Panasonic ZT60 (now ZT65)

[Deleted member 2457]

Just watching Madagascar 3 on Sky HD movies, this is quite punchy.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

My subscription copy of the Home Cinema Choice magazine, issue 223, August 2013, thudded on my carpet today. It contains a five-page review of the ZT65. It is awarded Reference Status. HCC seems more enthusiastic about the set that did the What Hi-Fi review of the same set, which has been linked to by the moderators right at the start of this thread. The HCC review mentions that Panasonic simply can't take plasma technology further in any way that makes econonic sense. I personally would have liked to see in the review an explicit comparison to the VT65 series, however, as to whether the ZT65 justifes the price premium over the VT65 series.

Two points from the generally rave HCC review "the ZT65 delivers unquestionably, unreservedly, undeniably the best 1080p picture in town" will slightly concern and intrigue forumites. The slightly concerning point mentions fan noise, of which I had not been aware on this set. Yes, I have heard of fan noise on the 65VT65, but the 60ZT65 was generally thought to be much quieter. (Perhaps Mr Malarky will respond to this with experience of his own ZT65?). The HCC review says "The fan noise it generates is omnipresent and has a tone which is often distracting." The intriguing point is that explicit comparison is made with a 60inch 9th generation Kuro panel (without saying whether that was a LX6090 or KRP 600A) and the result is a rated a tie! Pioneer executives will be pleased that more than four years after their last televisions were made, Pioneer screens have still not been decisively surpassed, for picture quality alone. (Of course, Pioneer screens don't have modern stuff like 3D and smart internet, before someone reminds me!)

 

[Deleted member 2457]

My subscription copy of the Home Cinema Choice magazine, issue 223, August 2013, thudded on my carpet today. It contains a five-page review of the ZT65. It is awarded Reference Status. HCC seems more enthusiastic about the set that did the What Hi-Fi review of the same set, which has been linked to by the moderators right at the start of this thread. The HCC review mentions that Panasonic simply can't take plasma technology further in any way that makes econonic sense. I personally would have liked to see in the review an explicit comparison to the VT65 series, however, as to whether the ZT65 justifes the price premium over the VT65 series.

Two points from the generally rave HCC review "the ZT65 delivers unquestionably, unreservedly, undeniably the best 1080p picture in town" will slightly concern and intrigue forumites. The slightly concerning point mentions fan noise, of which I had not been aware on this set. Yes, I have heard of fan noise on the 65VT65, but the 60ZT65 was generally thought to be much quieter. (Perhaps Mr Malarky will respond to this with experience of his own ZT65?). The HCC review says "The fan noise it generates is omnipresent and has a tone which is often distracting." The intriguing point is that explicit comparison is made with a 60inch 9th generation Kuro panel (without saying whether that was a LX6090 or KRP 600A) and the result is a rated a tie! Pioneer executives will be pleased that more than four years after their last televisions were made, Pioneer screens have still not been decisively surpassed, for picture quality alone. (Of course, Pioneer screens don't have modern stuff like 3D and smart internet, before someone reminds me!)

Wow! Thanks for the feedback. :cheers: I think I will have to buy this edition, I am intrigued to read this!

 

[Son_of_SJ]

This new issue 223 of HCC magazine may not be at newsagents (WH Smith is good) for another two or three days, though.

 

[mr malarky]

My subscription copy of the Home Cinema Choice magazine, issue 223, August 2013, thudded on my carpet today. It contains a five-page review of the ZT65. It is awarded Reference Status. HCC seems more enthusiastic about the set that did the What Hi-Fi review of the same set, which has been linked to by the moderators right at the start of this thread. The HCC review mentions that Panasonic simply can't take plasma technology further in any way that makes econonic sense. I personally would have liked to see in the review an explicit comparison to the VT65 series, however, as to whether the ZT65 justifes the price premium over the VT65 series.

Two points from the generally rave HCC review "the ZT65 delivers unquestionably, unreservedly, undeniably the best 1080p picture in town" will slightly concern and intrigue forumites. The slightly concerning point mentions fan noise, of which I had not been aware on this set. Yes, I have heard of fan noise on the 65VT65, but the 60ZT65 was generally thought to be much quieter. (Perhaps Mr Malarky will respond to this with experience of his own ZT65?). The HCC review says "The fan noise it generates is omnipresent and has a tone which is often distracting." The intriguing point is that explicit comparison is made with a 60inch 9th generation Kuro panel (without saying whether that was a LX6090 or KRP 600A) and the result is a rated a tie! Pioneer executives will be pleased that more than four years after their last televisions were made, Pioneer screens have still not been decisively surpassed, for picture quality alone. (Of course, Pioneer screens don't have modern stuff like 3D and smart internet, before someone reminds me!)

The level of fan noise seems to vary between individual units, on mine its about the level of an older PS3, so audible but not really an issue (and at the moment we're pretty close to the screen at only 8 feet away, if we move house as planned next yer we'll be aiming for a larger lounge so will likely be sat further away), oldboy visited a dealer that had the VT and ZT running side by side and says the ZT was virtually silent, while HCC are saying its loud enough to be a distraction while viewing.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Just read this review:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/panasonic-tx-p60zt65_TV_review

 

[Deleted member 2457]

This new issue 223 of HCC magazine may not be at newsagents (WH Smith is good) for another two or three days, though.

I read the review today, they seemed to really like it. Didn't buy it though. A lot of pictures rather than words!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

See what Debenhams are selling:

http://www.debenhamsplus.com/DE_Panasonic_TVs___Plasma_Bundles_30044466/version.asp

 

[mr malarky]

Bit surprised by that. Wonder if Panasonic are having trouble shifting them?

 

[Son_of_SJ]

It's only a one-year warranty that Debenhams are offering though .....

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Bit surprised by that. Wonder if Panasonic are having trouble shifting them?

Don't know. They are now selling the entire plasma range though! Hopefully they will come down in price. More options the better.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

It's only a one-year warranty that Debenhams are offering though .....

Yep.

 

[tt_drj]

The price on the ZT65 appears to be in a state of flux at the moment. My local Panasonic shop is selling them at £3,599 with 6 year warranty...

 

[Pindi]

The price on the ZT65 appears to be in a state of flux at the moment. My local Panasonic shop is selling them at £3,599 with 6 year warranty...

Sonic Direct are selling it for £3249.99, although it comes with the standard 5 year warranty.

http://www.sonicdirect.co.uk/Plasma-LCD-LED-TV-Televisions/Panasonic-TXP60ZT65B-60-3D-Full-HD-1080p-Smart-TV-3000Hz-Freeview-HDFSAT

 

[Son_of_SJ]

And that is the exact same price that Sonic Direct are also selling the Panasonic TX-P65VT65 for! Both of these prices, and the 5-year guarantees as well I think, are true only in-store, so you do have to be able to get to Bradford.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

And that is the exact same price that Sonic Direct are also selling the Panasonic TX-P65VT65 for! Both of these prices, and the 5-year guarantees as well I think, are true only in-store, so you do have to be able to get to Bradford.

Unless you can get someone to price match.

 

[tt_drj]

Unless you can get someone to price match.

🙂 Exactly.

 

[bigboss]

Although they say in-store only, some shops give the 5 year warranty on online purchases as well. Speak to them.

 

[tt_drj]

Although they say in-store only, some shops give the 5 year warranty on online purchases as well. Speak to them.

Agreed, although Sonic Direct were quite clear that you can order online, but must pay in store to get the 5 year warranty.

Always worth a phonecall though.

 

[mr malarky]

Not sure if this has been posted previously (apologies if so).

Interesting comment at the end regarding comparisons with sony's 4k set:

http://m.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/panasonic-tx-p60zt65-1163904/review

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Quite a cool clip here:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WoW3yp8U6S8

 

[Deleted member 2457]

I like watching this one too:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnlnXpbTQMg&feature=related

 

[mr malarky]

Quite a cool clip here:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WoW3yp8U6S8

The 65" version looks lovely.

I have screen envy!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

These seem pretty impressed:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NMDHzVvdjSo

 

[mr malarky]

These seem pretty impressed:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NMDHzVvdjSo

Just doesn't sound right being called a 'Zee-Tee 60' though; its 'Zed-Tee'! (Apologies to our American cousins... 🙂)