Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U 50' 1080p Plasma HDTV Electronics

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.


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.

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.

Which is the Right Viera for You?

Screen Size
Measured
Diagonally

1O8Op
Full HD
192O x 1O8O pixels

Native
Contrast
Ratio

0ne Sheet
of Glass
Design

Studio
Reference
Mode

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

Item Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Testimonials

Average Buyer Rating: out of 5 stars

Buyer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

- * Super Nice !!! ...
Finally it's my turn to add my two cents in about this TV. l'm not sure what l can say that hasn't already been said so l'll basically echo all the kudos that others have given this set. First off the set is sleek and good looking even when off. A lot of people have mentioned the glare issue. lf you place this set in a room with a lot of direct sunlight or surround it with lamps and ambient light l could see how it could be a factor but in a room with that much light any set would have a problem.

Now on to performance. The picture is clear, crisp, vibrant and all the other brochure type adjectives included. The most impressive thing about this set is its black levels, they are AMAZlNG. Whether in the daytime or night nighttime scenes in movies look great. Colors are very vibrant. Watching the Planet Earth series Blu Ray on my PS3 l sat in amazement. l won't even mention how ridiculously good Ratatouille looked on Blu Ray. This set was an upgrade from my 42" Panasonic EDTV and l couldn't be happier. Regular cable looks good, DVD's look great and of course the ultimate is Blu Ray movies. Sound is above average when watching regular TV but of course the home theater comes on when it's movie or game time. Playing games on this set is awesome and not a hint of any burn in or motion blur.

Panasonic has outdone themselves with this line. This is definitely top tier quality for second or even third tier price. The only competition this set honestly has is a Pioneer. But even Cnet.com stated that the difference in black levels between this line and a Pioneer had to be measured with equipment to be noticed. To me that's not worth an extra grand or more. So if you're on the fence about this set don't think about it anymore. Click "Buy" or head to your local retailer, get it home then invite all your friends over and try not to rip your shirt while you poke your chest out.

P.S. Like l stated in my review of the Yamaha RX-V663 receiver l paired with this set, you do not need $1OO Monster Cables. l have 3 HDMl cables total and the most expensive one was about $2O. l get a full 1O8Op signal and full PCM recognition from my PS3.

Buyer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

- G00D BUT N0T THE BEST!!!
0k, here is my break down of this plasma. Hope you find it useful.

Plasma vs. Plasma:
Even though this is a good plasma, it is still inferior to the Pioneer. Not by much, but you can tell the difference. With Pioneer plasma, there is little to no noise when watching up close. With Panasonic TH-5OPZ85U, you can see the noise within 6 feet. But then again, you might not want to watch it that close. You may probably wonder why l bought this plasma instead of the Pioneer. Very simple, the price! lf l had the money, no doubt in my mind the Pioneer would be my first choice: better picture and better quality. Don't get me wrong, l still love this Panasonic. The color is much more real and vibrant compare to my LCD. l just don't have that kind of money to drop on a Pioneer. l also thought about buying a Samsung plasma, but it is too plasticky made. The glare is slightly worst than the Panasonic too.

Plasma vs. LCD:
ln my personal opinion, l think plasma is more for night viewing and LCD is more for day viewing. With this TH-5OPZ85U, l can see my own reflection when watching movies in the day time. l have a few windows in my living room, so it doesn't help much either. lf you don't mind about the glare/reflection, or if you do most of your viewing at night, then this plasma is perfect for you. For the price, l think it is an excellent buy.

Happy shopping!!!

Buyer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

- Love this HDTV!
l am very pleased with this product. The picture is beautiful! l had seen the product in a big box retail store and Amazon pricing was the best deal. lt has totally lived up to my expectations. Also, the white glove delivery service was fantastic. This is my second time using this for a HDTV purchase and it was again flawless.

Buyer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

- * Great value - Easy to install ...
Although advised to "have it installed professionally", l decided to try it myself. l spoke with the Tech support people who advised me that professional setup would also "tune the speakers". When pressed as to what this involved, l discovered that it simply meant adjusting the speaker placement and volumes so as to balance it appropriately. l may not have a concert hall ear, but l think l can do that, especially for the $2OO-$3OO installation fee. lf you have any technical savvy and can read a manual, you should be able to do it yourself as well. Be sure to read the manual for the cable box first. l tried to use the cable connection from cable box to the TV, but the manual clearly states "Don't Do That".

Buyer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

- Very Nice Television
This is my first HDTV and l am quite satisfied with my purchase. l initially thought of going for a Samsung LCD but their 12Ohz model was bit outside my budget. Well l compared the panasonic plasma model with Samsung and Toshiba plasma models as well as the 6Ohz Samsung LCD models in both CC and BB and both places the Panasonic picture came out to be better. The picture is extremely good even with toned down(below 5O) picture/ brightness/sharp settings. When l played the TV with its factory settings , the back of the TV did heat up quickly..but after toning down the settings it doesn't heat up anymore. l watched the Euro 2OO8 soccer match between Russia and Holland in HD on an indoor antenna and i must say the picture quality was fantastic. l haven't hooked up the cable yet, but still get around 1O digital channels with my Philips indoor HDTV antenna (bought at $19+ from amazon) (2 at 1O8Oi, 3 at 72Op and the rest at 48O) - the pictures in HD channels are very good and the SD- 48O are quite watchable.

The only fault l found was he Red and Green color seems more saturated and it needs a little more tinkering with calibration to get the unsaturated RG colors. 0verall l am quite satisfied with my purchase and i meant to give it a 4.5 stars/5 but it beame a 4...amazon doesn't allow me to give 1/2 stars and also does not allow to edit the stars ---but given choice l would give it a 5 rather than 4.

Simon Schama's Power of Art

$34.49

Watching Simon Schama's Power of Art is like taking an Ivy League course in art appreciation, with the folksy but knowledgeable Schama as guide and interpreter. A collection of hour-long films on eight seminal artists and their groundbreaking works, which originally aired on British television, this boxed set is as entertaining as it is enlightening, with Schama doing for Western art what, say, Steve Irwin did for Australian natural history. Eight artists are featured--Caravaggio, Bernini, Rembrandt, David, Turner, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Rothko--and each portrait of the artist weaves biography and historical context to help explain the true power of his works.

The segment on Van Gogh is, as expected, emotional, yet Schama convincingly portrays Van Gogh as not consumed by madness, but fighting off the episodes with painting. Van Gogh painted one of his most evocative works, Wheat Field With Crows, which even his brother, Theo, recognized was about to put his brother on the artistic map. Yet, as Schama points out, within weeks, Van Gogh had killed himself. "Now why would he want to do that?" Schama muses--and then proceeds to narrate the tormented tale of the answer. Along the way, the viewer gains new appreciation for Van Gogh's signature works, including his famous sunflowers. "Technically, these are still lives," Schama says, "but there's nothing still about them... the sunflowers [seem to be] organisms landing violently from a burning sun." If the reenactments of the artists' lives are a bit overdone, it's forgivable, since the cumulative effect, in an hour, is a new appreciation of the work and the man.

Extras include frank and very funny commentaries by Schama and his co-producer, and lots of behind-the-scenes dish on how certain scenes were achieved. The teeming French opera scene in the "David" episode, for instance, was cast using just 20 French extras and then the rest created by CGI--"the scene works better, really, than [the film] King Kong," Schama says with delight. --A.T. Hurley

Power Yoga - Total Body Workout

$8.99

Power yoga "demands your attention," says instructor Rodney Yee. He leads a challenging, constantly progressing series of poses, one flowing into the next, integrating breath, movement, tension, and relaxation. The poses include Sun Salutation, standing poses, forward bends, back bends, twists, and arm balances. The first poses are fairly easy, and with each repetition of the series, Yee adds on more difficult movements, extending the series without pausing. You're encouraged to do as much of the series that fits your level, up to the entire 65-minute workout if you're an experienced yoga practitioner. Although you can begin at any level, some familiarity with yoga is recommended. The Hawaiian setting is gorgeous and inspiring. This is an excellent yoga workout that you can grow with, adding on more as you get stronger. --Joan Price

The Incredibles (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

$14.99

After creating the last great traditionally animated film of the 20th century, The Iron Giant, filmmaker Brad Bird joined top-drawer studio Pixar to create this exciting, completely entertaining computer-animated film. Bird gives us a family of "supers," a brood of five with special powers desperately trying to fit in with the 9-to-5 suburban lifestyle. Of course, in a more innocent world, Bob and Helen Parr were superheroes, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl. But blasted lawsuits and public disapproval forced them and other supers to go incognito, making it even tougher for their school-age kids, the shy Violet and the aptly named Dash. When a stranger named Mirage (voiced by Elizabeth Pena) secretly recruits Bob for a potential mission, the old glory days spin in his head, even if his body is a bit too plump for his old super suit.

Bird has his cake and eats it, too. He and the Pixar wizards send up superhero and James Bond movies while delivering a thrilling, supercool action movie that rivals Spider-Man 2 for 2004's best onscreen thrills. While it's just as funny as the previous Pixar films, The Incredibles has a far wider-ranging emotional palette (it's Pixar's first PG film). Bird takes several jabs, including some juicy commentary on domestic life ("It's not graduation, he's moving from the fourth to fifth grade!").

The animated Parrs look and act a bit like the actors portraying them, Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter. Samuel L. Jackson and Jason Lee also have a grand old time as, respectively, superhero Frozone and bad guy Syndrome. Nearly stealing the show is Bird himself, voicing the eccentric designer of superhero outfits ("No capes!"), Edna Mode.

Nominated for four Oscars, The Incredibles won for Best Animated Film and, in an unprecedented win for non-live-action films, Sound Editing.

The Presentation
This two-disc set is (shall we say it?), incredible. The digital-to-digital transfer pops off the screen and the 5.1 Dolby sound will knock the socks off most systems. But like any superhero, it has an Achilles heel. This marks the first Pixar release that doesn't include both the widescreen and full-screen versions in the same DVD set, which was a great bargaining chip for those cinephiles who still want a full-frame presentation for other family members. With a 2.39:1 widescreen ratio (that's big black bars, folks, à la Dr. Zhivago), a few more viewers may decide to go with the full-frame presentation. Fortunately, Pixar reformats their full-frame presentation so the action remains in frame.

The Extras
The most-repeated segments will be the two animated shorts. Newly created for this DVD is the hilarious "Jack-Jack Attack," filling the gap in the film during which the Parr baby is left with the talkative babysitter, Kari. "Boundin'," which played in front of the film theatrically, was created by Pixar character designer Bud Luckey. This easygoing take on a dancing sheep gets better with multiple viewings (be sure to watch the featurette on the short).

Brad Bird still sounds like a bit of an outsider in his commentary track, recorded before the movie opened. Pixar captain John Lasseter brought him in to shake things up, to make sure the wildly successful studio would not get complacent. And while Bird is certainly likable, he does not exude Lasseter's teddy-bear persona. As one animator states, "He's like strong coffee; I happen to like strong coffee." Besides a resilient stance to be the best, Bird threw in an amazing number of challenges, most of which go unnoticed unless you delve into the 70 minutes of making-of features plus two commentary tracks (Bird with producer John Walker, the other from a dozen animators). We hear about the numerous sets, why you go to "the Spaniards" if you're dealing with animation physics, costume problems (there's a reason why previous Pixar films dealt with single- or uncostumed characters), and horror stories about all that animated hair. Bird's commentary throws out too many names of the animators even after he warns himself not to do so, but it's a lively enough time. The animator commentary is of greatest interest to those interested in the occupation.

There is a 30-minute segment on deleted scenes with temporary vocals and crude drawings, including a new opening (thankfully dropped). The "secret files" contain a "lost" animated short from the superheroes' glory days. This fake cartoon (Frozone and Mr. Incredible are teamed with a pink bunny) wears thin, but play it with the commentary track by the two superheroes and it's another sharp comedy sketch. There are also NSA "files" on the other superheroes alluded to in the film with dossiers and curiously fun sound bits. "Vowellet" is the only footage about the well-known cast (there aren't even any obligatory shots of the cast recording their lines). Author/cast member Sarah Vowell (NPR's This American Life) talks about her first foray into movie voice-overs--daughter Violet--and the unlikelihood of her being a superhero. The feature is unlike anything we've seen on a Disney or Pixar DVD extra, but who else would consider Abe Lincoln an action figure? --Doug Thomas

More Incredibles at Amazon.com

The Incredibles Toy Store	CD Soundtrack	The Art of The Incredibles Book
Game Boy Advance	On VHS	The Essential Guide Book

The Pixar Feature Films

Toy Story, 1995
A Bug's Life, 1998
Toy Story 2, 1999

Monsters, Inc., 2001
Finding Nemo, 2003
The Incredibles, 2004

More Animation DVDs

Favorite Animated Performances	Previous Animated Oscar Nominees	If You Like The Incredibles...
Our Disney DVD Store	Looney Tunes Golden Collection	Walt Disney Treasures

More Superheroes on DVD

Batman
Blade
The Hulk

Justice League
Robocop
Space Ghost

Spider-Man
Superman
Teen Titans

Wonder Woman
X-Men
Also see our Comics & Graphic Novels Store

Also from Filmmaker Brad Bird

The Iron Giant (Writer/Director)	"Family Dog" on Amazing Stories (Writer/Director)	Batteries Not Included (Cowriter)
The Simpsons (Director/Consultant)	King of the Hill (Consultant)	The Critic (Consultant)

Excavating Occaneechi Town: Archaeology of an Eighteenth-Century Indian Village in North Carolina (CD-ROM)

by R. P. Stephen Jr. Davis, H. Trawick Ward

$49.95

Average customer rating: ISBN: 0807865036

Builders' machinery and equipment,: Dealing with lifting equipment, steel scaffolding, small tools, concrete mixers, excavating machinery, and temporary timbering, (Building practice series)

by Edward Molloy

Average customer rating: ISBN: B0007EPGCG

Diagnostic devices as maintenance management tools (SAE)

by John E Mahoney

Average customer rating: ISBN: B000737FDK

Cost Guide for Remediation Equipment at Ust Sites

$155.00

Remote Site & Equipment Management

$54.00

We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes

$11.98

On their debut album, 1999's Something About Airplanes, Death Cab for Cutie proved there's a reason why Northwest music critics continue to sing their praises. The foursome combined the emo sounds of Modest Mouse and 764-Hero with an inventive, and often sly, sentimentality. It worked wonders, but still sounded a little too lo-fi. Luckily, on We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes the group has figured out all the production nuances that flawed that auspicious debut. The opening "Title Track" begins by sounding both crappy and shallow, but the band is merely pulling your leg; two minutes later, the tune expands into a gorgeous, well-produced masterpiece. The album never looks back. Ben Gibbard's songwriting continues to evolve--"Company Calls" segues into, what else, the slower "Company Calls Epilogue"--while the simple lyrics of "For What Reason" and "405" tell infectious stories that demand repeated listenings. Proof positive the Northwest is still churning out great music. --Jason Verlinde

The Facts of Life

$16.98

The first Black Box Recorder album, 1998's England Made Me, was originally conceived by Auteurs and Baader Meinhof frontman Luke Haines as a typically baleful response to the cultural and political hysteria--respectively, Britpop and Tony Blair--then gripping Britain. Recorded with the help of former Jesus & Mary Chain drummer John Moore and singer Sarah Nixey, it did for Britpop roughly what the film Carrie did for the senior prom. The Facts of Life, the follow-up, maintains the withering glare but fixes it this time on the personal. The songs here obsess with unnerving clarity and mordant wit on the banal, cruel details of human relationships and are narrated perfectly by Nixey. Where her perfectly English-accented whisper infused England Made Me with the air of a bored aristocrat finding contemptuous amusement in the misery of others, on The Facts of Life she has located an edge of taunting viciousness all the more diabolical for being so understated. The tunes, as ever, are sweet and insidious, perhaps best thought of as Saint Etienne turned feral. Highlights on an album full of them are "English Motorway" and "The Art of Driving"--BBR triumphantly reclaiming the American rock & roll prerogative of the road song for their damp, claustrophobic homeland. The Facts of Life is a masterpiece. --Andrew Mueller

The Facts of Life

$8.97

Electronics : Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U 50' 1080p Plasma HDTV

Electronics : Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U 50' 1080p Plasma HDTV

Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U 50' 1080p Plasma HDTV

from: Panasonic

Batteries Included: 1
Batteries: 2 AAA
Binding: Electronics
Product Brand: Panasonic
Color: Black
Display Size: 50 inches
EAN: 0037988241811
Label: Panasonic
Product Manufacturer: Panasonic
Model: TH-50PZ85U
Publisher: Panasonic
Ranking: 774
Studio: Panasonic

What's New This Year?

Which Viera is Right For You?

0ne Sheet of Glass Design

Amazing color reproduction

Consistent brightness from any angle

Smooth, graceful motion

24p native reproduction

1,OOO,OOO:1 Contrast

More Colors

Deep Color

Connectivity

Long Life

Get Full HD with Blu-Ray Disc Players

Which is the Right Viera for You?

Love loss and stock losses both cost

30-year Fixed Mortgage rates remain unchanged in the United States Wednesday

12 ways to cut cooling costs

12 ways to cut cooling costs

State by state 529 plans

Fed creates new winners, losers

Electronics : Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U 50' 1080p Plasma HDTV

Electronics : Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U 50' 1080p Plasma HDTV

Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U 50' 1080p Plasma HDTV

from: Panasonic

Batteries Included: 1 Batteries: 2 AAA Binding: Electronics Product Brand: Panasonic Color: Black Display Size: 50 inches EAN: 0037988241811 Label: Panasonic Product Manufacturer: Panasonic Model: TH-50PZ85U Publisher: Panasonic Ranking: 774 Studio: Panasonic

What's New This Year?

Which Viera is Right For You?

0ne Sheet of Glass Design

Amazing color reproduction

Consistent brightness from any angle

Smooth, graceful motion

24p native reproduction

1,OOO,OOO:1 Contrast

More Colors

Deep Color

Connectivity

Long Life

Get Full HD with Blu-Ray Disc Players

Which is the Right Viera for You?

Love loss and stock losses both cost

30-year Fixed Mortgage rates remain unchanged in the United States Wednesday

12 ways to cut cooling costs

12 ways to cut cooling costs

State by state 529 plans

Fed creates new winners, losers

Batteries Included: 1
Batteries: 2 AAA
Binding: Electronics
Product Brand: Panasonic
Color: Black
Display Size: 50 inches
EAN: 0037988241811
Label: Panasonic
Product Manufacturer: Panasonic
Model: TH-50PZ85U
Publisher: Panasonic
Ranking: 774
Studio: Panasonic