New Panasonic THX Certified 42PZ800U, 46PZ800U, and 50PZ800U Thread!

[cfryer]

I'd read earlier in this post that the 800 series would be cablecard compliant.

Originally Posted by D-Nice

Cable card support (aka Tru2Way) will be on the 800/850 series. It has also been offically stated per Panasonic through their press releases.

However, I can't find anything to support this. Anyone know if the 800u will have a cablecard slot?

[am777]

Originally Posted by Bill1313

Well I was never a BIG FAN of THX colors & etc so I'm guessing it's probably just a "Gimmick" setting on the 800 that is "THX" approved & the "Stuido Reference" mode is what most movies & tv programs are calibrated at? so I'd probably rather have the "Studio" mode plus if you have the set ISFed don't they really calibrate the set to the "Studio Reference" mode & not Lucas's "THX" mode?

it seems with THX cert they are aiming for the HDTV rec 709 ATSC std, not "THX colors" as you put it. (what are THX colors btw, do they have their own color space?)

Originally Posted by Bill1313

So if you can afford the 850 that's the set I'd go with for color accuracy & etc especially after a ISF tune up.

I hope in the coming months that someone compares the 700s "CINEMA" Mode with the 800s "THX" Mode & the 850s "Studio Reference" mode just to see how different they all really are.

+1

I don't think any TV will be perfect out of the box (even if it's designed to be adhering to rec 709 as the THX 800u is) and hence will need tweaking (if not a full calib), so the 850 with it's pro settings will help in getting to that color fidelity (compared to the 800).

[VFR]

Originally Posted by cfryer

I'd read earlier in this post that the 800 series would be cablecard compliant.



However, I can't find anything to support this. Anyone know if the 800u will have a cablecard slot?

No cablecard for the 800.The pr does not specifically call out a model but does state much later in the year as when we should see it.Should be in the 850 panels.

Links

[Cromagnus]

I'm ready to buy the 50" 800U RIGHT NOW. Hurry up and start shipping it already!

ARGH! Please take my money! Please? *sigh*

[mbroadus]

Originally Posted by Cromagnus

I'm ready to buy the 50" 800U RIGHT NOW. Hurry up and start shipping it already!

ARGH! Please take my money! Please? *sigh*

Unfortunately, I'll have to wait until September for the 58PZ850U to be shipped. I guess I know what I'm buying myself for Christmas.

[jhusky]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

Finally there is word, we are being told that the 46PZ800U will be in stock later this week.......

NICE!!!!!!!!

Count me in!

[bmwolf]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

Finally there is word, we are being told that the 46PZ800U will be in stock later this week.......

Great!!! Not only will you be taking my money, now I'll have this insatiable need to check my email every 10 minutes looking for a shipping confirmation. Thanks a lot!

[Orta]

How come the 46" models, in general, are not being discounted? Is it the red headed step child size that they produce lower quantities of and retailers stock fewer of?

[am777]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

Finally there is word, we are being told that the 46PZ800U will be in stock later this week.......

so it's friday any news?

[CCMOO]

i've been watching all the talk on these. my simple question: worth it to get a kuro 4280 now for $1,700 or wait a month or two for an 800u?

[ROMAN O]

Originally Posted by am777

so it's friday any news?

I think he would have updated if there was I have not seen anything. Chris?

[DanteRising]

I'm having a very difficult time understanding Panasonic's implementation of 24p. It was my understanding that unless it displayed at 72Hz then the claim is dubious at best. Am I misunderstanding the basics of 24p without 2:3 pulldown?

This is very frustrating to me because I cannot decide if I should go with the 800u or 85u. 24p is a big selling point, but only if properly addressed. I don't want to pay a $500+ premium for a gimmick and a few extra speakers.

[bmwolf]

Originally Posted by DanteRising

I'm having a very difficult time understanding Panasonic's implementation of 24p. It was my understanding that unless it displayed at 72Hz then the claim is dubious at best. Am I misunderstanding the basics of 24p without 2:3 pulldown?...

24 frames into 72Hz(like pioneer) is 3:3, Panasonic is using 2:2(48 or maybe 96Hz), sony uses 5:5 into 120Hz. It is my understanding that there are multiple ways to get smooth judder free video playback other than 72Hz. I'm not an expert though, so others will have to chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.

[RobbyTV]

if you wait for the pro panasonics in the fall.. they should have 48hz/96hz.... but I don't think they will have speakers or a tuner.

Originally Posted by DanteRising

I'm having a very difficult time understanding Panasonic's implementation of 24p. It was my understanding that unless it displayed at 72Hz then the claim is dubious at best. Am I misunderstanding the basics of 24p without 2:3 pulldown?

This is very frustrating to me because I cannot decide if I should go with the 800u or 85u. 24p is a big selling point, but only if properly addressed. I don't want to pay a $500+ premium for a gimmick and a few extra speakers.

[bmwolf]

Originally Posted by am777

so it's friday any news?

+1

[am777]

Originally Posted by DanteRising

I'm having a very difficult time understanding Panasonic's implementation of 24p. It was my understanding that unless it displayed at 72Hz then the claim is dubious at best. Am I misunderstanding the basics of 24p without 2:3 pulldown?

This is very frustrating to me because I cannot decide if I should go with the 800u or 85u. 24p is a big selling point, but only if properly addressed. I don't want to pay a $500+ premium for a gimmick and a few extra speakers.

yes you are, as long as the frames are displayed in ANY multiple of 24, the 24p implementation will be correct, 48, 72, 96, 120, etc. It's a simple enough concept to implement, just double every frame you have received...now how well panny does it (i.e. is there any increased flicker because of the lower than 60Hz refresh rate, do they try to "better" the image by doing some interpolation rather than just a "pure" frame repeat, etc) we have to wait and see.

check out the main 2008 panny thread for detailed discussions on the 24p implementation

EDIT - I am also trying to decide between the 85u and the 800u and if it's worth the extra 500 or so. The 5120 greys of the 800u will be one big differentiator imho. I am not sure how much diff the 2:2 24p will make (i.e. as much as the 5120 greys) since that only takes care of uneven cadence (3:2) judder but the inherent judder in 24p material still remains. In all the 60Hz plasmas I have seen so far running blu-ray demos I have not really "noticed" any judder. We have been seeing uneven 3:2 cadence for a very long time with regular NTSC 60Hz displays (because of the telecine process of 24p material) which has made us quite used to it, plus each individual's sensitivity to judder will vary. I am likely one of the people who isn't bothered by 3:2 judder in 60Hz progressive displays. I think many will find that is the case. But I'd still like to do the ultimate test - Wait for the 800u, demo a slow pan shot of a 24p blu-ray at both 48Hz and 60Hz on it and see if I can tell the diff. If I can't then that confirms that I don't need it and the only diff to me is the 5120 greys. That is if I can be patient long enough without succumbing to the 85u

Originally Posted by bmwolf

24 frames into 72Hz(like pioneer) is 3:3, Panasonic is using 2:2(48 or maybe 96Hz), sony uses 5:5 into 120Hz. It is my understanding that there are multiple ways to get smooth judder free video playback other than 72Hz. I'm not an expert though, so others will have to chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.

panny will do 48Hz (2:2) and not 96Hz (which would have been 4:4 frame repeat). the 800u manual has confirmed this.

Originally Posted by RobbyTV

if you wait for the pro panasonics in the fall.. they should have 48hz/96hz.... but I don't think they will have speakers or a tuner.

apparantly pro pannys (2007) already do 48/96Hz, it's not a new 2008 feature.

Originally Posted by CCMOO

i've been watching all the talk on these. my simple question: worth it to get a kuro 4280 now for $1,700 or wait a month or two for an 800u?

imho the only advantage the panny has over the 4280 is 1080p vs 720p, in everything else the 4280 tops the panny. so if your seating dist is far enough that 1080p offers no advantage (see the article in my sig) go for the 4280.

[dontbugme]

On a totally different note, am I reading correctly, or do my eyes deceive me in reading the 800U will suck a fat 692W of power? Good lord.

[HDPeeT]

That's probably with a full white screen. We'll have to wait for some professional reviews to find out what the real world power draw is.

[grider]

Originally Posted by dontbugme

On a totally different note, am I reading correctly, or do my eyes deceive me in reading the 800U will suck a fat 692W of power? Good lord.

That is why a number of people are waiting for 10 lumen tech. At least a year away.

[hingis_fan]

Anyone have a confirmed availability date for the 58 inch?

[bmwolf]

Originally Posted by dontbugme

On a totally different note, am I reading correctly, or do my eyes deceive me in reading the 800U will suck a fat 692W of power? Good lord.

Doesn't the 85U claim the same? A user in the 85 owners forum said his consumes ~240 on average once out of torch mode. It is my understanding that 692 is a maximum, and you'll never see anywhere close to that in normal use.

[tts42572]

Wondering if anybody else had heard anything about availability for the 50PZ800?

I see Panny has brought back the $200 rebates for purchases made between 4/6 and 5/3 with in-home installation by 6/3.

I'd just like to be able to take advantage of the rebate on the 800 series. Think it would it work if I just pre-ordered the TV from my dealer now...as long as it's installed by 6/3?

[AlexInvision]

Originally Posted by hingis_fan

Anyone have a confirmed availability date for the 58 inch?

Have not heard a word on the 58" and larger units. Not even my distributors have heard anything on them yet. My guess is fall for these larger units.

[AlexInvision]

Originally Posted by tts42572

Wondering if anybody else had heard anything about availability for the 50PZ800?

I see Panny has brought back the $200 rebates for purchases made between 4/6 and 5/3 with in-home installation by 6/3.

I'd just like to be able to take advantage of the rebate on the 800 series. Think it would it work if I just pre-ordered the TV from my dealer now...as long as it's installed by 6/3?

I think you will see the 800 series released when the new Pioneer line is released as well. Could be sooner than you think.

[mbroadus]

Originally Posted by hingis_fan

Anyone have a confirmed availability date for the 58 inch?

58" displays are due to be shipped in the fall, just in time for football season.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by am777

imho the only advantage the panny has over the 4280 is 1080p vs 720p, in everything else the 4280 tops the panny.

What is this statement based on, your own auditions of the -800 series?
I haven't seen even a review of one yet.

[dontbugme]

Originally Posted by tts42572

Wondering if anybody else had heard anything about availability for the 50PZ800?

I stopped by a local Circuit City yesterday (Best Buy had a fire, literally) and asked a clerk if they had the 800U in stock (this was before I knew it wasn't out yet - long story), and she said it was in their systems but not in stock. To me, this means they will be receiving them soon - soon meaning 1 month or less?

[D-Nice]

I thought the 800us' were suppose to be released within the next 2 weeks????

[tts42572]

I also had a local dealer basically saying the same thing...he also thought it would show up within a month or so.

With my luck, they won't show up until after the $200 rebate expires on 5/3.

I e-mailed Panasonic to see if I'd have any luck getting a more concrete date. Not expecting them to give me any useful info though.

Originally Posted by dontbugme

I stopped by a local Circuit City yesterday (Best Buy had a fire, literally) and asked a clerk if they had the 800U in stock (this was before I knew it wasn't out yet - long story), and she said it was in their systems but not in stock. To me, this means they will be receiving them soon - soon meaning 1 month or less?

[dontbugme]

Originally Posted by tts42572

With my luck, they won't show up until after the $200 rebate expires on 5/3.

I know what you mean. Is the rebate valid through Amazon? Do you have to get the installation package in order to claim it? Thank you.