OK...time to upgrade

[flyinghi5]

I jumped on the HD bandwagon many years ago when I purchased my Panasonic TH-42PHD5 monitor. When I purchased this unit it cost as much as the current Pioneer 60" set.

Now It's time to upgrade and I am looking at either the Pioneer PHD-5010 or the Panasonic TH-50PZ85U. I read some reviews on the Pioneer that the digital optic out does not have 5.1 capability but the web site states that the output is dolby. Can anyone confirm for sure if this is a Dolby 5.1 output? I really couldn't see any digital optic cable that would not have 5.1 capability??

I am leaning towards the Pioneer since it will do 72hz and has the cable card slot. Could go for the Panasonic if it is confirmed that it will do true 1080p/24 but not sure how much longer I want to wait.

Any other thoughts that might help me decide.

[Chevypower]

All the new Panasonics will do true 1080/24p. That is the PZ800(1080), PZ85(1080), PZ80(1080p) and PX80 (720p). I don't know anything about the cable card slot, Panasonic site says ATSC and QAM tuner, will QAM give all digital cable channels direct to the TV?

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Chevypower

All the new Panasonics will do true 1080/24p. That is the PZ800(1080), PZ85(1080), PZ80(1080p) and PX80 (720p). I don't know anything about the cable card slot, Panasonic site says ATSC and QAM tuner, will QAM give all digital cable channels direct to the TV?

That's not correct.

All the new Panasonics will handshake with a 1080p24 signal, but the -85 and -80 series will perform 3:2 pulldown and display at 60Hz.

Only the -800 and -850 lines will support 1080p24 reproduction at a multiple of 24...in this case 48Hz (2:2 pulldown)

[Chevypower]

OK thanks Dobyblue, I guess i will be buying the PZ800 then. I did read it was native, but the Panasonic website does say 3:2. I just called Panasonic and they said they do have a CableCard slot.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Chevypower

OK thanks Dobyblue, I guess i will be buying the PZ800 then. I did read it was native, but the Panasonic website does say 3:2. I just called Panasonic and they said they do have a CableCard slot.

They did screw up their original press release and stated it as being 24p native.

The manual states otherwise.

Look, they still haven't corrected it!

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...62008124647947

I think the -800 will be worth waiting for though.

[Chevypower]

Yeah i checked out the 850, the additional specs on that are nothing i care about - YouTube etc. Let's hope the price on the 800 is as attractive as the specs.