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?

[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.

[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 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 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

[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.