Panasonic TH50PZ80B or TH50PZ81B or TH50PZ85B

[admin_exported]

Im going to bite the bullet and get a Panasonic 50" screen having read all of the reviews..

There are 3 main models, but Im a little uncertain as to which one to go for..

a) TH50PZ80B

b) TH50PZ81B (FreeSat)

c) TH50PZ85B

I want one that is going to be as future proof as possible.

I am currently thinking about either option (a) or (b) above.

I currently have Sky+ Multiroom and am going to downgrade to normal Sky+ so already have the inputs to drive FreeSat (Im not sure if its worth paying the extra to get the FreeSat version or just the normal TH50PZ80B version and buying a FreeSat reciever myself)???

Any advice would be most apprciated.... What are the main differences between the above 3? And are they worth the money?

Thank you all in advance

 

[Anonymous]

Only telly (b) in your list is a current production model according to Panasonic

Other current 1080p 50 incher is designated TH50PZ800B

 

[Anonymous]

First, decide whether you want Freesat. If you already have SKY and are keeping it, Freesat just gives you a few HD programs for a few hours a day. SD is the virtually the same. And if you really want HD broadcasts, SKY HD is so much more comprehensive (and expensive). If you're undecided, you can always get a Freesat box later and they wont increase in price, plus you might get a Freesat PVR. Z81 is very similar to Z85, but has PIP/PAP and plays video from SD card (also found on the Z800)

The difference betwen 80 and 85 is mainly IFC, which like marmite, you love it or hate it. Different connections at the front/side, BBE Surround sound, optical audio out...

Blacks, contrast, colours are more or less all the same. Hence PQ is very similar.

 

[Anonymous]

welshboy:

Only telly (b) in your list is a current production model according to Panasonic

Other current 1080p 50 incher is designated TH50PZ800B
There is no 50PZ85, definitely is a 50PZ80, on sale lots of places.

 

[Anonymous]

rewerb:welshboy:

Only telly (b) in your list is a current production model according to Panasonic

Other current 1080p 50 incher is designated TH50PZ800B

There is no 50PZ85, definitely is a 50PZ80, on sale lots of places.

I agree there are a lot on sale but that's not what I said.

I know Panasonic barely keep any model in production for more than 6 months now.

 

[Anonymous]

welshboy:

I agree there are a lot on sale but that's not what I said. I know Panasonic barely keep any model in production for more than 6 months now.

No, I'll think you'll find the 50PZ is in production, but was never uploaded to the site in the first place, it's been an oversight on their part. They keep the TVs going for one year.

Whereas the 50PZ85 has never been made and was not in the March Announcement details.

 

[Anonymous]

The th50pz80B is now retailing at £1128, the TH50PZ81B is at £1385.00 and the 46" TH46PZ85 at £1169

I did test the TH46PZ85 at a friends house and the picture quality was not great from his Sky+ box and the sound was really tinney??

Still not sure which one to go for..... Panasonic are now offering the 5 years warrenty again on the boxes..

 

[Anonymous]

panasonicplasma:

The th50pz80B is now retailing at £1128, the TH50PZ81B is at £1385.00 and the 46" TH46PZ85 at £1169

I did test the TH46PZ85 at a friends house and the picture quality was not great from his Sky+ box and the sound was really tinney??

Still not sure which one to go for..... Panasonic are now offering the 5 years warrenty again on the boxes..

The sound on the 81 and 85 is the same. Your friend has SD SKY?. Not sure what channel you were watching or at what distance you were watching from.

If you dont like the PQ on the 85, not sure the 80/81 will be much different. But HD sources are required to show them off to their potential.

 

[Anonymous]

What rewerb was saying about the 81 and 85 sound is untrue, the 85 is better (much Better).
As this is no problem for my self I bought the 50" 81 as all sound is run through my onkyo amp

absolutely superb in Hi-def, and even better on blue ray,
down side is sd content is not the best and freesat only has a handfull of channels to choose from.

But still a cracking set and no regrets...!

P.S. Still cant make my mind up about the IFC, makes CGI scenes on the new transformers look cheap sometimes but you cant deny the detail and depth it gives is superb (I like marmite...!)

 

[Anonymous]

bulloy:What rewerb was saying about the 81 and 85 sound is untrue, the 85 is better (much Better). As this is no problem for my self I bought the 50" 81 as all sound is run through my onkyo amp absolutely superb in Hi-def, and even better on blue ray, down side is sd content is not the best and freesat only has a handfull of channels to choose from. But still a cracking set and no regrets...! P.S. Still cant make my mind up about the IFC, makes CGI scenes on the new transformers look cheap sometimes but you cant deny the detail and depth it gives is superb (I like marmite...!)Yes, I stand corrected. The 85 has the better BBE surround sound, the 81 is the same as the base 80 for sound. The comment is still valid though, if the OP didnt like the 85 sound (too tinny was his comment), then he's not going to be impressed with the 81.

 

[Anonymous]

rewerb:bulloy:What rewerb was saying about the 81 and 85 sound is untrue, the 85 is better (much Better). As this is no problem for my self I bought the 50" 81 as all sound is run through my onkyo amp absolutely superb in Hi-def, and even better on blue ray, down side is sd content is not the best and freesat only has a handfull of channels to choose from. But still a cracking set and no regrets...! P.S. Still cant make my mind up about the IFC, makes CGI scenes on the new transformers look cheap sometimes but you cant deny the detail and depth it gives is superb (I like marmite...!)Yes, I stand corrected. The 85 has the better BBE surround sound, the 81 is the same as the base 80 for sound. The comment is still valid though, if the OP didnt like the 85 sound (too tinny was his comment), then he's not going to be impressed with the 81.

I agree - Panasonic TV's have better sound than most but it's still not that great for movies or music programmes and the effects available on the higher end ones are a bit gimmicky. (but you can hear the differences - so it's not one of those does nothing buttons on the remote!

) The sound is much better if you can port it out even if you only do this via a conventional stereo set-up.