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

1M views 8K replies 980 participants last post by  vando45 
#1 ·
I'm so tired of waiting for them checking the stores and not seeing them.

Let's discuss them while waiting for them to show up in stores.

I'm probably going to buy the 42PZ800U for my bedroom as I only have a 5 foot viewing distance, it would be perfect. I'm also going to get a bluray player and probably a 4 year service plan on the Plasma.

I only wish I had something like a Onkyo 605 to go along with it, but unfortunately I have an Onkyo 504 which is 7.1, but only TRUE 6.1.
 
#178 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by TomHuffman /forum/post/13594048


Blu-rays are mastered in either Rec. 709 or SMPTE-C color spaces. The Blu-ray spec does not currently support Deep Color or x.v.Color. It might be able to support x.v.Color at some point, but given current limitations of the medium it will never support Deep Color. Some have argued that you don't get the full benefit of x.v.Color without Deep Color as well, though I am not qualified to comment on this. Given the fact that Blu-ray is so new and fighting for market share, it seems highly unlikely to me that those who set Blu-ray standards would adopt yet another interim standard that would be incompatible with most displays and require yet another round of disc replication.


The bottom line is that, short of some camcorders, there is ZERO source material that supports x.v.Color. If you display Rec. 709 material on a display with a x.v.Color gamut, the color palette will be profoundly distorted. So, if a display has a x.v.Color option that you can turn off, I suppose it is harmless enough, but it can only work as a marketing strategy if consumers believe that a x.v.Color display will somehow give them better color than what they have now. It won't. Maybe at some point in the future it might mean something, but until then it is no more than a distraction.

We're actually at the starting gates with 1080P with Ultra HD having been in use (EXPO Convention) and test broadcasting in Japan - the next phase will happen in Japan far sooner than in the US change occurs faster than we can predict. Providing capacity to reach a potential may be marketing fluff in the short-term but one day may actually have a use.


http://www.multichannel.com/info/CA6328635.html#6328645 (Two years ago)

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/fea...yond-hdtv.html (A better evaluation IMO-The Bar will move bred by competition.)


Engadget predicted 2015 this year reducing the original S&V by ten years.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/14/3...on-the-air-in/
 
#182 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by semitechie /forum/post/13626310


New members first post. I have been reading forum since Christmas. Looking at 800 or 850. Looking for more input

I don't know how much more input we can find. I think we've pretty much beat it to death for now, we'll just have to wait for them to actually appear in stores or in the hands of reviewers.


Welcome to the forum.
 
#183 ·
Readings lead me to understand settings menu is a "safe area" to work in, that is any changes made to settings can be easily restored. Using a calibration disk, with limited skill, one can adjust settings for a good picture. Readings lead me to understand the "Service Menu" can be a "dangerous area" to work in, that the wrong change or accidental change can "toast" your unit and can not be restored. I understand this to be a menu to be used by an experienced "calibrator" having proper measurement tools to deal with color, gama, grey levels and the like. My question is the "pro settings" menu on the 850 model. Is this a combination of the two? Is this an area I can work in for a few extra "tweeks" without risk of toasting the unit, or is this only for the Professional Calibrator! Does the 850 and Pro setting menu offer anything for the semi-techie or is my step up only the internet viewing. Am willing to pay the price for some extra tweeks , but the other features of the 850 don't get my attention 800 vs 850 ?
 
#184 ·
Yes, in the 850 you can have all the fun you want to with the various settings. Just ensure you write down the originals.


Do wish the 85 came with gamma settings in the user menu though (not sure if it has them in the service menu).
 
#186 ·
Hey Everyone, hope this information isn't too repetitive.


I just got back from the National Home Show in Toronto; they had the 50PZ800U on display with a "home show only" sale price of $3150 and an extension on the warranty by 2 years. The guy there (who was from Kromer Radio) said they expect to get the TV in their store by May 19th, with a retail price of $3499. Just thought I would let everyone know.


Also, does everyone think that is a good price ($3150 plus extended warranty)? Or could I wait and get a better deal somewhere else? He said if it ends up being cheaper when it actually comes out, he would update the price for me. I still have time to get my deposit back if everyone thinks I should wait.... any thoughts?


Summary:

50PZ800U - May 19, 2008 CANADA

Suggested Release Price - 3499 Canadian
 
#187 ·
Just out of curiosity, what are the practical differences between the

TH-42PZ85U and the 42PZ800U?
 
#188 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdreuben /forum/post/13631398


Just out of curiosity, what are the practical differences between the

TH-42PZ85U and the 42PZ800U?

The TH-42PZ800U will be able to display 1080p/24 at 48hz which will eliminate telecine judder. It is also THX certified, though, I'm not sure if that's a plus or just marketing BS (we'll have to wait and see) and it has a single sheet of glass covering the entire front of the TV for a "seamless design".
 
#189 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by HDPeeT /forum/post/13631433


The TH-42PZ800U will be able to display 1080p/24 at 48hz which will eliminate telecine judder. It is also THX certified, though, I'm not sure if that's a plus or just marketing BS (we'll have to wait and see) and it has a single sheet of glass covering the entire front of the TV for a "seamless design".

Thanks for the quick reply!


My sources are Tivo HD, and a Blu-Ray player coming shortly. Viewing distance is approx. 8" Is this worth the $500 premium for the 800?
 
#190 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdreuben /forum/post/13631744


Thanks for the quick reply!


My sources are Tivo HD, and a Blu-Ray player coming shortly. Viewing distance is approx. 8" Is this worth the $500 premium for the 800?

I think you should wait until both models are in stores so you can go take a look at them yourself. If it were me then yeah, I'd go with the 800U but I don't think the premium will be $500, probably closer to $300.
 
#191 ·
Another thing to consider is the size of the TV, if your willing to pay a $500 premium over the 42PZ85U for the 42PZ800, you could instead get a 50" 50PZ80U or maybe even a 50PZ85U. To me, 42" seems a little small but of course I don't know what your room looks like though if you could fit a 50" in there I would say that's the way to go.
 
#192 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by westa6969 /forum/post/13613518


We're actually at the starting gates with 1080P with Ultra HD having been in use (EXPO Convention) and test broadcasting in Japan - the next phase will happen in Japan far sooner than in the US change occurs faster than we can predict. Providing capacity to reach a potential may be marketing fluff in the short-term but one day may actually have a use.


http://www.multichannel.com/info/CA6328635.html#6328645 (Two years ago)

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/fea...yond-hdtv.html (A better evaluation IMO-The Bar will move bred by competition.)


Engadget predicted 2015 this year reducing the original S&V by ten years.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/14/3...on-the-air-in/

It may well be that in 10+ years a new standard will emerge in the U.S. that will make a wider gamut useful. But for Best buy to prominently advertise:

----"This 50" plasma HDTV features x.v.Color and Deep Color technologies to ensure vivid, lifelike color reproduction."----
they are not talking to the consumers of 2015 and beyond. They are talking to the potential buyers of today. It is borderline fraud.
 
#193 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by TomHuffman /forum/post/13632460


It is borderline fraud.

No, it is fraud. If only the consumer was educated about this crap....head would roll........it's as bad as the upconverting dvd scandal.
 
#194 ·
I agree with Tom that the way they market it (to the "general" population as being able to better their "general" viewing) is borderline fraud. No doubt about it. It's sad we see this with so much stuff nowadays....mil to 1 CR, 1440p camcorders that are sold as 1080p camcorders, early 1080p displays that could not accept 1080p input (but partially in their defense the idea probably being to deinterlace 1080i input to get and display more lines than a 720p panel)...


I'd love if they said something like - "Great new Color space, bigger than the current one, it' what Cinema theaters use! And you can now have that at home too (only if you buy some very new and few camcorders) BUT will not make any of your existing sources (broadcast, BD, DVD) any better (for a good few years at least) but may actually make it worse"


But then honesty and straight talk from the marketing dept?



Only solution - Educated consumer I guess



Manufacturers perspective - There always needs to be the next big thing in consumer electronics to make people want to upgrade. I suspect the industry sees great potential for D-cinema color space in that respect. The holy grail is always fidelity to film, hence we see 1080p24 on BD now and all these displays clamouring to output 24p. What next? Why not the color space that cinema theaters use also? I can see that as their rationale for the next push...."what's that?...you don't have any source to match? we'll try to fix that too....give us some time....then you can buy all your movies again on "D-cinema Blu-Rays" accurately mastered as per cinema theater projectors! just dump your old BD discs like you did your obsolete DVDs and bought "superbit" versions...."
 
#195 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by touviere7 /forum/post/13610063


i've been waiting as well for a new set able to reproduce scenes with slow pan without the jerkiness i'm experiencing right now on a 52" lcd, mostly watching HD DVDs with a toshiba A30.


last month, i was waiting for the pany 85U, expecting it would make a difference. well, i did a test this morning at a BB store. NO CIGAR! same jerkiness on that 85 (player on 1080p/24).

however, we tried the same HD disc, same player, same scene (you, me and dupree, begining chapter 9@ 50'30") and that slow pan in the classroom did look good on a sony XBR4 or 5. - no jerkiness.


so, now, i'm anxiously waiting for the 50pz800U, hoping that it will do the trick and give my mind a break


by the way, i experienced the same problem with many of my HD DVDs (casino is another one that comes to mind).

just to add to that old post of mine, i'm glad to mention that i've just learn to better describe the problem i'm having, in a more techy way:


let's talk about telecine judder !!!


surely hope that the 800U will adress the problem correctly!
 
#196 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by monsterbucket /forum/post/13607282


I have the 50pz800u on order at BigRiver, and it still says expected ship april25-may16


i really hope that Summer 2008 line is just Panasonic hedging their bets... I can't wait that long.


I want the 800u for the 24/p playback, so the 80u/85u just won't cut it. But, I may end up looking elsewhere for a tv if Panny takes longer than the end of April to fulfill my BigRiver purchase


i think it's about time for anyone interested in the 800U (or any other set by the way!) to stop focusing on big river and look around on this forum for wonderful sponsors offering great deals.

i did, and very happily, i just ordered my 50" 800U from clarity - buybestplasma.com - those guys rocks!
 
#200 ·
Does anyone know if the 800 series will allow for color decoder adjustments in the Service Menu? My 85 series suffers from some red push (as apparently most Panny Plasma's do?) with no way to fix it as there are no color decoder parameters in the service menu ...
 
#201 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by touviere7 /forum/post/13636156


just to add to that old post of mine, i'm glad to mention that i've just learn to better describe the problem i'm having, in a more techy way:


let's talk about telecine judder !!!


surely hope that the 800U will adress the problem correctly!

This is interesting, there is a recent review of the 42" 85 series on a UK site that seems to imply the set didn't suffer from telecine judder. Could be the source material though (i.e., worse on some then others)?


http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Panasonic-...85B/Conclusion
 
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