Panasonic Z1 Full HD 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Panasonic’s 54 inch TC-P54Z1 plasma HDTV is the flagship model of Panasonic’s 2009 Plasma HDTV series. This ultra-thin model features; the performance advantages of Panasonic’s new NeoPDP plasma display technology, premium features for movie playback as well all the connectivity and multimedia options for those looking for a HDTV which literally double as a media center. A standout connectivity feature is the implementation of WirelessHD allowing the elimination of cables and streaming of uncompressed Full HD (1080p) video free of compression artifacts.

Panasonic VIERA Z1 Plasma HDTV

Panasonic’s new NeoPDP display technology delivers significant energy efficiency improvements, enhanced brightness levels and a noticeable color depth advantage over previous models. As inherent with plasma displays, the Panasonic Z1 has an excellent 40,000:1 Contrast Ratio (native) and 2,000,000:1 (dynamic).

Other notable features of Panasonic’s Z1 model are;

Ultra thin plasma panel depth – 1 inch
Wireless HD
VIERA CAST
24p Cinematic Playback
24p Playback (2:3)
THX Certified Display
THX Mode
Studio Ref Mode
Pro Setting
BBE ViVA HD3D Sound
4 Speakers
Game Mode
2x HDMI

Best Quality Movie Playback

The Z1 is a good pick for movie buffs as it is capable of playing video back at 24fps (frames per second), just as it is shot for the cinema, giving the smoothest motion that can be achieved by a HDTV. Read or article on Judder and Anti-judder to understand the quality issues associated with the playback of movies.

Excellent Picture Control

The Z1 has significant resources for AV buffs to produce picture quality refined to their own personal taste including THX Mode, Studio Ref Mode and Pro Setting. Studio Ref Mode allows users to obtain a Studio Reference picture just the way the film’s director intended it to look on reference monitors in editing rooms. Pro Setting gives the functionality for further fine adjustments of picture controls such as contrast and brightness.

Connectivity – Multimedia Access

With each new generation HDTVs continue to morph into networked devices serving as media servers. The addition of Amazon’s VOD service on VIERA CAST allows viewers to stream video from Amazon’s extensive library. As before, there is access to YouTube, Picasa Web Albums, Bloomberg News and a weather channel. Panasonic has improved the VIERA CAST interface from earlier model HDTVs.

Two features which are common across the Panasonic 2009 plasma HDTV range are VIERA Link, and VIERA Image Viewer. The Image Viewer allows users to view their images (JPEG) and MPEG2/AVCHD* videos on a large HDTV screen using the SD memory card slot provided. VIERA Link utilizes the HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) standard to allow consumers to operate all VIERA Link compatible A/V components using a single TV remote control combined with on-screen menus.
* AVCHD is a format for recording and playback of high definition video jointly developed by Sony and Panasonic

VIERA CAST

An included feature, which is line with the market trend of HDTVs morphing into media centers, is VIERA CAST. Panasonic recently announced a collaborative relationship that added Amazon Video On Demand to 2009 Panasonic HDTVs. The collaboration allows customers (US only) to shop online then watch instantly their favorite movies and television shows from Amazon Video On Demand’s extensive collection of more than 40,000 titles. Users still have access to YouTube, Picasa Web Albums, Bloomberg News, a weather channel and additional sites as they are added to the service. The Ethernet interface for Internet access is built into the Z1 so no external box or PC is required.

Importantly, using the Your Video Library feature, customers can keep a virtual library of their purchases and re-watch them anywhere, including their VIERA TV, Panasonic Blu-ray player, or via the web on any PC or MAC. Amazon Video On Demand uses the advanced h.264 codec with an automatic bandwidth detection feature that seamlessly plays back the best quality file at either 300, 600, 900, or 1200 kbps.

Audio

Video is only half the picture when it comes to viewing pleasure and this has not been ignored by Panasonic. The Z1 model has four comparatively large 20W speakers. The newly developed, slim speaker units produce deep bass down to 100Hz. The speakers have been designed for reduced phase interference over a wide frequency range.

Also included with the Z1 is BBE ViVA, the new High Definition 3D Sound technology which integrates a 3Denhancement effect with BBE High Definition Sound. ViVA creates an authentic and exciting 3D sound effect from stereo speakers while preserving the clarity, definition, presence and texture for which BBE High Definition Sound is acclaimed. See the fact sheet in Resources section below for more detail.