CES 2010 Report and Analysis-Part 2 Panasonic 

Panasonic unveiled its new line of 3D plasma HDTVs, along with its 2010 plasma and LCD flat panels at International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month.

3D Plasma

Panasonic’s record setting 152″ 4K (4,096 x 2,160 pixels)  prototype plasma panel, fresh from its new plasma factory, made an impressive 3D demonstration. In addition, Panasonic displayed a number of 50″ 1080p plasma Full HD3D (FHD3D) TVs around its booth.

Without providing a release date or pricing, Panasonic supplied specifications and features of its four screen size 3D offerings within the top-of-the line VT25 series. All employ frame sequential 3D technology used in conjunction with shutter type glasses. Panasonic served a variety of 3D content including clips from Avatar as well as a demo loop from DirecTVs 3D satellite channel.

Panasonic’s 3D sets wowed CES attendees with their impressive 3D presentation, free of visible crosstalk (ghosting), motion blur or flicker. The V25s and glasses sync up the left and right eye views via an infrared beam from the TV at a refresh rate of 120 Hz (60 frames per second per eye).

Panasonic boasts a number of picture improvements in its plasma technology that help produce  outstanding 3D images. They include:

High Speed Drive

To achieve 120 fps rate with the same brightness as earlier generation 60 Hz displays, Panasonic developed high drive speed, which enables more rapid panel illumination while maintaining image brightness.

Crosstalk Reduction Technology

New phosphors and circuits allow the red and green phosphors to shorten their decay time by 66% preventing overlap of the left and right images (crosstalk), which is seen as ghost images.

High Precision Eyewear Control

A Panasonic sync circuit momentarily closes both shutters on the 3D glasses, while simultaneously creating a blanking interval (black screen) on the plasma TV to eliminate alternate eye light leakage, thus producing clearer 3D images.

Plasma HDTV

In addition to its VT25 and VT20 3D series (more below) Panasonic introduced five other plasma series: G25, G20, S2, U2 and C2. The top four series (VT25, VT20, G25, G20) get Panasonic’s newest Neo PDP plasma panel, which boasts a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The panel construction is very similar to Pioneer’s Kuro design and is the first Panasonic plasma design aided by former Pioneer plasma engineers.

Improvements include: four times the luminous efficiency compared to Panasonic’s 2007 panel, meaning it requires just one-quarter the power to produce the same brightness level. This development results from a new, deeper cell design, revised electrode placement, new gas mixtures and faster decay phosphors. Panasonic adds a new black layer too. Examining the photos (above) of the Panasonic (top) and Pioneer (bottom) plasma cell structures, one can clearly see the similarity.

Other features for 2010 include:

VIERA CAST internet connectivity widgets and content now adds services from Netflix, Pandora, Twitter and Fox Sports to its Amazon Video, Picassa, YouTube, Bloomberg and Weather Channel offerings. In addition, Panasonic’s new entries now permit use of an optional wireless LAN adapter via the USB inputs, as well as the ability to make Skype video calls with an optional video camera. Buyers can also add a keyboard for easier Tweets. ISFccc picture calibration capability is also included in select models.

THX Certification assures exacting standards are met for uniform luminance (brightness) and color, low black levels, real world high contrast ratios, accurate HD color gamut, proper gamma, full HD resolution and high quality scaling.  Below are Panasonic’s descriptions of the new models and associated features, with new information culled by HD Guru.

VT25 Series

Includes four screen sizes ranging from 50-inches to 65-inches – the TC-P65VT25 class (64.8″ measured diagonally), the TC-P58VT25 class (58″ measured diagonally), the TC-P54VT25 class (54″ measured diagonally) and the TC-P50VT25 class (49.9″ measured diagonally). One pair of 3D Eyewear is included. In addition to providing 3D viewing, the VT25 series features the enhanced VIERA CAST service with Wireless LAN Adaptor ready on its USB port, video call capability, VIERA Image Viewer to view JPEG digital still images and HD video recorded on an SD Memory Card; VIERA Link, a PC input, two USB Ports, THX certification and THX Movie Mode, 24p cinematic playback, 600Hz Sub-field Drive (produces 1080 TV lines of moving picture resolution), Infinite Black Pro display with 5,000,000:1 native contrast, high efficiency Neo PDP plasma panel,  four HDMI connections a RS232C connection and ISFccc capability. In addition, these TVs incorporate new phosphor science that allows the TV to switch more quickly, to produce a smoother 3D image. As with all the Panasonic Plasma HDTVs, the Full HD 3D models have a panel life of up to 100,000 hours and are mercury and lead free.

The VT25 series, like the now discontinued Pioneer Kuros and the 2009 TC-P54Z1 has just two sheets of glass, instead of three (a second top sheet) found in all other previous plasma HDTVs. This new configuration cuts down on image degrading internal reflections while increasing contrast. The VT25s also add a new anti-reflective coating bonded to the top glass that dramatically reduces glare from external light sources hitting the screen. (see graphic below).

The V25s allow the judder free viewing of 1080p/24fps 2D sources (Blu-ray and some satellite programs) at 96fps (frames per second). No word yet on the display rate of 48fps 3D movies on new Blu-ray discs.

VT20 Series

The VT20 Series is available in the 50″ screen size as the TC-P50VT20. It is 3D capable and like the VT25 models includes one pair of 3D eyewear. All features and specs are identical to the VT25 except the omission of ISFccc capability and the RS232 interface.

G25 Series

The VIERA G25 series includes the TC-P54G25, a 54-inch class HDTV (54″ measured diagonally), the TC-P50G25, a 50-inch class HDTV (49.9″ measured diagonally), the TC-P46G25, a 46-inch class HDTV (46″ measured diagonally) and the TC-P42G25, a 42-inch class HDTV (41.6″ measured diagonally). The G25 series features improved VIERA CAST functionality, video call capability(2), THX certification and THX Movie Mode, and VIERA Image Viewer for playing back digital still JPEG images and AVCHD videos recorded on an SD Memory Card and VIERA Link for improved networking. In addition to allowing the user to utilize all VIERA Link capable components (including an optional Panasonic security camera) with a single remote, the G25 line features a PC input and two USB ports, allowing for Wireless LAN Adaptor connectivity and the addition of a keyboard. The G25 series provides 1080p resolution, Infinite Black display with 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio (using the same two sheet Neo PDP glass design found in the VT25 and VT20 models), full-time 1080 TV lines of moving picture resolution, 600Hz Sub-field Drive and like all Panasonic 2010 VIERA HDTVs, contains no lead or mercury and has a long panel life – up to 100,000 hours before achieving half brightness.

G20 Series

The VIERA G20 series includes the TC-P54G20, a 54-inch class HDTV (54″ measured diagonally) and the TC-P50G20, a 50-inch class HDTV (49.9″ measured diagonally). Like the G25, the G20 series features improved VIERA CAST functionality, video call capability, THX certification, and VIERA Image Viewer for playing back digital still JPEG images and AVCHD videos recorded on an SD Memory Card and VIERA Link for improved networking. In addition to allowing the user to utilize all VIERA Link capable components with a single remote, the G20 HDTVs feature a PC input and two USB ports, allowing for Wireless LAN Adaptor connectivity and the addition of a keyboard. The Neo PDP 2 sheet plasma glass design of the G20 series provides 1080p resolution, Infinite Black display with 5,000,000:1 native contrast, full-time 1080 TV lines of moving picture resolution, 600Hz Sub-field Drive and like all Panasonic 2010 VIERA HDTVs, contains no lead or mercury and has a long panel life – up to 100,000 hours before achieving half brightness. The sole difference between the G25 and the G20 series is the omission of the ability to connect a Panasonic security camera.

S2 Series

The VIERA S2 series consists of six models , a 58-inch class model (58″ measured diagonally) – TC-P58S2 and a 65-inch class model (64.8″ measured diagonally) -TC-P65S2, in addition to the TC-P54S2, a 54-inch class HDTV (54″ measured diagonally), TC-P50S2, a 50-inch class HDTV (49.9″ measured diagonally), TC-P46S2, a 46-inch class HDTV (46″ measured diagonally) and the TC-P42S2, a 42-inch class HDTV (41.6″ measured diagonally). Key features of the S2 series include 1080 TV lines of moving picture resolution, which eliminate traditional HDTV motion blur. The S2 series also includes VIERA Link and the VIERA Image Viewer. Other features include 1080p Full HD resolution, 2,000,000:1 native contrast using a three sheet (top cover glass) Neo PDP panel, 600Hz Sub-field Drive and an anti-reflective filter. The S2 series contains no lead or mercury in the panel and the TVs have a lifespan of 100,000 hours. The S2 series feature Clean Touch bezel,*designed to keep the TV bezel looking its best with less fingerprints.

The 42″ and 50″ S2 models have a depth of 3.7″.
(* except for 58 and 65 inch class.)

U2 Series

Panasonic’s VIERA U2 series will be available in two screen sizes – the TC-P50U2, a 50-inch class HDTV (49.9″ measured diagonally) and the TC-P42U2, a 42-inch class HDTV (41.6″ measured diagonally). The U2 line of VIERA Plasma HDTVs feature 600 Hz Sub-field Drive, VIERA Image Viewer for viewing digital still JPEG images, three HDMI connections, VIERA Link and 1080p Full HD resolution. The panels are lead and mercury free and are rated up to 100,000 hours, at which time they will achieve half brightness. The U2 and C2 series do not use the new Neo PDP panels

C2 Series

The C2 series presents a line of 720p plasma HDTVs that help Panasonic deliver on its promise to satisfy consumer demands for differing HDTV resolution options. The TC-P50C2, a 50-inch class HDTV (49.9″ measured diagonally), TC-P46C2, a 46-inch class HDTV (46″ measured diagonally) and the TC-P42C2, a 42-inch HDTV (41.6″ measured diagonally) offer spectacular picture performance with a 600Hz Sub-field Drive that delivers razor-sharp resolution, VIERA Image Viewer for viewing and sharing digital photos with friends and family, music slideshow functionality, and VIERA Link. Like the other members of the 2010 Panasonic VIERA HDTV line the C2 series contains no lead or mercury in the panel and the TVs have a lifespan of 100,000 hours.

LED LCD D2 Series

Panasonic’s top of the line VIERA LED-LCD D2 series features two 1080p Full HD models – TC-L37D2, a 37-inch class (37” measured diagonally) HDTV and the TC-L42D2, a 42-inch class (41.6” measured diagonally) HDTV. The LED method of backlighting the LCD panel allows for the HDTVs to become extremely thin and offers a wider color gamut than traditional back-lit LCDs, which use fluorescent bulbs to provide the light source. Combined with the IPS panel, the viewing angle is improved, contrast is also improved and there is lower power consumption. The D2 series also features the proprietary Universal Dock for iPod®; the VIERA Image Viewerâ„¢ to view digital still JPEG photos; VIERA Linkâ„¢, – a technology that utilizes HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) and allows a consumer to operate all VIERA Linkâ„¢ compatible A/V components using only the TV’s remote control; a PC input; 24p Smooth film; 120Hz motion picture Pro 4; four HDMI connections and Clear Panel.

All the following LCD series use CCFL backlights.

U25 Series

Panasonic’s TC-L42U25, a 42-inch class (42.0″ measured diagonally) HDTV, is a 1080p Full HD Resolution HDTV whose features include 120 Hz Motion Picture Pro 4; 24p Smooth film; VIERA Image Viewer to view digital still JPEG images; VIERA Link; three HDMI connections and a PC input.

U22 Series

This series presents three screen sizes – the TC-L42U22, a 42-inch class (42.0” measured diagonally) HDTV; the TC-L37U22, a 37-inch class (37” measured diagonally) HDTV and the TC-L32U22, a 32-inch class (31.5” measured diagonally) HDTV. The U22 series of LCD HDTVs features 1080p Full HD Resolution; VIERA Image Viewer to view digital still JPEG images; VIERA link; three HDMI connections and a PC Input.

X2 Series

This series are all 720p resolution displays and include the Universal Dock for iPod in its three screen sizes and introduces a new 22-inch screen size – TC-L37X2, a 37-inch class (37”measured diagonally) HDTV; TC-L32X2, a 32-inch class (31.5” measured diagonally) HDTV and TC-L22X2, a 22-inch class (21.6” measured diagonally), HDTV. In addition to the Universal Dock for iPod, the X2 models include the VIERA Image Viewer to view digital still JPEG images; VIERA Link; three HDMI connections and a PC Input.  Improvements to iPod Dock make it easier to use with iPhone and iPod Touch. TC-L32X2 and TC-L22X2 feature Clean Touch bezel, designed to keep the TV bezel looking best with less fingerprints.

C22 Series

Consists of two screen sizes – the 37-inch class (37” measured diagonally) TC-L37C22 and the 32-inch class (31.5” measured diagonally TC-L32C22. Both are 720p HDTVs and feature VIERA Image Viewer to view digital still JPEG images; VIERA Link; two HDMI inputs and a PC input

Edited by Michael Fremer

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