Panasonic revealed its 2007 HDTV line in NYC last week. There are a number of improvements incorporated within its new models. Here is the breakdown:

Plasma HDTVs

2007 models have a new grid structure that has thinner walls than the previous generation (the grid is an egg crate shaped structure that house the phosphors that create light in a plasma TV). By reducing the thickness of the walls, the lit area is increased resulting in a 25% improvement in brightness over its respective 2006 models according to a Panasonic spokesman.

Panasonic 2007 plasmas have an all black finish. The entry-level 75 series houses the speakers in the bottom bezel while all the step-up models place the speakers to the sides.

The 75 series come in 42” (1024 x 768 resolution) and 50” size (1366 x 768 resolution). They have two HDMI inputs.

The 77 series has both screen sizes available and adds an Anti-Glare screen coating made up of fine particles of silica (according to a Panasonic spokesperson). This produces a dull satin finish similar to the appearance of a LCD flat panel. The result, reflections caused by room lamps and windows are practically eliminated.

The 700 series panels are all 1920×1080 resolution. The TH-42PZ700 is the industry’s first 42” full 1080p panel. 700 series will also be available in the 50” and 58” screen sizes. Added features include: “Gallery Player” allowing purchase and display of digital copies of famous works of art and photos via the built-in SD card reader. (For more information go to www.galleryplayer.com) and an anti-reflective coating to reduce room reflections (its not the same as the anti-glare matte coating on the 77 series)

The 750 series include 50”, 58” and 65” models. The 750s add a third HDMI input and H.264 movie playback via SD card (such as video recorded on Panasonic still cameras according to a spokesperson).

The series adds Studio Reference Mode which according to the Panasonic release “provides the consumer with the exact color reproduction as seen on the reference monitors used in film editing studios, resulting in the exact colors and expression intended by the film makers.” According to a spokesperson it also includes a dynamic gamma control. In addition, there is a Pro Setting Mode that “allows the consumer to professionally calibrate the set, plus there are three HDMI connections and a unique black chrome ornament cosmetic.”

Also scheduled for late June release is a TH-65Z750U ($8999) a 65” display with the same features as the other 750 models with two major exceptions. The TH65Z750U does not come with a stand or speakers, they are extra cost options. The HD Guru refers to this model as a “Temonitor” since all televisions should have built-in speakers.

Not mentioned in the press release is the unavailability of CableCARD in any of the 2007 models. Instead, cable subscribers will need to obtain an HD cable box to view any scrambled high and standard definition cable content. All models have a QAM/ATSC digital tuner for over the air and unscrambled cable content.

All 2007 plasma accept 1080p signals.

The 37” plasma size has been discontinued. If you want a Panasonic plasma with CableCARD or in the 37” size, you may want to consider a remaining 2006 model.

Here is the model list from the press release

Model Features Availability and Suggested Retail
TH-58PZ750U Limited Distribution: 1920x1080p
resolution, Built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM
tuners, H.264 (movie playback) on
SD, Studio Reference Mode, Pro
Setting Mode, 3 HDMI inputs,
EZ-Sync, Anti-Reflective (AR)
Coating, Gallery Player June 2007 $5499.95

TH-50PZ750U Limited Distribution: 1920x1080p
resolution, Built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM
tuners, H.264 (movie playback) on
SD, Studio Reference Mode, Pro
Setting Mode, 3 HDMI inputs EZ-Sync,
Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating,
Gallery Player June 2007 $3999.95

TH-58PZ700U 1920x1080p resolution, Built-in
NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, SD Memory
Card slot, 2 HDMI inputs EZ-Sync,
Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating,
Gallery Player April 2007 $4799.95

TH-50PZ700U 1920x1080p resolution, Built-in
NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, SD Memory
Card slot, HDMI inputs EZ-Sync,
New Cosmetic, Anti-Reflective (AR)
Coating, Gallery Player April 2007 $3499.95

TH-50PX77U 1366 x 768 resolution, side firing
speakers, SD Memory Card slot,
2 HDMI inputs, EZ-Sync, Anti-Glare
coating, Gallery Player April 2007 $2799.95

TH-42PZ700 1920 x1080 resolution, side firing
speakers, SD Memory Card slot, 2
HDMI inputs, EZ-Sync, Anti-Reflective
coating, Gallery Player June 2007 $2499.95

TH-42PX77U 1024 x 768 resolution, side firing
speakers, SD Memory Card slot, 2
HDMI inputs EZ-Sync, Anti-Glare
coating, Gallery Player April 2007 $1799.95

TH-50PX75U 1366 x 768 resolution, SD Memory
Card slot, 2 HDMI inputs EZ-Sync,
Gallery Player March 2007 $2499.95

TH-42PX75U 1024 x 768 resolution, SD Memory Card
slot, 2 HDMI inputs EZ-Sync, Gallery
Player March 2007 $1599.95

Carried over from 2006
TH-65PX600U 1920x1080p resolution, Built-in
NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, CableCARD slot,
SD Memory Card slot, HDMI inputs with
HDAVI-Control, TV-Guide Available
now $9,999.95
TH-103PZ600U 1920x1080p resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio;
5,000:1 contrast ratio; effective display
area of 89.3″ x 50.2″ Available
now $69,999.95

Rear Projection HDTVs

Panasonic announced availability of its 2007 line of microdisplay rear projectors. All models are now using 3 LCD panels rather than a single DLP chip. The big news is the “LIFI” projection lamp that provides almost instant on (about 10 seconds) and very long life. Conventional UHP type lamps used in all other lamp driven rear projectors require up to sixty seconds to reach full brightness.

Panasonic back the long life claim with a 5-year warranty on the lamp. Here are the features of the 720p LCX70 series and the 1080p LCZ70 series. The LCX70 models are available 56” and 61” screen sizes. The LCZ70 HDTVs will be available with 50”, 56” and 61” screens.

As with the plasmas, CableCARD is not offered in any of the rear projectors.

Additional features of the LCX70 Series include:

· LIFI Light Source
· New 0.69” 720p LCD Panel
· All Black Cosmetics
· 3,000:1 Contrast Ratio (Target)
· 400cd/m2 Brightness (56” Target)
· Full Range Speaker System (20W output)
· HDMI (Front 1, Rear 2)
· PC Input
· SD Card Slot
· EZ Sync™

Additional features of the LCZ70 Series include:

· LIFI Light Source
· New 0.74” 1080p LCD Panel
· Piano Black Cosmetic
· 3,000:1 Contrast Ratio (Target)
· 400cd/m2 Brightness (50” Target)

· Full Range Speaker System (20W output)
· HDMI (Front 1, Rear 2)
· PC Input
· SD Card Slot
· EZ Sync™

Panasonic LIFI HD MD-PTV 2007 Models
Model Description SRP Availability
PT-56LCX70 720p LIFI HD-TV $1699.95 April 2007
PT-61LCX70 720p LIFI HD-TV $1999.95 April 2007
PT-50LCZ70 1080p LIFI HD-TV $1799.95 May 2007
PT-56LCZ70 1080p LIFI HD-TV $1999.95 May 2007
PT-61LCZ70 1080p LIFI HD-TV $2399.95 May 2007

LCD Flat Panel HDTVs

Panasonic announced three new models to its LCD flat panel television line. The top of the line TC-32LX700 features Alpha IPS (In Plane Switching) for wide viewing angles (compared to some other LCD panels) and 120Hz (versus 60HZ on the other models) for reduced blur when viewing fast action and sports programming. The 2007 line-up is completed with the TC-32LX70, and the TC-26LX70.

MODEL FEATURES AVAILABILITY and SUGGESTED RETAIL
TC-32LX700 32” diagonal 16:9 widescreen HDTV 720p, 1080i, 480p, 480i video in, HDMI with HDAVI Control, 1366 x 768 display capability, Alpha IPS, Motion Picture Pro, SD card slot March, 2007 $1199.95
TC-32LX70 32” diagonal 16:9 widescreen HDTV 720p, 1080i, 480p, 480i video in, HDMI with HDAVI Control, 1366 x 768 display capability April, 2007 $999.95
TC-26LX70 26” diagonal 16:9 widescreen 720p, 1080i, 480p, 480i video in, HDMI with HDAVI Control, 1366 x 768 display capability April, 2007 $799.95

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