Which Panasonic? I am Confused

[Clapton101]

I am wanting to get a 50" Panny but dont know weather to get the 80, 85, 800, or 850 what are the pros and cons. What is is the best all around one. any help please I am buying it this weekend. I have a Bd-35 player

[dobyblue]

They go in that order - 80, 85, 800, 850, the -850 being the best.

You get whichever one you can afford.
The -800 and -850 have a single pane of glass design.
The -80 has the lowest contrast ratio.
The -850 has internet connectivity (Viera Cast)
The -800 and -850 have 48Hz mode.

They're all good - you should aim for at least the -85 model or higher, but if money's an object you should not feel that the -80 isn't a great TV.

Congrats on being halfway to great HD.

[BACsader]

The TH-PZ80U has a 20,000:1 native contrast ration while the latter boast a 30,000:1 native contrast ratio. The 800 features THX mode which is supposed to be very accurate out of the box and reducing the need to get a professional calibration. The 850 has pro setting and studio reference mode which is probably pretty similar to the 800's THX mode. The 800 and 850 are both able to properly process 24p Blu-rays at 48hz refresh, but have a flicker while doing so. There might be a firmware update coming out for this. Besides that they are identical, except in price. A lot of people praise the 800 series and if you have the money for it, by all means go for it.

[Bizdady]

I saw the 46pz80u for 999 at amazon last night, I regret not pulling the trigger

[turboLAZER]

Originally Posted by Clapton101

I am wanting to get a 50" Panny but dont know weather to get the 80, 85, 800, or 850 what are the pros and cons. What is is the best all around one. any help please I am buying it this weekend. I have a Bd-35 player

all the info you need is on Panasonic's website

just go to the viera plasma page and select the 4 models you want to compare then hit the "compare selected" link

[Johk]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

They go in that order - 80, 85, 800, 850, the -850 being the best.

You get whichever one you can afford.
The -800 and -850 have a single pane of glass design.
The -80 has the lowest contrast ratio.
The -850 has internet connectivity (Viera Cast)
The -800 and -850 have 48Hz mode.

They're all good - you should aim for at least the -85 model or higher, but if money's an object you should not feel that the -80 isn't a great TV.

Congrats on being halfway to great HD.

Concerning the difference between the pz80 and the pz85 models, the difference in contrast is due to the CATS system. Under proper settings the CATS system will be set to off and the contrast ratio of both models will be the same 20,000:1.

I would suggest getting the pz80 instead of the pz85 (if the pz80 is cheaper of course! and if you don't need the pc input of the pz85).

Concerning the pz800/pz850. However, is the problem with the 24p playback resolved?

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Johk

However, is the problem with the 24p playback resolved?

For the majority of owners whose posts I've read, there is no problem.
For some they can notice the flicker, but only when they look for it, which is what I find happens in the cinema too.

For those that find it "unwatchable" I'd be interested to know what viewing distance they're at, as most comments to that nature are from reviewers who will be right up at the panel to read their test results.

Speaking with Chris from Cleveland Plasma who owns a TH-58PZ800U there is NO noticeable flicker on his set...and seeing as he runs the company he could exchange it if there was.

According to Panasonic there are no issues with these sets either.

Have you looked at one in 48Hz mode? I don't notice anything that would be considered unwatchable. It looks like a cinema projection.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Johk

Concerning the difference between the pz80 and the pz85 models, the difference in contrast is due to the CATS system. Under proper settings the CATS system will be set to off and the contrast ratio of both models will be the same 20,000:1.

can you explain this a little more. I had not heard this, and now im rethinking my 85u purchase.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

For the majority of owners whose posts I've read, there is no problem.
For some they can notice the flicker, but only when they look for it, which is what I find happens in the cinema too.

For those that find it "unwatchable" I'd be interested to know what viewing distance they're at, as most comments to that nature are from reviewers who will be right up at the panel to read their test results.

Speaking with Chris from Cleveland Plasma who owns a TH-58PZ800U there is NO noticeable flicker on his set...and seeing as he runs the company he could exchange it if there was.

According to Panasonic there are no issues with these sets either.

Have you looked at one in 48Hz mode? I don't notice anything that would be considered unwatchable. It looks like a cinema projection.

I haven't have the chance to see one... But I doubt I would notice it.

It's just something good to know before you make a purchase decision. If you know the issue and you check for that when you go see the displays in store then you can make an educated decision if it bothers you or not.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

can you explain this a little more. I had not heard this, and now im rethinking my 85u purchase.

From Panasonic:

The CATS (Contrast Automatic Tracking System) automatically senses the ambient light conditions and adjusts brightness and gradation, ensuring the best possible image contrast while reducing power consumption and minimizing phosphor aging.

From AVS:

I spoke with Panasonic's tech support earlier this week, and the difference in contrast ratio between these two sets is accomplished strictly through an adjustment on the 85U that is not activated on the 80U. It is known as C.A.T.S (Contrast Auto Tracking System), which automatically adjusts contrast based on ambient room conditions. If you read the forums, most enthusiasts disable C.A.T.S., so it is not necessary.

From AVS:

you'll understand that this feature internally overrides any calibration you do of Brightness (black level) and Picture/Contrast (white level) by using an ambient light level sensor (specifically the Contrast being altered by lowering contrast when you turn lights off and raising it when turning lights back on). Plus, it probably makes it virtually impossible to make an acurate Contrast and Brightness adjustment while it's enabled. It's an advance feature almost all tv manufacturers have used for quit some time by different names. Panny probably had a similar feature before by another name. Like the Contrast Enhancer on my old Sony 32XBR2. Or the Adaptive Luma Control on my Viore PDP42V18HA 42" Plasma (yes it's a cheesy tv but it was a gift from my father). The first Toshiba 50" HD-ready set I got in 1999 had a similar feature with the light sensor on front.

Anyone who has this set, try this. Turn C.A.T.S off, calibrate the Contrast and Brightness using a gray-step ramps pattern. Then while looking at the gray-step ramps pattern turn C.A.T.S on and off and watch how it ruins the calibrated Contrast and Brightness adjustment. My guess is it will crush blacks while brightening the mid to upper scale steps.

It's not as clear as black and white but in my mind these automatic adjustments affect the contrast and brightness so I would prefer to set the contrast/brightness for specific conditions and maintain those conditions then have the TV make some adjustments that will affect the PQ.

In the end, if you pay a bit more for the feature and the PC input, it's not that bad. It just depends how much those features are worth for you.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Johk

In the end, if you pay a bit more for the feature and the PC input, it's not that bad. It just depends how much those features are worth for you.

well crap, wish I would have read up more about the CATS feature...im definitely turning it off. I hate those artificial enhancements. Really wish Panasonic did not claim it as 30,000:1 native.

[dad2erin]

have the th42pz80u and it looks fantastic so if that is the lowest contrast ratio, well i don't know what to say.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by dad2erin

have the th42pz80u and it looks fantastic so if that is the lowest contrast ratio, well i don't know what to say.

Oh, I'll definitely be happy with the great PQ. No doubt, just wish I knew earlier they are the same so I could have spent less!

[Clapton101]

my blu-ray player is 24 frames per second. will the 85u show that and what is the real diffrence.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Clapton101

my blu-ray player is 24 frames per second. will the 85u show that and what is the real diffrence.

Yes, but it will use 60Hz, or a 3:2 drop down. So, instead of the 48Hz that the 800u/850u useswhere you would get a frame displayed 2 times each, it will display a frame 3 times and then the next 2 times.

48Hz
aa bb cc

60 Hz
aaa bb ccc

Make sense?

[Clapton101]

So what does that mean in lamens terms, not as clear of an image or what ?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Clapton101

So what does that mean in lamens terms, not as clear of an image or what ?

in laymans terms, its means not true 24fps.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Clapton101

So what does that mean in lamens terms, not as clear of an image or what ?

Here is a far better and thorough explanation of it:

http://hometheater.about.com/od/tele...evsrefresh.htm

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Johk

From Panasonic:

The CATS (Contrast Automatic Tracking System) automatically senses the ambient light conditions and adjusts brightness and gradation, ensuring the best possible image contrast while reducing power consumption and minimizing phosphor aging.

From AVS:

I spoke with Panasonic's tech support earlier this week, and the difference in contrast ratio between these two sets is accomplished strictly through an adjustment on the 85U that is not activated on the 80U. It is known as C.A.T.S (Contrast Auto Tracking System), which automatically adjusts contrast based on ambient room conditions. If you read the forums, most enthusiasts disable C.A.T.S., so it is not necessary.

From AVS:

you'll understand that this feature internally overrides any calibration you do of Brightness (black level) and Picture/Contrast (white level) by using an ambient light level sensor (specifically the Contrast being altered by lowering contrast when you turn lights off and raising it when turning lights back on). Plus, it probably makes it virtually impossible to make an acurate Contrast and Brightness adjustment while it's enabled. It's an advance feature almost all tv manufacturers have used for quit some time by different names. Panny probably had a similar feature before by another name. Like the Contrast Enhancer on my old Sony 32XBR2. Or the Adaptive Luma Control on my Viore PDP42V18HA 42" Plasma (yes it's a cheesy tv but it was a gift from my father). The first Toshiba 50" HD-ready set I got in 1999 had a similar feature with the light sensor on front.

Anyone who has this set, try this. Turn C.A.T.S off, calibrate the Contrast and Brightness using a gray-step ramps pattern. Then while looking at the gray-step ramps pattern turn C.A.T.S on and off and watch how it ruins the calibrated Contrast and Brightness adjustment. My guess is it will crush blacks while brightening the mid to upper scale steps.

It's not as clear as black and white but in my mind these automatic adjustments affect the contrast and brightness so I would prefer to set the contrast/brightness for specific conditions and maintain those conditions then have the TV make some adjustments that will affect the PQ.

In the end, if you pay a bit more for the feature and the PC input, it's not that bad. It just depends how much those features are worth for you.

man, I've been reading all of those posts and ran across this one:

avsforum.com

Email response from 9/12/08:

I received a reply from our senior engineer at the Panasonic Service and Technology Company and he assured me that the C.A.T.S. is turned off when the test for the native contrast is being done. I am glad that he got back to us before the weekend. Hope yours is a pleasant one.

Regards,

Robert J.
Panasonic Corporation of North America
661 Independence Pkwy,
Chesapeake, VA 23320

I guess, we may never really know?

[Clapton101]

so all in all the 85u or 800u