Plethora of Panasonic Plasmas

[admin_exported]

Moving towards plasmas has lead me to look at the Panasonic range but I'm just stumped by the various options:

TH-42PZ81B

TH-42PZ800B

TH-42PZ85B
TH-42PZ80B
TH-42PZ8B

I know the first one in the list has the freesat built in but spec wise the rest all seem almost identical, can anyone point me in the right direction as to what the difference are and more importantly which one(s) are the best here?

many thanks

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

The Panasonic web site will give you a detail comparison of the models.

From bottom to top it is Z8 - Z80 - Z85 - Z81 - Z800. They all seem to have the same contrast ratios/ greyscale (and hence PQ), except the Z8 which is lower contrast etc. The 81 is confusing, 'cause it looks like an 80, with same connection layouts, but is a combination of 85 and 800 features (besides the Freesat tuner)

 

[Clare Newsome]

Hi Paul,

Basically, the higher the number, the higher the spec (with the exception of the 81s, which i'll come back to).

So, the '8' models are entry-level sets, with lower contrast ratio, less HDMI sockets and very few bells and whistles.

Move up to the '80' and you get better contrast and connectivity - we've found all these sets very impressive.

The '85' models add better sound, and enhanced picture processing (though not everyone likes this IFC mode, which you can turn off) plus some other frills.

The flagship '800' models offer yet better sound, contrast levels and features.

The '81' models, meanwhile, offer Freesat tuners plus a blend of functionality that sits them between the 85 and 800 models.

To add to the potential confusion, you should know that all Panasonic sets with an 'X' in their name are HD Ready, while the 'Z' models are all Full HD.

 

[Anonymous]

many, many thanks Clare

I had to have a lay down after all your informatio but it was alot of help, basically the best will be the 800 followed by the 85, i'll take a look at those.

thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Clare

has what hifi done reviews on either the 85 or the 800?

 

[Clare Newsome]

We've reviewed 80, 81 and 85 sets - still waiting on 800s or 8s from Panasonic. You can read all our Panasonic tests here.