Panasonic’s PZ81 plasma televisions remain – at this time of writing – the only HDTVs offering inbuilt Freesat (UK’s free-to-air digital satellite TV service that delivers some high-definition broadcasts) tuners, though we can’t see other manufacturers sitting still for much longer. When we attended Panasonic’s press launch event for the PZ81 series in London 6 weeks ago, we felt that ... Read More »

Psst… come closer. We’ll let you in on a little secret: black level is arguably the most important element of picture quality on a high-definition television. Here’s why. Ignoring inflated figures from manufacturers and various measurement methods (ANSI versus on/ off) for a second, contrast ratio is essentially the ratio of peak brightness to black level that a television can ... Read More »

Update: Full testing of the Panasonic PZ81 series is now available at our TH50PZ81B review article. Hot on the heels of the launch of Freesat, a UK free-to-air digital satellite television service featuring high definition channels, Panasonic have introduced their new PZ81 series of plasma HDTVs which sport a true HD native panel resolution of 1920 x 1080, “Intelligent Frame ... Read More »

The LG 42PG6000 plasma television should make the shortlist of anyone looking to acquire a flat screen HDTV for less than £700. Boasting a “frameless” design which scooped up the “Best Of Innovation” award at CES (Consumer Electronic Show) 2008 in Las Vegas, 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs, and a quoted contrast ratio of 30,000:1, the PG6000 plasma series may have ... Read More »

Panasonic TH42PZ80 is the third plasma HDTV from the world’s largest plasma flat screen manufacturer we’ve reviewed in as many months. The Panasonic TH42PZ80 offers true high definition 1920 x 1080 screen resolution over the HD-ready PX80 range, but lacks the “Intelligent Frame Creation” and “24p Real Cinema” motion compensated frame interpolation (MCFI) technologies found on the TH42PZ85B. Let’s see ... Read More »