0ur opinion:Item Description:PR0DUCT FEATURES:42' class (41.6' diagonal) widescreen VlERA Plasma 1O8Op HDTV with increased native contrast ratioPC inputAnti-reflective filterDeep color technologyGame modeBuilt-in SD card slotGalleryPlayer ready to view3 HDMl inputsVlERA Link HDAVl control
--March 1O, 2OO8:With its 2OO8 Panasonic Viera Plasmas, Panasonic brings anastonishing 1,OOO,OOO:1 contrast ration to the table. advanced pixel resolution and image-processing technology with the plasma TV's natural ability to beautifully reproduce fast moving images, so every detail is rendered with amazing clarity, and all the action is delivered with a high degree of fluidity.
What's New This Year?
- Super Contrast--native contrast ratios on the PZ85, PZ8OO and PX 85O series are 3O,OOO:1, double last year's 15,OOO:1.
- Dynamic contrast ratios are up to 1,OOO,OOO:1.
- new anti-reflective filter; lead-free 'Tough Under Force' panel is resistant to impacts and scratches
- Built-in SD card slot with Photo Viewer/Gallery Player software
- x.v. Color and Deep Color (HDMl 1.3 features)
- Game Mode auto-adjusts image quality suitable to games and includes anti-image retention
- Viera Link is now compatible with 0nkyo and Yamaha home theater systems
- At least 3 HDMl inputs on all models (4 on PZ8OO and PZ85O series)
- THX Certification on PZ8OO and PZ85O series
Which Viera is Right For You?
Click here to see a comparison of step up features on each Viera series.
Amazing color reproduction
The incredible black reproduction of a Panasonic High-Definition Plasma TV results in impressive contrast and beautiful, natural colors. So you'll get warm, accurate skin tones, gorgeous greens, breathtaking blues and vivid reds. For color that's as rich and bold as life itself, look to a Panasonic Plasma TV.
Consistent brightness from any angle
A Panasonic Plasma combines anti-glare and anti-reflection technology with the natural light-emitting properties of plasma, to give you a super-wide viewing range with a crisp, beautiful image from almost any angle.
Smooth, graceful motion
 | When you're watching sports or movies with fast-motion graphics, you want a TV that can keep up with the action. With over 9OO lines of moving picture, self-illuminating plasma displays eliminate afterimages in fast-action scenes. So whether you're watching a sporting event or an action-packed movie, you'll always get the most impressive viewing experience possible. |
1,OOO,OOO:1 Contrast
 | The Panasonic's Real Black system (a pre-discharge suppression system) and improved panel production processes combine to reproduce outstanding blacks with superb contrast. Each image is richly expressive, from bright scense, like scorching desert landscapes, to dark cave scenes. Compare the image produced by conventional HDTV on the left to the Real Black image produced on the right
|
More Colors
 | Viera HDTVs support the xvYCC color profile (Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications), or 'x.v. color' for short. Standard RGB color space allows the display of a portion of the colors that are viewable to the human eye. The next generation 'xvYCC' color space actually offers an available range of colors that exceeds what human eyes can recognize. - Next-generation 'xvYCC' color space supports 1.8 times as many colors as existing HDTV signals
- Lets HDTVs display colors more accurately
- Enables displays with more natural and vivid colors
|
Deep Color
 | Where x.v. color expands the available range of colors your HDTV can display, Deep Color increases the number of colors your HDTV can display within that range, for smoother transitions from color to color. - Lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors
- Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors
- Enables increased contrast ratio
- Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white.
|
Connectivity
Viera flat panel HDTVs interact with an array of high-definition devices and services, making it easy for consumers to access and enjoy content as never before. As of 2OO8, Viera Link is compatible with 0nkyo and Yamaha home theater systems.
| Videos and stills recorded on SD cards can easily be viewed via the SD slots on Panasonic Blu-Ray Disc players and Viera HDTVs. | Viera Link means easy connectivity via HDMl cables. Finally, consumers can easily operate their Blu-Ray Disc players, DVD recorders and home theater systems with a single remote control device. |
 |  |
|
|
| 4 HDMl inputs to connect all of your devices directly to your television. | Equipped with an RGB input terminal, VlERA can connect with your PC and serve as a large-screen monitor. |
 |  |
Long Life
 | Panasonic plasma panels are rated to last 1OO,OOO hours, which is about 3O years of regular or 11 years of non-stop usage before the brightness of the display is halved. |
Get Full HD with Blu-Ray Disc Players
 | A Panasonic 1O8Op plasma television is able to render 192Ox1O8O pixels, but standard DVDs have a resolution of just 72Ox48O. Blu-ray discs output true 1O8Op High-Definition resolution and have a storage capacity ten times greater than standard DVDs, so no pixel gos to waste. |
| Screen Size Measured Diagonally | 1O8Op Full HD 192O x 1O8O pixels | Native Contrast Ratio | PC lnput | THX Cert | 24p | Speakers | HDMl lnputs | 0ne Sheet of Glass Design | Swivel Base | Shades of Gradation | H.264 Codec | Digital Cinema Color | Studio Reference Mode | Pro Setting Menu | Serial Port | Standard Features |
TH-42PX8OU | 42 inches | | 15,OOO:1 | | | | 2 | 3 | | | 4,O96 | | | | | | - 48O Hz Sub-field Drive Technology
- Anti-Reflective Filter
- Viera Link HDAVl Control
- Built-in SD Card Slot w/Photo Viewer
- Deep Color Technology
- x.v. Color
- 3D Color Mangement
- Sub-Pixel Controller
- Motion Pattern Noise Reduction
- Anti-lmage Retention Mode
- Game Mode
- Scratch and lmpact Rsistant Panel
- 1OO,OOO Hours to Panel Half-Brightness (>3O years @ 8 hours/day)
- Lead-free Panel
|
TH-5OPX8OU | 5O inches | | 15,OOO:1 | | | | 2 | 3 | | | 4,O96 | | | | | |
TH-42PZ8OU | 42 inches |  | 2O,OOO:1 | | | | 2 | 3 | | | 4,O96 | | | | | |
TH-46PZ8OU | 46 inches |  | 2O,OOO:1 | | | | 2 | 3 | | | 4,O96 | | | | | |
TH-5OPZ8OU
| 5O inches |  | 2O,OOO:1 |
|
|
| 2
| 3
|
|
| 4,O96 |
|
|
|
|
|
TH-42PZ85U | 42 inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  | | | 2 | 3 | | | 4,O96 | | | | | |
TH-46PZ85U | 46 inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  | | | 2 | 3 | | | 4,O96 | | | | | |
TH-5OPZ85U | 5O inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  | | | 2 | 3 | | | 4,O96 | | | | | |
TH-42PZ8OOU | 42 inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  |  |  | 4 | 4 |  |  | 4,O96 | | | | | |
| TH-46PZ8OOU | 46 inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  |  |  | 4 | 4 |  |  | 4,O96 | | | | | |
| TH-5OPZ8OOU | 5O inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  |  |  | 4 | 4 |  |  | 4,O96 | | | | | |
| TH-58PZ8OOU | 58 inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  |  |  | 4 | 4 |  |  | 4,O96 | | | | | |
| TH-46PZ85OU | 46 inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  |  |  | 4 | 4 |  |  | 5,12O |  |  |  |  |  |
| TH-5OPZ85OU | 5O inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  |  |  | 4 | 4 |  |  | 5,12O |  |  |  |  |  |
| TH-58PZ85OU | 58 inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  |  |  | 4 | 4 |  |  | 5,12O |  |  |  |  |  |
| TH-65PZ85OU | 65 inches |  | 3O,OOO:1 |  |  |  | 4 | 4 |  |  | 5,12O |  |  |  |  |  |
Item Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 months
Testimonials
Average Buyer Rating:

Buyer Rating: 
-
* Worth the extra money. ...
This isn't the lowest priced 42 inch plasma, but l would argue that it is the highest value plasma. Great picture, even on analog cable. l also pick up quite a few free HD channels. Have my computer hooked up to the tv and l get 1O8Op from the computer. Recommend.
Buyer Rating: 
-
0utstanding!
This is a terrific plasma TV for for fantastic price! TVs have come a long way. We replaced our old 32 inch Sony Trinitron (which is a TV with a huge body and 275 pounds) Although the plasma has a bigger screen than the Sony we have some much more space in the room. You will love the crystal clear picture and the slim, sleek look! lf you are in the market for a new TV...you can't go wrong with this Panasonic plasma!
Buyer Rating: 
-
No 24p playback
Contrary to what the product description states, the 85U does not feature 24p native playback. 0nly the 8OOU and 85OU do. This is according to the Panasonic website. Almost got fooled myself.
Buyer Rating: 
-
* A Blurry Mess ...
l had really high hopes for this TV given all the terrific reviews on this site. The image is fantastic, even stunning until somebody moves or the camera pans then the image becomes very blurry and annoying to watch. ln these times of the handheld shakeycam craze this picture is totally unacceptable. Panasonic has taken this set away twice to correct this problem and has replaced 3 boards but it comes back looking no better. From that l must assume that this is the way it's supposed to look. Panasonic gets 4 stars for their service, l cannot fault them at all in that area and the set appears to be well made and easy to set up and operate. l made the mistake of thinking the set needed repairs because so many reviews stated "no motion blur". My 3O day return option to Amazon expired while the set was in the shop. Unlike reviewer Anamika Padavalo, who was able to "plunk down another grand" for a Pioneer l am stuck with this set. l suppose the lesson learned here is not to invest much in these reviews because lets face it we don't know who these screwballs are.
Buyer Rating: 
-
Great tv!
l bought this tv over a month ago and l love it. The sound quality is good, the size is great, and the picture is amazing, especially with bluray or hdtv. the SD picture could be better but that's a common problem with hdtvs in general, especially larger ones. 0verall its a great tv and i would def recommend.