Panasonic PZ750U Series | TH-65PZ750U, TH-58PZ750U Plasma Full HD 1080p HDTV Review

Both Panasonic’s PZ750U model plasma HDTVs have a 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) native resolution. As expected of a plasma HDTV, they have an excellent contrast ratio of 5,000:1 combined with a plasma panels natural ability to provide excellent image clarity for fast moving action video footage. Although was released some two years ago the PZ750’s are best selling plasma HDTVs with Amazon and continue to get positive customer reviews.

Panasonic TH-65PZ750U Plasma HDTV

To minimize the effect of ambient light on picture quality, the display has an anti-reflective coating. Not everyone can sit directly in front of the HDTV and the PZ750U’s have a fairly generous 160-degree horizontal/vertical viewing angle. For those concerned about the energy consumption of larger HDTVs, both models are Energy Star compliant.

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.

Picture Quality Features

The lifelike images displayed by these models are due, in part, to the 4,096 shades of gradation available. Plasma displays can suffer from an artifact called false contouring, where transitions between different shades of the same color are too sharp. These transitions can appear as distinct lines between the different shades of color. Having 4,096 shades of gradation helps minimize the false contouring so color transitions take on a smooth, natural appearance.

For improved picture quality there is 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.

The included Motion Pattern Noise Reduction functionality makes image quality adjustments to compensate for detected motion patterns which can generate image noise.

A popular inclusion, which recognizes that everyone is now taking pictures 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 JPEG photos or AVCHD/MPEG-2 video . Images can be viewed as thumbnails or as a slideshow with a user variable duration between slides using Panasonic’s High Definition (HD) Photo Viewer.

Panasonic’s PZ750 plasmas don’t require the purchase of a separate digital set-top box to receive and decode HDTV/SDTV signals as they have high definition tuners for over-the-air (ATSC) and unencrypted cable signals (QAM).

Some of the extensive range of automatic and manual picture optimization functions includes:

Four Picture Modes comprising;
- Vivid for enhanced contrast and sharpness in higher ambient light conditions
- Standard for normal viewing conditions – lower ambient light conditions
- Studio Reference for a cinema look with high-quality gradation and color tone
- Photo Custom for adjusting settings for viewing static images rather than video – brightness, color, tint, and sharpness
Color Temperature adjustment for selection of dominance between warm (red) and cool (blue) colors. Cool, Normal or Warm settings available.
Color Management which actually enhances green and blue color reproduction which is ideal for outdoor scenes.
Pro Settings which are advanced picture settings for when the television is fixed to the Custom (Photo) Picture Mode.
Contrast Automatic Tracking System (CATS) – Contrast is a primary determinant of picture quality and CATS automatically adjusts the brightness and gradation to optimize contrast.
Picture Adjustment allows numerous picture settings to be individually adjusted, including Picture (white areas), Brightness (dark areas), Color, Tint, and Sharpness.
Black Level for adjusting the TV’s black level to Dark/Light.

Other convenience functionalities include;

One Tuner Split Screen Display (cannot view RF-input on both sides simultaneously)
On-Screen Display Languages – three available
V-Chip Program Lockout
Timers – Sleep/On/Off Sleep (Off only)
Video Input Labeling

EZ Sync HDAVI Control

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.

Sound

The PZ750’s speaker system totals including twin Woofers for action move rumbles [Woofer Passive radiator x 2 (L, R) + 23 mm-slim Speaker x 2 (L, R)] Audio output is impressively high and wide for a HDTV at 31 W (10% THD) (Woofer: 6 ohms, 55Hz – 350Hz, Speaker: 8 ohms, 350Hz – 17kHz).

These Panasonic 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.

BBE VIVA HD3D Sound

Both PZ750 plasma HDTV model feature BBE High Definition Sound enhancement technology (featured in the BBE Sonic Maximizer range of professional audio signal processors) which is licensed by BBE Sound to consumer electronics manufacturers for incorporation into their products. See the fact sheet in Resources section below for further details.

There is a Surround function which enhances audio response when listening to stereo programming (active only for the TV’s built-in speakers).

If you particularly dislike sharp volume changes accompanying a shift in video input then you will appreciate the Audio Leveler which monitors the difference in audio levels between inputs and minimizes the change in volume when you change inputs (active only for the TV’s built-in speakers).

Connectivity

The Panasonic Viera PZ750 models come with a superb range of connectivity options for connecting a wide range of other AV consumer electronics including your PC with a a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack and an analog RGB (D-Sub 15-pin) jack.

Connections are;