Panasonic PZ80/PZ85 Owners Thread [No Price Talk]

Prodigy7 · 02-26-08, 06:08 PM

Pictures, settings, issues... you name it. If you own one, post away.

For an excellent post on break-in settings and FAQ please visit the following link:

Break-In Settings and FAQ's

Prodigy7 · 02-28-08, 07:52 AM

Bump. Where are the pictures?

Cleveland Plasma · 02-28-08, 09:12 AM

Actually the TH-50PZ85U are availible

RandyWalters · 02-28-08, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prodigy7

Panasonic PZ80/PZ85 Owners Thread

Oops, you might want to add the "U" to the end of the model numbers in your Owners Threads - the model numbers you're using are for the Canadian models (which do not have a U at the end).

hbuel · 03-01-08, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWalters

Oops, you might want to add the "U" to the end of the model numbers in your Owners Threads - the model numbers you're using are for the Canadian models (which do not have a U at the end).

Do they differ?

The european models will probably have an "E" at the end of the model number -- but I excpect the internals to be the same. *waitingforthePZ85too*

Prodigy7 · 03-09-08, 07:05 PM

Footbaggin has an excellent first impressions review of these. Let's get some more owners to post their thoughts in here now that these are starting to show up.

ehiggins · 03-10-08, 10:46 AM

Well I have the TH-42PZ700U

And I just had my mom pull the trigger on the 50PZ85U. Should get the tv by the 21st. It gives me a reason to visit...

noisy123_madison · 03-11-08, 12:07 PM

Hi,
I should be accepting a 46pz85U tomorrow from the shipping service. I am an AV novice but I would like to learn more about how the set should be set up and perform tests that might interest you all (as AV experts). I am willing to post pictures or whatever from what I get.

If anyone is interested in helping me learn a bit about my display and in return getting some information about the new model just post a possible test/results scenario. A link to a pretty standard, acceptable (free) calibration method would be helpful.

Thanks..

feds27 · 03-11-08, 01:05 PM

Got my TH-46PZ85U this morning. I connected my Pioneer DV-59avi DVD player via HDMI. The picture is amazing. I've been flipping between 480i and 1080i. I think I prefer the 480i feed better which tells me the Panny does a better job at scaling. Does anyone know which chipset the 85U uses for scaling? Thanks.

P.S. - I have yet to do the same standard def test with my cable box. The high def feed is superb. Caught some of 2001: A Space Odyssey earlier today, the details in the blacks were great using the preset Cinema setting and the additional Dark setting. I have yet to run my AVIA & Essentials DVDs to tune the picture but I'm pretty happy with it out of the box.

iatacs19 · 03-11-08, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feds27

Got my TH-46PZ85U this morning. I connected my Pioneer DV-59avi DVD player via HDMI. The picture is amazing. I've been flipping between 480i and 1080i. I think I prefer the 480i feed better which tells me the Panny does a better job at scaling. Does anyone know which chipset the 85U uses for scaling? Thanks.

P.S. - I have yet to do the same standard def test with my cable box. The high def feed is superb. Caught some of 2001: A Space Odyssey earlier today, the details in the blacks were great using the preset Cinema setting and the additional Dark setting. I have yet to run my AVIA & Essentials DVDs to tune the picture but I'm pretty happy with it out of the box.

Can you take some photos of the unit? shots of the inputs, the bezel, side/top/front, etc?

also some screen shots with 480i and 1080i feeds.

Thank you so much.

Half-Joey · 03-11-08, 01:21 PM

I'll be popping in and out of this thread just to read impressions and comparisons. Keep'em coming fellas! I'm most interested to read HD5080 comparisons

Bengbeng · 03-11-08, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Half-Joey

I'm most interested to read HD5080 comparisons

Not only that. I'm wondering how the 30.000:1 of the PZ85 vs the 15.000:1 of the PX80 is showing. Better blacks? Brighter whites? Both? Or has Panasonic just pulled some numbers out of their ass?

Garde · 03-11-08, 06:58 PM

Still waiting for some decent home-theater shots of these sets...

Mick47 · 03-11-08, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feds27

Got my TH-46PZ85U this morning. I connected my Pioneer DV-59avi DVD player via HDMI. The picture is amazing. I've been flipping between 480i and 1080i. I think I prefer the 480i feed better which tells me the Panny does a better job at scaling. Does anyone know which chipset the 85U uses for scaling? Thanks.

P.S. - I have yet to do the same standard def test with my cable box. The high def feed is superb. Caught some of 2001: A Space Odyssey earlier today, the details in the blacks were great using the preset Cinema setting and the additional Dark setting. I have yet to run my AVIA & Essentials DVDs to tune the picture but I'm pretty happy with it out of the box.

Interested in your testing, this is probably going to be my next set. It may just be the best value out there.

whiteblur · 03-11-08, 08:38 PM

Just picked up a 42px80u at BB. FYI, get a change of address packet at the post office and there is a coupon to get 12% Panasonic tvs. It is only off regular prices, but it still beats the sale!

Hopefully someone that knows what they are doing will post up some settings soon.

Is a video calibration dvd really worth it?

skatze · 03-11-08, 11:12 PM

Does the 42px85u do anything with 24fps? The Panasonic website says it "accepts" 24fps but it doesn't appear to actually display 24fps? It looks like only the step up model to it does.

fireballz · 03-11-08, 11:16 PM

seriously need some pics! can't be that ugly can it?

slbosse · 03-11-08, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skatze

Does the 42px85u do anything with 24fps? The Panasonic website says it "accepts" 24fps but it doesn't appear to actually display 24fps? It looks like only the step up model to it does.

That's correct: only the 800/850 will do a proper 24p display (at 48Hz). The lesser models - PX80, PZ80, PZ85 - all do a 2:3 cadence at 60Hz. At least here in the US; apparently all the new European models do 2:2, darnitall.

pleventi · 03-11-08, 11:40 PM

From what I recall reading (sorry, don't have the links), the PZ80 and PZ85 will do 3:2 pull-down on 1080p/24 signals. That is, they are refreshing the display 60 times a second, and so they will show one frame 3 times, the next 2 times, etc in order to emulate 24 fps.

Meanwhile, supposedly the PZ800 can display at 48 Hz, and thus show each 1080p/24 frame twice.

Main difference is shuddering effect when the camera pans -- makes the panning smoother looking.

feds27 · 03-12-08, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireballz

seriously need some pics! can't be that ugly can it?

It definitely isn't. I think the photos that were released are shot from an angle the makes the speakers look like the protrude more than they do. Also, the photos make it look dark grey but mine is gloss black so it doesn't stand out as much. I'll post photos later today, my camera battery needs charging.

HoustonPerson · 03-12-08, 10:49 AM

Ordered the TH-42PZ85U a couple of days ago. It will not be shipped till the end of the month.

Greatest Fear: The shipping company, the last two years of shipping these things into Houston has been a disaster. Maybe I will be lucky this time?

feds27 · 03-12-08, 10:54 AM

I ordered mine directly from Panasonic, it shipped out of California. The manufactured date/sticker on the back of the set says February 2008.

feds27 · 03-12-08, 11:43 AM

....I never said they were good photos. I rushed, handheld, no bounce flash.

Note, the bezel has a slight curve as it nears the left and right edges. I tried to show that in these photos. More pics to follow...

feds27 · 03-12-08, 11:45 AM

....that's "more photos" in Spanish. I tried to show the speakers which are downward facing. I also tried to show they ARE NOT removeable. Some people had inquired about that.

feds27 · 03-12-08, 11:51 AM

more photos. I had taken multiple shots from slightly different angles to reduce glare. There is alot of gloss on the bezel, speaker, and stand.

feds27 · 03-12-08, 11:52 AM

I'll take my time tonight and setup a tripod to take some screen shots.

feds27 · 03-12-08, 12:14 PM

It's noon here and I have huge windows in my apt so I have alot of ambient light. These are hand held shots but I think they give a good idea as to the preset color settings.

wakeaustin · 03-12-08, 12:14 PM

feds27....thanks for the shots! Question...is the screen really that gray?! Or is it black and thats just the way it came out in the pics?

feds27 · 03-12-08, 12:14 PM

Here's the custom setting. I was limited in my previous post. This is the factory custom setting. I have yet to run Avia/Essentials to configure the color.

wakeaustin · 03-12-08, 12:15 PM

Oh yeah...is there any buzz coming from it that you can hear when you are in the seating position?

02-26-08, 06:08 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
Prodigy7 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 76	Panasonic PZ80/PZ85 Owners Thread [No Price Talk] Pictures, settings, issues... you name it. If you own one, post away. For an excellent post on break-in settings and FAQ please visit the following link: Break-In Settings and FAQ's Last edited by Prodigy7; 08-20-08 at 06:18 PM..

02-28-08, 09:12 AM	#3 \| Link
Cleveland Plasma AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 6,434	Actually the TH-50PZ85U are availible __________________ President: Chris Majoros Forum Sponsor Cleveland Plasma

03-11-08, 08:38 PM	#15 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
whiteblur New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 12	Just picked up a 42px80u at BB. FYI, get a change of address packet at the post office and there is a coupon to get 12% Panasonic tvs. It is only off regular prices, but it still beats the sale! Hopefully someone that knows what they are doing will post up some settings soon. Is a video calibration dvd really worth it?

03-12-08, 12:15 PM	#30 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
wakeaustin Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 73	Oh yeah...is there any buzz coming from it that you can hear when you are in the seating position?

02-28-08, 07:52 AM	#2 \| Link
Prodigy7 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 76	Bump. Where are the pictures?

03-09-08, 07:05 PM	#6 \| Link
Prodigy7 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 76	Footbaggin has an excellent first impressions review of these. Let's get some more owners to post their thoughts in here now that these are starting to show up.

03-10-08, 10:46 AM	#7 \| Link
ehiggins Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 63	Well I have the TH-42PZ700U And I just had my mom pull the trigger on the 50PZ85U. Should get the tv by the 21st. It gives me a reason to visit...

03-11-08, 12:07 PM	#8 \| Link
noisy123_madison Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 99	Hi, I should be accepting a 46pz85U tomorrow from the shipping service. I am an AV novice but I would like to learn more about how the set should be set up and perform tests that might interest you all (as AV experts). I am willing to post pictures or whatever from what I get. If anyone is interested in helping me learn a bit about my display and in return getting some information about the new model just post a possible test/results scenario. A link to a pretty standard, acceptable (free) calibration method would be helpful. Thanks..

03-11-08, 01:05 PM	#9 \| Link
feds27 Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 171	Got my TH-46PZ85U this morning. I connected my Pioneer DV-59avi DVD player via HDMI. The picture is amazing. I've been flipping between 480i and 1080i. I think I prefer the 480i feed better which tells me the Panny does a better job at scaling. Does anyone know which chipset the 85U uses for scaling? Thanks. P.S. - I have yet to do the same standard def test with my cable box. The high def feed is superb. Caught some of 2001: A Space Odyssey earlier today, the details in the blacks were great using the preset Cinema setting and the additional Dark setting. I have yet to run my AVIA & Essentials DVDs to tune the picture but I'm pretty happy with it out of the box.

03-11-08, 01:21 PM	#11 \| Link
Half-Joey Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 101	I'll be popping in and out of this thread just to read impressions and comparisons. Keep'em coming fellas! I'm most interested to read HD5080 comparisons

03-11-08, 06:58 PM	#13 \| Link
Garde New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5	Still waiting for some decent home-theater shots of these sets...

03-11-08, 11:12 PM	#16 \| Link
skatze Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 87	Does the 42px85u do anything with 24fps? The Panasonic website says it "accepts" 24fps but it doesn't appear to actually display 24fps? It looks like only the step up model to it does.

03-11-08, 11:16 PM	#17 \| Link
fireballz hi Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 320	seriously need some pics! can't be that ugly can it?

03-11-08, 11:40 PM	#19 \| Link
pleventi New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7	From what I recall reading (sorry, don't have the links), the PZ80 and PZ85 will do 3:2 pull-down on 1080p/24 signals. That is, they are refreshing the display 60 times a second, and so they will show one frame 3 times, the next 2 times, etc in order to emulate 24 fps. Meanwhile, supposedly the PZ800 can display at 48 Hz, and thus show each 1080p/24 frame twice. Main difference is shuddering effect when the camera pans -- makes the panning smoother looking.

03-12-08, 10:49 AM	#21 \| Link
HoustonPerson AVS Special Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,842	Ordered the TH-42PZ85U a couple of days ago. It will not be shipped till the end of the month. Greatest Fear: The shipping company, the last two years of shipping these things into Houston has been a disaster. Maybe I will be lucky this time?

03-12-08, 10:54 AM	#22 \| Link
feds27 Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 171	I ordered mine directly from Panasonic, it shipped out of California. The manufactured date/sticker on the back of the set says February 2008.

03-12-08, 11:52 AM	#26 \| Link
feds27 Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 171	I'll take my time tonight and setup a tripod to take some screen shots.

03-12-08, 12:14 PM	#28 \| Link
wakeaustin Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 73	feds27....thanks for the shots! Question...is the screen really that gray?! Or is it black and thats just the way it came out in the pics?