Exclusive: Panasonic TX-P54Z1B Plasma HDTV Review

**The News Bot** · 24-07-2009, 6:55 PM

Reviewed by David Mackenzie
The TX-P54Z1 is another solid NeoPDP display from Panasonic, who are well on their way to filling the hole left by Pioneer at the top end of the display market.
Read the full review...

Monarch · 24-07-2009, 7:30 PM

Great review, if only I had the money...

Would you say the black levels the same as the G10/V10?

David Mackenzie · 24-07-2009, 8:11 PM

It's very difficult to say without seeing the two side by side (and measuring equipment that can measure down to these levels of darkness is very hard and expensive to come by).

I would say that it's the same, but that's a subjective assessment. Put it this way: all of the NeoPDP displays have produced blacks so dark that I can't tell them apart without lining them up side by side.

cmb101 · 25-07-2009, 9:38 AM

Great review, saw this t.v. at the gadget show earlier this year.. really did look impressive

Any tips for achieving the best blacks? I have the V10 and would say that blacks aren't really that black.... no where near the bezel anyway. Is it just a case of environment? should the tv always be watched in low ambient light conditions to get the best blacks?

David Mackenzie · 25-07-2009, 9:47 AM

Yes, definitely, otherwise you'll get light reflecting onto the screen and washing out out. Other than that, so long as Brightness is set correctly (as it is for most devices in the default THX Mode settings) then it should look great.

wHoMe · 26-07-2009, 1:18 PM

Personally if I had been waiting for this screen got to say its looks would have made me think twice, its like looking at a CRT from 10 years ago maybe its just the picture haven't actually seen one in the flesh

David Mackenzie · 26-07-2009, 2:06 PM

A 2cm thin CRT with perfect geometry which can easily resolve 1080p and has no visible scanlines and no convergence? I want one!

wHoMe · 26-07-2009, 3:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Mackenzie

A 2cm thin CRT with perfect geometry which can easily resolve 1080p and has no visible scanlines and no convergence? I want one!

I just meant its appearance from the front not its performance as a screen

Monarch · 26-07-2009, 3:36 PM

I don't entirely agree with the silver either to be honest, the little bit of silver on the V10 is nice, but there's too much on the Z1 (in my opinion) I can't say that would stop me from buying one though, but if I did I wouldn't be able to afford the house to put around it

**Phil Hinton** · 26-07-2009, 4:26 PM

It's funny how different finishes put different people off. I would much rather have a finish that is not the standard gloss black that is on every other TV out there. The leather type finish on the JVC's this year are nice and I like the VX100 bezels as well as the silver on the Z1. Horses for .......

fortyfive · 27-07-2009, 7:21 AM

for those of us with spouses who do not permit speakers everywhere - any comments on the supplied TV's sound?

fortyfive · 27-07-2009, 7:26 AM

p.s. surprised at 5400£, that the panel is not a bit larger !I think I'd find it easier to justify a 65" than a 54". or would that cost 6500£......

JB38 · 27-07-2009, 11:42 AM

I really wish that manufacturers of flat screen devices would follow the old rule that to make a picture really stand out its surround should be as dark and anti-reflective as possible, that meaning matt black!

I have been put off from updating my trusty old, but still reasonably perfect, 28" Toshiba prologic set to something more modern purely because all LCD & plasma sets viewed in the showrooms are fitted with highly effective "rear view mirror" system's in the form of a gloss black surround, something which catches every moving object in the background and totally detracts from the screen content.

I have now decided that when I eventually have to purchase a new set I will have to choose one that doesnt have printing of any desciption on the the front surround, as its guaranteed that I will be forced to spray it with acrylic matt black paint of the type used in car applications rather than continually suffer this mirror effect, something annoyingly witnessed when visiting friends with LCD's etc.

David Mackenzie · 27-07-2009, 4:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortyfive

for those of us with spouses who do not permit speakers everywhere - any comments on the supplied TV's sound?

People usually ask me this about TVs, and the reason I never really mention it is because it's always a case of: "The sound is OK for watching the news with, but I wouldn't want to watch films with it".

The speakers supplied with the Z1 are probably better than any other TV I've heard lately, but that's not saying too much. You can't even find some nice satellite speakers?

JB38: I feel your pain. I think gloss black is the tackiest-looking finish to fall into favour in recent years.

namuk · 29-07-2009, 12:37 AM

When the lights are low and the film is pounding no one cares of the tv finish or the speakers on tv that is never used .. the main thing your watching is the Panel , that's my view ..

David good review

David Mackenzie · 29-07-2009, 2:16 AM

I agree - that's why the design of a TV has never affected the final score.
If the bezel strobed and flashed multiple colours and couldn't be turned off, on the other hand...

namuk · 29-07-2009, 2:30 AM

It is a nice touch in daylight and day to day, but end of day it is PQ, no one will argue with that ..

you look at panel first then surround if you can not get both then there you go it is not a decider on TV, panel first imop..
People need to understand the surround is not everything even the Wife's

if there reading ..

David Mackenzie · 29-07-2009, 2:38 AM

Quote:

People need to understand the surround is not everything even the Wife's if there reading ..

(Wife mode)

No, the stand is even more important!

namuk · 29-07-2009, 2:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Mackenzie

(Wife mode)

No, the stand is even more important!

It is

but that needs Hanging Baskets, manufacturers have not got around to that yet .. this maybe a add-on not sure , would sell more if added for free just an Idea..

Smurfin · 29-07-2009, 11:00 PM

Another good, well balanced review

Except.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Mackenzie

I think gloss black is the tackiest-looking finish to fall into favour in recent years.

...you deserve to be shot for that

I love the Kuro look......

-Ad- · 31-07-2009, 10:12 AM

Great review, and the set looks lovely. But the price

If wireless 1080p transmition becomes more common will the likes of Chord and Nordost release special sprays to aid in wireless transmition and improved picture ?

Bev Stayart · 14-08-2009, 6:43 PM

Thanks for this very good review.

Jim Di Griz · 20-10-2009, 9:08 AM

Great review yet again and yes Id love one thanks! (despite all the silver!)

Ive been telling someone I work for about how great my G10 is and why plasmas are better than LCDs and now hes seriously considering the 46" Z1 because of the wireless thing mainly (yes he can easily afford it unlike me!)

I agree with the above post though, why cant the bezels be in matt black? Its not the reflections that bother me (never notice this to be honest) - its the dust that the gloss black seems to attract!

On the design thing...yeah Panasonics dont look amazing physically but who's looking at the design at the end of the day? There are a couple of idiots in the forum (LG owners..

) who seem to think that what the TV looks like is far more important than the actual image....Words fail and all that!