Panasonic plasmas

[Shock]

I'm awaiting my profit sharing cheque from my previous job, and decided long ago it was going towards a new TV.

The two I've been looking at are the Panasonic TH42PZ85 42 inch plasma, or the new TCP42S1.

Looking at the two panels in store, it isn't clear to me what benefits the new S1 series has over the TH42PZ85. Spec wise, it's 600 hz subfield drive compared to 480, and 1 million more dynamic contrast. However none of these specs seem to calculate to any sort of picture improvement. Infact I thought the TH42PZ85 looked superior when side by side. I really didn't get to test the displays with my own movies or games though.

Can someone a little more panel savvy than myself explain to me the benefits of the new panasonics over the older ones?

 

[Hi Ho]

You cannot compare TV's in the store. That is, unless they have a light controlled environemnt and have them properly calibrated. The newest Panasonic models show significant improvements in one key area. Black levels. This is something that is not so appearent in a bright store but is very obvious in a darkened room. I would not buy last years model after seeing them both calibrated side by side. The new TC models make me want to upgrade my TV.

 

[billy p]

You cannot compare TV's in the store. That is, unless they have a light controlled environemnt and have them properly calibrated. The newest Panasonic models show significant improvements in one key area. Black levels. This is something that is not so appearent in a bright store but is very obvious in a darkened room. I would not buy last years model after seeing them both calibrated side by side. The new TC models make me want to upgrade my TV.

Just curious, which model from last year did you compare to the TC's and is the G10 really worth the added cost over that of the S1. Heh... I'm asking because I have a budget and my local shop only has the S1's currently and I really want a 54" display, but the TCP54G10 would exceed it.

Regards, Bill and BTW happy BD the other day

 

[Hi Ho]

I have compared both the S1 and the G10 to the PZ850 and PZ85. I see little to no difference between the S1 and the G10. As far as I can tell, you lose THX certification and VieraCast features with the S1. When viewing side by side and properly calibrated they look the same to me.

Panasonic really made strides when it comes to black levels on the new TC models. Even in a bright room the panels are darker which keeps them from looking washed out in direct light. The new models will make Pioneers exit from the display industry much easier to bear. The anti-reflective coatings have also been improved.