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Date: 2008-12-16 Wow. Just... Wow So I've had my new Panasonic TH-50PZ800U TV for a week, having bought it Black Friday here on Amazon for a great discounted price (29% off list). Delivery was very quick with Pilot delivery service, and they did a great job of bringing in the set, assembling it onto the included base, and setting it onto the Bell'O stand I'd purchased. They even made sure I knew not to turn on the set for an hour or two so it could warm up and not be damaged (it was about 30º when they delivered it). The TV has gotten a fair bit of use with both HD television broadcasts and regular DVD watching (both TV shows and movies). Here's the current setup: - Panasonic TH-50PZ800U - Sony 5-disc DVD player, purchased in 2001, connected directly to the TV by Monster Video III Component cables* - Scientific Atlanta 8300HD hi-def digital cable box & PVR, connected to the TV by Monster 600 THX-certified component cables** - Onkyo TX-DS595 receiver, purchased in 2001, handling all audio duties. Receiver has no component inputs / outputs, never mind HDMI, which is why the DVD player and cable box are direct-connected to the TV *Those Monster cables were purchased back in 2001 when I bought the DVD player, and when I was unaware of places like Monoprice **The THX-certified Monster cables were on clearance at Radio Shack for $44, while the "ordinary" component cables were $40. They may make only marginal improvement, but for four extra bucks it was too good an opportunity to pass up, especially since the set is also THX-certified. And I figured component rather than HDMI since the best I could hope for was 1080i video from the cable box. APPEARANCE The set is gorgeous, with a piano black high-gloss finish on the bezel and stand that goes really nicely with the Bell'O TV stand I'd purchased. The stand's plastic scratches unbelievably easily. There were some fingerprint smudges on it after it was assembled, and before I found the lint-free cloth included with the set I had taken a damp paper towel to it to wipe them off. The stand now has a load of hairline scratches from where I wiped the paper towel on it. Lesson learned!! Only use the included cloth or a chamois!! The glass front is fairly reflective, even with the claimed anti-glare coating, and this set definitely has to be used in a room where the ambient light levels are under really good control. The set is located in my finished basement, which has 6 floods on a dimmer switch and a small window on the wall opposite the TV. If the TV is off, the window is very visible on the screen and bezel, and the whole room is visible if the lights are turned up or it's daytime. If the TV is on, the reflections are pretty much gone from the screen, even when watching video with darker scenes, but they're still plenty visible on the bezel and are a definite distraction. CONNECTIONS More than enough for my needs. Both component video inputs are in use right now, and none of the four HDMI slots. When I eventually switch from DVD to Blu-Ray I'll also use an HDMI cable so I get the full 1080p resolution, freeing up that component input for the Nintendo Wii we'll also be getting down the road. You do need long video cables, though. I've got my DVD player on the lower shelf of the TV stand with a 6-foot component cable, while the HD cable box is on the middle shelf with a 4-foot cable. Both cables reach, and there's moderate slack, but if the set was any larger or the jack pack any higher up it'd be a close thing. VIDEO QUALITY This is the Big Thing, of course. When you first turn the set on you're asked if you're in a home or a store. Selecting "Home" defaults all video inputs to "Standard" mode, which is decent. But I changed both component inputs to "THX" right away. I tried using the additional picture settings applied by CNET in their review of this set, but I honestly couldn't see any noticeable change, even with the lights completely dimmed, and in the end reset everything back to the stock THX values. THX is definitely worth it and I recommend using it for every input except one used for a video game system. ---- TV SHOWS ---- Note: Unless otherwise noted, all shows were seen on an HD channel of my cable box and were broadcast in 1080i format. The first thing I saw on this set was a re-run of "Lost" (Season 3) on Sci-Fi HD. The dark interior scenes had really great detail, and all the actors looked "right" (skin tones looked accurate, no color shift that I could pick up as "off" from what I'd expect). Then the scene changed to the jungle outside, and for a brief moment I had that "looking through a window" feeling. The plants looked amazing and totally natural, no day-glow or over-saturated colors, and when Sawyer's hand showed up, groping around for a rock, I really thought I could reach into the set and grab his hand. That is a natural-looking picture, folks! Next things I saw were the tail-end of an episode of "Chuck", followed by "Heroes". "Chuck" was good because it had plants and buildings in strong daylight. The plants still looked totally natural. You could see the pores on the actors' faces and really get an idea of how old or young each one was (and if they had too much make-up on! ;-D). "Heroes" was also really good, and a good test of the set's black-level abilities as there were a number of night shots along with daylight scenes. I'll definitely say this: If there's an HD-equivalent channel for whatever station you're on, use it. My kids still watch Disney Channel and Noggin, neither of which are in HD, and the picture quality is so visibly poor compared to the HD signal it isn't funny. Not the set's fault; if anything, I'd say the set is just showing how poor the incoming signal is, since anything in HD is so much better / clearer / sharper / cleaner. My wife and I also watched "Gray's Anatomy" (season 4, disc 4) on DVD. The set does a good job of upscaling the video signal with such an old DVD player, and I think they did the transfer from the HD broadcast version of the show to get as much detail as they could, but it's definitely no HD program. Loads better than standard-def TV, but not quite as good as the 1080i HD channels. It just didn't have the same "pop". ---- MOVIES ---- Over the week I saw The Polar Express (during the day), Anne of Green Gables (which was clearly an older film / lower-quality transfer), and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition). Polar Express and LOTR were fantastic. Very good transfers and very good video quality. Still not the same "pop" as the HD program material, but very very good nevertheless. Polar Express was perfectly watchable with the daylight coming in and the only annoying reflection was off the bezel, as noted above. All of the animation was sharp and you could see how much attention the animators paid to the details of the characters and sets. I was amazed at all the details I could see in LOTR that I hadn't noticed even when I saw it in the movie theater. Things like the fact that Aragorn was really wearing Arwen's pendant the whole time; you could actually see it gleam and shimmer as it moved under his travel clothes. Or the detail / etching in the Balrog's flaming sword. I definitely can't wait to watch The Two Towers and The Return of the King! Anne of Green Gables showed itself as an older film with lower-quality transfer. There was visible "snow" and excessive grain in the picture that wasn't visible in the other films (unless it was because the film used in this movie actually did have more grain to it). I had to turn on the noise reduction feature of the set for this movie, which improved the picture noticeably. FINAL COMMENTS This is a phenomenal TV set, and if you have a room that can handle the lighting requirements, you should definitely get it. If you can find it for the same kind of deep-discounted price I got mine for, don't hesitate and snap it up, quick! Date: 2008-12-12 Beautiful Picture A buddy and I both researched this TV and he bought it about 4 months before I did. WOW. I never thought I could feel pleasure in watching a TV ;) The blacks and color depth are awesome and there is hardly ever any blur when watching fast action sporting events (others say they don't see it but I do at times.) For 2K there is nothing better out therre! Date: 2008-12-05 A Great Choice For My First Plasma TV After considerable investigation of the TV's available in the Plasma HDTV market, I chose the "Panasonic TH-50PZ800U" based on a combination of features, performance, and price. An added bonus is that it is projected as possessing a 100,000 hour lifetime--seldom heard of in this market presently. It has 4 HDMI inputs that will allow for future growth. After one month I am delighted with the television and feel comfortable recommending it to anyone in the market. It is a beautiful television with a very dark screen (when off) surrounded by a black classy, nonintrusive bezel. Mine sits on a swivel stand that comes with it although it could be easily mounted on a rear stand or wall. It has a p.c. input and an SD card slot with Photo Viewer/Gallery Player software. It also has a game mode function that automatically adjusts the image quality appropriate to game needs. I am not a techie so I will just mention that it 1920 X 1080 resolution with 5120 shades of gradation. It represents a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio which is part of what Panasonic calls its "Real Black" system which seems highly impressive. It has 24P native reproduction which will most be appreciated while watching Blu-Ray movies. For me, I find the contrast between a program or sports event on regular mode versus the same scenes on HDTV mode to be an incredible difference--a difference that makes the additional cost of a plasma screen to be well worth the cost. There is amazing color reproduction with extremely high contrast ratios that produce brighter" whites" and darker "blacks". My Panasonic is slightly recessed where it is mounted so I have no problem with screen reflection of any kind; indeed, I find consistent and distortion free brightness from any viewing angle. Similarly, as promised in Plasma screen televisions, there is very fluid, smooth and graceful movement in any program, sports event, or action sequence. This Panasonic carries the prestigious THX certification and once you watch an event in that mode you will not want to watch any other mode. The "Panasonic TH-50PZ800U" has four speakers that provide decent quality sound reproduction when you are not running the TV through your sound system or a receiver. I can heartily recommend the "Panasonic TH-50PZ800U" to anyone seeking value, multiple features, and great performance in the current Plasma HDTV market. Date: 2008-12-03 Cognitive Dissonance I researched HDTVs for a couple of months, and decided to pull the trigger on the 50pz800u. I am very pleased with my decision. I think the 800u is the best high-end plasma for the money. After reading countless CNET reviews, Amazon reviews, and AVSforum comments, I narrowed my decision to the Samsung LN46A650 LCD, Pioneer 5020FD Plasma, and the Panny 800u. After watching a couple of football games at Best Buy, I decided that plasma was the way to go--sports looked incredible. The Pioneer Kuro line has the best picture quality and black levels, but I feel that they have poor value. In my opinion, the differences in quality are not worth the premium you must pay for the Kuros (especially the Elites). Having said that, the Panny looks far better at home than it does in any store. This is especially true in the THX mode. The THX mode was a major selling point for me, and it looked mediocre at best inside many brick & mortar stores. I knew that I would never have my HDTV calibrated and the 800u has a very accurate picture right out of the box with the THX mode. Additional thoughts: - After you watch the THX mode (especially at night) it is hard to go back to vivid. I never realized just how cartoonish colors were in the vivid setting. - Viera link is a great feature. To control my surround sound (Panny HTIB) or Blu-ray player, I can conveniently use the TV's remote--a very underrated feature. - 24 fps. I was excited about the 24 frames-per-second feature, hoping it would be a more film-like experience. As so many have noted--there is definitely flicker that is clearly visible in bright scenes. Flicker seems the least-noticeable when you are looking directly at the tv from a distance. If this is a major selling point for you--try and find an 800u at a store that is hooked up to a Blu-ray player and watch. I can't handle it, some can. - Shipping. Amazon's shipping (through Pilot) was great. I received the television 5 days before I thought I would, in perfect condition. Pilot called me twice to notify me of the TV's delivery. Do not let ordering such a valuable product online scare you (its a LOT CHEAPER). This was my first major purchase ($1000+) from an online retailer--and I am extremely pleased. - Value. As I mentioned before, I wanted a high-end HDTV with a lot of relevant features (the Samsung's 650 series hooks up to the internet for news on your TV--but who really uses that?) and a great price/value ratio. If money isn't an option, get an Elite. Otherwise, spend the money you save on surround sound. I wanted the best HDTV I could possibly buy for under $2000---and I made the right decision going with the 800u. Date: 2008-12-02 Beautiful picture Beautiful picture. Easy setup. Love having so many inputs. Also have Viera DVD setup. Saved hundreds off retail price.
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