CNET's Review of the Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U

[donutman925]

CNET's Review of the Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U

I can't wait to get this TV.

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...ml?tag=nl.e722

They listed their picture settings at this link.

http://help.cnet.com/9602-12576_39-0...sageID=2510890

[theprophecy247]

haha yeh dude panasonics are nice plasama

[elwaylite]

Love my 85u, so Im sure the 800u is nice.

[DragonSarc]

i wonder how good or bad this looks "optional 24p mode introduces flicker" - is it noticeable flicker or just few times flicker or 1 time flicker?

[elwaylite]

Its not a great thing. Im kinda glad I spent less on the 85u and am just planning to spend another $375 getting it prof calibrated. The few guys on AVS that have said it makes the 85u look great.

[BryCola]

Just bought the 800u this past weekend. Loving it so far, and haven't even had it calibrated yet. I'm sure that'll make it even better.

[JTK]

Even folks wary of plasma are starting to turn their heads and take notice of some of this.

This and the 850u probably have to be on just about anyone's radar if they're considering display upgrades this year, at this rate.

That flicker issue is unfortunate, though. And why is it that so many TV's still don't deinterlace 1080i properly?

Regardless of tech: At these price points, IMO, these two issues just shouldn't be.

[dobyblue]

It's because the refresh rate is within the eye's ability to discern the refresh.
48Hz is "filmic" - so it will look like film.
It would have been nice if they had included a 72Hz option though for those wanting a smoother look; then it would be the bomb-diggety.

I'm okay with the film look - like a cinema.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

It's because the refresh rate is within the eye's ability to discern the refresh.
48Hz is "filmic" - so it will look like film.
It would have been nice if they had included a 72Hz option though for those wanting a smoother look; then it would be the bomb-diggety.

I'm okay with the film look - like a cinema.

It sounds like the CNET reviewers didn't like it.

Are there any displays out that have the 72Hz option?

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by JTK

It sounds like the CNET reviewers didn't like it.

Are there any displays out that have the 72Hz option?

They didn't like the 48Hz, seems like they liked everything else.
I haven't seen it yet in 48Hz, but as most theatres display in 48Hz I'm guessing that's why they used the term "filmic". It's the same way you see the flicker with real film.

For 72Hz, any of the KURO sets will do it. If you've never noticed 3:2 judder on DVD, you'll likely be fine with 60Hz which is what 90+% of people are watching Blu-ray with.

I wish more sets would allow for custom settings though. Many of the LCD's with 120Hz use 3:2 to get to 60Hz then 2:2 for 120Hz, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a 24p input.

For me right now the price of the -800 is very attractive, but I'm finally seeing the PDP-5010FD coming in online for under $3,000, which makes that too a really, really good TV to consider. I've never seen a set look as good as the 60" Elite 1080p KURO so far.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

They didn't like the 48Hz, seems like they liked everything else.
I haven't seen it yet in 48Hz, but as most theatres display in 48Hz I'm guessing that's why they used the term "filmic". It's the same way you see the flicker with real film.

For 72Hz, any of the KURO sets will do it. If you've never noticed 3:2 judder on DVD, you'll likely be fine with 60Hz which is what 90+% of people are watching Blu-ray with.

I wish more sets would allow for custom settings though. Many of the LCD's with 120Hz use 3:2 to get to 60Hz then 2:2 for 120Hz, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a 24p input.

For me right now the price of the -800 is very attractive, but I'm finally seeing the PDP-5010FD coming in online for under $3,000, which makes that too a really, really good TV to consider. I've never seen a set look as good as the 60" Elite 1080p KURO so far.

It'll be interesting to see what the forthcoming 850u series from Panasonic adds to this mix.

[alphapyro]

I actually was looking at the 800u for the 24p, and now that I hear about the flicker have turned my attention to the 85u. I'm about 2 weeks of patience from finally pulling the trigger on the 85u, and I say that because a lot can change in the next 2 weeks or so - such as flag day sales.


Pioneer's KUROs would be nice, but I can't justify the price for the gains.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by JTK

It'll be interesting to see what the forthcoming 850u series from Panasonic adds to this mix.

I'm very interested in this too.
First of all to see how they implement the Viera Cast where you can give the TV an IP on your LAN, and secondly how the Digital Cinema Colour settings are. They chose their own technology (Digital Cinema Colour) over THX's for the -850 series as each are mutually exclusive.

If the Blu-ray encodes Panasonic Hollywood Labs has done for Fox and Disney are any indication, they know what they're doing. We'll see how the TV's are.

Originally Posted by alphapyro

I actually was looking at the 800u for the 24p, and now that I hear about the flicker have turned my attention to the 85u. I'm about 2 weeks of patience from finally pulling the trigger on the 85u, and I say that because a lot can change in the next 2 weeks or so - such as flag day sales.


Pioneer's KUROs would be nice, but I can't justify the price for the gains.

Keep in mind the -800 still has THX settings so the panel will be better overall for PQ and colour accuracy, it's not just the 24p you're getting.

[MJM]

I've been going back & forth for months now, and I'm still undecided. I'm sure a lot of people can relate.

At first I was considering a 50" 1080p Kuro Elite, but since I'm starting from scratch with the entire set-up, I decided it was too expensive for the moment. I need to buy the TV, blu-ray player, receiver, speakers, etc. My limit for the TV is $3,000.

I was seriously considering the Panasonic 800u, but I've also read about that judder issue in recent weeks, and I'd like to know if the 850u may eliminate this issue? If so, that could be the TV I buy. Still wide open though.

[lv426]

Hi there

I read on a uk forum that all the UK 2008 Panasonic plasmas when receiving a 24p input will display at 96hz (pulldown 4:4) with IFC off

Link - http://whathifi.co.uk/forums/t/8401.aspx?PageIndex=1

so if its true, how does the uk get 96hz and us only 48hz

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by lv426

so if its true, how does the uk get 96hz and us only 48hz

its all multiples of 24, not really a big difference.

[lv426]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

its all multiples of 24, not really a big difference.

but on the review of the 800u that the op provided, says that, at 48hz there is flicker

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by lv426

but on the review of the 800u that the op provided, says that, at 48hz there is flicker

well, I could not answer as to reason for this...mathematically 24Hz = 48,72,96,120...they should each play fine together if done correctly, but sometimes a TV just has issues?

...perhaps some type of Motion enhancer is engaged that should be turned off? I dunno

[PS3+HDDVD OWNER]

Originally Posted by Phase3

I've been going back & forth for months now, and I'm still undecided. I'm sure a lot of people can relate.

At first I was considering a 50" 1080p Kuro Elite, but since I'm starting from scratch with the entire set-up, I decided it was too expensive for the moment. I need to buy the TV, blu-ray player, receiver, speakers, etc. My limit for the TV is $3,000.

I was seriously considering the Panasonic 800u, but I've also read about that judder issue in recent weeks, and I'd like to know if the 850u may eliminate this issue? If so, that could be the TV I buy. Still wide open though.

With a $3000 budget, you have plenty of options for an HDTV. If i were you, i'd seriously look into the Sony XBR series, Sharp Aquos tv's, and the Panasonic Viera models. I personally, am in love with the new 52" Sony XBR. However, if i were you i'd consider spending the extra cash and getting the Pioneer. My uncle owns a Pioneer set that is about 3 years old, 60", and 720P. I swear that his Elite looks better than 95% of the 1080P sets on the market right now. Pioneer makes phenominal tv's, and with a $3000 budget you'd be crazy to not look into it.

I wish i was in your position!!

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by lv426

but on the review of the 800u that the op provided, says that, at 48hz there is flicker

They're seeing the refresh rate that's all....at 48Hz you're very likely to see the refresh rate.

It's not some inherent problem with the display.

It's filmic. Have you ever watched a movie play properly at 24Hz? You'll see the same flicker, but much more easily. 48Hz is slow enough for the eye to see, there isn't anything that's going to "fix" it other than refreshing faster.