Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Review
Form and Function: A Guide to the New Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
If you’re looking for a large, aesthetically pleasing, high-performance plasma TV, look no further than the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV. This product has earned consistently great ratings from users, and was voted the “best plasma HDTV” by Consumer Reports. It has also earned top marks on Amazon.com, and is listed as “Certified and Recommended” by Sound and Vision Magazine.
In addition to its stellar user and industry reviews, this is also one sexy TV. The narrow, side-set speakers blend right in, and hidden compartments stash your controls and inputs. When you add this to the shiny black surround, you get a sleek, streamlined look that will fit seamlessly with any décor. It comes with a pedestal, but can also, of course, be wall-mounted for a more space-effective display. Read more
Panasonic Launches All-in-One 3D HDTV
Lately, Panasonic has been leading the market in the sales of 3D HDTV sets, and it has released several 3D Blu-ray players and HDD recorders, too. That, however, is not enough, for this premier HDTV manufacturer. Rather, Panasonic is also planning on manufacturing a product that combines all these three, called the Panasonic Viera RT2B 3D.
The Panasonic Viera RT2B 3D comes in two screen sizes – 42 inches and 46 inches – both of which come equipped with a 3D Blu-ray player, an HDD recorder with a 500GB hard disk – a combination which makes it easy to play 3D videos and even record them – as well as a built-in rechargeable Lithium ion battery that can be used for about 30 hours per charge.
Both also offer a full 1080p resolution and a contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1. They come with a pair of special active shutter glasses, too, that is available in three sizes – small, medium and large.
These HDTVs will be available in Japan starting August 27, though it is expected that they will not come cheap. In fact, the 46-inch model may be priced for more than $5000 when it becomes available in the US, which is yet to be announced.
Panasonic Announces Release of Industry’s Largest 3D HDTV Screens
Today’s HDTVs currently range from 40 inches to 65 inches in terms of diagonal screen size but Panasonic is thinking much bigger with its announcement of a full suite of large format full HD 3D Plasma displays to be available by January 2011.
Its largest HDTV will measure 152 inches – the Panasonic TH-152UX1 – with a resolution of 4096 x 2160 and a 17:9 display. Its price is estimated to be around $500,000 – too heavy for consumers, which are not its target anyway, but should be affordable for the government, advertising and healthcare industries and order commercial establishments. It can also be used in corporate environments and screening rooms.
The other models, the 103-inch TH-103VX200U and the 85-inch TH-85VX200U will retail for $65,000 and $45,000 respectively. The TH-152UX1 has a full 3D engine while the other two are 3D-capable.
Panasonic’s 3D HDTVs for consumers, spearheaded by the TC-P50VT20, which were released in March, are also doing well. In fact, Panasonic made a move to boost production in order to meet consumer demands both in the US and in Europe last May.
Skype Now Live On Panasonic And Samsung HDTVs
True to their promise, select Panasonic and Samsung HDTVs are now Skype-enabled, allowing users to make voice and video calls using their HDTV.
As of this month, viewers can now enjoy Skype on Panasonic VT25, VT20, G25 and G20 plasma models as part of the Viera Cast interactive suite. The VT25 and VT20 Viera models offer full 3D capability and WiFi access while the G25 and G20 series offer 1080p resolution and a THX certified display.
On Samsung, Skype is being offered on the C7000 and C8000 series – both LED TVs, though the C8000 offers local dimming and the C7000 is edge-lit. The C8000 series is also 3D-ready and comes with Samsung’s new innovative touchscreen remote control.
In order to avail of the service, though, users will have to buy a special webcam. The one for Panasonic is available from its official site and US retail stores for a price of $170 while the one for Samsung, made by Freetalk, can be bought at the Skype Shop for $150.
Panasonic was the first to partner up with Skype, making the announcement back in January during the CES, while Samsung promised its HDTVs would be embedded with the same feature in February.
LG also announced the Skype feature last January and is said to offer it in 26 LCD and plasma models later this year.
Panasonic 3D HDTV On Sale At Best Buy
Panasonic’s first 3D HDTV, the 50-inch TC-P50VT20, is now on sale at Best Buy stores in the United States.
For a price of $2,899.99, the Panasonic Viera TC-P50VT20 offers amazing picture quality, with deep blacks, accurate colors and superb motion resolution. It also offers the proprietary VieraCast interactive features and excellent connectivity with four HDMI inputs.
The best thing about the TC-P50VT20, of course, though is its 3D technology. Although it cannot upconvert 2D content into 3D content like some Samsung sets, it efficiently delivers clear 3D motion, with even more impressive effects than its competitors.
A pair of RealD active shutter 3D glasses is included, which comes with a neck strap and two nose bridges while fitting nicely inside a handy plastic box. The glasses can be purchased for $150 each, for those who need more than one, and are not compatible with Sony, Samsung and Vizio sets, which provide their own 3D glasses.
The first set was sold to a couple named Brad and Ashley in a press event.
Panasonic Presents HDTV Lineup for 2010
Going 3D is the trend of the year for HDTVs and Panasonic is not one to be left behind. For its 2010 HDTV lineup, Panasonic presents two full 3D HDTV series, along with seven brand new Plasma HDTV series, six LCD HDTV series and two LED-lit series.
The V25 and V20 Full 3D HDTV series both have a THX-certified display so viewers can truly bring home the cinematic experience, as well as one of the deepest black levels around and Viera Cast web entertainment. The V25 series also snagged the Best of CES 2010 Award.
The flagship G25 and G20 Plasma HDTV series carry a 1080p resolution, while also offering a THX display, infinite blacks, Viera Cast and Viera Image Viewer, its built-in SD card reader. The S2 series is also full 1080p.
The U2, C2, S24 and X24 series constitute the rest of the Plasma lineup and are all equipped with a 600Hz Sub-field drive for enhanced motion resolution.
The D2 and D24 series contain Panasonic’s LED-lit displays, all of which offer a 178-degree viewing angle, Viera Image Viewer and Viera Link. The D2 LED HDTVs offer a 120Hz refresh rate and an iPod entertainment kit.
For those who prefer LCD HDTVs, Panasonic finishes up its 2010 lineup with the U22, U25, X2, C22, S24 and X24.
Panasonic has also recently teamed up with Skype, saying that its Viera Cast-enabled HDTVs will be allowing consumers to make calls using their HDTVs in the near future. This will be part of the new Viera Cast IPTV, which also now includes Twitter updates as well as access to FOX sports, YouTube videos and Picasa web albums.
