area next week they will call to set an appointment. Next week came and went with no call. I checked the tracking number and it said that the tv was delivered. So I called again and was told the tv was delivered. Then they said it was given to another trucking company, I should call them. So I called them. They said the tv was delivered. Then they said it was given to yet another shipping company, I should call them. So I called them. You already know what they said. Then they decided they actually did have the tv and could bring it tomorrow. I actually no longer wanted the tv at this point, I was getting a little upset. What saved the day was the two friendly, experienced professional delivery guys that brought the tv to my house. The box was in perfect condition, they brought it into the house, took it out of the box, and set it where I wanted. I got lucky. This delivery service should not be touted as something special if they cannot make it special for everyone. I am very disappointed with Amazon and I always start with Amazon when I am planning a purchase.
Make no mistake though. This tv is awesome! Don't hesitate to get one.
Great television poor white glove setupJanuary 6, 2009 The panasonic television was shipped and delevered in a very timely manner. The picture is fantastic and the menu options are easy to follow and the setup was not to complicated. The television was delivered under the "white glove" program and this servce was short of what I expected. The delivery man brought the television into the house and exposed just enough of the tv to be able to plug it in and turn on. Once this was done he left. I then had to finish unpacking the tv and connecting it to the cable box. I notified Amazon about what happened and they apologized for this shortfall and refunded me the cost of the service. I was very happy with Amazon's attitude and will continue to do business with them.Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Better then expectedJanuary 6, 2009 I consider myself and audio/video guy. I come from front projection TV viewing and used two different DLP projectors before this. The trade off was simple, smaller screen for a brighter and more vibrant picture even in the light. I think it was worth it. I went from 85" down to 50" but I have been very happy. I looked at a lot of LCD's and Plasma TV's and Plasma is really where the future is, LCD's just can't give you the same movie type feel that Plasma can. No matter how many Mhz they add, 120, 240. Whatever it is it still looks artificial. Not to mention the deeper blacks you get with a Plasma. I am still blown away by the quality of the picture once I got this setup. The THX mode is almost dead on with its settings, little needs to be changed. My only complaint with this TV is the optical pass through on the back of the TV does not pass through a Dolby Digital signal. It only passes through Stereo.. Come on Panasonic release a firmware update to pass through DD and DTS!!! Other then that, this TV is well worth the money.
Worth every penny - fantastic pictureJanuary 5, 2009 After reading all the reviews and checking out Consumer Reports we decided on purchasing this set. We had heard that the picture at home wouldn't be as good as the one in the store. This was NOT the case. If anything the picture at home is better. The only adjustment we have made is to turn on the THX setting. We did not have it calibrated although the salesman has promised to do so. Frankly the picture is so good it may not be necessary. Our only complaint is that our cable provider has fewer than 60 HD channels so our viewing is limited to those and the BluRay disks. The Rose Parade was spectacular - every flower seemed to jump out at us and the colors were true. My husband has watched every football game possible and it's almost like being at the stadium. BluRay movies blow us away with the color and clarity. Even "regular" DVDs are clearer than we expected. We bought this with a Panasonic BluRay player. We recommend this set very highly!
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Onkyo HT-SR800 Black Home Theater System $335.96 - $499.00 from 2 stores. User rating:4.0 out of 5.
Neatly Covering All A/V Formats, Precisely Tailored for Your Home
When it comes to all-in-one home theater, the HT-SR800 has made a clean break from the pack. You're looking at packaged home theater that neatly integrates your high-definition entertainment and your HDTV through an HDMI channel that transports video with a resolution all the way up to 1080p. Ably supported by component video switching, the HT-SR800 will handle most of the A/V components or formats currently available, as well as the spectacular quality of high-definition discs. Also, reinforcing the convenience of matched components, this package is the first to use an Audyssey room-correction technology specifically designed for integrated systems. The options - XM Radio (including 5.1 surround sound radio with Neural Surround decoding) and iPod integration-can really extend your reach, making the HT-SR800 one of the more complete home theater packages available.
Special Features-
HDMI Pass Through (2in/1out , 1080P compatible) - A separate audio connection is necessary
"Audyssey 2EQ" Auto room calibration w/Microphone
XM and Sirius satellite radio ready
Sony HT-7100DH Home Theater System $349.95 - $378.08 from 2 stores. User rating:3.0 out of 5. Grab your popcorn and revel in the intense movie-watching experience that is the HT-7100DH home theater system. Take your entertainment to new aural heights as 900 watts of surround sound fill your room while you watch high definition DVD media or listen to XM satellite radio. For fast and easy setup, the HT-7100DH automatically calibrates the included speakers for an optimal sound field and the most dramatic effects. The Digital Media Port (DMP) is also great for when you want to listen to external sources like Bluetooth devices or Walkman music players in powerful 5.1 channel digital surround sound.
Bose 3-2-1 Home Theater System $948.00 - $999.98 from 2 stores. User rating:3.0 out of 5. If you've been looking for a surround sound solution that doesn't require hours of setup and creative ways to hide the wires, the search is over. Introducing the Bose 3-2-1 system, a revolutionary advancement in home entertainment that's much easier to live with. Designed to provide performance and simplicity unmatched by conventional component or all-in-one solutions, this system delights the ears and the eyes.
Five speakers are replaced by two. A stack of electronics is replaced by a single media center that includes an integrated DVD/CD player, AM/FM tuner, amplification and signal processing. A patented Acoustimass module hides easily in a corner or behind your furniture. And everything is easily connected with just three wires and a power cord, making setup a snap. The 3-2-1 system combines an Articulated Array speaker design with proprietary signal processing to give you much of that same performance. Hear the roar of a train from left to right from just two visible speakers positioned in the front of your room. Enjoy a spacious soundstage and lifelike surround effects whether you're watching the game, listening to a favorite CD or enjoying the latest on DVD.
Philips HTS3555 Home Theater System $146.95 - $250.81 from 2 stores. User rating:4.9 out of 5. This state-of-the-art digital home entertainment system delivers powerful surround sounds and a theater-like audio/video experience. The ultimate in both style and performance.PRODUCT FEATURES:Dock included for GoGear and iPod;USB Direct plays photos and music from USB flash drives;MP3 Line-in for music playback from Portable Media Players;1080i HDMI with high definition video upconversion;DTS, Dolby Digital and Pro Logic II surround sound;12-bit/108MHz video processing for sharp, natural images;DivX Ultra for enhanced playback of DivX media files;Plays CD, (S)VCD, DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL;Plays DivX, MP3, WMA and JPEG digital camera photos.
Bose 3-2-1 GS Series II Graphite Home Theater System $798.00 from 1 store. User rating:3.0 out of 5. The Bose 3ท2ท1 GS II DVD home entertainment system puts you at the center of exciting home theater with greater simplicity and fewer wires. Just two visible Gemstone speaker arrays - the smallest, most powerful 3ท2ท1 speakers - and a hideaway Acoustimass module deliver enhanced sound performance from almost anything you watch. Setup is simple: no center or rear speakers means no wiring to the back of your room. An elegant media center features a progressive scan DVD/CD player with AM/FM tuner. And an easy-to-use universal remote control is programmable to run most of your entertainment devices together with your system.
