Panasonic TH-46PZ85U WOW!

The first day I set this TV up, I watched Dream Girls in HD on HBO from my cable company. I saw Dream Girls before - just after it was released on DVD, but I never experienced Dream Girls like I did the first night I watched it on the Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85U 46-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV . The colors (especially reds) popped. The subtle shades of blacks and browns were (are) incredible. The picture was the clearest, brightest, most amazing I've ever seen on a TV. Since then, I continue to be blown away at the visible subtleties in the colors and crispness of the picture. Standard def DVD's upconverted to 1080i are very good (although a bit soft on the edges-not a fault of the TV). Regular TV (via Cable) is excellent. A video conference unit connected to the PC input on the TV displays a picture that is better than any I've experienced on other monitors.

I have an Apple TV connected to the 3rd HDMI port on the TV. This past week-end I rented the HD version of Sweeney Todd from the iTunes store. The picture was every bit as beautiful as Dream Girls HD, and seemed better, if that's even possible. The pairing of Apple TV with the Panasonic plasma is an unbeatable combination. However, I'm anxious for the next generation of Panasonic Blu-Ray DVD player so that I can see how this TV displays a true 1080p picture.

For sound, I have the TV connected to a Sony Home Theater System via optical cable from the TV to the Theater system and HDMI cable from the Theater system to the TV (for DVD playback). Interestingly, these two systems communicate with each other. Apparently Panasonic's Viera and Sony's Bravia systems of component communications are the same, or at least similar enough that they are compatible. Using the Panasonic remote control to turn on the Panasonic TV also turns on the Sony sound system. Setting the TV to TV mode, or DVD mode, or Cable/Sat mode causes the Sony to follow suit and set itself for correct playback. Volume on the Sony is controlled through the Panasonic TV remote. Turning off the TV also turns off the sound system.

Nice Job, Panasonic, Apple, and Sony!