Panasonic's VIERA TH-50PZ850U plasma gets reviewed
By Darren Murph 
posted Dec 3rd 2008 1:43PM
posted Dec 3rd 2008 1:43PM
We've seen a couple of Panasonic's plasmas reviewed in recent months, but the 50-inch TH-50PZ85OU has somehow eluded us thus far. The cats over at E-Gear just got ahold of this very unit and spent the bulk of its time testing things out over the Thanksgiving holiday. Right from the top, the HDTV was praised for its image quality, with critics noting that it "soared above most of the competition, both in feature offerings and in performance." Blacks were black, Blu-ray Discs were stunning and the colors were vivid. Sure, the bundled remote left a bit to be desired, but it's not like you don't have a universal remote to handle that "on / off stuff" anyway, right? We must say, we're a bit shocked that a Panny PDP was regarded this highly, but it's good to see the current king bringing out the best in all of the rivals.
Not sure why you're shocked, next to the Pioneer PDPs, the VIERAs have been kicking ass for a few years now. Look at any review that comes a group of flat panels and the Panasonics will always come out on top (right behind the KUROs).
Panny seriously needs new promo photos. I've seen that damn pic of people in a raft on tv listed with just about every panasonic online.
haha, I was thinking the same thing. The funny thing is that I do some graphic design for my job and I've actually used that pic in one of our projects. I know exactly what stock photography cd that picture came from...
I just bought a TH-42PX80U before Black Friday, I needed it for the holiday and prices didn't fall anymore in my area than the BF sales anyway. This tv is amazing, plasmas have come a long way, and this model is even older than the one in this review, I couldn't imagine how much better it would be. If Kuro tv are still considered better than this PDP, it must cook and clean for you too, cuz I can't see how these tvs can be beat... (God I sound like a fanboy, don't I? Oh well.)
The Costco version of the 42PX80U line ( Model TH-C42HD18 - nearly identical ) is $729 now, less the $100 coupon from the monthly Costco mag, add the 7% tax (local here) - then if you charge THAT to your AMEX, they'll add another year of factory warranty also, including Costco's added year = 3 yrs F.W. Total $674 !! That sounds like a very good deal for a very good entry level (?) model 768p plasma HDTV - from the largest plasma seller worldwide.
My folks bought their Panny plasma from Costco in a similar scenario two years ago, it's been a fine HDTV for them. I own two 8G Kuro's - the Panasonic/Pioneer plasma quality is as good as it gets. (is my math correct?)
Happy Holiday!
i dont understand the shocked part either. next to pioneer i would only consider a panny plasma. i have one 50" and will be buying another soon.
"We must say, we're a bit shocked that a Panny PDP was regarded this highly"
Yeah, I'm totally confused by this statement as well. Panny VIERA have been 2nd in command (right under KUROs) for years now. Nothing out there even comes close to either a VIERA or a KURO. I have a 2 year old VIERA and it still looks better than most anything else out there, including all the new fancy LCDs.
Insignia Rewls !!!!