1000000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio for the Brightest whites and darkest blacks
4096 Shades of Gradation for spectacular Color Reproduction
Viera LinK™ HDAVI Control lets you operate all of your home theater components by pressing a single button on your TV's remote control
GalleryPlayer® allows you to enjoy the world's finest high definition art and photography on your Panasonic HD plasma TV
HDTV Plasma 1080p 50' TH-50PZ85U Viera Panasonic
0ur opinion:
: PR0DUCT FEATURES:50' class (49.9 ' diagonal) widescreen VlERA Plasma 1080p HDTV with increased native contrast ratioPC inputAnti-reflective filter, deep color technologyGame modeBuilt-in SD card slotGalleryPlayer ready to view3 HDMl inputs and VlERA Link HDAVl control
--March 10, 2008: With its 2008 Panasonic Viera Plasmas, Panasonic brings an astonishing 1,000,000:1 contrast ration to the table. advanced pixel resolution and image-processing technology with the plasma TV's natural ability to beautifully reproduce fast moving images, so every detail is rendered with amazing clarity, and all the action is delivered with a high degree of fluidity.
What's New This Year?
Super Contrast--native contrast ratios on the PZ85, PZ800 and PX 850 series are 30,000:1, double last year's 15,000:1.
Dynamic contrast ratios are up to 1,000,000:1.
new anti-reflective filter; lead-free 'Tough Under Force' panel is resistant to impacts and scratches
Built-in SD card slot with Photo Viewer/Gallery Player software
x.v. Color and Deep Color (HDMl 1.3 features)
24p native reproduction
Game Mode auto-adjusts image quality suitable to games and includes anti-image retention
Viera Link is now compatible with 0nkyo and Yamaha home theater systems
At least 3 HDMl inputs on all models (4 on PZ800 and PZ850 series)
THX Certification on PZ800 and PZ850 series
Which Viera is Right For You?
Click here to see a comparison of step up features on each Viera series.
0ne Sheet of Glass Design
Beautiful, elegant, and functional -- a single pane of glass covers the entire front of the television, including the bezel. This design reduces or eliminates the 'halo' effect that can occur around lettering and logos with traditional 3-pane designs
Amazing color reproduction
The incredible black reproduction of a Panasonic High-Definition Plasma TV results in impressive contrast and beautiful, natural colors. So you'll get warm, accurate skin tones, gorgeous greens, breathtaking blues and vivid reds. For color that's as rich and bold as life itself, look to a Panasonic Plasma TV.
Consistent brightness from any angle
A Panasonic Plasma combines anti-glare and anti-reflection technology with the natural light-emitting properties of plasma, to give you a super-wide viewing range with a crisp, beautiful image from almost any angle.
Smooth, graceful motion
When you're watching sports or movies with fast-motion graphics, you want a TV that can keep up with the action. With over 900 lines of moving picture, self-illuminating plasma displays eliminate afterimages in fast-action scenes. So whether you're watching a sporting event or an action-packed movie, you'll always get the most impressive viewing experience possible.
24p native reproduction
Movies are shot at 24 frames per second. Unfortunately, TVs operating at 60Hz can only refresh 20 times per second, which means they must drop every fifth frame. With its 2008 Viera PZ85, PZ800, and PZ850 models, Panasonic introduces 24p native resolution, which means 24 frame per second movie content is reproduced frame for frame exactly, making for true-to-source smoothness of motion.
1,000,000:1 Contrast
The Panasonic's Real Black system (a pre-discharge suppression system) and improved panel production processes combine to reproduce outstanding blacks with superb contrast. Each image is richly expressive, from bright scense, like scorching desert landscapes, to dark cave scenes. Compare the image produced by conventional HDTV on the left to the Real Black image produced on the right
More Colors
Viera HDTVs support the xvYCC color profile (Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications), or 'x.v. color' for short. Standard RGB color space allows the display of a portion of the colors that are viewable to the human eye. The next generation 'xvYCC' color space actually offers an available range of colors that exceeds what human eyes can recognize.
Next-generation 'xvYCC' color space supports 1.8 times as many colors as existing HDTV signals
Lets HDTVs display colors more accurately
Enables displays with more natural and vivid colors
Deep Color
Where x.v. color expands the available range of colors your HDTV can display, Deep Color increases the number of colors your HDTV can display within that range, for smoother transitions from color to color.
Lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors
Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors
Enables increased contrast ratio
Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white.
Connectivity
Viera flat panel HDTVs interact with an array of high-definition devices and services, making it easy for consumers to access and enjoy content as never before. As of 2008, Viera Link is compatible with 0nkyo and Yamaha home theater systems.
Videos and stills recorded on SD cards can easily be viewed via the SD slots on Panasonic Blu-Ray Disc players and Viera HDTVs.
Viera Link means easy connectivity via HDMl cables. Finally, consumers can easily operate their Blu-Ray Disc players, DVD recorders and home theater systems with a single remote control device.
Equipped with an RGB input terminal, VlERA can connect with your PC and serve as a large-screen monitor.
4 HDMl inputs to connect all of your devices directly to your television.
Long Life
Panasonic plasma panels are rated to last 100,000 hours, which is about 30 years of regular or 11 years of non-stop usage before the brightness of the display is halved.
Get Full HD with Blu-Ray Disc Players
A Panasonic 1080p plasma television is able to render 1920x1080 pixels, but standard DVDs have a resolution of just 720x480. Blu-ray discs output true 1080p High-Definition resolution and have a storage capacity ten times greater than standard DVDs, so no pixel gos to waste.
Buyer's feedback: - * Panasonic Plasma TV ...
I purchased the Panasonic TH-50PZ85U after doing some research online. I got a great deal through Amazon. The free delivery within 7 days was advertised with the product. Although I was skeptical about this statement, the TV arrived in three days. The freight company contacted me the day before to arrange a convenient delivery time. I would purchase again through Amazon.
Buyer's feedback: - All that I hoped it would be
I read review after review, did a lot of research, and gave this purchase an enormous amount of thought before actually placing the order. I'm grateful to all who wrote glowing reviews about this TV, and about Amazon, because I finally made the purchase and I have no regrets! In fact, I am very, very pleased! The picture quality is incredible. The TV is mounted in a room with a skylight and a wall of full length windows. Family members just marvel at the clarity of the picture, and the details that are visible. I have heard that this model is very comparable to later models, yet at a better price (it has already gone down in price since I purchased it last summer). I also took the advice of reviewers and bought a reasonably priced HDMI cable, as well as the Sanus VMPL50B Universal Flat Panel TV Wall Mount Bracket, also at a good price, both from Amazon. Highly recommended!
Buyer's feedback: - * Best Purchase I've Made In A Long Time... ...
I've had this TV for about 6 weeks now. Purchased it in early July and paid less than $1,600 through Amazon. Haven't seen it at this price since. I researched getting a new HD TV for over 7 months. Finally stopped looking at DLPs and focused on 52" LCDs and 50" plasmas. I then narrowed down to plasma only because of research and figuring out what qualities were important to me. There are pros and cons to each, but to me, LCDs are always trying to get to the PQ of a plasma. I read a lot about the 120hz LCDs, some good, some bad. But to me the 120hz option shouts "the technology still needs work, but here's our way of trying to patch it." Good plasmas simply have fantastic pictures w/ no motion issues. As I viewed both types over and over I also think LCDs have a somewhat "mechanical" or "artificial" sense of movement, while plasmas move much more natural and fluid. Again, just my opinion.
With this new generation Panasonic, the excellent brightness, long display life, improved contrast and superior viewing angle make it a great pick.
I eventually came down to this set and the Samsung PN50A650. The Samsung seems excellent as well(and has 4HDMIs to the Panny's 3). My decision came down to Panasonic's reputation for quality and service over Samsung, and this is Panny's 11th generation set where I believe the Sammy's is their 7th gen. Panasonic has a lot of experience w/ plasma technology.
My main use was to be for watching sports, movies, and video games. I have hooked up to the set a cable box, Xbox 360, PS3 (which I bought as a BRay player), and Onkyo 505 receiver. Run it all w/ the Logitech Harmony 550 remote which I highly recommend. Couldn't be happier w/ the picture. The size seems perfect for my application as well. You never know for sure until the set is in the room, but I really wouldn't want it bigger or any smaller. We sit 8-10 from the TV and this seems perfect. Much closer than 8' for this size TV is too close IMO. Video games POP on this thing. COD 4, SCalibur 4, even Geometry Wars 2 is amazing. Blu-Ray is great and I'm always surprised at how well standard DVDs look since the PS3 upscales them.
If you're considering this TV, buy it and you won't regret it, especially for the price.
Buyer's feedback: - Better than LCD-my opinion
Better than LCD in my opinion. Maybe just me but motion and color is very nice. Since hanging on my wall months ago I have seen new sets at friends and family. I always come back very satisfied with set. The Pioneers are better, but cost more and not a world of difference unless you ELITE. Overall good set for price. I like the basic remote too. Plenty of inputs since 1 IN for a HDMI receiver is really the main source. Not calibrated by pro but my own tinkering has it fairly dialed. I'll get a pro in eventually.
Good looking TV when turned off too. I like the location of inputs, SD card slot, and the BEST LOCATED POWER BUTTON. Funny what you really like about a TV. No burn in issues at all playing movies, video games, and TV.
No real cons yet. Good set. We sit 16' away and won't go smaller than 50. 54 would have been perfect. 60 a bit much. Glare has not been an issue with one side wall mostly windows. I even forgot that I was concerned about glare, don't be unless your windows are on opposite wall.
Buyer's feedback: - * Absolutely Awesome, best value and stunning picture. ...
The battle wages on between LCD and Plasma, but I know I chose correctly when I picked up this television. I have had it now for over a month and I still am as mezmerized as I was on day one. The colors and picture quality are absolutely brilliant. I have a friend that has a 1080p LCD TV and it does not hold a candle to the overall picture quality of this plasma. Again, the one drawback to a plasma screen TV is that it has a glass front, so if you are planning on having this in a room with lots of light and window, reflections will be a problem, and you might choose an LCD. But if you have a TV area like mine, hands down this is the best value and quality. 3 HDMI inputs (2 back, 1 front), 2 component inputs (1 back, 1 front) and your regular cable and composite hook ups available on back as well. The menues are easy to navagate, and the remote is user friendly. This also has an SD card slot that can handle the SDHC cards up to 16gb so you can display your digital photos. The only thing I wish the TV did was on the picture slideshow it allowed you to play music (mp3 files) during the display like some photo frames. Oh well, my pictures look excellent. Finally, my blu-ray movies and my HD-DVD movies are spectacular on this TV. Look around, but you will come back to see that this TV is a best value hands down.
Usually we're fans of Logitech's gaming mice, but its highest-end G9 Laser Mouse is expensive, overly complex, and lacks the ergonomic thought we've come to expect. If you like to brag about dot-per-inch limits, perhaps the G9's 3,200dpi laser will be enough to sell you, but for the price, we expect the design to match.
Small and light enough for a shirt pocket, Samsung's Helix YX-M1 is a one-stop audio entertainment center with an XM radio, a digital music player, and room for 50 hours of tunes, but it comes up short on battery life.
You can say this about D.E.B.S.: director Angela Robinsons 2005 feature isnt very good, but it is surprisingly entertaining. The premise, which bears a passing resemblance to any number of previous films (from Heathers and Clueless to Charlies Angels and the Austin Powers franchise), involves a secret government agency recruiting young women as spies, based on their smarts, their ability to lie convincingly, and the fact that they look fetching in ultra-miniskirts. Four of the D.E.B.S. are then charged with collaring "criminal mastermind" Lucy Diamond (Jordana Brewster), who has returned to the States after hatching all manner of nefarious plots overseas. Then comes the twist: Diamond is gay, and one of our heroines, Amy Bradshaw (Sara Foster), unexpectedly finds herself falling in love with her. Out goes the espionage element; in comes the love story, and therein lies the surprise, as this burgeoning lesbian relationship is handled with unexpected sympathy, even tenderness. Sure, the acting, even by veteran grownups like Holland Taylor and Michael Clarke Duncan, is almost uniformly lame, and the script is silly; overall, the film would have to put on considerable weight to even be considered frothy. Still, D.E.B.S. isnt a bad way to kill a couple of hours. DVD bonus features include a making-of featurette and commentary by Robinson and the cast. --Sam Graham
The teaming of Johnny Knoxville (Jackass: The Movie) and Seann William Scott (Dude, Where's My Car?) as well as the presence of the '70s-flavored car chases that were a specialty of the TV series guarantees that The Dukes of Hazzard will be even more lowbrow than the CBS TV series (1979-85) that inspired it. However, this brain-damaging comedy is more "rehash" than "remake," as good ol' Georgiaboys Luke Duke (Knoxville) and his cousin Bo (Scott) are frequently upstaged bythe General Lee, the Confederate-flagged '69 Charger that they drive, jump, race, and fly in as they smuggle moonshine for their Uncle Jesse (Willie Nelson). Meanwhile, cousin Daisy Duke (Jessica Simpson) is reliably available to model her short-shorts (aka "Daisy Dukes") and awesome figure (and let's face it, Simpson's talents pretty much begin and end right there), while corrupt honcho Boss Hogg (Burt Reynolds, who should know better) recruits a local NASCAR star to advance his wily scheme of converting Hazzard County into a strip mine. Director Jay Chandrasekhar (Super Troopers) manages to mine some good-natured humor from the movie's oval-track detour and a few colorful supporting players (notably Kevin Hefferman as the Duke's pal Sheev). Otherwise, consider yourself warned: The Dukes of Hazzard is shameless Hollywood product at its most forgettable, trafficking in shameless white, rural Southern stereotypes. If you can make itto the end, there's a blooper reel to reward your endurance. --Jeff Shannon
DVD features Yes, the unrated edition of The Dukes of Hazzard has nudity... but no, it's not of Jessica Simpson, but topless sorority girls. There are also two sets--"PG-13" and "unrated"--of deleted scenes and bloopers. The four minutes of unrated deleted scenes (supplementing the 25 minutes of "PG-13" deleted scenes) include more sorority girls and a menage à trois for Johnny Knoxville . The five minutes of unrated bloopers (the same amount as the "PG-13" bloopers) feature a few more girls but mostly bad language. Featurettes discuss the Daisy Duke short shorts (and show how you can make your own), car stunts, and the making of the movie (narrated by a cast member of the original TV series). --David Horiuchi