Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ800U 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

They have finaly gotten the Plasmas right! The 800U has excellent color and clarity with the Black Levels that are just about perfect. The build quality of the TV is sturdy sleek and very nice looking. Just take a look at the CNet review of the TH-50PZ800U and you will find that the 800U line has dethroned the old top flat panel champ the Pioneer Kuro.

I have had the 46PZ800U for 1 week now and I am very pleased, it is simply the best overall plasma you can get in this price range. You would have to spend double the money to get a 9G Pioneer Kuro that would be so close in picture quality to the Panasonic that it would be a waste of money to buy the Kuro.

The THX setting mode in this TV is a real deal winner, it allows anybody to get the TV up and running with a picture quality that is equal to that which could only be obtained in the past if you had a profesional calibration done by a certified ISF technician. The sound quality is excellent, as panasonic has always had the best sounding flat panels the 800U is no different.

The only thing I dont like about the TV is the front acces ports! Some people will love the convience of having two extra ports in the front but for me since I am running short on ports to plug all my HT stuff into I preffered when they are at the side of the TV, that way I can still use them without having wires hanging over the front of the TV. If you have a regular setup this will not be a problem since the rear ports are numerous enough fro 99% of people.

Overall very happy with this purchase and I would recommend you look at the detailed CNet review and decide from there.

I purchased this TV about a month ago and I was holding off on my review because I wanted to break in the set first (yes, you should still break in plasmas in spite of what the manufacturers say). I am at about 250 hours on the set, and I have to say that it is the most realistic looking picture that I have seen in a flat panel. I would even put it right up there with the Pioneer Kuros. Fleshtones are incredible and there is no oversaturation of colors. I simply used the THX mode and made basic adjustments using the DVE calibration disk on Blu Ray.

I had initially purchased a Samsung LN46A650 LCD. I liked the set but I just felt that it wasn't quite as sharp as my Samsung 42 inch 720p plasma. Also the colors were a touch too oversaturated. Amazon returned the set with no hassle and delivered the Panasonic in its place.

Initially the Panasonic also did not look quite as sharp as my 42 inch Samsung although the picture was less noisy. However, right around 200 hours or so, the picture really sharpened up. Now that the set has some hours on it, the picture is just amazing! The only other set that I have seen with a better picture (and not by much)is a 60 inch Kuro. The only thing that the Kuros have over this Panasonic is that they are a touch sharper.

This Panasonic is a phenominal buy if color decoding and a realistic picture is most important to you. If you're looking for a panel that has a bright, punchy picture with colors that are slightly cartoonish but that pop, go with the Samsung LN46A650 lcd.

PROS: Phenominal color decoding, incredibly realistic looking picture, fantastic price
CONS: Picture could be just a touch sharper, speakers are mediocre

This is the real deal. Nothing else in this price range comes even close.I have mine hooked up to Direct TV HD. Landscapes colors are perfect. Peoples skin tones are spot on. The sharpest resolution I have ever viewed. Easy to hook up. The THX certification seems to have raised the bar for all other sets. For those trying to decide between LCD and Plasma don't let the issues about distrations from the reflection of objects on real glass scare you. I have a well lighted living room with lots of indirect light and glare is not a factor. The picture seems very natural and organic as compared to the synthetic look of LCD. The speakers and audio are better than average but not exceptional. Perhaps Panasonic will someday combine a THX certified sound system with the THX certified monitor. Swivel stand is a nice feature for no extra money. Very, very satisfied.

I bought the Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ800U 46" 1080p Plasma HDTV because of the THX certification and the reviews on cnet, I was not disappointed. The picture is highly adjustable, but the four preset options are very good for watching different inputs. For example when you select the game input it automatically increases the brightness and color, for watching BR movies it gives you a warmer setting. The only disappointing part was the delivery. The delivery guys were dirty, leaving marks on the floor and walls. They didn't know if they were supposed to attach the stand, and when they decided it was necessary they did not seem to take great care with the TV. In the end everything worked great.

The 46PZ800U is everything I was hoping for in a HDTV. Beautiful picture, easy to hook things up to, and a great looking addition to my living room. The size was perfect for a long narrow room (17x11.5). The CEVA delivery people assembled the stand and then placed it in its permanent location, had me connect my HD cable box to it. (yes I was excited about getting the TV. Got the HD cable box 2 days ahead of time, Blu-ray player and HD dvd player were sitting here waiting along with the cables to hook them up)We tested the TV and then when everything was working they asked for my signature. Overall the whole experience was great and I would reccomend Amazon as a Wonderful way to get a new Panasonic TV. PS price on Amazon was over $300. better than any other price I saw for this model.either in store circulars or on-line. Last, I chose this model mainly because of the over 5000 gradients of color, the single sheet of glass construction, and the THX certification.