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Panasonic TH46PZ81 Review |
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Reviewed: 21 July 2008
The free-to-view satellite service from the BBC and ITV, 'Freesat', is the first in the UK to offer subscription free High Definition (HD) programming. Along with around 80 Standard Definition (SD) stations, the BBC's trial HD channel will be joined shortly by ITV's HD channel which is currently exclusive to the Freesat service.
Panasonic's PZ81 series is the first in the UK to offer a built-in 'Freesat' receiver as well as digital Freeview and analogue terrestrial tuners. It is worth remembering that access to the 'Freesat' service requires a satellite dish.
Design
Instantly recognizable as part of the Panasonic flat panel family, the PZ81 nevertheless has a more purposeful look than the majority of flat panel offerings from the Japanese manufacturer. A predominantly Black/Dark Grey finish gives this panel a more utilitarian presence.
The slim elliptical form at the base of the TH46PZ81 covers the full length of the screen housing the units speaker system. Not as plain as the PX plasma range or as bold as the PZ85, the PZ81 is perhaps the most quietly classy pick of the Panasonic plasma range.
Features
Along with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, the PZ81 range sports the latest Panasonic 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.
Screen: 46in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: 30,000:1 Other Features: V-real pro 3 picture processing, Integrated Freesat and Freeview tuners. Sockets: 3 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input, SD card slot.
Working in tandem with 100Hz double scan (which refreshes the screen 100 times a second) the latest incarnation of Panasonic's picture processing engine, V-Real Pro 3 introduces 'Intelligent Frame Creation' technology. Designed to remove 'flicker' from fast moving action, the function adds extra frames to the picture giving them a smoother and more fluid appearance. These extra frames are created using a complicated algorithm which analyses the current speed and direction of on-screen elements.
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)
With most TV shows filmed in a 25 frames per second format, 24p Real Cinema has been designed to render a 'judder free' interpretation of films, which are generally shot at 24 frames per second.
Along with the rest of Panasonic's latest plasma offerings, the PZ81 features a new 'Tough Panel' finish, designed to prevent enthusiastic gamers from scratching or even smashing these panels.
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
Challenging the performance of the best flat panels, the TH46PZ81 presents some of the deepest and richest blacks we have seen. Impressive not only through the sheer depth of the blacks it produces, the subtle graduation across darker scenes is what really identifies this screen as a class apart. Not quite matching the performance of Pioneer's Kuro range, the PZ81 is close, achieving a remarkable level of performance for the price.
The PZ81's accomplished black level abilities provide an excellent platform for a strong colour performance. On the whole, the TH46PZ81 delivers, with a vibrant colour palette which generally avoids falling into the trap of becoming too 'garish'. We say generally, as occasionally the TH46PZ81 displays what should be full blooded reds with just a hint of orange.
With a High Definition (HD) performance which exceeded even our high expectations, the BBC's HD channel was presented with the sharpest rendering we have yet seen. Making full use of its 1920 x 1080 resolution, the TH46PZ81 produces an HD picture which is only matched by other Full HD offerings in Panasonic's current range of plasma screens. Panasonic's Full HD screens really do fulfil the promise of stunning realism that we had hoped for from High definition technology. The sheer clarity and realism of the picture compels you to reach out and touch, creating a truly involving home cinematic experience.
As with other Panasonic flat screens with this feature, we feel that some of you will find 'intelligent frame Insertion' (which can be turned off) technology a little disconcerting, creating as it does that strange rendering of cinematic scenes that gives close up shots of characters a faultless 'video like' appearance; which causes them to loose their atmospheric cinematic quality. We did feel however that 'Intelligent frame creation', with certain material, will reward you with the most sublime HD experience available. With the feature turned on and virtually any animated HD material, characters are liable to jump out from the screen and grab you by the throat.
Fast action scenes on the TH46PZ81 retain a fluidity, smoothness and composure that places it in the leading pack of flat panel performers in this respect. Even the very trickiest scenes such as football games with the view covering the broadest area of the pitch with the ball fizzing around retain a level of detail and smoothness that most screens just can't match.
With a good quality feed, the TH46PZ81 presents one of the most accomplished Standard Definition (SD) pictures we have seen from a large screen. Inevitably, such a large panel suffers to some degree while upscaling poorer quality SD sources to a Full HD resolution. We had to look hard to spot any video noise though and given that the Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution has to work hard to translate 576 lines of Freeview, the 46PZ81 performs remarkably well. There is also an element of posturization (obvious steps rather than a smooth transition in colour), but never to the degree that it compromises the viewing experience.
We have come to expect a rather lacklustre acoustic performance from most flat screens these days and the TH46PZ81 again falls into that category. Manufacturers, understandably have made concessions to style, with no room for intrusive large speakers and while the sonic performance of the PZ81 is a little 'soft' it is no worse than the majority of flat panels out there.
Conclusion
The TH46PZ81 excels with HD material and produces a better than average SD performance for such a large screen. Add the convenience of integrated Freesat and you have a very desirable, albeit a slightly expensive flat panel TV.
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