Panasonic PZ800 Series: TH-46PZ800 / TH-50PZ800 / TH-58PZ800 - Page 8 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

vyper · 2009-02-05, 12:13 AM

What is the difference between these two models?

1tribeca · 2009-02-05, 08:43 AM

In a nutshell...incl. specs on the PZ80...

PZ80 VS PZ800 Step up
1 THX certified picture
2 50% improvement in native contrast ratio VS PZ80
3 4 HDMI VS 3
4 PC input
5 25% improvement in grey scale gradation VS PZ80
6 24p cinematic playback
7 one sheet glass design
8 Swivel base
9 5:1 digital audio output

PZ850 VS 800 All the above as above Plus
1 Studio Reference Picture
2 Pro setting Mode
3 RS232
4 SD card Slot plays AVCHD/ mpeg2

5 Digital Cinema Color 6 Viera Cast

scampbell · 2009-02-05, 09:23 AM

I believe that the 850 does NOT have THX.

Senna27 · 2009-02-05, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scampbell

I believe that the 850 does NOT have THX.

Correct!

pwc_brick · 2009-02-09, 08:44 AM

Just and update on my situation that I posted before... Essentially everything works fantastic now that I switched to the SA4250HD Box.... Wasted a week playing around with settings on my receiver, TV and STB but sure learned alot....

Thanks again,
Chris

nicholas01 · 2009-02-10, 04:35 PM

I've had the 58PZ800U since Oct 2008 and I can't believe how stunning it is! I'm still amazed by it and it never gets old to look at. I actually watch way too much tv now.

Anyway, I'm using calibrated THX-warm service menu settings posted elsewhere on the web, which I really suggest everyone do. You have to access the service menu, but the results are well worth it! It looks like looking out a window on good HD material.

Does anyone know if the Custom mode can be calibrated?

57 · 2009-02-10, 05:20 PM

Quote:

I'm using calibrated THX-warm service menu settings posted elsewhere on the web, which I really suggest everyone do.

I don't suggest this, although it's likely to be better than the default vivid mode. See the following link for further explanation. Each HDTV is unique and no settings posted on the web are going to be the optimum for your TV. The custom settings can be changed and therefore optimized. Custom settings are also remembered for each input, so you can optimize the input for the device connected, if you have things set up that way.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...73&postcount=2

brownriggd · 2009-03-16, 08:56 PM

I've noticed occasionally a green halo or flash on the side of fast moving objects, ie hockey players or other fast moving objects in both HD video and blu ray. Is something wrong or is this just normal for plasmas? I thought the PZ800s had a fast response time / refresh rate.....

I called the dealer and they recomended turn off the NR circuits and reducing the sharpness control. The NR features are all off and the set is in THX mode....

ClayZ · 2009-03-17, 12:25 PM

Im thinking of buying a new flatscrean soon but im still not sure if i should buy a plamsa or a LCD flatscrean.
I heard plasma is ways better but LCD is cheaper ... is it really worth buying a plasma TV?

57 · 2009-03-17, 01:06 PM

ClayZ, please see the following thread on that topic:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=68800

Please also see the following post, useful for those new to the forum - search tips, FAQs:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

This is not the thread to discuss LCD vs Plasma, it's for discussing the models in the title... If you wish to discuss LCD vs Plasma, please use the link above. I think you'll find that for equivalent quality (and same size), LCDs and Plasmas are similarly priced and plasmas may even be less in the larger sizes.

j0dest3r · 2009-04-11, 05:58 PM

I just bought one of these bad boys today. A smokin' deal, half off SRP!!

Dadius · 2009-04-30, 01:54 AM

I ended up getting one of these because I got a great deal on it. th-46pz800.

I'm not sure why some people find the THX mode significantly dim. For all the lighting variations I have tried in my viewing room, the picture continued to look great in THX mode. No more dim then how I usually have my tvs setup, even lcds, and if it was significantly brighter than what it can go in that mode, imo, it would not look as good. My viewing room by nature is never very bright I admit, but I think a lot of the "too dim" comments have to do with what people get used to seeing in the stores (Torch mode), and that becoming the status quo.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see in my home that the 48hz mode "flicker" isn't nearly as bad as I have read by some people and reviews on the net. I was expecting it to be useless, but it's not, infact more often than not the flicker is very subtle, and infact, very cinema like, at least in THX mode. There are instances where it's a little too much, and I switch back to 60hz, but in many movies it seems to be fine. Perhaps during side by side compariisons with other tvs, the flicker becomes more obvious.

This TV is WAY better than any other hdtv I have owned, and better than I thought it would be after reading complaints. Everything else in my house is starting to look like garbage by comparison.

ryoung · 2009-04-30, 10:06 AM

Dadius...I couldn't agree more.

I have every input set to THX mode except for the XBOX360 and I have no complaints at all, even in bright lighting conditions.

This is an excellent TV and since I've owned it (since launch) watching the Bravia we have in our bedroom makes me sad at how badly it compares to the 800.

Dadius · 2009-04-30, 07:01 PM

Ryoung,

Funny thing is, my tv came with free delivery and "ISF calibration". But it wasn't a real calibration, just button pushing in custom mode without any tools. I was aware of this ahead of time though so no biggy. Anyway, my viewing room is very dark compared to most people's and the guy who setup my tv told me not to use THX mode because it's way too dim even for my room. He said to use his settings in custom mode (which looked like crap by comparison to THX), or to use the "vivid" mode. The thing that bothered me about his settings the most was not the overly brightness, (although that was annoying too), but the inaccuracy of the colours and oversaturation. Everyone looked like they had sunburn. A glowing on fire sunburn at that. I didn't say anything to him but I immediately switched to THX warm mode after he left and tweaked it a bit and it was like switching from a cartoon to real life. Vivid mode by the way really hurts my eyes, it's like looking at the sun. THX mode looks great for everything.

I was rather surprised that a guy who is in the position of apparent authority regarding tvs, would reccomend a "scorch" like mode in a dark room rather than the almost perfect imo THX mode which in the CNET review at least, seems to be highly praised.

ryoung · 2009-04-30, 08:24 PM

Sounds like the "ISF" guy needs an eye exam!

2009-02-05, 12:13 AM	#106
vyper Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Coquitlam, BC Posts: 177	Panasonic PZ800/PZ850 What is the difference between these two models? __________________ Onyko 906, Pioneer Pro 141 FD 60, Oppo BDP-83, Mortorola 3416, Paradigm Studio 20, Velodyne SPL-800

2009-02-09, 08:44 AM	#110
pwc_brick Rookie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Guelph Posts: 7	Good to go.... Just and update on my situation that I posted before... Essentially everything works fantastic now that I switched to the SA4250HD Box.... Wasted a week playing around with settings on my receiver, TV and STB but sure learned alot.... Thanks again, Chris

2009-03-16, 08:56 PM	#113
brownriggd Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ottawa Posts: 247	PZ800 Motion Lag....green halo.... I've noticed occasionally a green halo or flash on the side of fast moving objects, ie hockey players or other fast moving objects in both HD video and blu ray. Is something wrong or is this just normal for plasmas? I thought the PZ800s had a fast response time / refresh rate..... I called the dealer and they recomended turn off the NR circuits and reducing the sharpness control. The NR features are all off and the set is in THX mode.... __________________ Dave B Panasonic TH50PZ800U ShawDirect HDPVR LG BH 200 BD/HDDVD Onkyo TX-SR605 AVR

2009-03-17, 01:06 PM	#115
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,302	ClayZ, please see the following thread on that topic: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=68800 Please also see the following post, useful for those new to the forum - search tips, FAQs: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741 This is not the thread to discuss LCD vs Plasma, it's for discussing the models in the title... If you wish to discuss LCD vs Plasma, please use the link above. I think you'll find that for equivalent quality (and same size), LCDs and Plasmas are similarly priced and plasmas may even be less in the larger sizes. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

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2009-02-05, 08:43 AM	#107
1tribeca Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 353	In a nutshell...incl. specs on the PZ80... PZ80 VS PZ800 Step up 1 THX certified picture 2 50% improvement in native contrast ratio VS PZ80 3 4 HDMI VS 3 4 PC input 5 25% improvement in grey scale gradation VS PZ80 6 24p cinematic playback 7 one sheet glass design 8 Swivel base 9 5:1 digital audio output PZ850 VS 800 All the above as above Plus 1 Studio Reference Picture 2 Pro setting Mode 3 RS232 4 SD card Slot plays AVCHD/ mpeg2 5 Digital Cinema Color 6 Viera Cast

2009-02-05, 09:23 AM	#108
scampbell Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Port Carling, Ontario Posts: 814	I believe that the 850 does NOT have THX.

2009-02-10, 04:35 PM	#111
nicholas01 Rookie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1	I've had the 58PZ800U since Oct 2008 and I can't believe how stunning it is! I'm still amazed by it and it never gets old to look at. I actually watch way too much tv now. Anyway, I'm using calibrated THX-warm service menu settings posted elsewhere on the web, which I really suggest everyone do. You have to access the service menu, but the results are well worth it! It looks like looking out a window on good HD material. Does anyone know if the Custom mode can be calibrated?

2009-03-17, 12:25 PM	#114
ClayZ Rookie Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	Im thinking of buying a new flatscrean soon but im still not sure if i should buy a plamsa or a LCD flatscrean. I heard plasma is ways better but LCD is cheaper ... is it really worth buying a plasma TV?

2009-04-11, 05:58 PM	#116
j0dest3r Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,623	I just bought one of these bad boys today. A smokin' deal, half off SRP!!

2009-04-30, 01:54 AM	#117
Dadius Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 161	I ended up getting one of these because I got a great deal on it. th-46pz800. I'm not sure why some people find the THX mode significantly dim. For all the lighting variations I have tried in my viewing room, the picture continued to look great in THX mode. No more dim then how I usually have my tvs setup, even lcds, and if it was significantly brighter than what it can go in that mode, imo, it would not look as good. My viewing room by nature is never very bright I admit, but I think a lot of the "too dim" comments have to do with what people get used to seeing in the stores (Torch mode), and that becoming the status quo. I was also pleasantly surprised to see in my home that the 48hz mode "flicker" isn't nearly as bad as I have read by some people and reviews on the net. I was expecting it to be useless, but it's not, infact more often than not the flicker is very subtle, and infact, very cinema like, at least in THX mode. There are instances where it's a little too much, and I switch back to 60hz, but in many movies it seems to be fine. Perhaps during side by side compariisons with other tvs, the flicker becomes more obvious. This TV is WAY better than any other hdtv I have owned, and better than I thought it would be after reading complaints. Everything else in my house is starting to look like garbage by comparison.

2009-04-30, 10:06 AM	#118
ryoung Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Burlington Posts: 648	Dadius...I couldn't agree more. I have every input set to THX mode except for the XBOX360 and I have no complaints at all, even in bright lighting conditions. This is an excellent TV and since I've owned it (since launch) watching the Bravia we have in our bedroom makes me sad at how badly it compares to the 800.

2009-04-30, 07:01 PM	#119
Dadius Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 161	Ryoung, Funny thing is, my tv came with free delivery and "ISF calibration". But it wasn't a real calibration, just button pushing in custom mode without any tools. I was aware of this ahead of time though so no biggy. Anyway, my viewing room is very dark compared to most people's and the guy who setup my tv told me not to use THX mode because it's way too dim even for my room. He said to use his settings in custom mode (which looked like crap by comparison to THX), or to use the "vivid" mode. The thing that bothered me about his settings the most was not the overly brightness, (although that was annoying too), but the inaccuracy of the colours and oversaturation. Everyone looked like they had sunburn. A glowing on fire sunburn at that. I didn't say anything to him but I immediately switched to THX warm mode after he left and tweaked it a bit and it was like switching from a cartoon to real life. Vivid mode by the way really hurts my eyes, it's like looking at the sun. THX mode looks great for everything. I was rather surprised that a guy who is in the position of apparent authority regarding tvs, would reccomend a "scorch" like mode in a dark room rather than the almost perfect imo THX mode which in the CNET review at least, seems to be highly praised.

2009-04-30, 08:24 PM	#120
ryoung Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Burlington Posts: 648	Sounds like the "ISF" guy needs an eye exam!