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Return my TH-50PX80u for TH-50PZ80U? Anyone owned both?

post #1 of 13
9/19/08 at 2:22pm
Thread Starter 
I recently purchased the TH-50PX80u HDTV. I think it has a great picture but the "blacks" are weak in my opinion. It's more like dark gray which sucks because I'm coming from a 32" Sony CRT HDTV that had true blacks. How are the blacks on the TH-50PZ80U HDTV? Are they true blacks or are they similar to the TH-50PX80u? I would have to spend 350 bucks extra for the TH-50PZ80U so I'm hoping it's worth the trouble of boxing my HDTV and sending it back to Amazon. Opinions?

Update: My HDTV will be sent back for a refund later this week. I'm now wondering if I should purchase the TH-50PZ80u OR TH-50PZ85U. I've read that both models are identical except for the fact that the 85u has different speakers, Inputs on the side instead of the front and that the bezel looks different as well. I could care less about those features though. What I want is better blacks compared to the TH-50PX80u. Has anyone compared both HDTV's in a dark room? Are the blacks any different? I wish I could check them both out myself but my local Best Buy, Fry's and CC never have them both on the floor at the same time for me to compare.
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post #2 of 13
9/19/08 at 2:56pm
maybe go to bestbuy and see what you think? granted they're not set up the best, but worth a shot.

many people here are happy with the PX80, if you're not. I don't think anyone here is going to tell you that you'll definately be happy with the PZ80, or 85, or 850.

Blindly most will say you'll be happy with a Kuro.
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post #3 of 13
9/19/08 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisk327 View Post

maybe go to bestbuy and see what you think? granted they're not set up the best, but worth a shot.

many people here are happy with the PX80, if you're not. I don't think anyone here is going to tell you that you'll definately be happy with the PZ80, or 85, or 850.

Blindly most will say you'll be happy with a Kuro.

I already checked out BB and CC. None of them had them up and running. Like I stated before, the 50PX80 has a nice picture but the blacks are lacking. I'm wondering of the 50PZ has deeper blacks and if it's worth the extra 350 bucks.
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post #4 of 13
9/19/08 at 3:13pm
What settings were you running your PX at?
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post #5 of 13
9/19/08 at 3:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vikinguy View Post

What settings were you running your PX at?

I tried them all actually. The blacks look great when there's an image on the screen but when there's a really dark scene/totally black screen, it looks medium to dark gray and not true black. Basically a few shades lighter than the bezel. If the 50PZ model has blacks that are similar then I won't bother wasting my time with it though.
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post #6 of 13
9/19/08 at 7:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGamingGod View Post

I tried them all actually. The blacks look great when there's an image on the screen but when there's a really dark scene/totally black screen, it looks medium to dark gray and not true black. Basically a few shades lighter than the bezel. If the 50PZ model has blacks that are similar then I won't bother wasting my time with it though.




It doesn't have kuro blacks...but it's a $1,000 panel. The blacks are pretty solid imho.
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post #7 of 13
9/19/08 at 8:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vikinguy View Post

It doesn't have kuro blacks...but it's a $1,000 panel. The blacks are pretty solid imho.

I wasn't honestly expecting kuro blacks. I was mostly wondering if the blacks between the 2 models I mentioned were any different. Like 350 dollars different. I've seen a few LCD's around the 1000 dollar range with deeper blacks than my Plasma. Crazy since I thought Plasma's around that price range performed better in that category.
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post #8 of 13
9/21/08 at 1:02pm
Thread Starter 
Bump for more info from folks who own or have owned both HDTV's.
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post #9 of 13
9/21/08 at 2:43pm
I'm in the same situation as you!

I love the picture on my PX80U the only thing lacking is the Blacks so i decided to sell it to family and get a new TV which was either:

Pioneer 5020, PZ800U or the A650 LCD

then latley price has become a issue so i took the Pioneer out of that list

and i'm leaning towards the Samsung A650 because of better design, Glossy Screen,No break-in and etc... Just game all i want and because i fell in love with the 120hz and AMP but i'm still considering the PZ800U because i know Plasma Owns
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post #10 of 13
9/21/08 at 6:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubz4lif3 View Post

I'm in the same situation as you!

I love the picture on my PX80U the only thing lacking is the Blacks so i decided to sell it to family and get a new TV which was either:

Pioneer 5020, PZ800U or the A650 LCD

then latley price has become a issue so i took the Pioneer out of that list

and i'm leaning towards the Samsung A650 because of better design, Glossy Screen,No break-in and etc... Just game all i want and because i fell in love with the 120hz and AMP but i'm still considering the PZ800U because i know Plasma Owns

Pretty sure the 800u would provide superior blacks. Also, you're not exactly in the same situation as I am. I'm wondering if I should return my TH-50PX80u for the TH-50PZ80u. Anyone?
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post #11 of 13
9/22/08 at 12:38pm
Thread Starter 
Bump for more opinions.
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post #12 of 13
9/22/08 at 1:20pm
Not to split hairs....but I think the more specific question on the blacks is for idle luminance blacks.

When I have viewed images with black bars @ top & bottom and in very subdued room lighting, the black bars were slightly (very slightly) lighter than the bezel. This is the idle luminance of the panel. BUT, the blacks in the image itself appeared BLACKER - noticeably. This is probably due to the contrast within the displayed image.

You also have the option of a little more birghtness in the room you are sitting in (didn't know how dark your environment was to begin with)...and you can also consider bias lighting. The bias lighting will help your vision's perceived contrast and hence improve the perceived blacks during idle luminence.

I can't comment on whether you will see an improvement in idle luminence with other Panny panels, but, personally, I don't think it would be worth the hassle of exchange and the extra $$$.

HTH
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post #13 of 13
9/22/08 at 1:33pm
If your not happy with Panny blacks I'd get the 50" Pioneer Kuro 5010 that Second Act dot Com has for only $2,199.99
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