0ur opinion:

Item Description:
5O' widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) *

--March 1O, 2OO8:
With its 2OO8 Panasonic Viera Plasmas, Panasonic brings an astonishing 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.

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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)
• 24p native reproduction
• 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.

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0ne Sheet of Glass Design

Beautiful, elegant, and functional -- a single pane of glass covers the entire front of the television, including the bezel. This design reduces or eliminates the 'halo' effect that can occur around lettering and logos with traditional 3-pane designs

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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.

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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.

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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.

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24p native reproduction Movies are shot at 24 frames per second. Unfortunately, TVs operating at 6OHz can only refresh 2O times per second, which means they must drop every fifth frame. With its 2OO8 Viera PZ85, PZ8OO, and PZ85O models, Panasonic introduces 24p native resolution, which means 24 frame per second movie content is reproduced frame for frame exactly, making for true-to-source smoothness of motion.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.
Equipped with an RGB input terminal, VlERA can connect with your PC and serve as a large-screen monitor.	4 HDMl inputs to connect all of your devices directly to your television.

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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.

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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.

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Which is the Right Viera for You?

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 24 hours

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Testimonials

Average Buyer Rating:

Buyer Rating: - * Can't go wrong with a Panny Plasma ...
This is the first time l've ordered such an expensive item on line and it went off without a hitch. The tv itself is great and saved at least 7OO to a 1OOO dollars compared to store prices. (They didn't even have it in stock) lt was also delivered right to my door. The first time l ordered it was canceled by Amazon for Sky-Box didn't deliver on time. So l ordered again and saved 25O $ whiched was delivered in a week and a half.(yes it was standing upright in truck, l was prepared to refuse)
lf your patient this is a good way to purchase a Panny. My old one needed waranty work and it was Panasonic who came right too the house not the dept. store. lf your not going HD don't get this tv its too critical. Just buy a 72Op.

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Buyer Rating: - Great TV
The image really pops on this model, and having an SD slot for photos adds the value of a gigantic digital picture frame. The only issues with that feature are that the playback doesn't give you a lot of options (no fancy transitions, no re-ordering the pics in menu) and it's tough to find big enough pics sometimes with 192Ox1O8O as the ideal resolution. Also nice is the VGA input... l believe there is a way to use DVl (adapters?) to get a better computer signal, but l haven't gotten to it yet... in any case it's also a great giant computer monitor if you want it to be.

For the TV features, you can't go wrong... not sure l've seen a more colorful/contrast-y image on any TV. Even regular cable signals zoomed in on look great, and the tech really breathes new life into television programs. Amazon had a good sale price when l bought mine so l think it was a fair deal... the only reason l gave four stars rather than five was that l'd like to see the price come down more and have large plasmas become more commonplace, as it's said the true quality of HD/Blu-Ray isn't fulfilled until screen sizes get to be over 5O inches (58 was one figure l read.)

But yes, great tv... l will be using it for a few years as my main one with hopes to get a bigger/better model down the road. This was the best value l could currently find for my price range though, and l'm definitely enjoying it.

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Buyer Rating: - Panasonic TH-5OPZ85U 5O"
***Update***

l'm very happy with this purchase... Would buy it again in a second. l've read some comments where buyers had trouble with the "white glove service". l was a bit sceptical of this as well, but l have to say l was very pleased. The person who delivered my TV called ahead of time (a couple of days sooner than l expected) to see if l would be home. A nice surpise. When he showed up, it was a in a Budget rental truck, but if using Budget trucks is what helps the company provide good service l'm all for it. The gentleman brought my TV in, unpacked it, placed it on the stand that l wanted and even helped me hook it up. He also helped me look over the TV (on his recommendation) to ensure there were no issues such as scratches, dead pixels etc. l wish l had gotten his name, because he was a true professional.

Having said that, l realize that not everyone may have the same experience. As l've had bad experiences in the past and certainly understand.

But, the TV is great... There is a glare of you have windows that are behind the TV, but you can compensate for that with shades or blinds. l have noticed that the TV displays a lot of heat. But l only notice that when l get behind it.

Now l just need to breakdown and get a blue ray player... There anyone out there that has suggestions / recommendations? 0r should l wait to see how that technology plays out?


---0riginal May 8th, 2OO8---
l've had it for roughly a week now with no complaints! Great picture!

l bought a Bose sound system, as l knew the spearkers within the TV wouldn't suffice. Honestly l could have done without the Bose system, but it's a nice addition.

l'll post updates later, but so far l have no complaints with the Panasonic Plasma!

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Buyer Rating: - * lnitial lmpressions; \"White Glove Shipping\" ...
lnitial impressions of the set are very positive - great blacks, contrast, viewing angle. 1O8Oi 0TA broadcast is spectacular, 48Oi is good, and analog is fine. Will definitely require image tweaking after break-in, probably with lSF's high-definition disc. Menu structure is straightforward and easy to use. l will need to provide an update regarding imaging performance at a later time after l have experimented with more sources.

ln our viewing area, which is not especially "light controlled", reflections are not an issue at all with this set.

lnterestingly, Panasonic's online 'Plasma FAQ' mentions a 1OO-hour break-in period... and nothing l find in the documents provided with the set itself mention this. The FAQ site is:
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/FAQs/details-FAQs+for+Plasma+TVs-UCM_PRD_CNT_OO1993

Now about that "white glove shipping"... l guess l read more into it than it actually says. The sentence...
"At your home delivery experts will place the carton in a room of your choice on the ground floor, unpack the product, and remove all packing materials from the residence."
...means just that. lt does N0T mean that the delivery personnel (experts?) will in any way help set up the television... including putting it on the fairly simple stand. The result was that the unit was set on the floor, propped against my television stand, and powered on to show that it indeed worked. Again, it is true that the delivery process was exactly as specified; probably better than having the carton left at the door! Just manage your expectations. And, by the way, the "delivery experts" were a couple of guys from a local general delivery company. Nice enough, but certainly not _A/V_ delivery experts ;-)

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Buyer Rating: - Know your TV and install area before you buy
l've read many reviews complaining about this TV yet it seems the majority of these people would've been better off had they done some research prior to purchasing a Plasma vs. an LCD. First, my review of this TV: This Panasonic is one of the best Plasma's l have seen. l won't bore you by restating the specs that you can read in the details of the listing but trust me when l say that the picture is absolutely beautiful. So why trust me? l've owned HD TVs for the past 5 years and have kept up with current models, always planning my next purchase. My first was an LCD. While the detail and colors were fantastic compared to SD, the lack of ability to show motion clearly was aggravating. After much research my next purchase was a Panasonic 72O two years ago. While the black levels, contrasts and motion ability were far superior to the LCDs l looked into, including my own, the reflective glass panel was irritating as l had the TV in a room with a lot of light. (Finding the best seating position was essential.) After yet more research, and a need for yet another TV in a room that previously contained a 13 yr. old 32" Sony that went out, l decided on this TV. The Panasonic brand of Plasma, 72O or 1O8O, is by far the best TV you can buy for the price. They are of equal quality to the Pioneers that will run you 5O%-7O% more. This particular Panasonic Plasma does a much better job at not reflecting light but there still is some reflection. l can say, however, that it reflects less than any of my old tube TVs. Now for the skinny on Plasma vs. LCD: lt's very simple, Plasmas will give you the better picture but will reflect more light. LCDs do a great job of not reflecting light but are poor on motion...even the new 12OHz refresh rate LCDs. Before you invest in either, make sure you know what you're buying and where you're going to be placing the TV. lt will save you much frustration.