Panasonic Viera 42 inch TH-42PX80U and 50 inch TH-50PX80U 720p Plasma HDTV

Both Panasonic’s PX80U model plasma HDTVs are 720p high definition (1024 x 768 pixels). The attraction of these entry level models to Panasonic’s plasma HDTV range, apart from their lower cost, is the excellent contrast ratio of 15,000:1 combined with a plasma panels natural ability to provide excellent image clarity for fast moving action video footage. The Panasonic VIERA models are named after their image processor which digitally processes each individual scene for optimum image quality.

Panasonic Viera 42 inch TH-42PX80U

A sibling premium Panasonic plasma model, 42 inch TH-42PZ700U was recently announced as a 2008 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award honoree in the Video Displays category. Consumer electronics products competing in CES (Consumer Electronics Show) are judged by a pre-eminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade press with the most impressive products in each category are selected as honorees. The technology and features for the PX80U models include the same picture quality features including Anti-Reflective Filter, Deep Color Technology, x.v. Color, 3D Color Management, Motion Pattern Noise Reduction and Game Mode. The Z700U models do have a higher 1080p definition and a native contrast ratio of 30,000:1.

Contrast ratio is commonly ranked as the most important aspect of picture quality by such organizations as the Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers (SMPTE). Panasonic’s VIERA video processing engine applies two technologies for contrast improvement;

Real Black Creation provides contrast optimization by matching it to the images in each scene. This avoids loss of gradation by having part of the image too bright or too dark. Just the right amount of contrast correction is applied for each part of the scene.

Real Black Drive System suppresses unwanted graying by reducing the electrical pre-discharge level to about 10% of the level of conventional plasma TVs.

Color enhancement technologies utilized in Panasonic VIERA models are:

Deep Color Technology

Boosts number of colors which can be represented from millions to billions
Increased color range reduces the likelihood of false contouring providing smoother transitions (subtle gradations) between colors.

x.v. Color

supports new xvYCC color standard (Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications or x.v. color) which covers a color space which actually exceeds what the human eye can recognize – compared to the standard RGB color space which covers only a portion of what the human eye can perceive.

Other significant image quality enhancing technologies common to the VIERA models are:

A Sub-Pixel Controller which eliminates jagged or blurred diagonal lines producing smoother edges. Interestingly, unlike conventional video processing systems which process the three RGB colors together, the VIERA processes each color separately to achieve crisper, more natural-looking images.

Motion Pattern Noise Reduction by making image quality adjustments to compensate for detected motion patterns which tend to generate image noise.

Pixel Wobbling shifts the image displayed one pixel at a time (imperceptible to the human eye) avoiding the possibility of phosphor burn-in which plasma displays are suspect to.

Game Mode which auto-adjusts image quality for game suitability and includes anti-image retention

Anti-reflective coating for reducing the amount of external light reflecting from the display surface without affecting light emanating from the display.

Panasonic Plasma Panel Life

In rating their plasma panels as having 100,000 hours life, Panasonic are ahead of the competition which commonly rate plasma panels as having 60,000 hours. To put the number in some perspective, it would take 30 years of 8 hours a day television watching to reach 100,000 hours. The rated life is the time at which the panel brightness has degraded to half its initial brightness and is determined by a mathematical calculation of phosphor depletion (also doesn’t consider any other components). Many viewers may reach their tolerance level before the rated life – especially if there is considerable ambient light.

Sound

Panasonic’s Viera plasma models come with narrow-aperture, ultra-slim speakers designed to distribute sound over a wider listening area. For it’s latest models Panasonic have revamped their sound system to deliver improved low-to-medium frequency range (bass) performance.

Providing a subwoofer inside the tight, sound weakening confines of a HDTV enclosure is a headache for manufacturers. With the latest VIERA models Panasonic have adopted an enhanced passive radiator system which is an improvement over the conventional bass reflex system. The contoured passive radiator is less directional compared to a conventional diaphragm spreading sound over a wider listening area reducing the irregularity of the SPL (sound pressure level) of the bass sound.

Connectivity

Utilizing an optional feature of the HDMI v1.3 standard, Panasonic have provided their own implementation of CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), Viera Link, which provides global control of all CEC-enabled peripherals such as Blu-Ray Disc players, DVD recorders and home theater systems using one remote.

All Pansanoic Viera models come with a good range of connectivity options including at least 3 HDMI inputs (1 front). Other connections include 2x Analog Audio Input (for HDMI), 2x Composite Video Input, 2x S-Video Input, 2x Audio Input (for Video), 2x Component Video Input [Y, PB(CB), PR(CR)], 2x Audio Input (for Component Video), 1x Composite Video Output, 1x Audio Output and 1x Digital Audio Out.

A welcome addition, which recognizes that everyone is now taking picures in digital format, is a slot for SD and miniSD (with adapter) cards. It makes it possible to quickly plug in your digital camera’s memory card and view a slideshow of your jpeg digital photos on the widescreen plasma display using Panasonic’s High Definition (HD) Photo Viewer.

The next level up models in Panasonic’s plasma range are the PZ80U models which have 1080p resolution instead of 720p and a higher 20,000:1 natural contrast ratio.

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Panasonic Viera TH-42PX80U 42-inch 720p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic Viera TH-50PX80U 50-inch 720p Plasma HDTV

Panasonic VIERA 42″ 720p 480Hz Plasma HDTV w/ 3 HDMI & SD Slot - TH42PX80U
Panasonic VIERA 50″ 720p 480Hz Plasma HDTV w/ 3 HDMI & SD Slot - TH50PX80U

Resources for Panasonic VIERA TH-42PX80U and TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV

Other 2008 Panasonic plasma models to consider….

To move up to 1080p resolution and a higher 20,000:1 contrast ratio you will have to look at the PX80U models.

If you’d also like a higher contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and a PC input then consider the Panasonic PZ85U plasma models.

Moving up to the Panasonic PZ800U models you also gain a swivel base, THX Certification, 24p Cinematic Playback, BBE VIVI HD3D Sound, a HDMI input, increased shades of gradation and one sheet of glass design.

If like the idea of adding even more features including VIERA Cast IPTV Capability, Studio Reference Mode, Pro Setting Menu, RS-232C conncetion, AVCHD/MPEG2 playback, H.264 codec and Digital Cinema Color while missing out on THX Certification then you should look at the Panasonic PZ850U models.

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Specification Panasonic VIERA 42 inch TH-42PX80U and 50 inch TH-50PX80U 720p Plasma HDTV

Video
Display Resolution	720p (PZ: 1080p)
Contrast Ratio	Native: 15,000:1 (PZ: 20,000:1) Dynamic: 1,000,000:1
Compatible Signal Formats	1080p/1080i/720p/480p
Aspect Ratio	16:9 (Widescreen)
Shades of Gradation	4,096
Pixel Pitch (H x V)	0.81 x 0.81 mm (PZ: 0.576 x 0.576 mm)
Panel Type	G11 Progressive 1080p HD Plasma Display Panel
Aspect Control for TV/AV Modes	4:3, Zoom, Full, Just, H-Fill
Native Resolution (Number of Pixels)	1024 x 768 (PZ: 1920 x 1080)
Moving Picture Resolution	720 lines or more (PZ: 900 or more)
Progressive Scan	Yes
Video Noise Reduction	Yes
Digital Comb Filter	Motion Adaptive 3D-Y/C
Color Purity Optimizer (3D Color Management)	Yes
Sub-Pixel Controller	Yes
Motion Pattern Noise Reduction	Yes
Studio Ref. Mode	No
Pro Setting	No
Digital Cinema Reality	Yes
480 Hz Sub-field Drive	Yes
24p Playback(2:3)	Yes
Deep Color	Yes
x.v.Color	Yes
Audio
Speakers	Full-range x 2(L,R)
Number of Speakers	2
Audio Ouput	20W (10% THD) (8 ohms, 70Hz-17kHz)
Surround Sound	Yes
BBE® ViVA HD3D Sound	No
Input/Output
Tuners	Integrated ATSC
Photo Viewer	Yes
SD Card Slot	Yes
HDMI Input	3 (1 front)
Analog Audio Input (for HDMI)	2
Composite Video Input	2 (1 front)
S-Video Input	2 (1 front)
Audio Input (for Video)	2 (1 front)
PC Input (RGB-VGA)	No
Audio Input (for PC)	No
Component Video Input [Y, PB(CB), PR(CR)]	2
Audio Input (for Component Video)	2
Composite Video Output	1
Audio Output	1
Digital Audio Out	1
Convenience
VIERA Link	Yes
Game Mode	Yes
Pixel Shifter (Anti-Image Retention)	Yes
Video Picture Memory	Yes
On-Screen Display Languages	English/Spanish/French
V-Chip Program Lockout	Yes
Built-In Closed Caption Decoder	Yes
Timers - Sleep/On/Off	Sleep (Off only) (PZ: yes)
Video Input Labeling	Yes
General
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	385 W (PZ: 690W)
Safety Standard	UL6500/C-UL
Receiving System	ATSC/QAM/NTSC
Operating Temperature	32°F - 104°F
Pedestal Stand	Included (TBLX0036)
Remote Control	Included
Screen Coating (Filter)	New AR (Anti-Reflective) Filter