Best Panasonic Plasma To Buy ???

[Video Master]

I can get a Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ80U 42" for $877 off of Amazon and a Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U 42 for $900 but what I really want is a Panasonic 42" TH42PZ800U which is $1,900. My question is, is the 800u really that much better for $1000? I could get an Onkyo 806 with the leftover change.

[sokrman14]

It is definitely better, I dont know about $1k though.

[Video Master]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

It is definitely better, I dont know about $1k though.

Any reason why? I don't want to spend that much knowing that the Panny Neo's may be hitting shelves next spring.

[MattVollet]

Originally Posted by Video Master

I can get a Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ80U 42" for $877 off of Amazon and a Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U 42 for $900 but what I really want is a Panasonic 42" TH42PZ800U which is $1,900. My question is, is the 800u really that much better for $1000? I could get an Onkyo 806 with the leftover change.

Although I know only a few differences in the 800/850 and 80/85 models (like an extra HDMI and internet connection for youtube streaming and what not) I own a Panny 50PZ85U and it is one heck of a Television. If you can't find a direct answer, or the answer you are looking for, don't hesitate pulling the trigger on the 80 or 85U and saving a grand (that's a lot of blus to enjoy). I promise it is a killer set.

[DBlackGT]

Originally Posted by MattVollet

Although I know only a few differences in the 800/850 and 80/85 models (like an extra HDMI and internet connection for youtube streaming and what not) I own a Panny 50PZ85U and it is one heck of a Television. If you can't find a direct answer, or the answer you are looking for, don't hesitate pulling the trigger on the 80 or 85U and saving a grand (that's a lot of blus to enjoy). I promise it is a killer set.

I second that. I absolutely love my 85U. I mean we can sit here and tell you the specs all day long, but in my opinion a $1000 difference for the 800 is not worth it. The 85U/80 would be my choice and then I could use that grand for other things. You wont be disapointed with the 80/85U though at all!

[sokrman14]

The 800 actually is a thx certified display, and has a thx setting on it. This will be the closest to a calibrated setting as anything. it is a pretty drastic change. plus the native contrast ratio is a little higher i believe, and it has native 24p support.
the 85u has 24p support, but it accepts the signal, then converts it to 60p, so its not as clean.

[Video Master]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

The 800 actually is a thx certified display, and has a thx setting on it. This will be the closest to a calibrated setting as anything. it is a pretty drastic change. plus the native contrast ratio is a little higher i believe, and it has native 24p support.
the 85u has 24p support, but it accepts the signal, then converts it to 60p, so its not as clean.

I just found a dealer online that has the 800u for $1,300. I wonder if Best Buy, Sears, or Circuit City would match that price?

[MattVollet]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

The 800 actually is a thx certified display, and has a thx setting on it. This will be the closest to a calibrated setting as anything. it is a pretty drastic change. plus the native contrast ratio is a little higher i believe, and it has native 24p support.
the 85u has 24p support, but it accepts the signal, then converts it to 60p, so its not as clean.

Man, all spelled out like that it makes the poor 80/85U sound like a bad set!
I still think for the thousand dollar difference THX certification isn't that important, since it could be custom calibrated 5 times over for the price difference.
As far as 24P settings, I can agree that it certainly doesn't look flawless, but it was never noticeable enough for me to think I made a mistake in the set.

[DBlackGT]

Originally Posted by Video Master

I just found a dealer online that has the 800u for $1,300. I wonder if Best Buy, Sears, or Circuit City would match that price?

I would highly doubt it,but you never know. Ive heard stories of different Best Buy's having their own rules about price matching stuff. But usually they dont do it off online retailers unless they have a physical store close to your Best Buy.

[DBlackGT]

Originally Posted by MattVollet

Man, all spelled out like that it makes the poor 80/85U sound like a bad set!
I still think for the thousand dollar difference THX certification isn't that important, since it could be custom calibrated 5 times over for the price difference.
As far as 24P settings, I can agree that it certainly doesn't look flawless, but it was never noticeable enough for me to think I made a mistake in the set.

Lets put it this way...no doubt the 800U is a better set. But in this case for THX, 24p, and a little higher native contrast its not a deal buster for a $1000 more. And the 85U and the 800U panels are very very close in picture quality with proper calibration.

edit: anyone who has an 85U should not think lowly of their set compared to an 800U. So many review sites and magazines including Home Theater Magazine have named the 85U one of the best sets of 08'. Check out this article:

Home Theater Mag 85U Review

[Sonny]

I've never got Best Buy or anyothers to match an online price. 1,300$ is good for the 42" 800u. If you get the 85u or 800u , you'll be very happy.

[Video Master]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

I would highly doubt it,but you never know. Ive heard stories of different Best Buy's having their own rules about price matching stuff. But usually they dont do it off online retailers unless they have a physical store close to your Best Buy.

Nice little set up you have there. What brand of speaker wire is that on the binding post. And, do you like the Onkyo 805?

[MattVollet]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

Lets put it this way...no doubt the 800U is a better set. But in this case for THX, 24p, and a little higher native contrast its not a deal buster for a $1000 more. And the 85U and the 800U panels are very very close in picture quality with proper calibration.

edit: anyone who has an 85U should not think lowly of their set compared to an 800U. So many review sites and magazines including Home Theater Magazine have named the 85U one of the best sets of 08'. Check out this article:

Home Theater Mag 85U Review

Thanks for the article, just wanted to mention that I checked out your setup and your speakers are gorgeous.

[DBlackGT]

Originally Posted by Video Master

Nice little set up you have there. What brand of speaker wire is that on the binding post. And, do you like the Onkyo 805?

Originally Posted by MattVollet

Thanks for the article, just wanted to mention that I checked out your setup and your speakers are gorgeous.

Thank you both very much. Video Master this is the speaker cable I use. They are premade 12 gauge cable with banana plugs.

Ultralink Matrix II

And I absolutely love my 805. It does everything I need it to and more. I had a tough time choosing a receiver and boy am I glad I went with the Onkyo.

[nothing.sound]

42pz85u for $900. That is a steal! I just got my sharp aquos replaced with this panny plazma and couldn't be happier. one month ago it was $1799, now on sale for $1399.

[sokrman14]

Sorry if I sounded negative towards on model or another. The point I was trying to make is that companies don't just put out another "higher model" for no reason. There are actual differences in the sets that justify the price jump. I was just pointing out a few of the differences, and there are even a few more, like better sound, but I dont find that a deal breaker in a TV.

[PanasonicPlasmaMan]

The Pan th42pz80u is a good tv and espeially at that price (cheaper then what i paid withe employee discount) The 800u is obviously a better tv THX certified, 24p playback, 30,000 native contrast. but to be honest i do not think the $1k is worth it. You can buy yourself a nice Onkyo reciever and some nice speakers with that change. Pan th42pz85u is also a great tv and will give you a 30,000 native contrast and so for the extra $23 i would definatly go with it.

[DBlackGT]

The 85U and 800U have the exact same native contrast ratio of 30,000:1 Its really the same panel.

The only real difference between the two are:

4 HDMI inputs on the 800U compared to 3 HDMI on the 85U
4 Speakers on the 800U compared to 2 Speakers on the 85U
THX Mode on the 800U, which the 85U does not have
True 24p playback on the 800U, compared to a 24p (2:3 pulldown) playback on the 85U

[sokrman14]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

The 85U and 800U have the exact same native contrast ratio of 30,000:1 Its really the same panel.

The only real difference between the two are:

4 HDMI inputs on the 800U compared to 3 HDMI on the 85U
4 Speakers on the 800U compared to 2 Speakers on the 85U
THX Mode on the 800U, which the 85U does not have
True 24p playback on the 800U, compared to a 24p (2:3 pulldown) playback on the 85U

They are different panels, because if you look at the different shades of gradation, the 800u has more shades, meaning less banding and a more accurate contrast.

[DBlackGT]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

They are different panels, because if you look at the different shades of gradation, the 800u has more shades, meaning less banding and a more accurate contrast.

No both actually have the "G11 Progressive 1080p HD Plasma Display Panel" There is just slight variation between the two. Thats why I said its really the same panel.