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Introducing
the 2008 Line of Panasonic Plasma TVs:
Affordability, Innovation and Superior Performance
Panasonic is considered by many as a world
leader in Plasma display technology - capable of delivering plasma TVs whose
picture performance is among the best within their class.
Panasonic superiority in this respect has been
recognized not only by consumers, but equally important by Pioneer, its major
rival in plasma television sales. Pioneer had recently tasked Matsushita - which
owns the Panasonic brand, to start manufacturing plasma display panels for use
in Pioneer KURO line of plasma HDTVs.
It is therefore no surprise that Panasonic plasma
TVs are often the preferred choice among demanding consumers and videophiles looking for affordable, yet top performing HDTVs capable of delivering true
blacks and accurate colors.
There is a simple reason for this...
Affordability, product innovation,
and
superior picture performance have always characterized Panasonic plasma
HDTVs. The 2008 lineup is no exception; rather, it represents significant
improvements over previous lineups when it comes to features, innovations, and performance.
And in line with the present downward trend in HDTV pricing, the new
improved Panasonic plasma HDTVs come with a more affordable price tag. In
fact, Panasonic entry-level 42-inch plasma HDTVs - the 720p
Panasonic Viera TH-42PX80U, and its 1080p equivalent, the
Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ80U,
are at present the cheapest plasma HDTVs money can get you from a top TV brand.
The new 2008
lineup forms part of Panasonic Viera brand of HDTVs, which from this year
covers both plasma and LCDs. As indicated earlier on, the 2008 Panasonic plasma lineup includes a
total of 16 different models - covering screen sizes from 42-inch up to a
massive 65-inch.
Interesting is that as part of the innovation pack for
2008, Panasonic is introducing a new 46-inch model to all its 1080p series,
including its flagship line. This 46-inch is a rather uncommon screen size
among plasma HDTVs; it goes to prove Panasonic commitment towards
helping customers find the right size for their needs.
The whole lineup is spread over five distinct series -
PZ850U, PZ800U, PZ85U, PZ80U, and PX80U. All
except the PX80U series are 1080p plasma HDTVs. In addition, all 2008
Panasonic Viera plasma HDTVs come with new display panels that make use of
an improved antireflective screen, has a specified 100,000hrs life before
fading to half brightness - that's an extra 40,000hrs over last year
lineups, and that are also said to be resistant to shock.
Furthermore, all lineups come with improved native
contrast ratio ratings over corresponding 2007 models, SD Memory card slots,
a Game Mode, multiple HDMI connectors, increased luminosity for improved
performance under brightly lit environments, and Viera Link. The latter
allows multiple Panasonic Viera Link devices to be controlled by a single remote.
Top within the Panasonic line is the PZ850U series
which represents Panasonic flagship range of plasma HDTVs. The Viera PZ850
also includes the largest plasma within the new Panasonic Viera
lineup, the
65-inch 1080p Panasonic TH-65PZ850U.
The flagship series is characterized by Panasonic
VieraCast, Panasonic way of delivering online content direct to your TV, as
well as Panasonic Pro Setting Menu which gives the viewer easy access to ISF
professional calibration software.
Next down the line is the Viera PZ800U series of
premium 1080p Panasonic plasma TVs and which includes the extremely popular
and highly rated
50-inch Panasonic TH-50PZ800U. We say 'highly rated' because reviews of
the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U appearing on Cnet Reviews and
Sound and Vision Magazine
websites confirm the superiority of the PZ800 Panasonic plasma TV when it
comes to overall picture performance and color accuracy.
The PZ800U series is among the few
HDTV series that meet the THX™ Certified Display specifications. Strangely
enough, the Panasonic flagship series does not come with THX display
certification - possibly to keep costs down - after all, THX certification
would add its share to the final product price. THX certification signifies
the highest standards for quality and performance - thus ensuring that
content is presented with the correct color and luminance levels.
Overall, the PZ800U has just about everything as the
more expensive flagship series - including the new one sheet of glass design
concept, four HDMI connections, and a native contrast ratio of 30,000:1; the
one thing missing on the PZ800 is the Panasonic VieraCast feature.
The remaining lineups - namely the PZ85U, the PZ80U, and
the PX80U series are very similar in terms of supported features - rather we
say that one would be hard pressed to tell them apart. At the same time, there are still
a few significant differences.
To start with, the Panasonic PZ85U series of plasma
HDTVs represents Panasonic step-up line and comes with an improved contrast
ratio figure over the entry level models of 30,000:1; this basically
matches that of the more expensive PZ800U and PZ850U Panasonic plasma TVs. In
addition, the PZ85U adds a VGA-style PC input over the entry line, as well as
make use of front hidden speakers.
Having a contrast ratio rating that is in line with
that on the premium and flagship Panasonic plasma TV series means that one
should expect the PZ85U to deliver similar black levels to the more
expensive Panasonic lineups. It is true that you get a reduced feature set,
but if you are after getting the best in overall picture performance for
your budget, then the PZ85U offers the best price-performance deal.
The Panasonic Viera PZ80U series is Panasonic
entry-level line of 1080p plasma HDTVs. It comes with a somewhat
reduced contrast ratio rating of 20,000:1; still this represents a major
improvement over 2007 models and is more than sufficient for excellent black
level performance. It is true that the difference in contrast ratio rating
between the PZ80U and the more expensive lineups is considerable but...
As we argued in our article 'The
Contrast Ratio Game - Playing with Numbers!', the implication on the
actual perceived contrast levels by the eye is much less than what
manufactures wants to suggest by their big numbers. In other words, despite
that the PZ80U is Panasonic 1080p entry-level series, yet it is still capable of
delivering exceptional picture quality; this after all, is the most
important deliverable for any HDTV. Equally important, if you are on a tight
budget, the PZ80U gives you the possibility to jump onto the 1080p HDTV
bandwagon with the least expense.
The last remaining series in the 2008 line of Panasonic
Plasma TVs is the Viera PX80U. This is Panasonic basic entry-line of
plasma HDTVs and is the only series that comes in 720p resolution; this
lower pixel count should not make much of a difference at the screen sizes
covered by the PX80U.
Despite representing Panasonic basic line of plasma
HDTVs, the PX80U still boasts a 15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio rating. You
may think that this is too low, but Samsung premium plasma for 2007, the
FP-T5084 we reviewed in November 2007
came with the same contrast ratio rating. This means that the PX80 should
still be capable of delivering very good overall picture performance.
2008 Panasonic Plasma TV Lineup: A Detailed Look
As expressed earlier on in our introduction, top within the Panasonic plasma TV lineup for 2008
is the Viera PZ850U - which represents
Panasonic flagship line, and ends with bare-bones entry-level series PZ80U
and PX80U series; the PZ85U represents Panasonic step-up to the PZ80U,
while the PZ800U series represents Panasonic premium line of HDTVs.
In the
second part of this Panasonic Plasma TV roundup, we discuss the basic
differences between the entry-level 720p and 1080p series as well as the 1080p
set-up line - analyzing both features and performance to help you see where
each of these series fit best.
In the
final part of our 2008 Panasonic HDTV product guide,
we discuss the premium and flagship plasma HDTV series to see if one is really better than
the other.
The links below will take you straight to the respective
section within our 2008
Panasonic Viera plasma HDTV product guide.
2008 Panasonic Plasma
TV: Product Guide Index:
Panasonic 720p PX80U Baseline Series
Panasonic PZ80U 1080p Entry Series
Panasonic PZ85U 1080p Step-up Series
Panasonic PZ800U 1080p Premium Line
Panasonic PZ850U 1080p Flagship Range
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Featured Reviews and
Product Guides
2009
Samsung plasma TV Reviews: 
Samsung
Plasma Lineup:
A detailed product guide covering the full 2009 Samsung plasma lineup.
Samsung
Series 6:
Reviewing Samsung most affordable 1080p premium plasma series for 2009.
Samsung
Series 8:
Samsung's best plasma TV for 2009
2009 Panasonic Plasma TV Reviews:
Review: X1
entry-level 720p HDTVs - covering also the X14 and the C1
Review: S1
entry-level 1080p HDTVs - covering also the S14 and the U1
Review: G10 THX-certified Premium 1080p HDTVs - covering also the G15
series
The Panasonic V10 in detail
- Reviewing the best-rated Panasonic plasma TV for 2009
More 2009 Plasma TV Reviews
Cheap Plasma TV Reviews - 2009 Update:
Sub $1,000 name-brand plasma TVs within the 42-inch and 50-inch category.
2009 Best Plasma TVs
- Samsung B860 vs. Panasonic V10:
Which deserves the 'Best Plasma TV' title for 2009?
LG Plasma TVs:
Full 2009 product guide and detailed review of LG high-end PS80 plasma TV
series
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Featured Panasonic 720p
& 1080p Plasma TVs
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Check
out for the latest offers on Panasonic Plasma TVs at amazon
Cheapest plasma TV from the 2009 Panasonic Plasma HDTV lineup
Best-selling Panasonic plasma HDTV for 2009
The most affordable 'slim' styled plasma from Panasonic at this screen size.
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,
but this is more suitable for advanced users.