My PV80 impressions...
DVD performance/Bd Performance:
Using the humble Pioneer DV-410v connected via HDMI, it really stood out from other units* in-terms of color accuracy and depth. Watching the PV80 display movies was really pleasant to the eye, with it's rich and deep blacks, it even strangely outperformed the PV8 in terms of clarity and over-all picture quality. I don't really know why... Panasonic claims that both the PV80 and PV8 have the same video tech specs, but the PV80 was brighter than the PV8, without compromising the black levels we've come to love with our plasma t'v's.
For Blu-Ray, I was amazed at how this particular model manages "film grain". Using the "KINGDOM OF HEAVEN" as reference, it still displays gain, but to a level where it's was not as noisy as I saw it with the LCD LX80, and it's little brother the PV8, and I was watching this at torchy "Dynamic mode". I'm not bashing the LX80 and the PV8, because I'm still happy with those two unit's, it's just that for me - The PV80 is the PV8 refined and the LX80 redefined!
PS3 performance:
The colors depth of the PV80 betters the 3-D images of my favorite video game console. Dark areas are amplified and colors are spot on accurate, blood is as red as it should be, and you could almost feel the concrete walls of the current game environment. Gaming input performance should not worry you because the PV80's input accuracy rivals that of the Samsung A550 on "game mode", but of course with superior picture quality. The only down side to this unit (which is common place with any plasma) would be the annoying "green trails" you'd see when you go first person and do quick pans of the area. This issue is a matter of personal choice, if you prefer subtle motion blur's go with an LCD, but if you can live with the "trails" then stick with plasma. If you'll be playing fighting games or plat formers, then the PV80 is more than an excellent gaming t.v, but if FPS games are your thing (Glad it's not mine) you may want to skip plasma all together, those green trails will become more evident and may ruin the pretty visuals this display churns out.
Cable performance:
I'm connected to SKYCABLE using cables that are more than 3 years old and still the PV80 delivers picture that is close to the quality of my ever reliable Philips CRT. This part of my observation is quite subjective because we may just have good cable signal from where I live. No clear cut advantage over other brands here.
Image Retention and Burn-in's:
This model is not I.R proof, as a few hours of gaming already resulted in a slight after image on-screen, but that was no cause for alarm, it washed away with regular T.V viewing. Channel logo's also cleared up with full screen dvd play.
Final words:
I've not spent enough time with the PV80 to give out a solid conclusion, but from where I stand, and from how it performed thus far, I could honestly say - YES! The PV80 rocks harder and I do look forward to the next level of plasma experience with a PY800 or 850 this coming season. But if ever that does not materialize,I won't really be disappointed.This unit is already a winner and a definite long term keeper! (T.V shopping ends here, for now)
Thanks to Vic of SIGHTS AND SOUNDS for another stellar delivery and product assistance.
*Units used as basis for comparison
Samsung A550 "FULL HD TV"
Samsung R8 "Considered as one of the best LCD's to come out of the year 2007"
Panasonic LX80 "Considered by many around here as the definitive LCD"
Panasonic PV8 "The bang for the buck plasma"
Toshiba CV500 "The solid middle ground performer"
