Microdisplay Rear Projection
Panasonic had interesting new entries into the rear projection market with a two series of LCD rear projectors. The LCX70 series is 1280 x 720 resolution with 3 (new) .69†LCD chips. The LCZ70 series uses 3 new .74†LCD chips providing full 1920 x 1080 HDTV resolution.
The big news is an all new lamp developed by Panasonic that provides just 10 seconds to full brightness (as opposed to current UHP lamps that take up to one minute to reach full output. Panasonic claims this new lamp technology will not get dimmer as it ages and will not need replacement.
Here are excerpts from the Panasonic press release with specifications
By converting HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps to LIFI, the models experience an especially long life span with brightness that will never fade, eliminating the need for lamp replacement. When the electrodes in HID lamps deteriorate and the tungsten evaporates, it causes diminished brightness, as well as damage to the lamp itself. The light source in the Panasonic LIFI HDTV does not use electrodes, resulting in more stable performance and a longer lifespan. Additionally, Panasonic’s LIFI technology projects a wide variety and spectrum of light, allowing for the most radiant reds, greens and natural skin tones.
The start-up time for a Panasonic LIFI HDTV is a fraction of the time it takes for a traditional LCD projection set to start-up. This is because the light source does not use electrodes and the LIFI bulb is 1/8 the size found in an HID lamp, so the temperature rises more rapidly, enabling a faster start-up. The actual time from the moment the set is turned on until there is a picture is now reduced from 60 seconds or more to approximately 10 seconds.
With a longer lifetime, the LIFI HDTV series offers the same performance as an LED model, but at a lower price point. The LIFI lamp generates less scintillation noise than traditional HID lamps, and the invisible speakers marry impeccable design with high-quality sound. Using the device’s remote control, users can easily enjoy EZ Sync™-enabled products such as Blu-ray players.
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 (50†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 TBA April 2007
PT-61LCX70 720p LIFI HD-TV TBA April 2007
PT-50LCZ70 1080p LIFI HD-TV TBA May 2007
PT-56LCZ70 1080p LIFI HD-TV TBA May 2007
PT-61LCZ70 1080p LIFI HD-TV TBA May 2007
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7 Comments
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Confused as usual. I just purchased an OPPO DVD player that upscales to 1080P. The receiver I am looking at also provides upscaling to 1080P. The TV I want has the ability to scale. How does one know what piece of equipment is really affecting the picture on the screen or which one to adjust, if necessary. Thanks again for a great site.
What is your opinion of a separate scaler, such as the DVDO iscan HD.After coming accross this unit I understand that it upconverts older technology to newer, but am unsure as to how that affects an older receiver. I probably am simplifing the issue so any help would be appreciated.
You can only get the full benifit of an external scaler if you TV has a method to completely bypass its internal scaler. This is usually an aspect ratio listed as dot by dot or thru put or a similar heading. Check your owner’s manual to see if any mode gives you 100% of the image.
If the TV does not have a pixel per pixel “mapping” the signal will be going through two scallers before it reaches the screen, which usally will not provide an image improvement.
The HD GuruÂÂ
I have recieved a Panasonic HDTV (PT-53W42)& not clue how to operate it. One question please.
I do not have Cable/Satelite but can I still enjoy HDTV broadcasts from the local chanells if they are bradcasting the HD signal. Do I need a seperate tuner?
I could not find a Panasonic with that model number. If it is really a PT-53WX42 it has no built-in digital tuner. You would have to purchase one or rent a HD cable box from your provider.
The HD GuruÂÂ
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So we got one competition to LED, who’s gonna win?
I think China :-)
I have Panasonic model PT-50LC14. Can the new bulb be used in this model?
Thank You, Jim S.
I don’t think so. The new bulb works differently and requires different circuitry to fire it up.
The HD GuruÂÂ
The lamp is actually made by Luxim. I imagine that they could be put into other manufacturers TV’s if they choose to use them. However, I don’t think that they can be retrofitted to existing RPTVs.
Will these new bulbs be usable with other rear projection sets or only with these special Panasonic sets?
Only Panasonic
HD GuruÂÂ