Panasonic’s ST60 models fall smack in the middle of their 2013 plasma line. Below it are entry level models and above it, the VT60 and ZT60 lines with a new drive system and every Smart feature Panasonic offers. The ST60 series is packed with the latest Smart apps, streaming services, Skype video (with accessory camera sold separately) a new GUI “home screen”, 3D and oh, the best overall image of any HDTV we’ve ever reviewed.
Read on for all the details.
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Ultra High Definition Television (UHDTV, or “4K”) packs four times the resolution of regular HDTVs. Until this week, they also came with ultra high prices.
The first models, introduced late last year, cost $20K-$25K. Samsung is offering an 85-incher for $40K. Sony’s 55-inch UHDTV is $5,000.
This week, Chinese TV maker Seiki (pronounced SAY-key), began shipping a 50-inch UHDTV for just $1,500. At Seiki’s NYC press meeting today they demonstrated it using UHD content. We got to check it out.
The question on everyone’s mind: How sharp did it appear? It’s so detailed; it’s more like looking through a window than a TV. Think of it as an iPad Retina screen on growth hormones.
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Less than one week after Sony announced its 55-inch Ultra High Definition TV will retail for $5000, Chinese TV maker Seiki Digital just introduced a 50-inch UHDTV that is street priced at $1299.99. It is available now for purchase. The Seiki UHDTV has an LED LCD edge lit panel with a rated 120 Hz refresh. More details after the break.
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Reports were published this week claiming Panasonic is pulling out of plasma TV panel development and its 2013 will be the last panels they will design. This statement was not made at this Tuesday’s Panasonic press event we attended. HD Guru reached out to Panasonic to confirm the story. A Panasonic executive just issued a response, stating Panasonic’s commitment to continue plasma research and development for its plasma HDTVs. Read the statement after the break.
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Updated 4/8/2013
Sony confirmed this week it will be shipping its 4K( UHD TV) media player now called the FMP-X1 at a retail price of $699. First announced at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas, the FMP-X1 provide UHDTV owners access to true 3840 x 2160 content. It will come pre-loaded with 10 Sony picture titles. Sony also confirmed the pricing of its 55-inch XBR-55X900A at $4999 and the 65-inch XBR65X900A at $6999 as we reported weeks ago.
Sony also announced the list of initial pre-loaded 4K titles, when its 4K download service will begin, along with a features list and shipping date of its new XBR900A UHDTVs. The details are after the break.
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Recently Vizio put up a special bulletin on its website stating a number of its 2012 60-inch E601i-A3
Vizio is offering a warranty part replacement on all the units with the bad chip assembly. Vizio will replace a recalled TV that has already lost its picture with a new unit (not a refurbished one as they customarily do) according to its customer service representative. Vizio HDTVs are sold by Amazon, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, BJs and Sam’s Club. All the recall details appear after the break.
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2013 represents two major changes in TV technology. 2013 model UHD TVs with four times the panel resolution of HDTV will be start shipping next month at prices below the $20,000-$25,000 range set by the 84-inch 2012 offerings. In the meantime, the next generation plasma TVs with HDTV resolution are arriving at retailers and Amazon. All announced 2013 UHDTV models are edge-lit LED LCDs (with the single exception of the 85-inch $40K Samsung). One would believe higher resolution will mean a sharper looking picture. However, that is not necessarily the case. The reasons appear after the break.
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Last week we paid a visit to Panasonic’s US headquarters to get our first post-CES look at Panasonic’s TC-P55VT60 plasma. Panasonic reconfigured its plasma TV line-up for 2013, making the VT series the next to top-of-the line of its new 60 series. In descending order it’s now the ZT, VT, ST
The VT includes numerous picture and feature advances over the 50 series. Read the details after the break.
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