Panasonic TH42PZ85 - Any review yet?

[admin_exported]

Hi all,

Is there any progress on a review for the new Panasonic TH42PZ85? I'm getting very itchy feet!! I was in the process of tralling the web for best prices of the Panny TH42PZ70 in February, then I discovered the new models were on their way so I decided to hold out!! At last they are here but I'm just waiting for a glowing review before purchase!

I believe the What Hi-fi team got their hands on it last week.

thanks =]

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am really keen to read the review of the PZ85 too. Even if you cant give us the official review yet, can we not even get a little bit of an indication of what you guys think of the TV from whatever tests you have done so far? I am especially interested in how it compares with the Pio 4280XD as I am trying to decide which one of these two screens to buy, I have a feeling that the PZ85 may just be the better of the two (bold statement I know), so I hope I wont be disappointed

 

[Anonymous]

patience is a virtue... im sure as soon as they have reviewed it they will either put it up online or/aswell as publishing it into next months magazine

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Chrismcn"]

I am especially interested in how it compares with the Pio 4280XD as I am trying to decide which one of these two screens to buy, I have a feeling that the PZ85 may just be the better of the two (bold statement I know), so I hope I wont be disappointed
[/quote]

same with me, since where I live the Pio has almost matched the price of the Pana. just by looking at specs and having only seen the Pio once, I came to the conclusion that if the Pana maintains in practice what it promises, it will only be a matter of what I want to watch mostly. If you'll watch 1080p 24fps signals mostly, probably the Pana will take advantage of its resolution over the Pio, if you'll be on on-air signals (both SD and HD, which are max 1080i) most of the time, it's possible that the Pio will be slightly better, even more with SD signals due to the upscaling to lower res.

 

[Anonymous]

just seen a TH46PZ85B today and i must say the HD looks amazing (as do most tvs on HD but still)it's a shame i couldnt get an aerial into it...

 

[Andy Clough]

Patience children, patience! Good things come to those who wait, and all that.

The TH-42PZ85 has indeed arrived in our stock room, and Mr First Tests Editor Simon Lucas has it on his list of things to test next week. So provided he doesn't fall under a bus over the weekend (heaven forbid), the plan is to bring you an exclusive online review during the latter part of next week. Who says we don't spoil you!

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers Andy, can't wait. (I just signed up to the forum to say that!)

 

[professorhat]

Surprised you can watch TV with the bright light it produces, Gizmo...

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers Andy..... I shall wait with baited breath!!

As Chrismcn mentions, it would be good to know how it compares to the Pio PDP-4280XD now that its prices have dropped. Is it still the benchmark even though it is not full HD?!

Im also waiting for the Freesat service to eventually kick off as I don't fancy turning to the Dark Side (Sky, Virgin) for HD programming!!

And, will the full HD and the 30,000:1 contrast ratio of the Panny be more beneficial for Freesat HD, cos Im still not convinced we'll get the bandwidth as yet to take full advantage!! (brain has exploded)

 

[Anonymous]

i may be totally off here but im sure that freesat will only broadcast 720p due to bandwith issues? or is that wrong ^_^

 

[professorhat]

Yes, 720p / 1080i at a maximum so Full HD won't give you any benefit for these broadcasts.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="professorhat"]Yes, 720p / 1080i at a maximum so Full HD won't give you any benefit for these broadcasts.[/quote]

hmmmm....not so sure I fully agree to that...on 1080i it will depend on the performances of the de-interlacer of the PZ85 versus the ones of the (down)scaler (and de-interlacer) on the PX...IMHO it will be more difficult for the same kind of electonics to perform de-interlacing plus downscaling rather than only de-interlacing...different issue will be for 720p...but only the one who will see it will be able to judge...

so, one more reason to keep both eyes on this forum and the mag for the first results on the PZ

thanks

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Chrismcn"]
Hi,

I am really keen to read the review of the PZ85 too. Even if you cant give us the official review yet, can we not even get a little bit of an indication of what you guys think of the TV from whatever tests you have done so far? I am especially interested in how it compares with the Pio 4280XD as I am trying to decide which one of these two screens to buy, I have a feeling that the PZ85 may just be the better of the two (bold statement I know), so I hope I wont be disappointed

[/quote]

hi chris i think so to i was at currys viewing one today, nowhere else had one not even on display can u believe it? they had them running diffrent demos near each other dont think there was much in it the guy instore said the pios had been on display for 5 months so their fully run in now whereas the panny was just in this week. that said the panny put all the other tv's in the shade tosh phillips the hitachi wasnt as bad as the other two though. i found a really in depth spec sheet on http://www.weymouthhifi.co.uk/website/panasonic/panasonic-TH42PZ85.htm showing all scan formats and a lot of other info so if uv got a "has it got question..." check it out there.

has anyone found any pz85 cheaper than 1085 delivered????????

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="darkside82"]
[quote user="Chrismcn"]
Hi,

I am really keen to read the review of the PZ85 too. Even if you cant give us the official review yet, can we not even get a little bit of an indication of what you guys think of the TV from whatever tests you have done so far? I am especially interested in how it compares with the Pio 4280XD as I am trying to decide which one of these two screens to buy, I have a feeling that the PZ85 may just be the better of the two (bold statement I know), so I hope I wont be disappointed

[/quote]

hi chris i think so to i was at currys viewing one today, nowhere else had one not even on display can u believe it? they had them running diffrent demos near each other dont think there was much in it the guy instore said the pios had been on display for 5 months so their fully run in now whereas the panny was just in this week. that said the panny put all the other tv's in the shade tosh phillips the hitachi wasnt as bad as the other two though. i found a really in depth spec sheet on http://www.weymouthhifi.co.uk/website/panasonic/panasonic-TH42PZ85.htm showing all scan formats and a lot of other info so if uv got a "has it got question..." check it out there.

has anyone found any pz85 cheaper than 1085 delivered????????
[/quote]

The panasonic is brighter than the Pioneer and incredibly vibrant, but the black level isnt as good. The pioneer has a generally warmer colour balance which is still aparrent after picture adjustments. HD Images on the panasonic are undoubtably sharper, yet this is to be expected as it has the avantage of a 1080p, however standard definition is not as good as the pioneer's, though still excellent. I would say the Pioneer is still the better set, although if you intend to sit close to your, i.e 2.5m TV the Panasonic warrants more consideration, although flaws in the standard definition imaging will be more apparant. The sound is weak on the panasonic and the speakers sound muffled; it appears panasonic has copied samsung's terrible idea of having the speakers at the back of the set for form over function. The cheapest price I have found for the pana is £1075.99 delivered on dixons.co.uk. Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andy Clough"]

Patience children, patience! Good things come to those who wait, and all that.

The TH-42PZ85 has indeed arrived in our stock room, and Mr First Tests Editor Simon Lucas has it on his list of things to test next week. So provided he doesn't fall under a bus over the weekend (heaven forbid), the plan is to bring you an exclusive online review during the latter part of next week. Who says we don't spoil you!

[/quote]

So.....did he fall under a bus? Hopefully not, as I (like others) are really keen to see a review.

I've just had a look at the PZ85 next to the Kuro, and have to say I really liked it. Dare I say preferred the colours to the Kuro.....? Clearly this could be setup related, but somehow the Pana looked more natural. Unfortunately this was only for an HD source, and I wasn't able to look at any standard broadcast material. That will be the key decision point for me, as a good chunk of my viewing won't be HD. Saying that, still can't bring myself to purchase a non 1080p set....

D.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Lewis P"][quote user="darkside82"]

[quote user="Chrismcn"]
Hi,

I am really keen to read the review of the PZ85 too. Even if you cant give us the official review yet, can we not even get a little bit of an indication of what you guys think of the TV from whatever tests you have done so far? I am especially interested in how it compares with the Pio 4280XD as I am trying to decide which one of these two screens to buy, I have a feeling that the PZ85 may just be the better of the two (bold statement I know), so I hope I wont be disappointed

[/quote]

hi chris i think so to i was at currys viewing one today, nowhere else had one not even on display can u believe it? they had them running diffrent demos near each other dont think there was much in it the guy instore said the pios had been on display for 5 months so their fully run in now whereas the panny was just in this week. that said the panny put all the other tv's in the shade tosh phillips the hitachi wasnt as bad as the other two though. i found a really in depth spec sheet on http://www.weymouthhifi.co.uk/website/panasonic/panasonic-TH42PZ85.htm showing all scan formats and a lot of other info so if uv got a "has it got question..." check it out there.

has anyone found any pz85 cheaper than 1085 delivered????????

[/quote] The panasonic is brighter than the Pioneer and incredibly vibrant, but the black level isnt as good. The pioneer has a generally warmer colour balance which is still aparrent after picture adjustments. HD Images on the panasonic are undoubtably sharper, yet this is to be expected as it has the avantage of a 1080p, however standard definition is not as good as the pioneer's, though still excellent. I would say the Pioneer is still the better set, although if you intend to sit close to your, i.e 2.5m TV the Panasonic warrants more consideration, although flaws in the standard definition imaging will be more apparant. The sound is weak on the panasonic and the speakers sound muffled; it appears panasonic has copied samsung's terrible idea of having the speakers at the back of the set for form over function. The cheapest price I have found for the pana is £1075.99 delivered on dixons.co.uk. Hope this helps.[/quote]

Use the promo code BIGTV and get 5% off at Dixons on line, the price drops to £1022.19

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry, that got a bit quote-tastic

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andy Clough"]

Patience children, patience! Good things come to those who wait, and all that.

The TH-42PZ85 has indeed arrived in our stock room, and Mr First Tests Editor Simon Lucas has it on his list of things to test next week. So provided he doesn't fall under a bus over the weekend (heaven forbid), the plan is to bring you an exclusive online review during the latter part of next week. Who says we don't spoil you!

[/quote]

Hallo Andy,

I know it's not yet the "latter" part of the week and I know you would repeat us to be patient, but I've just read some posts from Clare in another thread where she mentions some quite tasteful preliminary results on the pz85....any, ehm...

...first impression from the preview???

thanks

cheers

 

[Anonymous]

...and I like to add that I've seen a 46pz85 in a store, where I was not given ANY chance to check the setting and see it with different sources (it was showing the 1080p video from panasonic), but I was positively impressed by the antialiasing performances, but negatively by the green (yellow, actually) ghosting on the whites in movement....have noticed anything like this during the test? it may well be that the pz I've seen was not balanced and probably brand new, set to the maximum contrast and brightness

thanks again

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="Halpha"]I know it's not yet the "latter" part of the week and I know you would repeat us to be patient, but I've just read some posts from Clare in another thread where she mentions some quite tasteful preliminary results on the pz85[/quote]

See Andy's comments on the review of the 37in elsewhere on the site - as he says there, we thought we were getting the 42in, but in fact the 37in was delivered.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks to darkside 82 and Lewis P for the comparisons

I have my name down for a 46PZ85 and should get it at the end of the month so I am looking forward to it, I am sure I have made the right choice, if the Kuro is better, there will be very little between the two.

Halpha, it is the latter part of the week tomorrow so fingers crossed

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andrew Everard"]
[quote user="Halpha"]I know it's not yet the "latter" part of the week and I know you would repeat us to be patient, but I've just read some posts from Clare in another thread where she mentions some quite tasteful preliminary results on the pz85[/quote]

See Andy's comments on the review of the 37in elsewhere on the site - as he says there, we thought we were getting the 42in, but in fact the 37in was delivered.

[/quote]

I am confused now, it states here http://whathifi.com/home-cinema/archive/2008/03/27/news-panasonic-product-release-timeline-including-uk-model-numbers-and-pricing.aspx that the 46PZ85 was due into the test rooms

 

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty certain this'll be my next tv and Empire Direct have a very good deal for this and the Panny BD-30 for £1199!

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="Chrismcn"]I am confused now, it states here http://whathifi.com/home-cinema/archive/2008/03/27/news-panasonic-product-release-timeline-including-uk-model-numbers-and-pricing.aspx that the 46PZ85 was due into the test rooms [/quote]

Yes it was, but as we say here, in our online review of the TX-37LZD85, Panasonic delivered the 37in LCD version, not the 42in plasma.

We're still waiting for all the other models in the range to be delivered, and will bring you a review of the 42 in the magazine as soon as we can.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think you can compare the 2. Besides the brand, everything else is different on these 2 models.
The (start of) the article suggest they are comparable, but they're not. One can't compare a 42" plasma with a 37" LCD. So I think these two models are for a completely different audience.