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 I was invited to the Panasonic Hollywood Labs yesterday on the Universal Studios lot in Universal City, California for a close-up look and demonstration of Panasonic's 2009 Blu-ray Disc player and plasma/LCD HDTV slate, including the industry’s first dual VHS/Blu-ray and portable models. (see related report) While Panasonic featured several new LCD HDTVs in the 26- and 37-inch size category and discussed some of the technology that will distinguish their LCD displays from others, the real interest was the new line of plasma HDTVs featuring advanced technology. Many of the models shown were already announced at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. All total there are 17 models in the 2009 lineup, all but two are full-HD 1080p models. Fifteen of the models use Panasonic's latest generation Neo PDP plasma panels. These panels deliver higher luminous efficiency and lower power consumption. The high end Z1, V10, and G10 series models offer VIERA Cast™ Web connectivity. The top-of-the-line TC-P54Z1 ($5,999), a 54-inch diagonal display measuring slightly less than one inch in thickness was supposed to be at the showing but lost in shipping. The Z1 offers deeper blacks and a native contrast ratio of 40,000:1. The Z1 features WiHD™ wireless connectivity with full-HD 1080p uncompressed performance. The 54-inch size panel will be featured in three lower-priced VIERA HDTVs (V10, G10, and S1 series) that will retail for $2,700, $2,400, and $2,200, respectively. These new models offer some breakthrough innovations such as 600 Hz Sub-field Drive and Infinite Black panel with improved native (40,000:1) and dynamic contrast ratios. Resolution frame rate is selectable at 24, 48 and 96 frames per second. Ten subfields per field comprise the 600 Hz Sub-field Drive (60 fps x 10 = 600) At the low end of the lineup is the TC-P42X1, a 42-inch 720p plasma HDDTV that retails for $899. The step-up S1 and V-10 models offer 1080p resolution. All-in-all Panasonic continues to show an impressive commitment to high-performance video quality with a focus on plasma technology. The company continues to innovate plasma technology, and I expect that Panasonic is set on designing plasma displays that represent the state-of-the-art in flat-panel technology.
Tags:
- equipment -
- Panasonic -
- plasma -
- Z1 -
- V10 -
- G10 -
- S1 -
- Neo PDP -
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