New TV time

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

So, I am interested in this model: Panasonic 46" 1080P Plasma TH46PZ80U

It's at Costco for $989. It appears to be a mid-range model as far as features go - pretty much a TV first and bells/whistles second (so no goofy stuff like web access, etc). It has a smaller number of inputs compared to some - but I don't need a large range of inputs as I use my receiver to do the switching (which keeps my wife sane).

In the tests I have seen when set properly it draws similar or less power than similar sized LCDs, which is nuts.

Anyhow, I have had good experiences with older Panny plasmas. Anyone else have a newer Panny plasma experience to add to the mix?

Sidenote: I want to stick to Costco and I also kinda want to stay under $1000 and want to be comfortable with the warranty service capabilities of the store. haha

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

FAIL

Chavez we come to you for audio/video guidance, you're post completely destroys the reputation that you have built as the WB.com a/v guy. WTF are we suppose to do now.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

jryoung, hehe. You are all escrewed.

Seriously though, I just want to know if anyone has any feedback on this particular line of TVs. I am good with the specs on the set and the online reviews, just looking for more real world feedback from my friendly WB.Commers!

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

bought.50".$1000

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-OvQQ2OgHxBk/p_13350PZ85/Panasonic-TH-50PZ85U.html?tab=detailed_info

itch · Posted: May 06, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

I have the predessor(sp?)by two years to the 46 love it. We had to get darker shades but other than that the TV has performed above expectations.
Bowen helped me pick it out he's my go to guy.
Sorry Chavez
ITCH

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

itch, haha, no worries.

I've got it mounted up and rocking. Found a deep technical review over at Home Theater Mag, gave it pretty good reviews - better than some sets costing 2x as much.

Anyhow, they had some settings recommendations and I plugged those in last night. Big difference! Everything is very natural looking now.

Watching Bball on it last night was great. Nice close up clear view of Kobe elbowing Artest in the throat... classic!

I also bought one of these a couple of weeks ago - finally was delivered yesterday.

Got it mounted in our master bedroom. Works great, really great, especially considering the price!!!

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11472703

itch · Posted: May 07, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

Yeah we picked up a Aquas 36 for the bedroom its like going to the movie theatre.
The plasma is a great set I am just constantly thinking turn it off save the life!
HAHA
itch

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

itch, the newer sets are 60-100k half life. 60k is something like constant on for 7 years straight.

I think you are OK! Laughing

Nauty · Addict Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 827 City: Lake Dallas

I have the 50PZ80U and love it. The 85 you bought has a little better contrast ratio than mine.

If you haven't already, go buy a copy of Digital Video Essentials and calibrate your TV in the Cinema mode. You will see a vast improvement in the colors and blacks. If you've been watching it in a mode other than cinema the picture may seem too dark to you when you first start watching in cinema mode. However, once calibrated the colors will be truer to life than they appear in any of the other modes.

I've had mine for about 6 months and I'm still in awe of the picture.

Nauty · Addict Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 827 City: Lake Dallas

Oh, and if you're really bored and want to know everything there is to know and more about you PZ85U, spend a few hours reading through the over 12,000 posts about your TV in this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1000479

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Nauty, I used the settings provided by Home Theater Mag for now. I do want to get it calibrated soon, although it looks pretty good right now.

The HTM article has it in cinema mode. It looks much more natural. So many people think that "vivid" is best when in reality it just oversaturates the image, and wastes power.