Panasonic Plazma TV

[grahamboyd]

Thanks to those who answered my question on Pioneer 42 inch Kuro a few posts down. Earlier I phoned Pioneer and they confirmed that they have discontinued this model; only 50 and 60 inch are going to be the new 9th generation plazmas in thier range.

I have looked at posts and see Panasonic is the next best:

In terms of 42 inch I have sourced the following models:

PZ800, PZ85, PZ81, PZ80. - any missing?

Which one is the best picture and how would it compare with the Pioneer Kuro? I am aware not so good Plazmas have shadows eg football has comet effect and close up face tones can look terrible - I do not want this. Do Comet and Currys stores stock all these in the Pioneer range so I can get a look?

Someone suggested just go for the 50 inch Pioneer Kuro PDP-LX5080D but the problem is I think my room is too small - I am sitting 10 - 11 feet from where the TV will be mounted on the wall.

Comments on all above welcome

Thanks

 

[True Blue]

Nope, none missing:- Briefly

PZ800 series - flagship model, full HD, 100Hz, IFC, Seperate tweeter and woofers, 24p, 4 HDMI, SD card reader

PZ85 series - full HD, 100Hz, IFC, integrated speakers, 24p, 3 HDMI, SD card reader.

PZ81 series - freesat tuner built in, rest same as 85 roughly

PZ80 series - full hd, 100Hz, integrated speakers 3 hdmi

Best picture, depends on what you like, Panasonic are IMO not far behind Pioneer and a mile better than the rest.

Yes those mentioned stores do the 80,81 and 85. Make sure you ask to see them on SD as well as HD.

42inch seems about the right size for the distance.

Hope that helps.

BTW I have ordered a PZ800b

 

[Cliff1]

Graham

I was in my local Comet store yesterday looking at the pz81 42",it was showing a test page of bbc hd,kept repeating,when i asked to see the SD picture i was told they couldn't change the set up.I was surprised,i presume it applies to all the sets.

Hope you have better luck than i had.How do they sell so many sets if customers can't see a genuine broadcast.

The 50" was next to it showing a blueray disc,fantastic picture on that.I'M

 

[Cliff1]

Fingers not working!

I'm off to my local panasonic dealer to see it.I was going to buy from them anyway.

 

[Anonymous]

I spent considerable time looking at the 42" Panny Plasmas, must have gone in about 20 shops looking at them, my thoughts were that on SD the PZ model did not seem as good compared to the PX model which is not full HD, but apparently full HD is not really noticeable until you go bigger than 42". I get a fantastic picture on the PX model and run it through a seperate amp to get decent sound as well, also it was £599 at RS + £60 for 5 yr guarentee.

 

[Anonymous]

I've had a 42" PZ85 since the summer and have finally been able to feed it a 1080p source in the form of a DMP BD-35 blu-ray player. I have a Virgin V+ box, so have been happy with the PZ85's performance with 720p material, but the step up to 1080p has been awesome. Some say that you can't tell the difference between 720p and full HD on a 42" - I would beg to differ....