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Reviews for Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ80U 46" Plasma TV

46" - 16:9 - 1920 x 1080 - Surround - HDTV - MPN: TH46PZ80U

  • 4
  By anonymous - Aug 12, 2008

Excellent choice

Strengths: Exciting fully adjustable picture, Much better audio than its peers, Impressive picture even in bright ambient light - Even with full south and west window exposures anti glare screen passes test

Weakness: Must reprogram tuner when switching from cable to antenna, no PIP, I'd prefer thinner non-glossy framing

This set is deserving of its high professional ratings and user reviews. It is easy to setup, adjust, and use. The specifications caught my interest, the reviews lured me in, and seeing the picture at a local retailer set the hook. No disappointments with several weeks use. HDMI works without any issues, even with a 25 ft cable. Quality audio fills large viewing area but also has optical audio out for those with even more serious amplification desires. It exceeds every HD source expectation, has a 1080p 'wow' factor and is as good as any, and better than most, when it displays SD analog signals. It serves up flawless display of Olympic competitions and football action.

I have researched and played with scores of plasma and LCD models before I narrowed it down to this keeper. Not only would I recommend this without hesitation, it would be a tough challenge to find better picture and sound for less than the $1500.00 street price, and tougher yet for a few hundred less!

Internet ordering of this type of item is admittedly discomforting, but is worthwhile with a reputable dealer. 6ave delivery methods guaranty that you will never get a mishandled set. I like their open box inspection before acceptance policy, and their savings more than justified the "take it home today" bricks and mortar temptation for me.

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  • 4
  By member: protegee - Dec 28, 2008

Buy it without fear or regret!

Strengths: Excellent picture: bright, great color, smooth motion, 1-button adjustments between 4:3 & 16:9, Zoom, Panel and Full. Great Price vs. Quality

Weakness: All minor, but worth mentioning: - no automatic closed caption when muted - fiber optic audio output doesn't adjust with volume button - standard definition broadcasts don't look as good as CRT TVs

I would buy this TV again and I already recommended it to others. The first thing I watched was a rebroadcast the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony in 1080i. WOW! I purchased this TV after a lot of research and I'm not disappointed. Let's go through the basics:
- Setup: Easy. Required 8 screws for the base which is solid and stable, but does not swivel. Then just plug in the connectors and power on. Remember, that you need to buy cables separately. Unused inputs can be “skipped” for quick switching between your devices.
- Picture: Crisp, clear and bright. Presets needed some tweaking, but that's just preference. No pixilation or blur because it's plasma, even with fast motion! Standard definition TV doesn't look as good as your CRT TV (this is the norm for plasma/LCD TVs), so if you only have a few HD channels, wait until your cable company gets more. No PIP.
- Sound: Full, but don't expect it to replace your surround sound system. The digital optical output doesn't adjust with the volume button. Not sure if this is how all digital optical works, or just this TV. Means you have to adjust your surround sound system with a separate remote. Also, no automatic closed caption when muted.
- Remote: Functional, intuitive, basic. Good size, large printing and buttons. Not programmable for controlling multiple devices.

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  • 5
  By anonymous - Sep 18, 2008

Best Value Out There

Strengths: Amazing clarity with HD programming Great aduio Very intuitive controls

Weakness: Standard definition could look slightly sharper Power hog

I did my homework on lcd vs. plasma, I looked at 100's of tvs in the past three months and this by far, for the value, took the cake. You won't be dissapointed. The clarity of HD is right up there wit

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  • 4
  By anonymous - Dec 15, 2008

Panasonic TH46PZ80U 46

Strengths: Amazing picture, deep black levels, good color management features, 3 HDMI, 1 HDMI im front. SD card in front, GREAT SOUND FOR A BIG SCREEN

Weakness: None so far

This Plasma ranks with the very expensive ones, I have compared them side by side with other models & this Panasonic was the best. Great deal, you wont be disappointed

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  • 5
  By member: Edigster - Jan 9, 2009

A Great 46 Inch Plasma At A Great Price

Strengths: Superb clarity, color and function. remote control is easily held and operated.

Weakness: Remote has volume and channel change controls reversed left,right.

I almost had written off Plasma HDTVs based on what I had heard of them a couple years ago, even though, the same 2 years ago, my son and I agreed that we preferred the plasma images better than the LCDs. But after I did a recent search on ComsumerReports.org and found that the previous "Burn In" problems have been addressed in new plasma units. I also found that some LCD TVs had problems keeping up with high speed action and sports unless they had a higher refresh rate, while Plasma TVs have no such problem, due to how they display. We decided to buy a Plasma in November 08, and found, again through CR.org, that Panasonics were reliable units, and that a new 46 inch 1080p unit was available. In shopping online, we found 42 inch Pannies, in 720p for about $700 (a deal!), but we decided to go, thinking long term, for the 1080p and 4 inch larger screened Panasonic unit for $1096, with a wall mount thrown in by the dealer. I'm glad I waited until Fall '08 to buy, as we probably saved $600-$700 from earlier prices. We love watching HD sports on cable and many of the other HD programs being added. We also have found, using our new PS3, that Blu-ray DVDs are crystal clear, and even SD DVDs look great. All in all, you should be very happy with a Panasonic Plasma HDTV.

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  • 1
  By member: kvc63 - Oct 12, 2011

Don't buy!!!! power board will fail

Strengths: everything except the failure.

Weakness: premature failure

Panasonic admits they installed alot of defective boards but will not take ownership.

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  • 5
  By anonymous - Feb 2, 2009

46" Panasonic is great!!!

Strengths: Great picture, deep blacks, vibrant colors, easy menu controls, HD pics jump off the screen, good sound

Weakness: no so far

I've been a Panasonic TV customer for 25+ years. Purchased this model to replace my 42" EDTV. The store offered me a deal I could not walk away from. Easy setup. The standard picture was a little dull out of the box, but the picture settings within the menu were easy to change and the picture jumps out at you. Just watched the SuperBowl on it and everyone was thrilled with the picture. Thanks!!!

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  • 4
  By anonymous - Jan 29, 2009

Great Plasma TV

Strengths: Great Price and Shipping was Quick and easy to track progress.

Weakness: None so far.

Panasonic has the best picture and different sizes to choose from. I picked this on because it fits my television armoire like glove. I would definitely recommend this Television or other sizes similar.

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  • 2.5
  ecorate.com - Feb 6, 2010

Panasonic Plasma TH-46PZ80U

Eco-rate gives the Panasonic Plasma TH-46PZ80U 2.5 stars based on its energy efficiency; level of toxic internal components; manufacturer's commitment to environmental stewardship; current purchase price; and other environmental and economic considerations...

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  • 4.2
  testseek.com - Mar 4, 2009

Panasonic TH-46PZ80U

Testseek.com has collected 14 expert reviews for Panasonic TH-46PZ80U and the average expert rating is 85 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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