Comments on: Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U Review

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:35:47 +0000

@Steve: You would NOT be correct to assume that. Panasonic TC-P50V10 (best plasma TV of 2009) is around $2000. Panasonic TC-P50G10 (same quality but less features) is $1400. Both are better than the PZ800U and they are 2009 models. They both have THX. I do not want to answer the warranty question. There is no objective answer to it. If you buy it and the TV doesn't break up it was useless. If you don't buy it and the TV breaks up it will prove to have been a bad call. So YOU have to choose. With every new generation, high end HDTVs improve the power consumption. Looking at the trend I do not forsee any major changes in this area, especially not within a year. Even though manufacturers state that the TVs have power saving modes and stuff like that, the truth is that the power savings are either not that big, or simply that enabling that mode will make the picture quality drop significantly.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:00:30 +0000

Hello,

I’ve been researching HDTVs for weeks now and have not come across a site remotely close to being as informative, clear and concise as yours — many thanks..!!

Now my question is the following: It’s now August 12th, 2009, and the Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U from what I can see has been discontinued having been out close to a year. That said, I’ve seen it being sold at like the BestBuy “Outlet” for like $1999. Since the TV started at over $3500 when it came out, am I correct to assume that this is a good deal if you can still pick it up? And if so, should you invest in their like $300 4-year warranty? The fact that you can just hit the THX setting is appealing to me as I’m not really an electronics guy and know I wouldn’t be able to calibrate it. I’m just not sure if you’re better off buying a discontinued model instead of waiting for the newer ones (there are pros and cons either way, obviously). Also, do you foresee any major changes in power consumption with plasmas, and at this point would that be reason enough to wait another 6 - 12 months?

Thanks for any info you can provide, and again, your site is wonderful..!!

Sincerely,

Steve

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:05:12 +0000

@Gavin: I don’t know what is the Canadian equivalent of TH-50PZ800U. Yes, this is a 2008 model. The G10, G15, S1, X1 etc. models are from 2009. I have not updated the top of best plasma TVs to include 2009 models yet. The equivalents of PZ800U for 2009 are G10, G15 (like G10 but thinner) and V10 (more features).

By: Gavin

Gavin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:42:48 +0000

What is the Canadian equivalent of the TH-50PZ800U which I believe is the US model. This is an 08 model I understand. Here we have G10, G15, S1, X1 etc….Confused..

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:56:24 +0000

@paul glickman: Thank you for your insight. I agree the LN46A950 is a great TV, possibly better than TH-50PZ800U from Panasonic.
However:
1. The price is double (at least from what I see in online stores). Sony XBR8 is even better, but last time I checked it was the worst dollar per inch deal for a TV.
2. It’s an LCD and this site is about plasma. Samsung A950 series is listed on http://www.besthdtvscreen.com as one of the best LCD TVs (though it is not compared directly with Panasonic plasma).
That being said, Samsung A950 series has LED backlit LCD TV models, which are the only LCD TVs that can compete with plasma TVs in terms of black levels.

By: paul glickman

paul glickman — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:44:54 +0000

i had the panasonic th50pz800u
exchanged it for a samsung ln46 a950
beats the hell out of the panasonic
trust me check the samsungs before you buy
you wont regret it

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:50:54 +0000

@Gavin: Not yet. In about two weeks I hope to have the 2009 models rated and added to the site.

By: Gavin

Gavin — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:47:14 +0000

Hi there just wonder have you rated the next generation of Panasonic’s ? I.e. which one would you recommend TX-42G10 vs the older TH-42PZ800U

By: TheBestPlasmaTV.com

TheBestPlasmaTV.com — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:28:26 +0000

@Kelly: The bottom is not flat but curved. In other words, if the bottom center of the TV touches the sound bar, at the extremities there will be a gap between the bottom part of the TV and the sound bar. I hope that answers your question.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:35:19 +0000

One question about the 50pz800u…with the ‘pursed lips’ on the bottom - how does that work? Is the underneath bottom of the TV flat or is it angled. If I got this TV it would be mounted on a wall and I would want the bottom of the TV to lay flush with the top of a Yamaha sound bar I have. But looking at the pictures I can’t tell if the bottom is actually curved to where the middle section of the TV bottom would be flush against the sound bar, but then curve upward and leave a gap between the sound bar and the TV as it goes out to the edges.

Thanks in advance.