Which 42" Panasonic Plasma?

[speedsurfer]

Hi Guys,

Been looking to get a new Tv for some time, currently have a 24" Toshiba CRT, so it will be quite a step up. This is for a bedroom, but there is about 10ft distance between the sitting area and the wall where it will be mounted. So from what I've read that should be fine.

I've read that Panasonic make some of the best plasma Tvs around, but I'm not limted on that particular make. The screen must be 1080p, most of the viewing will be SD, but I've heard the Sky HD box is as good as the best Tv's at SD upscaling so that shouldn't be a problem.

Looking at the Panasonic range these appear to be the models that would interest me:

Panasonic TH42PZ8B/A
Panasonic TH42PZ8B
Panasonic TH42PZ80B
Panasonic TH42PZ81B
Panasonic TH42PZ85B

The Panasonic TH42PZ800B would be nice, but it's a bit out of my price range, unless someone can advise me it's worth the extra.

I had a flying visit into Comet today and had a look at the three 42" 1080p Panasonic plasmas they had, they all look quite similar.

FreeSat isn't important to me as I have Sky, but the 81B does offer ver. 1.3 HDMI sockets with Deep Colour & x.v.Colour, which only the 800B offers as well. Not sure if that's worth going for.

Any does anyone know what the "Advanced Networking Capabilities" of the 85B are?

Really after a few people who've been in a similar situation and advice on what to go with.

Thanks,

Mark

[rewerb]

The 80/81/85 are all similar PQ, just different bells & whistles. The PZ8/PZ8B is a cut down version of the Z80, lower PQ.

As you dont need freesat, it's between the 80/85. 85 has better sound, IFC, digital optical sound output, dolby digital, third HDMI at the side (not the front) and has that silverish bar at the front. You might consider the Z81 if you want PIP (the others dont have it, only the 800)

[GD1]

On the Panasonic PZ81 Freesat tuner, can I just plug in the aerial cable from my Sky+ dish into the back of the set. Is it that easy?

I'm erring towards the PZ80 now, but am undecided.

Cheers.

[speedsurfer]

Originally Posted by rewerb

The 80/81/85 are all similar PQ, just different bells & whistles. The PZ8/PZ8B is a cut down version of the Z80, lower PQ.

As you dont need freesat, it's between the 80/85. 85 has better sound, IFC, digital optical sound output, dolby digital, third HDMI at the side (not the front) and has that silverish bar at the front. You might consider the Z81 if you want PIP (the others dont have it, only the 800)

Thanks, it appears the PZ85 might fit the bill!

Originally Posted by GD1

On the Panasonic PZ81 Freesat tuner, can I just plug in the aerial cable from my Sky+ dish into the back of the set. Is it that easy?

I'm erring towards the PZ80 now, but am undecided.

Cheers.

Yes, it uses the same group of Satellites so the dish will be pointed in the right direction. You just connect the dish to the Tv, pretty sure the connectors are the same on the Tv as they are on a Sky box. Then just use the tuning features on the Tv.

[speedsurfer]

Is the PZ85 worth the extra £80-100 over the PZ80 then?

[rewerb]

Originally Posted by speedsurfer

Is the PZ85 worth the extra £80-100 over the PZ80 then?

Depends if you want the extras, only you can say that.

[rewerb]

Originally Posted by GD1

On the Panasonic PZ81 Freesat tuner, can I just plug in the aerial cable from my Sky+ dish into the back of the set. Is it that easy?

Yes. But if you want to keep SKY+ then you would run an extra cable from the dish to the TV.

[boxrick]

Originally Posted by speedsurfer

The screen must be 1080p, most of the viewing will be SD, but I've heard the Sky HD box is as good as the best Tv's at SD upscaling so that shouldn't be a problem.

If you mostly watching SD, then not much point in 1080p right now. Panasonic do have a pretty good range of TV sets and i have owned the older 1080p PZ70 and currently have a PX80 stuck inside my bedroom with a 8G pioneer in the lounge.
Both sets are used for 65% HD and remaining is for normal TV. They are being fed with HD from freesat HD and downloaded 720p content ontop of Xbox 360 and PS3 also my PCs are connect to both screens.
So even with all that HD content im still using a 720p screens simply because they look miles better for everything except PC gaming and watching my HD dvds, but i can barely even tell the difference ( between 1080p and 720p) at a viewing distance of 2.5m on both sets in comparison to my older 1080p sets.

Comparing my old PZ70 ( renound for its excellent SD performance in comparison to the current generation of panasonics ) to my current PX80 and PIO 8G. Id say go for a 720p screen.

Take a good look a the 8G Pioneer if you can get hold of one, i have yet to see any other 42" even come close from *ANY* manufacturor.

Pioneer PDPSX4280
Pioneer PDP4280
Pioneer PDP428

All very similar screens just the 428 has more calibration options and few other things but PQ is identical accross the board.

[speedsurfer]

Originally Posted by boxrick

If you mostly watching SD, then not much point in 1080p right now. Panasonic do have a pretty good range of TV sets and i have owned the older 1080p PZ70 and currently have a PX80 stuck inside my bedroom with a 8G pioneer in the lounge.
Both sets are used for 65% HD and remaining is for normal TV. They are being fed with HD from freesat HD and downloaded 720p content ontop of Xbox 360 and PS3 also my PCs are connect to both screens.
So even with all that HD content im still using a 720p screens simply because they look miles better for everything except PC gaming and watching my HD dvds, but i can barely even tell the difference ( between 1080p and 720p) at a viewing distance of 2.5m on both sets in comparison to my older 1080p sets.

Comparing my old PZ70 ( renound for its excellent SD performance in comparison to the current generation of panasonics ) to my current PX80 and PIO 8G. Id say go for a 720p screen.

Take a good look a the 8G Pioneer if you can get hold of one, i have yet to see any other 42" even come close from *ANY* manufacturor.

Pioneer PDPSX4280
Pioneer PDP4280
Pioneer PDP428

All very similar screens just the 428 has more calibration options and few other things but PQ is identical accross the board.

Thanks for the info, the main reason I wanted is a 1080p set is that I hope it will last a good 3+ years. As time goes by I'll be watching more and more HD content, hoping to get a BR player in the new year. But like you say a 720p set would look better with SD material.

There are a few Pioneer PDPSX4280's at Richersounds for £1300, just not sure I want to pay that much at this stage.

[walker26]

I bought a TH42PZ8B last week from Comet for £599 to replace a TH42PE50B and can highly recommend it. It is the best purchase I ever made especially when you consider I spent £1800 on the one its replacing 3 years ago. Which ever one you eventually decide on it will be good like all Panasonics are.

[rewerb]

Review of the PZ80 on this site. "Overall fantastic value for money in terms of screen size and performance". That was the 46" but the spec. and PQ of the 42" will be the same.
Panasonic TH-46PZ80 Plasma TV Review review at AVForums.com

[Phil Hinton]

Don't forget Panasonic TH-42PZ81 42inch full HD Freesat plasma TV review review at AVForums.com as well!

[speedsurfer]

Thanks guys!

Yup, I've read both reviews. Great stuff btw Phil!

Guess it's the PZ81, PZ80 or the PZ85, just hope I can get one at a good price in the Jan sales.

[derek500]

Originally Posted by walker26

I bought a TH42PZ8B last week from Comet for £599 to replace a TH42PE50B and can highly recommend it.

Ditto!! Well pleased.

[boxrick]

Originally Posted by speedsurfer

Thanks for the info, the main reason I wanted is a 1080p set is that I hope it will last a good 3+ years. As time goes by I'll be watching more and more HD content, hoping to get a BR player in the new year. But like you say a 720p set would look better with SD material.

There are a few Pioneer PDPSX4280's at Richersounds for £1300, just not sure I want to pay that much at this stage.

Thing is even in 3 years time 1080p won't look any better than it does today! What im saying is if you cannot see the extra detail provided by a 1080p panel then a few years down the line this is going to be no different.... Ive seen the 8G pios for as little as £950 for a new one around near me.... have a little look