Panasonic TH-42PZ or TH-42PX - Is full HD worth it? Will a front HDMI socket drive me mad?

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I would like to buy a TH-42PX80 or a TH-42PZ80 or a TH-42PZ85. I also intend to plug in a Humax freesat recorder, a Pana blu ray player, my Wii and, at some point in the future, a sound bar. Besides cost, there are two things I can not decide on which would be better for me so, I would appreciate some help:

1) The PZ range is full HD. I intend to go and see whether I can tell the difference between the PZ80/85 and the PX80. The reviews say the PX80 shows 1080 scale pictures very well so if I can't tell the difference, is there any other reason in investing in full HD? I am not only interested in reasons that I can discern without some electronic measuring equipment or a magifying glass.

2) In my inexperience, I think I need to be connecting everything via HDMI. They all have 3 sockets but the PZ80 has one at the front which seems really inconvenient given I have 3 things to be plugged in permanently. So:

a) Do I really need to use all 3 HDMI sockets

b) Is it important enough to go for a set with all 3 HDMI sockets at the back or side?

 

[Anonymous]

Bearing in mind you are after a freesat box, I would Go for the PZ81, as opposed to the 80. which has a freesat tuner built in,as well as a freeview tuner. Ive ordered one a week ago today and I personally cant wait.
If you are going for a 42, then ffull HD is the way forward. You can tell the difference straight away between HD ready and Full HD. Fundamentally, there is no pictorial difference between the px81 and 85 and theyrte the same price. exept you get freesat with the 81 as stated.
What HDMI units are you going to be using? if you intend to use a humax freesat tuner, then thats one socket saved straight away Full HD is futre proof, so it wont be outdated. its here to stay. Just a word to the wise though: Dont compare LCD full hd with Plasma full hd. Make both choices work for their supper. Compare HD ready plasma with Full HD and you will be amazed!

HTH

CJ

 

[Gary233932]

The New TH-50/46/42PZ81 series do not have a freesat recorder built in, it has got a freesat turner and panasonic have not confirmed a HD freeview turner

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="clivej"]Bearing in mind you are after a freesat box, I would Go for the PZ81, as opposed to the 80. which has a freesat recorder built in,as well as a freeview tuner.[/quote]The Z81 has a freesat tuner, not recorder.

[quote user="clivej"]If you are going for a 42, then ffull HD is the way forward. You can tell the difference straight away between HD ready and Full HD. [/quote]It all depends upon your viewing distance whether you can see any difference. You have to view in the shops at your own viewing distance with your own eyes. You probably need to sit somewhere around 7ft from the TV to make out the extra 1080 detail.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="rewerb"]
[quote user="clivej"]Bearing in mind you are after a freesat box, I would Go for the PZ81, as opposed to the 80. which has a freesat recorder built in,as well as a freeview tuner.[/quote]The Z81 has a freesat tuner, not recorder.
[/quote]

Yes, i know it does, That's why I bought one initially. So ultimatley he will not need a seperate freesat box, as as far as i know, do not have a record facility built in! It was an error onmy part in my original post. apologies

 

[Anonymous]

Useful info - ta. To explain a bit further, I want to watch one freesat channel whilst recording another so I dont think the Z81 will allow me to do that therefore I thought I might as well by the Humax Freesat Recorder (although its not out yet) rather then just the Humax Fressat Set Top Box.

The components I can see plugging into the HDMI slots will be the Humax recorder and the Blu Ray DVD player. Then I have a Wii and a soundbar to plug in somehow. I have assumed that HDMI is the best way for all of them but you may know different.

 

[Anonymous]

wii isnt hd so a component lead will be the best connection possible!

 

[Anonymous]

The issue with HD ready versus Full HD is not only about distance from screen but also size of screen and I think some people have argued that 42 is too small a screen to notice much difference between full and ready.

 

[Anonymous]

Great. Pragmatic advice - cheers

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Stormpilot"]The issue with HD ready versus Full HD is not only about distance from screen but also size of screen and I think some people have argued that 42 is too small a screen to notice much difference between full and ready.[/quote]

It's really all down to how far away you sit.

A 50" or 46" or 42" Full HD screen has the same number of pixels (1920x1080 but they are larger in the 50", smaller in the 46" and even smaller in the 42"). If you can see the difference on a 50" screen then you will see it on a 46", you just have to move closer. (the eyes can focus on a field of view of 1/60th of a degree . The smaller the object, the closer you have to be to focus on it.)

Most people dont really sit close to their TV, so some people argue it's not worth buying the smaller HD sets. BUT, if you sit around 7ft from a 42" screen and you have "normal" 20/20 vision then you should be able to discern the difference.

End of Physics lesson

Unfortunately, given the same input signal, different TVs actually display a slightly different picture, depending upon upscaling, colour rendition, motion handling, contrast, blacks, brightness, ambient lighting conditions, etc. etc. etc. All of that can make the resolution question redundant.

So the bottom line is, treat it as guide, and go and see the sets. It's an individuals preference based on what they perceive the picture to be like.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info. I have now seen the sets. I think there is a difference of clarity which is better on the PZ85. Although I am not sure it is £400 difference, it feels sensible that if I am to buy a TV to last a good few years, I should get the latest technology. So... TH42PZ85B it is.

 

[Anonymous]

Did you see SD programs on the PX80 and PZ80/85?

I dont know how much HD material you will be watching, but I thing the SD picture is better on the PX80.

 

[Anonymous]

Nooooooooooo!

The reality is that most of what I watch will be SD for some time. Having convinced myself the PZ was the one, you are starting to make me doubt again.

Can anyone add anything else to help my decision?

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Well I have the PZ85 42" and the sd is pretty good on most channels. Have you seen the review of the PZ81 yet? http://whathifi.com/television/archive/2008/06/10/exclusive-review-we-test-panasonic-s-freesat-integrated-th-46pz81-lcd-tv.aspx .Excellent hd and sd pictures.

The 81 looks to be the same as the 85 but with the added freesat tuner, so I would expect similar performance from both sets.

If sd content looked excellent on a 46" then I would imagine it would look even better on a smaller screen like the 42"

 

[Anonymous]

Read the reviews and then go and look at the sets. Not everybody agrees with the reviews (once saw a chap who didnt like the Kuros because they were too dark!)

Only your eyes can tell you what is best. Treat advice as a guide. And decide for yourself.