All Panasonic PZ700U model plasma HDTVs are Full HD with a 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and have an Integrated ATSC tuner. Notable features, other than the display performance, are; EZ Sync HDAVI Control for one touch remote control of multiple home theater components, picture sharing with the built-in SD memory card slot and a good range of connectivity options. The only difference in specification between the 700 series models is the screen size.

The Panasonic 700 series has received extensive positive press for their display quality including black levels, contrast (5000:1) and accurate shadow detail. In fact, the 42 inch TH-42PZ700U has recently been announced as a 2008 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award honoree in the Video Displays category. Consumer electronics products competing in CES (Consumer Electronics Show) are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade press with the most impressive products in each category are selected as honorees.

Common to all the Panasonic series plasmas is a utility function called pixel wobbling which imperceptibly, to the human eye, shifts the image displayed one pixel at a time. Phosphor based displays are suspect to burn-in which is due to display areas being used more frequently than others having a lower luminosity than those surrounding.

Panasonic have recently announced that it has managed to eliminate lead from the production of plasma display panels. Lead oxide has glass has previously been used as a key constituent of various components such as the dielectric layer and electrodes. Its removal has been an advancement which has led to some performance improvements as well as a more environmentally friendly product.

Panasonic’s 700 series plasma screens have an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare. The coating is designed to reduce the amount of external light reflecting from the display surface without affecting light emanating from the display. Traditionally LCDs have had a matte anti-glare finish to scatter any reflected light. Panasonic’s move away from the matte is because of its tendency to increase blur, and reduce contrast ratio, color intensity and viewing angle.

One feature that is missing from the Panasonic series that some consumers might expect is picture-in-picture (PIP).

Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)

Panasonic’s EZ-Synch is a branding of the Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) which is an optional feature of HDMI which Panasonic has implemented to provide global control all CEC-enabled peripherals using one remote. CEC will allow up to ten devices to discover and communicate with one another through HDMI cabled network. Individual AV devices can control each other utilizing CEC. For example, closing the DVD tray could trigger the DVD player to switch the TV on, select the correct video source on the TV and set the appropriate video and audio modes for playback.

Connections

With everyone taking pictures in digital format, Panasonic’s inclusion of a slot for SD and miniSD (with adapter) cards makes perfect sense. By simply plugging in your digital camera’s memory card you can quickly be viewing a slideshow of your jpeg digital photos on the widescreen plasma display using Panasonic’s Photo Viewer software. The range of connection options includes; two HDMI inputs, 3 (2 rear, 1 front) Composite Video inputs, 3 (2 rear, 1 front) S-Video inputs, 2 rear Component Video inputs and a PC Input (RGB-VGA) Mini D-sub 15-pin (rear).

Resources

Panasonic’s FAQ’s for Plasma TVs

Operating Instructions for TH-58PZ700U

Compare Panasonic VIERA Plasma HDTVs

Customer Reviews and Price Comparisons

The Panasonic 700U model plasma HDTVs have received an excellent 4.5/5 average rating from Amazon customer reviews. Read the reviews and check the prices for;

Panasonic TH-42PZ700U 42-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic TH-58PZ700U 58-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Ratings and customer reviews on Newegg.com are also very positive. For prices and to read the reviews see;

Panasonic Viera 58″ 1080p Plasma HDTV TH-58PZ700U
Panasonic VIERA 50″ 1080p Plasma HDTV TH50PZ700U
Panasonic Viera 42″ 1080p Plasma HDTV TH-42PZ700U

Check the competitive price from Buy.com for the Panasonic TH-58PZ700U – 58 Widescreen Plasma HDTV – 5000:1 Contrast Ratio – Black

Panasonic 700U 1080p Plasma HDTV Specification

Technorati Tags: EZ Sync, Consumer Electronics Control, CEC