Panasonic TH-50PZ85U 50" Plasma TV
Panasonic - TH50PZ85URelease Date: Mar 2008
The TH-50PZ85U 50" VIERA Plasma TV features 1080p HDTV with increased native contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and it boasts a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for deeper black color.
Average Expert Rating
Summary of User Reviews
Number of Reviews: 12Positive Reviews: 100%
Negative Reviews: 0%
Positive Review
Reviewed by: 19770909094545 on 30-Sep-08
Strengths: High contrast, awesome picture and deep blacks.
Weaknesses: Weak sound.
Summary: I bought this TV after getting my first Panasonic plasma and since then I have been a Panasonic plasma aficionado. I have put this big screen in my living room. My dad is a NASCAR enthusiast. The very fast response time on this TV enables us to watch it in HD on this TV without any motion blur that we see on my brother's LCD. The result: Now we have more get togethers at my place. LOL!!! I have also hooked up this one to my PS3 and now we can enjoy crystal clear quality of blue ray movies on this screen. The picture quality is awesome with high contrast and immense picture detail. The gaming experience is amazing in HD quality. Even the SD signals are upscaled to HD quality and it is very hard to tell the difference between the two. However the resolution is not very good when I use the VGA input but that does not affect me as I rarely use it. This TV coupled with my home theater system has turned my living room into a cinema room. We can seat almost 15 people and the best thing is that they do not lose the picture definition even if they are watching the TV at angle of 160 degrees. The brightness is uniform on the whole screen even at extreme angles. This means more fun time for friends and family. However the glossy frame on this TV can be a finger print magnet. We need to clean it more frequently and the finger prints stick out on the frame. Sound on this TV could be improved. The speakers deliver good sound quality but it is hard to detect the center channel on the surround sound simulation. I do not regret my purchase and recommend this TV to all my friends and family. Panasonic plasmas have way to go!!!
Positive Review
Reviewed by: jackpiela on 22-Aug-08
Strengths: Vibrant colors and great contrast. Multiple In/Out jacks a plus.
Weaknesses: Non HDTV picture seem rough due to the screen size.
Summary: I am real pleased with this purchase. I shopped and compared quality and value and this widescreen met my expectations. It was fairly simple to add surround sound and other HD equipment due to the in/out jacks available, especially the side jack availabilty.I don't believe you will be dissapointed with this model.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: frodtab on 19-Jun-08
Strengths: Great Color and clarityEasy to adjust to your own settings and preferencesGood initial presets
Weaknesses: None thus far except a short power cord
Summary: This is my second Panasonic plasma and their quality of the picture continues to improve. The HD through my satellite is clear and the colors and picture are sharp. The set is easy to adjust to your own viewing preferences either through the presets or through the menus. There are several professional tuners who post their settings on the web for others to try. The blacks are very deep - better than any other set I have seen in this price range. The TV is great in a dark room and fine in a brighter one. Panasonic even includes a cloth for cleaning the shiny parts of the TV. You cannot go wrong with this set.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: avidjunky on 13-Jun-08
Strengths: Awesome picture quality. 3 HDMI is a Plus and plenty of addition inputs (also programable). 1080P of course.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Summary: Well it's Panasonic! They make the best Plasma around I think. You can't go wrong with this model, I was able to pick it up at my local store for $1700 but the price went back up that very next day to $2500. Even at retail price, it's well worth the money and the investment, but don't pay more than the street price that other stores are selling it for. Shop around, be a smart consumer, there are always deals out there waiting to be had. HD tuner is awesome just make sure you're feeding it HD sources, even over the air HD signal looks great. PS3/Blu-ray HD-DVD content are superior in my movie experience... crisp, vibrant, spectacular in it's imagery over HDMI of course (you got three, use them). You won't be disappointed, get this one if you can.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: sfuher on 10-Jun-08
Strengths: Size, color, clarity
Weaknesses: None yet...
Summary: We got this last week. This is our 2nd plasma, the first was a different brand that we took back after a few days because of poor quality. We will definitely not be taking this one back.Our living room has a lot of bright sunlight. For those concerned about glare, we have not had any problems. We just had to turn the brightness level up, and everything is great. I highly recommend this TV.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: Xanth2100 on 30-May-08
Strengths: picture quality, ease of setup, options
Weaknesses: remote looks outdated
Summary: I am very happy about this tv. The picture quality is superb and it is very easy to use. I have watched several movies and the color and clarity is perfect. Installation was very easy with the supplied stand. The looks are good and simple. Menus are easy to navigate and set up.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: live4himnow on 29-May-08
Strengths: Great HD picture. Universal remote.
Weaknesses: Picture not too great on standard broadcast.No picture in picture.Power cord is only 6', so be aware if wall-mounting that you need to have an electric outlet nearby to avoid snaking down and up wall.
Summary: Panasonic as a whole has been top rated for a while, and this set looked like it had everything. The HD picture is wonderful, but the standard cable programming looks kind of fuzzy. In retrospect, I should have brought a VCR taped program with me to the store to compare sets rather than just view the HD programming they broadcast on all the sets in the store.It may be one of the better sets for standard programming, but I don't have a way of knowing.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: lindsaydyan on 28-May-08
Strengths: This TV creates the best picture I have ever seen. It feels like I'm there!! HD-DVD and Bluray looks amazing and pictures are super crisp. Even standard TV looks good!
Weaknesses: None yet!
Summary: If you're even considering buying this plasma, just do it! It will be well worth your money! We upgraded from a previous 42" Panasonic plasma which we LOVED but decided to go for a new 1080P 50" version. Panasonic is definitely high quality, I am very impressed! Also, for those hesitant about the glare, we have a room full of windows and it's not a problem.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: cianciolo on 21-May-08
Strengths: Great picture, brightness, PC input, SD card slot, sound quality
Weaknesses: Power consumption, shiny plastic frame
Summary: I replaced my Panasonic LCD projection with this TV and I could not be happier. The picture is so much better than my old TV. I was very surprised on how much better the picture looked and the brightness is great. The power consumption is higher than LCD but I think it is worth it. This unit is also lighter than the previous model. This unit has plenty of connections for all of your equipment, plus an SD card slot, and PC input. I have it connected to my computer and it is a great 50" computer monitor. The anti-reflective coating is ok but you still need to make sure no direct light on the TV or there will be some glare. The frame is shiny which looks great but causes a lot of glare.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: 27-Mar-08
Strengths: outstanding picture quality.
Weaknesses: power consuption. At twice the power consuption of an LCD it makes you stop and think for a moment.
Summary: I like a lot of people was not sure wither to buy an LCD or plasma. I chose the plasma becouse at the end of all arguments plasma still has the best picture and thats what I was in the market for, HD. This plasma delivers Unbelievable picture quality. Panisonic has done themselfs proud on the plasma TV. I couldn't be happer.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: adbarnett34 on 27-Mar-08
Strengths: Outstanding PQ, 3 HDMI inputs, Computer hook-up, 22lbs lighter and almost 2 inches thinner than the outgoing model
Weaknesses: None as of yet....
Summary: One of the highest quality HD Plasmas! It has a phenominal picture at an extraordinary price! The contrast ratio at 30,000:1 Native and 1,000,000:1 Dynamic, is one of the best I've ever seen. From the deepest richest Blacks to the brightest and most vibrant of neons and sharp pastels, I couldn't believe how warm and realistic the PQ was. I owned a LCD before this (Samsung 52"), and this by far blows it out of the water. Thanks and Enjoy.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: djscalifornia on 21-Mar-08
Strengths: This T.v has Three HDMI inputs,loads of additional s-video, coaxal, and other necessary inputs; not to mention one of the Best HD pictures on the market!!
Weaknesses: The only weaknesses,if you could even call it that, would be its weight.Weighing in at almost 90 lbs. it definately takes two people to place the T.v appropriately.Not a weakness,though,my "opinion"
Summary: A true definition of the highest quality HD Plasma is found with this T.V This is the difference we've all been waiting for, a phenominal picture at an extraordinary price! This is why people buy plasma's and every meaning of the word,,,this T.V is liquid, giving one of the highest contrast ratios: 30,000:1, only available on the market if your spending six grand plus. It gives a whole new meaning to the word "Black" too. From the deepest richest Blacks to the brightest and most vibrant of neons and sharp pastels this t.v is the next generation of cutting edge technology. The kaliediscope of color arrangements mixed with razor sharp clarity actually "puts" you on location, on a scale like no other. All around I have owned many HD t.V. from various companies including plasma's and LCD, and this by far is the one to watch out for. I can't wait till the techs at consumer reports get there hands on this one...this will easily touch the limits of the scale on perfection. Thanks and Enjoy








