We are about to buy the Costco version of the Panasonic TH-50PX80 (TH-C50HDZ18). We are choosing it over the TH-50PX80 (and paying $100 more) to avoid the standard Panasonic glossy black bezel.
I am looking for last minute advice before we commit to it.
1) Are there any other differences between the Costco TH-C50HDZ18 and the TH-C50HDZ18?
2) Are there significant differences in picture quality between this 720p and the 1080p version (TH-C50FD18)? We will be watching a mix of ExpressVu HD and previously recorded SD avi files (compressed to 360 megs per 48 minutes show time). We may occasionally rent a Blu-ray movie. Our viewing distance will be 7 feet.
Not entirely sure about the TH-C50HDZ18, but I work at Costco and know my product well.
Out west we carry a TH-C50HD18 (720p) and a TH-C50FD18 (1080p)
the 50fd18 is VERY similar to the pz800,
I have found four slight differences between the two 1080p models
1.) Highly reflective piano black finish vs. non-reflective mat black finish.
2.) No THX certification, does not necessarily mean the television fails to meat George Lucas' requirements, but Panasonic is not going to pay the big bucks for certification on this model.
3.) Blu-Ray will not be displayed at 24p. Most people have never had an issue with 3:2 pulldown, going back to the days of VHS.
4.) The 800 has an additional 15W (sub)woofer built in. Big deal? not really, i know my 60 has paper speakers, and it is unlikely this improvement is really going to make a lot of difference, especially considering most people have a surround sound system hooked up.
for the 720p models....
the px80 lists video noise reduction and digital cinema reality as features and the hd18 has "n/a"
Keep in mind Costco has a second year warranty included, and you can take another 2% off in the form of the end of year rebate if you have the executive membership!
Thanks for the information. Today is the day I hope to pick up the TH-C50HD18 (The "Z" was a typo). We will watch very few BluRay movies. We may not even get a player--hence we are going for the 720p rather than paying an extra $600 for the 1080p-- so the 3:2 pulldown won't be an issue. For us the deciding factor was the matte black bezel. This was the only plasma set we could find without the glossy black. I just don't get the glossy black. People agonize over reducing reflection from the screen and then insist on a bezel that will glare like anything.
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