Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ80U 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

By HDTVReviewsDigest | Published: November 9, 2009
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Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ80U 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
 
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $1,699.99
Sale Price: $1,361.92
Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
With its 2008 Panasonic Viera Plasmas, Panasonic brings anastonishing 1,000,000:1 contrast ration to the table. advanced pixel resolution and image-processing technology with the plasma TV's natural ability to beautifully reproduce fast moving images, so every detail is rendered with amazing clarity, and all the action is delivered with a high degree of fluidity.

What's New This Year?

  • Super Contrast--native contrast ratios on the PZ85, PZ800 and PX 850 series are 30,000:1, double last year's 15,000:1.
  • Dynamic contrast ratios are up to 1,000,000:1.
  • new anti-reflective filter; lead-free "Tough Under Force" panel is resistant to impacts and scratches
  • x.v. Color and Deep Color (HDMI 1.3 features)
  • Game Mode auto-adjusts image quality suitable to games and includes anti-image retention
  • Viera Link is now compatible with Onkyo and Yamaha home theater systems
  • At least 3 HDMI inputs on all models (4 on PZ800 and PZ850 series)
  • THX Certification on PZ800 and PZ850 series

Which Viera is Right For You?

Click here to see a comparison of step up features on each Viera series.

Amazing color reproduction

The incredible black reproduction of a Panasonic High-Definition Plasma TV results in impressive contrast and beautiful, natural colors. So you'll get warm, accurate skin tones, gorgeous greens, breathtaking blues and vivid reds. For color that's as rich and bold as life itself, look to a Panasonic Plasma TV.


Consistent brightness from any angle

A Panasonic Plasma combines anti-glare and anti-reflection technology with the natural light-emitting properties of plasma, to give you a super-wide viewing range with a crisp, beautiful image from almost any angle.



Smooth, graceful motion

When you're watching sports or movies with fast-motion graphics, you want a TV that can keep up with the action. With over 900 lines of moving picture, self-illuminating plasma displays eliminate afterimages in fast-action scenes. So whether you're watching a sporting event or an action-packed movie, you'll always get the most impressive viewing experience possible.


1,000,000:1 Contrast

The Panasonic's Real Black system (a pre-discharge suppression system) and improved panel production processes combine to reproduce outstanding blacks with superb contrast. Each image is richly expressive, from bright scense, like scorching desert landscapes, to dark cave scenes. Compare the image produced by conventional HDTV on the left to the Real Black image produced on the right

More Colors

Viera HDTVs support the xvYCC color profile (Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications), or "x.v. color" for short. Standard RGB color space allows the display of a portion of the colors that are viewable to the human eye. The next generation "xvYCC" color space actually offers  an available range of colors that exceeds what human eyes can recognize.
  • Next-generation "xvYCC" color space supports 1.8 times as many colors as existing HDTV signals
  • Lets HDTVs display colors more accurately
  • Enables displays with more natural and vivid colors


Deep Color

deep color eliminates visible color banding Where x.v. color expands the available range of colors your HDTV can display, Deep Color increases the number of colors your HDTV can display within that range, for smoother transitions from color to color.
  • Lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors
  • Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors
  • Enables increased contrast ratio
  • Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white.


Connectivity

Viera flat panel HDTVs interact with an array of high-definition devices and services, making it easy for consumers to access and enjoy content as never before. As of 2008, Viera Link is compatible with Onkyo and Yamaha home theater systems.
Videos and stills recorded on SD cards can easily be viewed via the SD slots on Panasonic Blu-Ray Disc players and Viera HDTVs. Viera Link means easy connectivity via HDMI cables. Finally, consumers can easily operate their Blu-Ray Disc players, DVD recorders and home theater systems with a single remote control device.
SD Cards Viera Link


4 HDMI inputs to connect all of your devices directly to your television.
Easy connectivity with HDMI ports


Long Life

long life Panasonic plasma panels are rated to last 100,000 hours, which is about 30 years of regular or 11 years of non-stop usage before the brightness of the display is halved.


Get Full HD with Blu-Ray Disc Players

Blu-Ray disc player A Panasonic 1080p plasma television is able to render 1920x1080 pixels, but standard DVDs have a resolution of just 720x480. Blu-ray discs output true 1080p High-Definition resolution and have a storage capacity ten times greater than standard DVDs, so no pixel gos to waste.


Which is the Right Viera for You?



 Screen Size
Measured
Diagonally
 1080p
Full HD
1920 x 1080 pixels
 Native
Contrast
Ratio
 PC Input
 THX
Cert
 24p
 Speakers
 HDMI
Inputs
 One Sheet
of Glass
Design
 Swivel
Base
 Shades
of
Gradation
 H.264
Codec
 Digital
Cinema Color
 Studio
Reference
Mode
 Pro
Setting
Menu
 Serial
Port
 Standard Features
TH-42PX80U
 42 inches
15,000:1


2
 3

4,096




  • 480 Hz Sub-field Drive Technology
  • Anti-Reflective Filter
  • Viera Link HDAVI Control
  • Built-in SD Card Slot w/Photo Viewer
  • Deep Color Technology
  • x.v. Color
  • 3D Color Mangement
  • Sub-Pixel Controller
  • Motion Pattern Noise Reduction
  • Anti-Image Retention Mode
  • Game Mode
  • Scratch and Impact Rsistant Panel
  • 100,000 Hours to Panel Half-Brightness (>30 years @ 8 hours/day)
  • Lead-free Panel
TH-50PX80U
 50 inches
15,000:1


2
 3

4,096




TH-42PZ80U
 42 inches check 20,000:1


2
 3

4,096




TH-46PZ80U
 46 inches check 20,000:1


2
 3

4,096




TH-50PZ80U
 50 inches check 20,000:1


2
 3

4,096




TH-42PZ85U
 42 inches check 30,000:1 check

2
 3

4,096




TH-46PZ85U
 46 inches check 30,000:1
 check

2
 3

4,096




TH-50PZ85U
 50 inches check 30,000:1 check

2
 3

4,096




TH-42PZ800U
 42 inches check 30,000:1 check check check 4
 4
 check check 4,096




TH-46PZ800U 46 inches check 30,000:1 check check check 4
 4
 check check 4,096




TH-50PZ800U 50 inches check 30,000:1 check check check 4
 4
 check check 4,096




TH-58PZ800U 58 inches check 30,000:1 check check check 4
 4
 check check 4,096




TH-46PZ850U 46 inches check 30,000:1 check check check 4
 4
 check check 5,120 check check check check check
TH-50PZ850U 50 inches check 30,000:1 check check check 4
 4
 check check 5,120 check check check check check
TH-58PZ850U 58 inches check 30,000:1 check check check 4
 4
 check check 5,120 check check check check check
TH-65PZ850U 65 inches check 30,000:1 check check check 4
 4
 check check 5,120 check check check check check

Product Details
  • 1920 x 1080 Resolution
  • 1000000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio for the Brightest whites and darkest blacks
  • 4096 Shades of Gradation for spectacular Color Reproduction
  • Viera LinK™ HDAVI Control lets you operate all of your home theater components by pressing a single button on your TV's remote control
  • GalleryPlayer® allows you to enjoy the world's finest high definition art and photography on your Panasonic HD plasma TV

Video Reviews
No video reviews found for this product.

Customer Reviews
Exceeds my high expectations
 
Review Date: June 2, 2008
Reviewer: C. Picardal,
I've been shopping for an HDTV for a while now, waiting for the prices to fall and/or the features and tech to improve. I narrowed my current list to the Sharp 52 & 46" LCD (LC-52D64U/LC-46D64U), Panasonic 50" 720p plasma (PX series), Hitachi 50 720p plasma (P50S601), Samsung's 46" LCDs and 50" 720p plasmas and of coarse the Holy Grail - Pioneer Kuro 50" plasma even if only at 720p. I almost bought the Pioneer Kuro 5080 when I saw it on sale for $2400. It was a tough decision not to buy it and I still regret it to this day. Now I can not find the 5080 let alone for $2400. That was the one that got away about 4 weeks ago. So I kept on shopping.

I came across the Pannasonic TH-46PZ80U at ABC Warehouse and they were having a weekend only sale. These were just release to retail. I took the plunge after I saw the picture on the display model. To say it was gorgeous is an understatement and that was with less than optimal component signal in a bright showroom.

I got it home and set it up on my new TV stand, I adjusted the picture (eyeballed it for now) and connected the cable and PS3 via HDMI. Threw in the Blu-Ray of "Live Free or Die Hard" and was blown away with the picture quality. Made some minor picture tweaks to suit my tastes and sat down and let it all soak in. I do believe I heard angels singing as I basked in the beauty of 1080p. Blacks were deep and shadow detail was impressive. A review said there is a red push on the PZ85U series but I did not notice it on the PZ80U. There may have been but it suits my tastes if that's the case. I was afraid of glare being an issue with the plasma screen but I really did not notice it too much. It is there if you look for it but it wasn't distracting during the movie even though it was mid afternoon in my bright sunlit living room.

Since my living room gets a lot of ambient light, I was leaning towards LCD for this reason only. But the fact that the picture washes out on LCDs as you move off center really bothered me and I could not get over that issue. So I crossed off the LCDs. The Pioneer Kuro did have a slightly better picture overall as I viewed it in the showcased home theater setup @ BB. But it wasn't $1000 better than my Panny. On the PZ80U, sports was flawless on it. No motion blur at all. Not even the 120Hz LCDs can come close to plasmas here. I watch the Red Wings beat Pittsburgh in game 4 of the finals and was in heaven. Watching my beloved Wings in hi-def get a step closer to The Cup highlighted my weekend filled with Blu-Ray and HDTV glory. The PZ85U series has a higher contrast 30000:1 panel but as I compared the 2 side-by-side, I really could not tell the difference between them. Now, I could tell the difference between the PX and the PZ (720p vs. 1080p). 1080p is the way to go! Some will say that you won't be able to discern between 720p and 1080p resolution at 50" or under screen size. Bull!!! Maybe under 42" might be more accurate. But even I could tell on 42" at viewing distance. It was just on the Pioneer Kuro that it really did not matter as much - the picture was that good.

The Samsung plasmas in my pricerange had really good image quality and features as did the Hitachi but could not keep up with the Panasonic and Pioneer in the most important area - the picture. Just my opinion.

So now you know that the picture on the PZ80U is "all that". Connections-wise, it was a fairly standard package with 3 HDMI 1.3 (one front), 2 component and an SD card reader but no PC input. I like the looks of it but not as much as the thin bezels of the Sharp, Samsung, and Toshiba. The base does not adjust like the motorized one on the Hitachi but its not problem for me. The sound quality from the speakers are decent and will due until I get my surround system.

Overall, I'd recommend the Panasonic TH-46PZ80U to anyone looking for a 1080p plasma with excellent picture quality at a reasonable price.

Get it for: deep blacks, shadow detail, overall picture quality, high refresh rates

Pass on it for: non-adjustable base, power consumption (628w, are you kidding me?!?!)
Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ80U 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
 
Review Date: July 12, 2008
Reviewer: James A. Price,
This is as good as it gets. Great TV and a great company to do business with. The TV came by special truck and was setup by them in a few minutes. White glove service all the way. Oh, did I fail to mention it was the lowest price as well. $700 less than Best Buy!
Awesome TV...
 
Review Date: April 17, 2008
Reviewer: Ken Bailey, Ypsilanti, MI United States
After spending about three months of looking at different HDTV's, I couldn't decided if I wanted projection, LCD or Plasma. I ruled out projection fairly quickly as it doesn't have the angle of view I'm used to with my tube TV (I can be sitting at my computer and still look at the TV). So it was down to LCD or Plasma. I didn't want to spend that much money on a TV so that ruled out Sony, Sharp and Samsung (I like the pictures on those but you seem to pay a premium) so I was looking for a middle tier HDTV.

I had a 36" tube TV and I din't want to lose height on that, so I did the math and figured out I would need a 44" TV in widescreen. Unfortunately, they don't make those, so it was either a 42" or 46". I was going to settle on a Philips 47" and was about ready to plunk down the money.

I went into the store and got a heck of a deal on this one. It looked nice enough, so I got it. So far I am pretty happy. The blacks are pretty darned close to black. HD shines on it. Even my old DVD player shines on it. I could see details in STar Wars that I haven't seen since watching it in the theater. It's not quite a Sony but I think it's better than what I was looking at.
great TV, good value
 
Review Date: September 10, 2008
Reviewer: B. Anderson, Texas
We recently bought the Panasonic Viera 46in plasma TV. The price was good and the delivery time excellent. The TV itself has an excellent picture and the controls (remote) are easy to use. Set-up was a breeze. This was our first time to buy a large electronic from Amazon. We are very pleased with the experience and will consider other large electronic purchases in the future.
Great TV
 
Review Date: August 12, 2008
Reviewer: Scott D. Stephens, Chicago area
After lengthly investigation, we bought this instead of an LCD Sony or Samsung because we though the LCD screens might get damaged too easily by our small children. After a month or so of use, we are very pleased with the Panasonic plasma. Great picture. No evidence of burn in. No significant problems with reflections, partly due to where we happen to use it. Only two small gripes: 1) For some goofy reason, Panasonic puts the channel up/down toggle on its remote controls where the volume up/down usually goes (on the left side), and its volume up/down where the channel up/down usually goes (on the right side). The remote is otherwise nicely designed. 2) The TV includes an SD card slot, which you can load up with photos, etc. They look great, but there is no random play feature on it, so if you have 500 photos on the card, you will always see Photos 1, 2, 3, etc; but never see Photos 498, 499, 500!
My first plasma flat screen
 
Review Date: August 28, 2008
Reviewer: Thomas Daniel Ogrady, Happy Valley, OR USA
I've had my Panasonic TH-46PZ80V set for about a month now and love it. It has an amazing picture and none of the glare issues I've read about in other reviews (and our living room gets a lot of direct sunlight during the day). I'd recommend this set to anyone. I especially love the insert my camera SanDisk for an instant slide show. The set even automatically orients the picture. Amazon had the cheapest price, free delivery, and they even unboxed it and set it up. Amazing service. Thanks Amazon.
WOW-Excellent TV-Great Price-No Problem with Ordering
 
Review Date: January 6, 2009
Reviewer: Love my tv, Wisconsin
This has been not only the best experience I've had purchasing over the internet, but the best experience purchasing any item period. This product is clearer than clear if that is possible. We both were amazed at the quality of this item, especially because it was such a great deal on Amazon. I have been trying to find a nice flat screen tv for some time now, and when I narrowed it down to a plasma, I then checked out consumer reports magazine for the best deal and quality. This was it, and everything that was said in the magazine was true. In fact, I think it was under-rated. If I could afford it, I'd purchase one of these tv's for every room in my home. Do not hesitate to purchase this tv if you are at all on the fence. You'll be happy you jumped.
Awesome 1080P!
 
Review Date: January 14, 2009
Reviewer: durman620, Concord, CA USA
We found a great deal on this TV with an included blu-ray player in the pre-Thanksgiving specials, so it was time after years of watching (and coveting), to upgrade to HD.

The TV set-up is simple. The attached stand is easy to install, but you'll want to have another set of hands to steady it during assembly. Once standing up, connections are straight-forward. There are plenty of inputs on the back, but the HDMI inputs are the best way to go. Component cables should be your minimum, however, as you can't get 1080 with the "RCA" single yellow video input. The onboard tuner will decode HD channels through the coaxial input if compononent/HDMI cables aren't available.

The remote control is easy to use, with intuitive options and onscreen menus. Switching aspect ratio is a single button press to cycle through the available views. Many HD broadcast signals still output 4:3 images, especially for older shows, so we have found the "just" setting to be best at filling the screen without distorting things too noticably. Input selection is also a simple button press.

Our blu-ray player is not a Panasonic (long story, partly to blame for waiting so long to review) so I can't vouch for the Viera link capability. Even still, the TV input changes automatically when the blu-ray is powered on or off, so HDMI cables alone would seem to offer some linkage features.

Viewing angle is, as they say, virtually unlimited. Picture best from 8-10 feet away, but sitting closer is no problem. Football games have been the most fun so far, especially games where snow is falling. Watching Dark Knight as our first blu-ray experience was also an eye-opener, as we got to see the full 1080P potential for the first time. Overall the picture is amazing, and the TV a perfect size for our average-ish living room.

Recommended for anybody thinking of taking the plunge, especially with prices possible in the $1000 range if you're a smart shopper.
Best picture ..by far for the price
 
Review Date: November 4, 2008
Reviewer: Soxnut, USA
After researching flat screens for the past 6 months or so (and watching the prices fall), this tv out shined all the others. The LCD TVs I looked at in this price range fell far short in picture quality, contrast, and motion detail. Panasonic has shown in tests by [.....] to have produced some of the best picture quality in the industy.
I picked it last week and the TV looks awesome!
Highly Recommended!
nice
 
Review Date: September 30, 2008
Reviewer: tim hunt,
The picture is great. I thought my buddy's HP plasma was awesome...i didnt know anything. the surround sound even sounds great, though don't expect much in terms of bass. I have a double window about 4 ft from the TV and i havent felt any glare problems at all. I use FIOS, and my friends with comcast are stunned.

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