Have your say & ask the experts

I've read a LOT of contradictory information about this. Some users complain about 3:2 pulldown in these models (and they have photos to back it up). Vendors tell you that the new PZ86 is better on this point (though they may be poorly informed).

On the other hand, http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/1404724/index.html seems to imply otherwise: they say the whole new range can "play it back without judder" and 24P Real Cinema only adds IFC to that, so presumably models like the PZ81E which does not have Real Cinema can still play it back at something like 2:2 or 4:4 pulldown. And then there is this post: 

Clare Newsome:

OK, here it is from Panasonic - are you ready:

ALL the 2008 sets (bar the entry-level 50hz LCDs, which use 2:2) use 4:4 pulldown for 24fps.

In addition, those 85/800 sets mentioned above (ie all 800 sets plus 85 series plasmas) use Intelligent Frame Creation, which interlaces new frames (ie isn't just a repeat on a 4:4 pulldown) with the aim of creating an even smoother picture. This IFC can be switched on or off as you prefer.

I'm also forwarding this thread to Panasonic so they can see all your feedback - and join in should they wish! 

Do you maintain what you said, and if so does it apply only to UK models (PZ81B) or to all European models (PZ81E)?

Thanks! Hopefully we can have a definitive answer on this.

Well that definitive statement came from Panasonic UK - i can ask them on Monday if it applies to B and E models.

OK, here's the statement from Panasonic UK:

"The PZ81B,  which is the UK Freesat model, also includes IFC and 24P Real Cinema.    We cannot speak for the PZ81E which is the French HD IDTV model, but this should not be confused with the UK models because it does not receive Freesat. "
 

Ok thanks. There's still one thing that bugs me: the PZ81E looks very much like the PZ80B (no IFC, no Real Cinema, but 24p Playback and 100 Hz mode), and you reviewed the PZ80B as having judder-free 24p playback. How on earth would you explain the PZ81E seemingly having trouble with 24p playback? It seems extraordinarily weird to me that they would disable such a feature, not to mention that (like the PZ80B) the PZ81E is mentioned as having "24p playback" and that their whole lineup is advertised as eliminating irregular pulldown.

Also, 60 Hz mode is kind of a "double jeopardy" : not only does it have more judder than true 24p, but it flickers much more than 96 Hz mode for people sensitive to flicker...

Just because a set looks alike, it doesn't mean to say it performs the same - we've often given different star ratings to varying models in a manufacturer's range, and we NEVER pre-judge based on tech-specs alone: performance (with a wide range of sources) is all.

Just one point here. 24p playback is not neccessarily judder free. The original 24fps film may itself have some judder, as seen when viewed in the cinema. 24p playback cannot remove this. It just does not introduce any extra judder, which you would have seen on last years models.

IFC and "24p real cinema" tries to make it even smoother.