The Panasonic Viera TH-58PZ800U — A Bargain-Hunter’s Dream
Posted by hdtv buying guide on June 26, 2009 under HDTV Reviews, Panasonic, Plasma HDTV | 
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If you’re looking for a TV at the right time of year, there are bargains-a-plenty to be had. Because of the unpredictable nature of electronics releases, sometimes deals can be had year-round, if you know what you’re looking for.
The Panasonic Viera TH-58PZ800U is a 58-inch plasma-screen high-definition television. It’s technically a 2008 model — released in the fall to capitalize on holiday sales. Its replacement, the TC-P58V10, will be released in August with an upgraded screen and internals.
Until then, the TH-58PZ800U will be priced to move. It originally retailed for $2,599.99, but can be found online — at places like Amazon.com — for around $1,800.
Should you be in the market for a giant, high-end television, here’s what the TH-58PZ800U has to offer:
- Full 1080p HD resolution with a 480Hz refresh rate. The best LCD panels refresh at a 120Hz rate. The TH-58PZ800U refreshes more times per second for a smoother, blur-free picture under any conditions.
- 900 viewable lines while activated. The newest TVs boast panels than can display all 1,080 lines, but 900 is far better than an LCD of the same size. The typical goal for an LCD panel is 750 to 800 lines.
- A THX-approved panel, which means the colors and picture reproduction are up to the standards of George Lucas’ production company. By reaching that rating, the TV is able to more accurately produce a movie-theater experience.
- A bevy of connectivity options, including four HDMI inputs (with one on the front of the television), two composite video inputs (one on the front) and two component video inputs (one on the front).
- An SD memory card, which will enable full-screen viewing of large-format digital pictures and high-definition video. The card can be taken straight from the camera or camcorder and plugged directly into the television.
The TH-58PZ800U has the Viera Link feature, which allows easy control of other Panasonic digital devices. But it’s missing the Viera Cast feature, which enables content to be streamed directly to the TV through the internet. The new version — the TC-P58V10 — is Viera Cast-enabled.
For all but the most finicky viewers, the changes in the panel from the TH-58PZ800U to the newer version won’t be noticeable. And if you’re not in the market for an internet-connected television, it might be worth it to try to find a TH-58PZ800U hanging around.
Sure, you’ll still probably spend $1,800, which is no small sum of money, but the new version will likely slot in at around $3,000. And in that case, the TH-58PZ800U is a steal.
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