Warning about the Panasonic TH-50PZ850U series (unwatchable flicker)
Even though the Panasonic 850U has 48HZ refresh rate for 1080P/24 signals it should be noted that according to the CNET review and other reviews the Panasonic 850U series is unwatchable with an ignoring flicker when a 1080P/24 signal is applied. Maybe Panasonic might fix this issue with a firmware update.
The Panasonic 850U was suppose to be THX certified. Before Panasonic released the 850U either THX or Panasonic dropped the THX feature from the product. It is unknown why the new Panasonic is not THX certified. Perhaps it is because there is an unwatchable flicker when the display refreshes 1080P/24 material at 48HZ. The new Panasonic 800U and 850U offer smooth judder free film playback at 48HZ but since several professional reviews are saying the Panasonic is unwatchable when playing 1080P/24 at 48HZ do to the flicker I am considering removing both the Panasonic 800U and 850U from the list. I am in shock Panasonic has released a product with a feature that cannot be used. Hopefully Panasonic will release a firmware update to either correct this problem or to turn off the 48HZ refresh rate completely and make the display a 60HZ only display. There was a review of a Sony KDL-46V3000 LCD display that mentioned a small amount of vertical flicker at 48HZ but the Sony was still watchable. More evidence is starting to appear that both Plasma and LCD flat panel displays have flicker problems when the refresh rates are around 48HZ. Higher refresh rate displays are better but cost more money to produce. Panasonic should have used a 72HZ refresh rate or greater just like Pioneer does. The Pioneer Plasma’s have no flicker problems with 1080P/24 material that is refreshed at 72HZ.
Quote from CNET review
“Panasonic built the same 48Hz refresh rate option we complained about on the 800U into the 850U, and our complaints still apply. When fed a 1080p/24 source, the set flickers quite noticeably, especially in the brightest areas. The flicker is not subtle -- to the point why we wonder why Panasonic even included this mode at all. Needless to say, despite the fact that refreshing the screen in an even multiple of 24 did seem to smooth the characteristic 2:3 pulldown "hitch," we preferred watching the set in standard 60Hz mode."
“Unlike the less expensive TH-50PZ800U, the flagship TH-50PZ850U is not THX certified. We're not exactly sure why, but we guess it has something to do with keeping prices down; perhaps the cost of including the THX license and Viera Cast would have driven the price into a place that, unlike Pioneer, Panasonic didn't want to go. It may also have to do with differing color gamuts (see Performance). Regardless, it's pretty confusing for a flagship product to lack a major picture quality feature that its step-down cousin includes.”
Quote from HD Guru website on the TH-50PZ850U
“To eliminate judder, this Panasonic plasma can display 24 Hz native content at 48 Hz (2 frames followed by 2 film frames or also called 2:2). This mode completely eliminates judder, unfortunately it creates flickering of the image as well, making it unwatchable.”
http://hdguru.com/panasonic-th-50pz850u-exclusive-hd-guru%e2%84%a2-first-review/249/