Panasonic 1080p IPS LCD $700

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HammerSandwich

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Amazon has the Panasonic TC-32LZ800 at $700. This is a highly rated 32" IPS panel that a lot of folks are using as a PC monitor. Big value at $700; the sticker is $1199.
 
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I would never spend $1100 on the 32" when you can get the 37" 85 series for the same price. I know the 32" listed here is part of the higher end 800 series, but in 37" the 85 and 800 series are very similar. Biggest differences are the screen coating and "motion focus" feature.

I want to say Sears had the 37" model on sale for $700 a few weeks back, but I honestly can't recall if it was the 32" or 37".
 
HammerSandwich said:
Sure, if the price is close enough (and you don't sit right on top of the screen), but I can't find the 37LZ85 under $850 shipped.
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My post was in reference to the list pricing for the 32", i.e. $1100 is ridiculous esp when that's the list price for the 37".

$700-$800 should be the list price for a 32" 1080P set not $1100. Not crapping on the sale price of this display, just trying to figure out what Panasonic was smoking when they set that up.
 
Excellent deal. Makes me wish I hadn't bought my 32XBR6 over summer :p Great TV! When I was researching TVs this one popped up but no one local had it so I just went with the XBR6. If you are in the market for a hdtv/pc monitor this is a great deal for a great tv.
 
Silentbob343 said:
I would never spend $1100 on the 32" when you can get the 37" 85 series for the same price. I know the 32" listed here is part of the higher end 800 series, but in 37" the 85 and 800 series are very similar. Biggest differences are the screen coating and "motion focus" feature.
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But I think buying an LCD without the option for motion interpolation is a mistake. A lot of content is unwatchable on LCDs without motion interpolation. I doubt they sold many at $1100 though, that's crazy.
 
Is this screen much better than the Sony Bravia 32XBR6?
 
Varmint said:
But I think buying an LCD without the option for motion interpolation is a mistake. A lot of content is unwatchable on LCDs without motion interpolation. I doubt they sold many at $1100 though, that's crazy.
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Motion Focus should not be confused with Motion Picture Pro which is Panasonic's motion interpolation technology. Both seek to increase motion quality, but motion focus stobes the backlight, some say it introduces an annoying flicker, where motion pro provides interpolation. At least that is my understanding of it, I did not see Motion Picture Pro listed for the 32" 800, only Motion Focus.

Another odd thing is the N.A. Panasonic's don't get the same Motion Picture Pro as those across the pond, there is a thread over at AVS with more detail and I've already derailed this thread enough.
Just found out, its not 120Hz but has Motion Picture Pro that mimicks 120Hz, the UK gets MPP2 with 120Hz.....darn.
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I do hear the glossy screen helps with blacks, opposed the matte filter for the 85 series, I never saw the 800 series so I can't weigh in on that personally.

Apologies to the OP.

To get back on topic I hear this is hands down one of the best TVs to use as a monitor and exactly why I was looking at it. Cnet claims color inaccuracy, but that should be an easy to fix when hooked up to a PC, service menu adjustments are not fully documented.
 
Silentbob343 said:
Apologies to the OP.
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Not necessary. I read the entire AVS thread before ordering mine, and you provided a good summary.

The 2 main issues that crop up with the LZ series are:
1) a few units buzz or whine audibly
2) all units blur small-font text in certain color combinations (e.g. red or blue on black)

As always when buying an LCD, do your research and decide which compromises matter to you. Me? I like IPS panels...

BTW, Amazon also lists the 37LZ800 for $900 now.
 
You Won't find an LCD with better viewing angles. I've got the TC-LX700 (Panasonic's best from 2007) and this Alpha-IPS panel is amazing. Its also ridiculously sharp and has a very natural behavior with colors.
 
450 said:
Is this screen much better than the Sony Bravia 32XBR6?
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Definitely a better value. Though you can save money on the Sony if you get the Z series over the XBR6. They are the same screen and same image processor. The difference being you get better speakers with the XBR6, thinner/narrower cabinet, and I believe an extra HDMI port. The Sony's use Samsung S-PVA screens vs the IPS in the Panasonic. IPS is nice because of the viewing angles. S-PVA your focal point is usually darker then the surrounding areas, not to noticeable on TV's but it can be as a PC monitor. Most people can live with it though.
 
So, has anybody found a tweak to fix text rendering with all color combinations? (If not, than this is certainly NOT the best TV to use as a monitor.)
 
SH1 said:
So, has anybody found a tweak to fix text rendering with all color combinations? (If not, than this is certainly NOT the best TV to use as a monitor.)
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Are you asking that question because you're researching LCDTV's to use as a monitor? Because if you've read the owners thread over at AVS then you already know the answer.

Otherwise if you're trying to inform the rest of us then you may as well go into a little more detail, and if you're going to go into that much detail you may as well post some alternatives that you feel are better. From everything i've researched in the past few months i've come to realize that there's going to be some tradeoff no matter which TV you choose. Now it's up to the shopper to decide which tradeoff he prefers.

- Do you want less input lag? Or will that not affect what you'll be using it for?
- Do you want better viewing angles? Or will you be viewing it straight on?
- Do you want more accurate color? Or would you even recognize inaccurate color if you saw it?
- Will slightly smudged colored text combined with certain background colors bother you? Or is that just a minor consideration vs other tradeoffs?
- I'm sure there are other tradeoffs to consider, these are just a few off the top of my head.
 
I have the 37LZ85, for PC use and TV. Red and blue text on a black background look smeared and not as clear, but I rarely ever come across that anyway.

Overall, this monitor/HDTV has features that outweigh the nitpickin' and it still amazes me.
 
owkia said:
That's the standard resolution for a 1080P screen. I fail to see the problem...
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Yeah I don't get it. Not that much less than 1920x1200 you find on dedicated monitors. I guess he's one of those 2560x1600 guys.
 
SJetski71 said:
Are you asking that question because you're researching LCDTV's to use as a monitor? Because if you've read the owners thread over at AVS then you already know the answer.

Otherwise if you're trying to inform the rest of us then you may as well go into a little more detail, and if you're going to go into that much detail you may as well post some alternatives that you feel are better. From everything i've researched in the past few months i've come to realize that there's going to be some tradeoff no matter which TV you choose. Now it's up to the shopper to decide which tradeoff he prefers.

- Do you want less input lag? Or will that not affect what you'll be using it for?
- Do you want better viewing angles? Or will you be viewing it straight on?
- Do you want more accurate color? Or would you even recognize inaccurate color if you saw it?
- Will slightly smudged colored text combined with certain background colors bother you? Or is that just a minor consideration vs other tradeoffs?
- I'm sure there are other tradeoffs to consider, these are just a few off the top of my head.
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I refer to what Keep The Volume Up mentions. And my interest is in using LCD TVs as computer monitors. I have been monitoring threads here and at AVS and I have not seen that anyone has yet found an answer to this. And for monitor use, this is fundamental to me. To others with the same concern, but must have an IPS display, the answer is to get a regular IPS computer monitor. (Which ironically, may have some of the best text rendering.)

As for TVs, Samsungs appear to be the most PC compatible. They do suffer picture wise from less uniformity, loss of PQ at angles, and input lag. (Though the difference regarding input lag on the Samsung and the Panasonic appears to be marginal. CRT and certain LCD computer monitors appear to be superior choices, if that is an issue.)

As I believe you referred to, another issue identified by CNET is inaccurate color on the Panasonic, which a disappointment on an LCD at this point. However, I do not think the CNET review was definitive as they did not try to correct with a software and sensor setup. So, at this point, I've still got hope on this score...

Anyway, everyone wants this display to be the one, because of its superior IPS panel and great price point. However, I'm sorry, it's got issues, at least one serious (i.e., text). So it's important to keep perspective. And I certainly agree, they've all got issues. And one has to weigh the pros and cons against what they want to use it for. I just took a harder line this time, because it seemed like people were starting to gush... :)

(Admittedly, I'm guilty of the same when certain CRTs come up...)
 
SH1 said:
So, has anybody found a tweak to fix text rendering with all color combinations? (If not, than this is certainly NOT the best TV to use as a monitor.)
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This is likely an issue to some degree with 95% of the LCDs out there. Combine that with the fact that many people have poor color vision anyways and....The point is this is a fantastic deal on a set that doesn't have a lot of drawbacks. Its probably the best 32 inch HDTV you can get. Definitely in the top 3. You'll probably have to spend about as much, maybe more to get a monitor that beats it and it would still be smaller.
 
chameleoneel said:
This is likely an issue to some degree with 95% of the LCDs out there. Combine that with the fact that many people have poor color vision anyways and....The point is this is a fantastic deal on a set that doesn't have a lot of drawbacks. Its probably the best 32 inch HDTV you can get. Definitely in the top 3. You'll probably have to spend about as much, maybe more to get a monitor that beats it and it would still be smaller.
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Well, not that I know of. LCD computer monitors traditionally excel at text reproduction...

(I'm assuming that the text issue stems from an optimization Panasonic employed for TV purposes...)

I agree that there are countervailing factors, especially the wide viewing angle, upon which some will put greater weight...
 
Oh man, that is *so* tempting.

It's either this or the Blackbird 002 case/1100W power supply VoodooPC is now selling for about $700 :(
 
The price war between Amazon & 6th Ave continues! $666.34 now. I'm starting to think anyone who has not ordered already should wait until January.
 
HammerSandwich said:
The price war between Amazon & 6th Ave continues! $666.34 now. I'm starting to think anyone who has not ordered already should wait until January.
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If you buy from the Amazon merchant, you are allowed to get a price match up to 30 days of your purchase. :)
 
Amazon now: $659.98 Free Shipping If this gets anywhere near 600.00 I am so in for one!!
 
SolidBladez said:
If you buy from the Amazon merchant, you are allowed to get a price match up to 30 days of your purchase.
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Looks like this has been discontinued. Just FYI to potential buyers.

I ordered my 32LZ800 on Saturday (It was $715 and shipped today...), so I will attempt a price match before the CC bill comes due. Will report what happens.
 
You can't mount the TV as faux installation art and trick idiots into paying money to see it though!
 
Did anyone order one and have it take a while to ship? I ordered last monday and I still haven't gotten a shipped notice. It was in stock too.
 
I ordered mine from 6th Ave through Amazon on December 27th. It shipped on the 29th, and I received it on the 2nd.

Looks great, but it has the buzz...
 
chameleoneel said:
This is likely an issue to some degree with 95% of the LCDs out there. Combine that with the fact that many people have poor color vision anyways and....The point is this is a fantastic deal on a set that doesn't have a lot of drawbacks. Its probably the best 32 inch HDTV you can get. Definitely in the top 3. You'll probably have to spend about as much, maybe more to get a monitor that beats it and it would still be smaller.
Click to expand...

I have the text issue on my Sammy LNT4071F. My Westinghouse 37" 1080P was much better at rendering text (without the blur), infact, it was downright comparable to an actual PC monitor. I should note, I don't get the text-issue when using VGA on my Sammy, only with the digital interfaces. Might be worth a try on the Panny's as well *shrug*

Sad I "upgraded". But if it doesn't bother you, then by all means, go for this thing. Like he said, it'll be on most TV's.
 
i hate living in costa rica, went to check out some lcd tv's for my bedroom and 26' anm 32' are going for $900-$1100 US!!!
 
HammerSandwich said:
I ordered mine from 6th Ave through Amazon on December 27th. It shipped on the 29th, and I received it on the 2nd.

Looks great, but it has the buzz...
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Can you hear it from 6 feet away?


and DAMN! This is the perfect TV for me and now it's back to like 850$, when it was 650$ T_T x9001

edit// The gloss on this screen doesn't reflect in a completely dark room right? Is it just like CRTs glossy types of screens?
 
If you want a consumer reports best buy, you could get what i'm using 37RV530U Toshiba Regza 1080p, with the game mode you never get motion ghosting, has no noticeable input lag, color is good though needs adjusting from the factory, it's a PVA panel so blacks are great. Newegg has it for $700 with free shipping. I use mine as a pc monitor via dvi to hdmi cable (1080p), use on PS3, and tv watching which surprising enough for a HDTV the SD is really quite good 8/10 on SD channels.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889253173&Tpk=37rv530u
 
itachi183 said:
Can you hear it from 6 feet away?

edit// The gloss on this screen doesn't reflect in a completely dark room right? Is it just like CRTs glossy types of screens?
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TC-32LZ800 buzz is like overclocking: every unit is different. Mine is barely perceptible from normal viewing position in a quiet room at 4 feet. If you plan to use it as a monitor, your PC would need to be SPCR reference level for LCD noise to be audible. However, there is much more noise above or behind the screen, making it clearly audible at 8 feet or so. IOW, your environment could produce very different results.

I haven't put a CRT beside the Panasonic, but that comparison sounds about right. I'm no fan of glossy screens, but this one is fine unless you want to view dark images with a fair amount of ambient light.

All told, I think the 37LZ85 might be a better choice at the right price.
 
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