The Official Panasonic TH-58PZ800U Owner's Discussion Thread

[Cleveland Plasma]

Out with the old <<< Click Here >>> and in with the Panasonic TH-58PZ800U

Just hung her a few minutes ago and all I can say is WOW Overall she is lighter than last years model. Overall picture quality is stunning. Black levels look good to me. More to come........ ( Pictures Below )

[creemail]

Looks good Chris! Very nice!

Chris

[Tayja]

Awesome....
Is that my tv?

[jagmonster]

When will we see specs (h x w x d, wgt) on the 58 and 65in 850"s posted somewhere?

[mlb11]

Chris,

Now that you got it mounted, do you happen to know the hole spacing in the back of the panel for the mounts?

I've currently got a mount that can take a TV with horizontal hole spacing of 29". It says it is for up to 58" sets, but I'd like to know for sure.....

Thanks!

[Cleveland Plasma]

Spec Finally:

This plasma HDTV features 3D color management, motion pattern noise reduction and game mode for stunning visuals and a Secure Digital card slot for viewing digital photos. With a widescreen and progressive scan, you'll be able to enjoy an amazing theater-style experience.

Product Features
Built-In HDTV Tuner: Add HD-capable antenna to receive over-the-air high-definition broadcasts, where available. Optional set-top box required for high-definition cable or satellite programming
58" measured diagonally
1080p display provides the highest quality progressive-scan picture possible from a high-definition source
16:9 widescreen aspect ratio delivers a cinema-style entertainment experience
1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (30,000:1 native contrast ratio)
480Hz screen refresh rate for smooth frame transitions between fast action scenes
3D Y/C digital comb filter delivers state-of-the-art detail and color enhancement
Image enhancement features include 3D color management, sub-pixel control and motion pattern noise reduction
Two 15W built-in speakers
BBE ViVA HD3D Sound; THX mode
Simulated surround sound with leveler recreates the experience of cinema sound while helping to prevent volume fluctuations
Ultraslim LCD measures less than 4-1/4" deep; comes with table stand
HDMI inputs provide an uncompressed all-digital audio/video link for the highest-quality connection and support copy-protected HD broadcast content
Secure Digital media card reader with Gallery Player supports viewing still images directly on your TV from Secure Digital media cards (media not included)
PC video input lets you connect your computer to experience high-resolution images
Inputs: 2 S-video, 2 component video, 2 composite, 1 PC, 4 HDMI, 2 composite audio, 2 component audio, 2 S-audio
Outputs: 1 composite, 1 analog, 1 optical digital
V-Chip parental controls keep children from being exposed to undesirable material
Other convenient features include sleep/alarm timer and channel labeling
What's in the box: 58" 1080p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV, pedestal, universal remote, batteries, power cord and manual

TV TypePlasma Flat-PanelScreen Size58"Aspect Ratio16:9
Display TypeFlat-panel plasma
Built-In_DVRNoDigital Cable Ready
NoMaximum Resolution1920 x 1080
Vertical Resolution1080p
Contrast Ratio30,000:1 native (1,000,000:1 dynamic)
Comb Filter3D Y/C digital
Media Card Slot Yes
USB Slot Yes
HDMI Inputs 4
DVI Inputs No
S-Video Inputs 2
Component Video Inputs 2
Composite Inputs 2
PC Inputs 1
RF Antenna Input 1
Headphone Jacks No
Watts/Channel 15
Speakers 2
Simulated Surround Yes
Sound Leveler Yes
Language Options English, French, Spanish
Bass Reflex Woofer Yes
V-Chip Yes
Sleep/Alarm Timer Yes
Channel Labeling Yes
Commercial Skip Function No
Remote Control Type Universal
Antenna Included No
ENERGY STAR Qualified Yes
Screen Refresh Rate 480Hz
Warranty Terms - Parts1 year parts; 2 years: glass panel
Warranty Terms - Labor1 year parts; 2 years: glass panel
Product Height37-2/5" with stand (35-2/5" without)
Product Width56-8/9"Product Weight136.9 lbs. with stand (128.1 lbs. without)
Product Depth16-1/5" with stand (4-2/7" without)

[mlb11]

Sorry Chris - darn I thought about asking last night - I should have!

Please let me know when you get a chance.

[deuce1973]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

Out with the old <<< Click Here >>> and in with the Panasonic TH-58PZ800U

Just hung her a few minutes ago and all I can say is WOW Overall she is lighter than last years model. Overall picture quality is stunning. Black levels look good to me. More to come........ ( Pictures Below )

Chris, great photos! Thanks for sharing.

Question, how does the picture on the 58" compare with that of the 50" ?

[Cleveland Plasma]

I see no differences from the 42, 50, and 58.

[gwsat]

I almost certainly would have bought this set had it been available when I bought my 60 inch Pioneer 6020. Don't get me wrong, I love the Kuro and don't resent what I had to pay for it. Nevertheless, I never had a bad piece of high end Panasonic gear, so I can't imagine either that this new 58 inch Panny plasma isn't terrific or that I wouldn't have been thrilled to own one.

[tds1]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

LOL, you are asking about 2 hours too late, but I will have to crack open another one for me to get the spacing check back later.

(h x w x d, wgt) 36" X 57" X 4" without stand, did not weight.

Tayja, this could be your tv, would you like it?

Would you happen to have dimemsions on the new 65PZ850U yet?

[Tayja]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

LOL, you are asking about 2 hours too late, but I will have to crack open another one for me to get the spacing check back later.

(h x w x d, wgt) 36" X 57" X 4" without stand, did not weight.

Tayja, this could be your tv, would you like it?

If the price is right, my amex is ready....

[dsmith901]

Looks great, but for heaven's sake, please remove those stickers on the right side of the bezel!

[CJArciola, III]

How does it compare to the Sammy PN58A650? Just bought one of those and it's going back..not as pleased as I was when I saw them in stores. compared to my 50" panny a very big disappoint. Not sure what's going on...

[darthmaul40]

Hey does the 58inch suffer from 24p/48hz flickering? that to me is very important.

[creemail]

Originally Posted by CJArciola, III

How does it compare to the Sammy PN58A650? Just bought one of those and it's going back..not as pleased as I was when I saw them in stores. compared to my 50" panny a very big disappoint. Not sure what's going on...

What's the biggest problem that you had with the display?

Chris

[CJArciola, III]

Originally Posted by creemail

What's the biggest problem that you had with the display?

Chris

My 50-inch Panny had a much crisper, sharper image which I can not seem to replicate with the Samsung. That "looking out of a window" effect is definitely absent in this set..at least for me. Up close, the screen seems to have a "shimmering haze" that covers the entire surface. Maybe it's my eyes, or the larger size or the 1080p resolution, or a defective set...but something is not working as well as it should. When I was getting the packing materials together I noticed a label on the box.."Made in Mexico"...Is this common for Samsung plasmas? I can't check for the manufacturing date because it's still on the wall.

[erpa]

hello all
i have been lurking on this site for over 10 mos now and i have finally gained some major WAF on the 58" making a deal with her that i hold off until the november time frame purchase AND i get my deck/pergola built onto the back of the house (oh what we do for love...and what we do to trick the ones we love so that we can get our toys) ...i am very curious as to how this set performs with a direct comparison to the 6020...and i am also curious how this set performs compared to the 50" 800u...

anyway, i am humbled by most of your knowledge...thank you for that...also thank you for some entertainment with some of the banter and bickering...this site has it all
(welcome aboard to me!!)

erpa

[ADP02]

How far were you when you took the picture "DSCF1392.jpg " and did you zoom in or was the actul distance.

[Cleveland Plasma]

^^^ I was at 15 FT from that actuall shot with no zoom. Pics where taken with a Fuji S5000.

Originally Posted by erpa

I am very curious as to how this set performs with a direct comparison to the 6020...and i am also curious how this set performs compared to the 50" 800u...
erpa

This unit in direct comparison to the TH-50PZ800U, the only I noticed is that the screen is 37% smaller . As always when one goes smaller a picture does get sharper.

This unit in direct comparison to the PDP-6020HD, I feel the color pop overall is the same in comparision. Of course the Kuro has deeper blacks but its not like this Panasonic does not have a deep dark blacks itself. ( I guess I wish D-nice lived a little closer.... )

[HoustonPerson]

Chris,

Like all 800U’s the picture is just stunning; they are always so real to life. That is a super neat clean install on the wall.

Someday we plan to move the 42” to the bedroom and graduate to the 58”. Just do not know when someday is.

Thanks for the pictures!

[ibglowin]

When will these bad boys start to show up for the rest of the world?

Where are they being made?

[creemail]

Originally Posted by ibglowin

When will these bad boys start to show up for the rest of the world?

Where are they being made?

The world...not sure. Within the US. You should start to see them last week of August to first week of Sept, even in B&M stores.

Chris

[Cleveland Plasma]

Originally Posted by ibglowin

When will these bad boys start to show up for the rest of the world? Where are they being made?

They're made in Mexico.

Originally Posted by HoustonPerson

Like all 800U’s the picture is just stunning; they are always so real to life. That is a super neat clean install on the wall.

<<< Click Here >>> and look at the last pick, my gear is in my basement running with a RF remote. That is my old setup with the FP-T6374. As well as selling displays, we custom install. This setup took every bit of 8 hours to do, but no gear in the same room is priceless. Ya, I have to run down in the basement to put a movie in but stair climbing is good for you right.

[Mikes250R]

I am dying for someone to review this big boy. I wish the new Sammy in 58" would come on out so we could see a comparison/contrast type write up. I would really like to see the new Vizio in 60" as well but I don't think it would give either the Panny or the Sammy a serious run. Has anybody bought this set yet? I am so close to pulling the trigger or should I wait on the Samsung? When will the sammy be out? My wife is gonna shoot me. Its hard to hide a 58" plasma.

Mike

[ibglowin]

I had a buyer for my 60" Sony RPTV last week so I am TV less in the den just waiting to jump on one of these.

Chris---- What elevation are these rated up to? I live at 6500ft.

[Cleveland Plasma]

9000 FT is the max elevation level.

[ibglowin]

Sounds perfect.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Cleveland Plasma

9000 FT is the max elevation level.

[videoaddikt]

I think for the Samsung 6500' feet is the recommended max altitude (per manual) although Doug Blackburn stated he has seen one operating a few hundred feet above that with no problem (no buzzing, etc.).
BTW, all manufacturers mentioned (plus several not mentioned) have plants in Mexico.

[Low Roller]

How would a XXpz800 compare to an XXa650 for use as a computer monitor?