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Panasonic TH42PZ81 Review |
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Reviewed: 17 July 2008
Design
Instantly recognizable as part of the Panasonic flat screen stable, the TH42PZ81 sports a glossy black finish along with a frame that curves subtly backwards at its top with a subtle elliptical form at its base.
The graduated elliptical effect at the base of the TH42PZ81 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 an integrated 'Freesat' tuner, the Panasonic TH42PZ81 also comes complete with digital Freeview and analogue terrestrial tuners. The recently launched Freesat service currently offers around 80 subscription free channels which includes all the major terrestrial stations (BBC1, ITV etc) apart from 'Five'. You also get the BBC HD and new ITV HD (exclusive to Freesat) channels. It is worth remembering that access to the 'Freesat' service requires a satellite dish.
Screen: 42in 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.
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.
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
Having witnessed a truly remarkable HD performance from Panasonic's PZ85 we were eager to put the PZ81 through its high definition paces. Once again we were presented with one of the most accomplished High definition performances we have seen. Panasonic's Full HD screens really do fulfil the promise of stunning realism that we were led to expect from high definition TV. Pin sharp rendering of pictures along with incredibly fine detail create one of the few truly involving home cinema experiences.
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.
We felt that the TH42PZ81's impressive motion handling capabilities are more to do with the overall ability of the screen in all areas rather than 100hz and 'Intelligent Frame Creation' technologies (we were just as impressed with the screens ability in this respect with the feature turned off). Fast action scenes retain a fluidity, smoothness and composure that is a match for any flat panel out there. 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.
Recognizing that a good black level performance creates a platform for strong overall screen performance, once again it looks like Panasonic have pulled the stops out in this respect. Challenging the best flat screens in this area, the TH42PZ81 presents rich deep blacks that only the kuro range from Pioneer can match. Not only impressive through the sheer depth depth of blacks it achieves but also through the subtle graduation across darker scenes it presents, the Panasonic PZ81 has joined the leading pack of flat screens with its performance in this respect.
With a good quality feed, the TH42PZ81 presents one of the most accomplished Standard Definition (SD) pictures we have seen. We had to look hard to spot any video noise whatsoever and the motion handling capabilities of the screen presents the viewer with a performance that deteriorates only slightly with the fastest on screen action. Given that the Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution has to work hard to translate 576 lines of Freeview, the 42PZ81 performs very well with a lower quality SD feed. The picture is not perfect, with a more obvious element of posturization (obvious steps rather than a smooth transition in colour), but never so obvious as to detract from what is on the whole a fine performance.
We have come to expect a rather lacklustre acoustic performance from most flat screens these days and the TH42PZ81 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 TH42PZ81 is an excellent screen in its own right with class leading HD pictures and above average SD performance. Add the convenience of integrated Freesat and you have a very desirable, albeit a slightly expensive flat panel TV.
