panasonic

Those anticipating the arrival of large screen OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) HDTVs will be pleased with the news that The Nikkei has reported that Panasonic and Sumitomo Chemical will be co-producing 40-inch or larger organic EL (OLED) HDTVs. They are planing to start production in 2010 with the target of having a 10,000 yen/inch (US$100/inch) HDTV by 2015.

The HDTV is expected to consume a miserly 40W which promises some impressive power savings as a 40 inch LCD (CCFL backlit) will consume somewhere in the order of 225W. Additionally, the HDTV is expected to be only 3mm thick and with a brightness over 20 times that of a plasma display.

Previously Panasonic has stated that production lines at its new IPSalpha Himeji plant (scheduled to commence operation in 2010) will also serve as a possible base for future development of large-sized Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) TVs.

[via JCHNetwork]

The Panasonic PT-AE3000U is a winner if you are looking for value for money home theatre projector. It has the latest technology and features and has gained some excellent hands-on customer feedback including a perfect 5/5 score on Amazon at the time of writing.

The Panasonic PT-AE3000U is 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) native resolution for the very best picture, without scaling, of Blu-ray DVDs. Contributing to excellent picture quality are the high brightness of 1600 ANSI lumens and a truly impressive contrast ratio of 60000:1. The PT-AE3000U is based on the popular 3LCD projection engine known for brighter images and more natural colors. The impressive contrast ratio is achieved with the assistance of Panasonic’s fifth generation intelligent iris system which determines the brightness level of each image then optimally adjusts the lamp power, iris and gamma curve.
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The Panasonic TC-32LX85 720p LCD HDTV has proved to be the most popular of this Panasonic VIERA LCD HDTV range which also includes the 26 inch TC-26LX85, 37 inch TC-37LZ800 and TC-37LZ85 as well as the 32 inch TC-32LZ800 and TC-32LX85.

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Both Panasonic’s PZ750U model plasma HDTVs have a 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) native resolution. As expected of a plasma HDTV, they have an excellent contrast ratio of 5,000:1 combined with a plasma panels natural ability to provide excellent image clarity for fast moving action video footage. Although was released some two years ago the PZ750’s are best selling plasma HDTVs with Amazon and continue to get positive customer reviews.

To minimize the effect of ambient light on picture quality, the display has an anti-reflective coating. Not everyone can sit directly in front of the HDTV and the PZ750U’s have a fairly generous 160-degree horizontal/vertical viewing angle. For those concerned about the energy consumption of larger HDTVs, both models are Energy Star compliant.
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Panasonic’s PT-AE2000U is 3LCD, Full HD projector has a performance which will please a home theater enthusiast. It has also become a popular purchase for gaming. For those enthusiasts who like to tweak picture adjustments, this projector comes with some professional level features. However, it also comes with pre-set modes for a great picture at the press of a button.

The Panasonic PT-AE2000U packs plenty of brightness for a home theater projector, able to pump out up to 1,500 lumens. The contrast ratio is high at 16,000:1 (full on/full off, AI mode with Dynamic Iris on)providing for more detail in darker scenes which are prevalent in games. Excellent set-up flexibility is provided by wide horizontal and vertical lens shift ranges and a zoom lens.
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The Panasonic PZ850U VIERA 1080p Full HD plasma models (TH-58PZ850U, TH-46PZ850U, TH-50PZ850U and TH-65PZ850U) are the top of the 2008 range of Panasonic plasma HDTV models. The PZ850 models are referred as the Web Enabled models as they come with VIERA CAST which provides broadband Internet access to some of the most popular content sites on the Internet – YouTube, Google’s Picasa Web Album, Weather Channel and Bloomberg. The PZ850 series also offers extensive picture adjustment features. However, it should be noted that the Panasonic PZ850U models do not have the THX Display certification of the PZ800U models.

The PZ850 models same base specification (see below) as the recently reviewed, entry level PX80U models with the following additions and differences.
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The Panasonic PZ800U VIERA 1080p Full HD plasma models (TH-50PZ800U, TH-46PZ800U and TH-42PZ800U) have the same specification and the recently reviewed PX80U models with the following upgrades to bring them further up-market;

Video Specification Upgrades

• Higher 1080p vs 720p resolution.
• Native contrast ratio is higher at 30,000:1 vs 15,000:1 making it better than excellent.
• Higher Shades of Gradation at 5,120 vs 4,096 lessens the likelihood of any tidemark like, false contouring when the transition between color shades is too abrupt.
• 24p Cinematic Playback is a special mode for showing 24fps movies at the speed they were shot for smoother motion. See the testing notes in the Resources section below.
• THX Mode
  THX mode could be an easily overlooked addition but, it is a significant one. It means that these Panasonic models have undergone THX Certification which means they must meet a wide array of benchmark standards including contrast, color, de-interlacing and black levels to name only some. All THX Certified Displays feature THX Mode which optimizes the viewing experience by providing a single button calibrated video setting adjusting the display’s gamma, luminance, color temperature and other settings some of which may not even be accessible through on-screen menus.

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The Panasonic PZ85U VIERA models 1080p Full HD plasma (TH-50PZ80U, TH-46PZ80U and TH-42PZ80U) have the same specification and the recently reviewed Panasonic VIERA PX80U models except for the following differences;

• 1080p vs 720p
• Contrast ratio is higher at 30,000:1 vs 15,000:1
• PC Input Mini D-sub 15-pin x 1 (rear)
• Audio Input (for PC)

Resources

Other 2008 Panasonic plasma models to consider….

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The Panasonic PZ80U VIERA models are identical to the PX models (TH-42PX80U and 50 inch TH-50PX80U) except for;

• Higher full HD 1080p resolution,
• Higher 20,000:1 contrast ratio and
• An on and off sleep timer.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Visit Amazon for competitive prices and user reviews of

Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ80U 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ80U 46-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ80U 42″ 1080p Plasma HDTV

Extended Service Plan

Check with Butterfly Photo for price comparisons.

Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ80U 50″ 1080p Plasma HDTV TH50PZ80U

Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ80U 46″ 1080p Plasma HDTV TH46PZ80U

You can also visit Newegg.com for prices and reviews of

Panasonic VIERA 50″ 1080p 480Hz Plasma HDTV w/3 HDMI - TH50PZ80U

Panasonic VIERA 46″ 1080p 480Hz Plasma HDTV w/Anti-Reflective Filter TH46PZ80U

Panasonic VIERA 42″ 1080p 480Hz Plasma HDTV w/ 3 HDMI TH42PZ80U

Check prices at Buy.com also

TH-50PZ80U 50 HD 1080P PLASMA

Resources

TH-42PZ80U operating instructions (PDF)
TH-46PZ80U operating instructions (PDF)
TH-50PZ80U operating instructions (PDF)

Other 2008 Panasonic plasma models to consider….

If you’d like a higher contrast ratio of 30,000:1 (from 20,000:1) contrast ratio and having a PC input then consider the Panasonic PZ85U plasma models.

Moving up to the Panasonic PZ800U models you also gain a swivel base, THX Certification, 24p Cinematic Playback, BBE VIVI HD3D Sound, a HDMI input, increased shades of gradation and the one sheet of glass design.

If you like the idea of adding even more features including VIERA Cast IPTV Capability, Studio Reference Mode, Pro Setting Menu, RS-232C conncetion, AVCHD/MPEG2 playback, H.264 codec and Digital Cinema Color while missing out on THX Certification then you should look at the Panasonic PZ850U models.

Alternatively, if a still well featured base model plasma with 720p resolution and 15,000:1 contrast ratio will fill your needs then the PX80U models are for you.

See the base specification for all 2008 Panasonic plasma models below.

Compare the specifications of the PZ850U, PZ800U, PZ85U, PZ80U and PX80U side-by-side.

Base Specification for Panasonic 2008 Plasma Models

• 1,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• 480 Hz Sub-field Drive Technology
• Anti-Reflective Filter
• Viera Link HDAVI Control
• SD Card Slot w/ Photo Viewer/Gallery Player
• Deep Color Technology
• x.v. Color
• 3D Color Management
• Sub Pixel Controller
• Motion Pattern Noise Reduction
• Anti-Image Retention Mode
• Game Mode
• 3 HDMI Inputs
• Tough Under Force Panel: Provides high resistance to impacts and scratches
• Panel Life to Half Brightness of 100,000 Hours to (8 Hours/Day = More than 30 Years)
• Panels is Lead Free

Both Panasonic’s PX80U model plasma HDTVs are 720p high definition (1024 x 768 pixels). The attraction of these entry level models to Panasonic’s plasma HDTV range, apart from their lower cost, is the excellent contrast ratio of 15,000:1 combined with a plasma panels natural ability to provide excellent image clarity for fast moving action video footage. The Panasonic VIERA models are named after their image processor which digitally processes each individual scene for optimum image quality.

A sibling premium Panasonic plasma model, 42 inch TH-42PZ700U was recently 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 pre-eminent 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. The technology and features for the PX80U models include the same picture quality features including Anti-Reflective Filter, Deep Color Technology, x.v. Color, 3D Color Management, Motion Pattern Noise Reduction and Game Mode. The Z700U models do have a higher 1080p definition and a native contrast ratio of 30,000:1.
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