Panasonic Viera TH-PZ85 Series Plasma TV (42", 46", 50")

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1188 reviews from magazines and websites. People really like the black level and usability. The value for money and sound also get good reviews, whereas some have doubts about the resolution. There are some mixed comments about the connectivity.

image quality, sound, value for money, usability, black level

resolution

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other TVs the Panasonic Viera TH-PZ85 Series Plasma TV (42", 46", 50") is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 1188 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (57% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (31% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (5% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (5% of reviews)
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Features

Image quality
  Show positive (45%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)
Sound
  Show positive (35%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
Value for money
  Show positive (39%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
Usability
  Show positive (57%)Show negative (5%)(Show all)
Black level
  Show positive (50%)None yet(Show all)
Build quality
  Show positive (44%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
Design
  Show positive (58%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)
Connectivity
  Show positive (25%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
Resolution
  Show positive (32%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
Tuner
  Show positive (28%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)
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Showing 799 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 799 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (425)

Consumer review by:

TH-50PZ85U

 

Only lasted 2 years before 10 blinks. Now TV doesn't turn on. Called panasonic and they were no help. Terrible customer service.

Expert review by:

Panasonic TH-46PZ85U

 

Panasonic was the first HDTV manufacturer to offer a 1080p 42-inch plasma television (the TH-42PZ700U). The company's 46-inch 1080p TH-46PZ85U Viera ($1,199.95 direct) not only provides more than 22 percent more screen real estate than its smaller...

Impressive contrast ratio. Excellent SD video processing.

Slightly oversaturated colors. Overscan with 720p video sources. No 1080p input with VGA or component video ports.

This latest-generation plasma TV offers upgraded video processing and significantly improved picture contrast over previous 1080p Panasonic plasmas.

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Expert review by:

Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85U

 

Editors' note: The rating on this review has been lowered because of changes in the competitive marketplace.

The Panasonic TH-46PZ85U can produce one of the deepest shades of black we've ever tested; it has punchy color; a relatively effective antireflective screen; and sleek styling.

Poor noise reduction; less-accurate primary colors; fewer picture controls than many HDTVs.

A couple of issues keep its picture out of the top tier, but excellent black-level performance still makes the Panasonic TH-46PZ85U plasma TV stand out from the pack.

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Expert review by:

Panasonic TH-42PZ85U

 

The Panasonic TH-46PZ85U will provide you with an above average picture and sound. The plasma provides a sharp-looking design with a classy finish. It performs well and offers quality and a solid reputation of a manufacturer that has made some of the...

Increased native contrast ratio1080p resolutionG11 Progressive 1080p HD Plasma Display PanelBuilt-In SD card slot3 HDMI Inputs

Panasonic 46

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Expert review by:

Panasonic TH-50PZ85U

 

The Panasonic TH-50PZ85U Viera High Definition plasma television is one of the newest plasmas for 2008. It can display up to 1080p resolution.

G11 Progressive 1080p HD Plasma Display PanelMotion Adaptive 3D-Y/C digital comb filter3 (1 side) HDMI input jacksPhoto viewer and card slotincludes pedestal stand

The Panasonic TH-50PZ85U Viera High Definition plasma television is...

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Expert review by:

Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U Plasma HDTV

 

While LCD displays may dominate that video wall at your local Best Circuit Shack these days, don't dismiss the benefits of plasmas. No company has put more R&D into plasma development than Panasonic, and it's paid off. People may disagree about who...

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Expert review by:

Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U Plasma HDTV

 

While LCD displays may dominate that video wall at your local Best Circuit Shack these days, don't dismiss the benefits of plasmas. No company has put more R&D into plasma development than Panasonic, and it's paid off. People may disagree about who...

The Panasonic's onscreen menus have the usual standard video controls, along with manufacturer-specific adjustments. There are five preset picture modes: Vivid, Standard, Cinema, Game, and Custom. Users can adjust all of these modes. You can also set...

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Expert review by:

Panasonic TH-42 PZ 85 E

 

The Panasonic gives sharp images at full HD resolution; Deep black and neutral colors make for a great picture; Even 24p format is beautifully presented

Standard PAL (576i) via HDMI is blurry and flickers a little; Fine details are missing from TV pictures; The sound is a bit feeble - Panasonic can do better

You also get more contrast for your money - in this aspect, this plasma absolutely wipes the floor with its liquid crystal competitors. The Televisions.com test will show whether it can also beat its nearest rivals.

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Expert review by:

Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U

 

The 85 series is at the mid range of Panasonic's consumer plasmas for 2008, which is their 11th generation of plasma offerings. For more information refer to the full Viera 85 Series report. Specs 1080p native resolution 30,000:1 contrast ratio Game...

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Expert review by:

Panasonic TH-50PZ85U vs. Samsung PN50A650 Plasma TV Review

 

Panasonic and Samsung have a strong battle going for the top spot in 1st Tier plasma sales and both have alluring new products arriving summer of 2008. The Samsung plasma model tested represents the companies 2nd tier plasma product, while the...

Both of these plasma TVs are high quality products. For Panasonic it’s two steps down from the top of the lineup while for Samsung, it’s only one. The Samsung PN50A650 ($2300) is typically around $100 to $200 more than the Panasonic TH-50PZ85 ($2100)....

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Consumer review by:

"Never buy a Panasonic anything ever again."

 

Never buy a Panasonic anything ever again unless you think 2K+ dollars should only last you a short time.

Good video image while it worked.

Lasted just over a year and they could fail with "10 blinks of death" and Panasonic won't help you and it will cost you to fix and problem could then return again.

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Product Specifications

VIDEO: . Screen Size 50" Class (49.9" diagonal) Display Resolution 1080p Contrast Ratio Native: 30,000:1Dynamic: 1,000,000:1 Compatible Signal Formats 1080p/1080i/720p/480p Aspect Ratio 16:9 (Widescreen) Shades of Gradation 4,096 Pixel Pitch (H x V) 0.576 x 0.576 mm Panel Type G11 Progressive 1080p HD Plasma Display Panel Aspect Control for TV/AV Modes 4:3, Zoom, Full, Just, H-fill for TV/AV modes Native Resolution (Number of Pixels) 1920 x 1080 Moving Picture Resolution 900 lines or more Progressive Scan Yes Video Noise Reduction Yes Digital Comb Filter Motion Adaptive 3D-Y/C Color Purity Optimizer (3D Color Management) Yes Sub-Pixel Controller Yes Motion Pattern Noise Reduction Yes Studio Ref. Mode No Pro Setting No Digital Cinema Reality Yes 480 Hz Sub-field Drive Yes 24p Playback(2:3) Yes Deep Color Yes x.v.Color Yes AUDIO: . Speakers Full-range x 2(L,R) Number of Speakers 2 Audio Ouput 20W (10% THD) (6 ohms, 70 Hz - 17 kHz) Surround Sound Yes BBE? ViVA HD3D Sound No INPUT/OUTPUT: . Tuners Integrated ATSC Photo Viewer Yes SD Card Slot Yes HDMI Input 3 (1 side) Analog Audio Input (for HDMI) 2 Composite Video Input 2 (1 side) S-Video Input 2 (1 side) Audio Input (for Video) 2 (1 side) PC Input (RGB-VGA) Mini D-sub 15-pin (rear) Audio Input (for PC) 1 (M3 Stereo Plug) Component Video Input [Y, PB(CB), PR(CR)] 2 Audio Input (for Component Video) 2 Composite Video Output 1 Audio Output 1 Digital Audio Out 1 CONVENIENCE: . VIERA Link Yes Game Mode Yes Pixel Shifter (Anti-Image Retention) Yes Video Picture Memory Yes On-Screen Display Languages English/Spanish/French V-Chip Program Lockout Yes Built-In Closed Caption Decoder Yes Timers - Sleep/On/Off Sleep (Off only) Video Input Labeling Yes GENERAL: . Power Supply AC 120 V, 60 Hz Power Consumption 690 W Safety Standard UL6500/C-UL Rece

Configuration

2D to 3D Conversion: No
Application Store: No
Application Store (IPTV): No
DLNA certified:No / Yes
DVB-C: No
DVB-S:DVB-S2 (HD) / No
DVB-T:DVB-T (MPEG2) / DVB-T (MPEG4)
DVB-T2: No
DVD Player / Recorder: No
Electronic Program Guide (EPG):GUIDE Plus+ / No / Yes
HbbTV: No
HDTV:No / Yes
Loudspeakers: Yes
Media Player: No
PC Streaming: No
Picture and Text (PAT):No / Yes
USB Recording: No
Web Browser: No
Web Content Access:No / Yes

Connectivity

CI Plus: No
DLNA certified:No / Yes
DVI Interface: No
Ethernet:No / Yes
Front AV Interface: Yes
HDMI: Yes
HDMI PORT: Yes
Headphone Output: Yes
Memory Stick: No
PC Streaming: No
S-Video: Yes
Secure Digital Card:No / Yes
USB: No
VGA / D-Sub Interface: Yes
WiFi Connectivity: No
YUV Interface: Yes

Display

Frame Refresh Rate in Hz:50
Frequency:100 Hertz / 50 Hertz
Full HD: Yes
HD ready: Yes
LED Backlight: No

Energy Information

Energy Saving Trust Feature: No

General Features

3D: No
3D Ready: No
3D Technology:Not Applicable
Product Type:Plasma
Screen Format:16:9
Type:Plasma
Type of Monitor:Plasma
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