Snapshot of 2008 Plasma TV Top
Panasonic TH-42PZ800U
Best 42″ Plasma TV
Panasonic TH-42PZ800U is not a model from latest plasma TV line of Panasonic, only models of 50 inch or larger being part of that line. It is however a very good model, that offers the best picture quality from all 42 inch plasma TV models. Among all 42 inch plasma TVs currently on the market, Panasonic TH-42PZ800U has the best black levels. If you need 1080p and the budget allows you, this is your best buy. If you are considering also larger plasma TVs you should take a look at the models in the new line from Panasonic and Pioneer.
| Rating: | 87/100 | |
| Screen size: | 42 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-42PZ80U
Best 42″ Value for Money
This plasma TV offers a very good value for money in the 42 inch class. The picture quality isn’t as good as that of Panasonic TH-42PZ800U but considering the price it is great. Panasonic TH-42PZ80U is a 1080p plasma TV and if it happens to be the right choice for your viewing distance and the type of content you use to watch it is great. However, for this size class, the cheaper TH-42PX80U (720p) might give you very similar quality for less money - especially if you don’t watch a lot of HD content.
| Rating: | 82/100 | |
| Screen size: | 42 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-42PX80U
Best Cheap 42″ Plasma TV
Panasonic TH-42PX80U is probably your best choice if you have a tight budget. It is a 720p plasma TV and that affects its price in a good way. Considering the small size, being 720p instead 1080p may not affect the amount of detail you actually see at all. In terms of quality it is similar to TH-42PZ80U - its 1080p brother. This is the best quality you can get from a plasma TV under $1000 and for those of you who watch a lot of SD content it is the ideal choice.
| Rating: | 80/100 | |
| Screen size: | 42 inch | |
| Resolution: | 720p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-46PZ850U
More Features for a Higher Price
In the 46 inch class, Panasonic is the only brand present. The TH-46PZ850U is the best model in this size class, offering great black levels and overall picture quality. If you can also consider a 50 inch model, Pioneer models will offer you better quality for a higher price, however. Strictly in the 46 inch size class however, you can’t find anything better than the Panasonic TH-46PZ850U. Compared to the older Panasonic TH-46PZ800U, this model comes with Viera Cast, a feature that allows you to connect the TV to Internet and watch YouTube movies, photos and obtain information from the Internet. This is however a feature for which most people won’t be willing to pay the extra buck.
| Rating: | 87/100 | |
| Screen size: | 46 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-46PZ800U
Best 46″ Plasma TV
Though not the latest 46 inch model from panasonic, the TH-46PZ800U offers virtually the same picture quality as its newer brother TH-46PZ850U. The most significant difference between them is the lack of Viera Cast in the TH-46PZ800U. Considering most people are interested more in picture quality than features that give you Internet connectivity, this isn’t real problem. At the same time, given the lower price of Panasonic TH-46PZ800U, it is very likely that this model will remain more popular than its newer brother.
| Rating: | 87/100 | |
| Screen size: | 46 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-46PZ80U
Best Cheap 46″ Plasma TV
As opposed to its 42 inch brother (TH-42PZ80U), the 46 inch TH-46PZ80U is more likelly to offer a real advantage with its 1080p resolution. Regarding picture quality the story is the same as with the 42 inch model - great value for money, offering you less quality than the TH-46PZ850U but still very good especially when you consider what you pay for it.
| Rating: | 82/100 | |
| Screen size: | 46 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD
Best High-End Plasma TV
A new model from the 2nd generation of Pioneer Kuro Elite HDTVs, the PRO-111FD is Pioneer’s flagship in the 50 inch class. This is the best plasma TV money can buy, and you will need plenty of money if you want to take this baby home. Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD has 5 times better black levels than its predecessors and offers outstanding picture quality. While the extra features and color controls seem to be the reason for the higher price (compared to PDP-5020FD), in practice the real advantage is the awesome picture. Though it has a full array of color controlls you won’t need them because the picture is perfect out of the box. The “Elite” designation perfectly describes the target audience of this Plasma TV.
| Rating: | 100/100 | |
| Screen size: | 50 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD
Best Consumer Plasma TV
Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD is a model from the 2nd generation of Kuro plasma TVs. Though it is built around the same Kuro display as its predecessors from the 1st generation, because of its improved video processing and filtering it manages to increase the depth of the black level by 5 times. At the same time the overall picture quality gets better and propells the PDP-5020FD above all plasma TVs targeted at consumers. This is the best plasma TV model released this year and targeted at the regular consumer. While the black levels and many other picture characteristics are similar to those of Elite models, overall picture quality is closer to Panasonic top of the line models rather than to Pioneer Elite.
| Rating: | 90/100 | |
| Screen size: | 50 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Review | Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-50PZ850U
More Features for a Higher Price
The picture quality, though not as good as that of Pioneer models, comes close. Also it costs less than Pioneer Kuro models so for many this combination of great quality and lower price tag makes the TH-50PZ850U the ideal plasma TV. The black levels offered by this plasma TV, though not as deep as Pioneer’s, are among the best you can find in a HDTV. Inherently, the overall picture quality is also superb. If you are aiming for a cheaper model, Panasonic TH-50PZ800U, though older, offers basically the same picture quality.
| Rating: | 87/100 | |
| Screen size: | 50 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Review | Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-50PZ800U
Best 50″ Value for Money
Panasonic TH-50PZ800U is one of the most popular plasma TV models on the market. Though it is not the latest model from Panasonic, this plasma TV offers the same picture quality as TH-50PZ850U. It lacks some extra features of Panasonic flagship line but for most people those features are not worth the extra money. The picture quality of this plasma TV is very good, its black levels don’t match those of Pioneer models but come close. Colors are also very good and overall this plasma TV offers great value for its price.
| Rating: | 87/100 | |
| Screen size: | 50 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Review | Buy from Amazon | ||
Samsung PN50A650
Superior Quality
Samsung PN50A650 is another plasma TV we have to consider. Its black levels don’t match those of Panasonic TH-50PZ850U or TH-50PZ800U and certainly not those of Pioneer Kuro Plasma TVs, but its accurate colors and overall picture quality recommend it as one of the best plasma TVs on the market. Samsung PN50A650 is also one of the most unique looking plasma TVs, its red frame being an interesting aspect for those who want a plasma TV that stands out. As Pioneer Kuro and top of the line Panasonic models, PN50A550 is well above the other plasma TVs. Another Samsung model that is worth considering is its older brother - PN50A550 - which is slightly cheaper (but has poorer anti-glare performances).
| Rating: | 82/100 | |
| Screen size: | 50 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Review | Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-50PX80U
Best Cheap 50″ Plasma TV
Panasonic TH-50PX80U is much cheaper than TH-50PZ850U and also not as good in the picture quality department. It is however worth considering if you are looking for a cheap plasma TV in the 50-inch category. This is a 720p plasma TV, and if you would prefer a 1080p model you should take a look at Panasonic TH-50PZ80U or the newer Panasonic TH-50PZ85U. The 1080p models are more expensive though so make sure you balanced the benefits of 1080p versus the price for your particular case.
| Rating: | 80/100 | |
| Screen size: | 50 inch | |
| Resolution: | 720p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-58PZ850U
More Features for a Higher Price
Panasonic TH-58PZ850U, being one of the models in the PZ850U line of plasma TVs from panasonic, offers great black levels and overall picture quality. It is one of the best plasma TV in the 58 inch class, especially that Pioneer has no models of this size. If you want better quality than TH-58PZ850U has to offer, your only chance is to go for one of the 50 or 60 inch Pioneer Elite models. It’s older brother, the TH-58PZ800U is cheaper, and if you don’t really need the Viera Cast feature it is a better choice since it offers the same quality.
| Rating: | 87/100 | |
| Screen size: | 58 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-58PZ800U
Best 58″ Plasma TV
Panasonic TH-58PZ800U is an older model than it’s brother (TH-58PZ850U) but offers same performance in terms of picture quality and black levels. It is also a bit cheaper, since there are no 720p models in this size class. Compared to Samsung PN58A650 plasma TV it has better black levels and picture quality. This is probably one of the favorites in this size class, since TH-58PZ850U is more expensive without offering better picture quality or trully useful features.
| Rating: | 87/100 | |
| Screen size: | 42 inch | |
| Resolution: | 720p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Samsung PN58A650
Very Good Quality and Lower Price
Samsung is also represented in the 58 inch size class through its PN58A650 model. Its black levels and overall picture quality, though very good, don’t match those of Panasonic models. It is however a cheaper plasma TV compared to Panasonic models and if you want a large HDTV, price may be a very important factor to consider.
| Rating: | 82/100 | |
| Screen size: | 42 inch | |
| Resolution: | 720p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Pioneer Elite PRO-151FD
Best Large High-End Plasma TV
The 60 inch model in the Pioneer 2nd generation of Kuro Elite plasma TVs is, as one might expect, the best HDTV money can buy in this size class. The picture quality and black levels are absolutelly impressive, same as for its smaller brother - PRO-111FD. At 60 inch in diagonal, Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-151FD is smaller than largest Panasonic and Samsung models but it does compensate through great quality. The premium features and quality specific for Pioneer’s Elite line will cost you, as usual, an extra $1000 over the regular Kuro price.
| Rating: | 100/100 | |
| Screen size: | 60 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Pioneer Kuro PDP-6020FD
Best Large Plasma TV
Sharing the same 60 inch display as the Elite version, Pioneer Kuro PDP-6020FD is also impressive. Same deep black levels and amazing picture quality make this the best consumer plasma TV among all large models. It lacks the extra features of the Elite version and doesn’t have quite the same picture quality but that also makes it less expensive. If you can settle for a plasma TV that isn’t the biggest or you prefer quality to size, Pioneer PDP-6020FD is your best choice.
| Rating: | 90/100 | |
| Screen size: | 60 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Panasonic TH-65PZ850U
Largest Plasma TV and Great Quality
With a screen 5 inch larger than Pioneer models, Panasonic TH-65PZ850U is the biggest and meanest plasma TV around. It has better black levels and picture quality than Samsung PN63A650 and is also a bit larger. Though in terms of picture quality it doesn’t match the Pioneer models, its large size will certainly appeal those of you who want a really big plasma HDTV.
| Rating: | 87/100 | |
| Screen size: | 65 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
Samsung PN63A650
Good Quality, Large Size, Lower Price
Samsung has a beast of its own. A red one. Not the biggest around, nor the best when it comes to blacks and picture quality, Samsung PN63A650 is however one of the best large plasma TVs on the market. It does offer very good picture quality and it is less expensive than Pioneer and Panasonic models. Since prices for very large plasma HDTVs are significantly higher than for other sizes, the PN63A650 will probably be very succesfull among those who want a very good large HDTV while spending as little as possible.
| Rating: | 82/100 | |
| Screen size: | 63 inch | |
| Resolution: | 1080p | |
| Buy from Amazon | ||
This is a snapshot of how the top of best plasma TV models looked during the last half of 2008 and first half of 2009. We keep this as an archive for those that are interested in which models scored best during this period of time. You can also read the overview of best 2008 plasma TVs associated with this version of the top.
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