EXCLUSIVE REVIEW: Read our verdict on Panasonic's Full HD Viera TH-42PZ80B plasma
New flatscreen TVs from Panasonic keep arriving thick and fast, so we've been slaving away in our test rooms to keep those reviews coming.
The latest model to come under our scrutiny is the Viera TH-42PZ80B Full HD plasma. You'll be able to read all about it, plus another 14 brand-new plasma and LCD TVs, in the Ultimate Guide to Television, on sale June 5.
But if you can't wait that long, you can read our verdict here on whathifi.com.
Panasonic TH-42PZ80B
£870
5 stars
For
Rich, natural colours; handles movement smoothly; great off-air performance
Against
Pictures could be a touch sharper and clearer
Verdict
This plasma set is a good, all-round performer and a great value for money proposition
The LCD versus plasma TV debate continues and there seems to be no end in sight. Luckily for Panasonic, its Viera range has a tent pitched in both camps and continues to churn out both types of set with astonishing success.
The TH-42PZ80B is a 42-inch plasma set, with the same, subtle, understated design treatment as all Panasonic flatscreens. The screen is Full HD (1920x1080/24fps) and features 100Hz picture processing.
What's more, the menu system is easy to navigate, aided by the chunky remote control and thumb-friendly button layout. The set is armed with three HDMI inputs (two round the back, one under a flap on the front of the unit), with component video and Scart sockets thrown in for good measure.
View your digital photos on TV
If you own a digital camera that uses an SD memory card, you can take advantage of the slot provided to display your favourite photos.
Standard-definition broadcasts on the Panasonic look particularly accomplished, with good image stability and detail.
With standard-definition DVD discs such as Sweeney Todd, the Panasonic set delivers a picture blessed with deep, rich blacks, and the set captures the textures of Johnny Depp's eerie outfit perfectly.
Switch to a high-definition source such as Enchanted on Blu-ray and the Panasonic's natural colour palette comes to the fore. Despite the vibrant nature of the film, not once does the Panasonic overcook its presentation.
What's more, movement is handled smoothly and confidently with only the class leaders in this size offering a marginally sharper, detailed image.
Sound, meanwhile, is average for this class of flatscreen - in other words, it's listenable, but nothing special. Other new-season sets - such as LG's Scarlet and even the next-step up '85 series Panasonics - sound better if you're going to be relying on your TV speakers alone, but we'd like to hope an additional sound system will be paired with a set of this size and quality.
In conclusion, the TH-42PZ80B continues Panasonic's trend of making impressive plasma TVs and, while it might not be a significant step forward, it deserves an audition.
Tech specs
Type Plasma
Aspect Ratio 16:9
HD Ready Yes
Full HD Yes
Screen size (in) 42
Resolution 1920 x 1080
Accepts 1080p Yes
24fps Yes
HDMI 1.3a 3
Integrated analogue tuner Yes
Integrated digital tuner Yes
HDMI in 3
DVI in 0
PC in 0
Component in 1
RGB Scart in 1
Scart in 1
S-Video in 1
Composite in 1
USB in 0
Memory card in 1
Phono audio in 2
Phono audio out 1
Digital audio out 0
Dimensions (hwd, cm) 73 x 105 x 33
Weight (kg) 34
Technorati Tags: 100Hz, 1080i, 1080p, 24fps, 720p, component video, Digital TV, Freeview, Full HD, HDMI, HDTV, high-def, plasma, plasma TV, RGB Scart, TV
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Comments
Thanks for the review. Could you please explain why the 85 series sounds better?
On paper there seems to be little difference between the two.
the pz85 has better sound the option in the menu lets u select BBE ViVA as well as sim surround and u can really notice the difference plus the intellegent frame creation on the pz85 makes a difference I think when u see them side by side... also the pz85 looks better to me! lol
What is the picture like compared to the 42" plasmas from Pioneer's Kuro range?
Nice review, thanks. Sounds like another good un from panasonic.
The only problem is that I was all set to buy the 42PX80B but for £200 extra I could get this for Full HD. Wasn't to fussed about Full HD but I'm now thinking of how much better my PS3 gaming and Blu-ray playback could be.
Gurb - the Pioneer still has the edge (hence comment about the Pana picture not matching that of class-leaders). But then look at the price you can buy it for...
Thanks Clare. I did suspect that sentence implied something along those lines, nice to have the confirmation.
@Divsky, thanks for your comments. I think the 80 is better looking
).
Still on the fence about buying on of the current ones or wait until the 800 hits the streets. The one sheet of glass looks great on photographs (but so did the LG Scarlet which it think looks horrible in real life).
Hi all,
I just got one of these last week, I must say, first out of the box the picture was really quite poor, but after some tweaking, running in, changed a sky box too, it's superb!
yeah..I dont think much of the sound too much, pretty ordinary is accurate, oh, and I paid £960 for mine with 5yr warranty from Crompton & Moore, I must say buying from Crompton & Moore was the best transaction I've ever made. I brought it online around 1pm in the afternoon, got a email that night saying it will come tommorow, got my tv the next day around 3pm! nuff said rye? aiiiii
i suppose panasonic's 42pz85 will be even better as it has a higher contrast ratio. can we expect a review of it here or maybe in the upcoming issue of whf ? the 46" set interests me the most.
I thought both the 80 and 85 range had exaclty the same contrast ratio?
ttothemizzo, I too thought the 85 had better contrast ratio but I have checked the Panasonic website and they both are stated as having 30,000:1 contrast!! So who can tell me why I would want an 85 over a 80 for the 46" I am going to buy next week?
to jimmymature
The TH42PZ85 got the Intelligent Frame Creation and a digital output and V-Audio surround with BBE ViVA HD3D Sound better sound quality that all
we sell the TH42PZ85 FOR £1299.99 WITH 5 GTEE
AT shop@panasonic cheltenham
Bought the TH PZ80 last week. Simple to set up and after some tweaking the Picture on HD and standard def is excellent. Paid £814.00 incl 5 year panasonic warranty from Richer Sounds in Maidstone using their price beat promise....and I got a full demo before I purchased it. Did look at PZ85 and could not notice any discenable difference in picture quality, however if you do not already have surround sound it may be worth considering as the sound quality on the PZ80 is at best average compared to the superior 85.
Ive got a PZ80 on order and didnt realise the 8 had the better sound. Can you connect extra speakers to the 80 such as a home theatre kit or not as I dont think it has the optical out port.
i just buy it, but is in malaysia.i find out there the model name is different and the spec is all same, so i hope is was the same tv that i talking about. it was great when i match with panasonic blu ray bd30 player. you should try it.