Panasonic TH42PZ80 Review

42in Plasma

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

With excellent overall performance and great value, the PZ80 should be given serious consideration.

HD Ready:

yes

Resolution:

1920 x 1080

Rating:

93%

Reviewed: 18 July 2008

Design

All of Panasonic's latest plasma screens share an underlying design theme, with the PZ80 striking a nice balance between the more extravagant PZ85 and the entry level PX80 series. High build quality and subtle design touches combine on the TH42PZ80 to create a quietly classy piece of audio visual kit.

A protruding elliptical silver lip along the whole length of the panel's base along with a glossy black frame which gently curves inwards at the top are guaranteed to gain many an admiring glance. An elegant wedge shaped pedestal adds a finishing touch to what is a very simple but extremely effective design.

Features

Positioned in between Panasonic's entry level PX80 plasma range and the PZ85 series, the PZ80 gains a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution over the base models but loses the 'intelligent frame technology' and 24p 'Real Cinema' found on the higher spec screens.

Screen: 42in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Contrast Ratio: 30,000:1

Other Features: V-real picture processing, Integrated Freeview.

Sockets: 3 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input.

While the TH42PZ80 loses 'Intelligent Frame Creation' technology, it retains Panasonic's take on 100Hz processing, 'double scan'. Working in tandem with the latest incarnation of Panasonic's picture processing engine, V-Real Pro 3, 'double scan' introduces a screen refresh rate which is up from the usual 50 times a second to 100.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the PZ80 series are Panasonic's latest generation G11 panels which come with a very fast 0.001 second response time (how long it takes the plasma cells to react after they have been sent an electrical signal). The screens have a claimed 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and no viewing angle limitation.

With 3 HDMI inputs (v1.3), 2 Scarts connectivity is as good as you would expect, and there is also a useful SD memory card slot. Pop in your latest digital camera (SD card) holiday shots into the slot and a slick slide show function appears.

HDMI v1.3 can utilize the Deep Colour (x.v.YCC) format. Deep Colour produces almost twice the range of available colours, but you will need a source that produces this level of detail (A few HD camcorders offer the feature and possibly in the future, Blu-ray discs played through a Deep Colour enabled player such as Panasonic's DMP-BD30)

The energy conscious among you will pleased to know that along with preset 'Normal', 'Dynamic' and 'Cinema' modes, there is also an 'Eco' mode which adjusts the PZ81's picture setting in response to the ambient lighting conditions, in theory saving energy. The production of these screens are also 100% lead free.

Performance

Testament to Panasonic's expertise in this area and the rapidly growing reputation of all new entrants to their plasma range, we now expect to be impressed by the black level performance of any new Panasonic. The PZ80 may not quite match the abilities of Pioneers Kuro range, but factor in the price advantage of the Panasonic and they are head and shoulders above any other flat panel offering. The TH42PZ80 has the ability to present supremely deep blacks with subtle graduations across darker scenes which make the viewing of dark and moody films a true cinematic experience.

The TH42PZ80's black level abilities present an excellent canvas for the presentation of colour. Largely excelling in this area, the PZ80 produces rich and vibrant colours which never become over saturated. While tricky facial tone areas are well handled, we have seen slightly more subtle efforts from other manufacturers.

The handling of a poor quality 'Freeview' feed gives us the only cause for concern with the performance of the TH42PZ80. These concerns are relatively minor however with an element of on screen noise visible and some posturization apparent (obvious steps rather than a smooth transition in colour). Improve the quality with a cable or satellite feed and you are rewarded with an SD picture which serves as an excellent day to day platform for general viewing.

Along with excellent black levels we now expect fine motion handling from Panasonic's new raft of plasma screens. Once again, we are presented with pictures which retain their composure with even the fastest on screen action, maintaining a resolution and sharpness which places the PZ80 into the leading pack of performers in this respect. The PZ80's ability to handle fast motion action sequences leaves us to question the benefits of 'Intelligent Frame Creation' technology. We have come to the conclusion that the PZ80's excellent performance in this respect is much more to do with the inherent quality of the Panasonic's G11 panels allied to their core picture processing technology, V-Real Pro 3.

Having already sung the praises of two of Panasonic's latest Full HD screens we are struggling to add any more superlatives. The High Definition performance from the TH42PZ80 quite simply produces some of the sharpest most detailed and stunningly realistic pictures we have seen. Every imaginable nuance of detail is presented with a clarity that takes you far away from the mundane world of other flat panel TV's, even those with above average abilities.

While the acoustic ability of the PZ80 could only be described as average, with a slightly 'tinny' sound, the performance in this respect does not detract too much from the overall experience.

Conclusion

The PZ80 improves on the performance of the entry level PX80 range and loses little to the step up PZ85 series and as such makes a very interesting proposition. The overall performance of the PZ80 with High Definition as well as Standard Definition makes it, in our opinion, one of the best value flat panel screens available.