Panasonic announced today a bevy of new models, with lots of different price points, sizes, and features.
All the details and our analysis after the jump.
Plasma
VT50 Series (Shown above)
At the top of the plasma offerings, the VT50 comes in two sizes: 55-(TC-P55VT50) and 65-inch (TC-P65VT50). They’re active 3D, have built-in WiFi, and are THX Certified. They feature an “Infinite Black Ultra Panel” and VIERA Connect with a web browser that runs Flash. As you can see in the picture, it features the “one sheet of glass” design found on last year’s VT30. We’re expect it to be a stellar performer, with black levels even better (albeit slightly) better than last year’s model.
GT50 Series
The next step down in the line is the GT50 Series, which will come in 50-(TC-P50GT50, etc), 55-, 60-, and 65-inch models. They’re active 3D, have an “Infinite Black Pro Panel,” built-in WiFi, VIERA Connect with a browser (like the VT50), and are THX Certified. The design is “glass and metal” with a “gradation metal” pedestal.
ST50
One step below the GT50 is the ST50, which will be available in 50-(TC-P50ST50, etc), 55-, 60-, and 65-inch models. Specs, as far as we’ve been given so far, are basically identical to the GT50. The design will likely be different, though. They’re also not THX Certified. Expect performance to be slightly less than the GT50.
UT50
With the UT50 Series, you’ll find 42-, 50-, 55-, and 60-inch (TC-P60UT50, etc) models. You’re still getting active 3D and VIERA Connect, but the UT50 models are WiFi-ready, and seem to lack the web browser of the upper models. There’s also only two HDMI inputs. Expect performance to be slightly less than the ST50, as it doesn’t feature that model’s “Infinite Black Pro Panel.”
XT50 Series
The 720p XT50 Series comes in 42-, and 50-inch (TC-P50XT50, etc) models. You don’t get VIERA Connect, instead there’s “Online Movies” a service that “provides select IPTV functionality by adding five of the most popular movies to the TV’s internet functionality.” Both models are 3D, though.
U50
The 50-inch TC-P50U50 is the only non-3D plasma Panasonic is offering for 2012. It’s 1080p and has VIERA Link (not Connect).
LCDs
WT50
Panasonic keeps pushing their LCD sizes upwards, this year with the WT50 series, available in 47-, and 55-inch (TC-L55WT50, etc) models. The 3D IPS-based LED LCDs feature “Super High Speed 1920 Backlight Scanning” and “New Clear Panel Pro.” VIERA Connect with web browser, and a “Super Narrow Metal Frame with a crescent stand.”
DT50
The DT50 Series comes in the same screen sizes as the WT50, and has roughly the same hardware specs, lacking the “Clear Panel Pro” and a featuring a different design.
ET5
Brace yourself… the ET5 Series is passive 3D. There are three models, 42-, 47-, and 55-inch (TC-L55ET5). The IPS-based LED LCDs have a “360 Scanning Backlight,” VIERA Connect, and come with 4 pairs of passive 3D glasses.
E50 Series
The E50s are the top of the non-3D lines. There’s 42-, 47-, and 55-inch (TC-L55E50, etc) IPS-based LED-lit models. There’s also a “360 Scanning Backlight,” VIERA Connect, and they’re WiFi-ready.
E5 Series
IPS and LED, but no VIERA Connect for the four models in the E5 Series. Instead it has the “Online Movies” feature mentioned above. The WiFi-ready models will be available in 32, 37, 42, and 47-inch (TC-L47E5, etc) models.
X5
Still IPS and LED, but the X5 is 720p and doesn’t have VIERA Connect. It’s 32-inches (TC-L32X5). There’s a 24-inch model, too.
U5
Leaving LED lighting, the U5 Series has a CCFL backlight, but it is 1080p. No VIERA Connect. There’s one model, the TC-L42U5 which is, if you haven’t seen the trend so far, 42-inches.
C5
Finally, there’s the C5. CCFL, 720p, no VIERA Connect.
While no pricing or availability info was given, expect the pricing to be in line with the order you see here (top most expensive, bottom cheapest, within each technology type). We’re expecting to see most models start shipping this spring.
Geoff Morrison @TechWriterGeoff
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Supposedly the new plasma panels will put out 50% more light (with 20% APL windows) than current models. Will this make a substantial, very noticeable difference (compared to the VT 30) with most program material in a dimly lit room? I assume that with somewhat lower MLL, and some increase max light output, these panels should have greater real world contrast and more “pop”, but is it enough to warrant waiting 6 months to buy one of the newer panels?
Thanks,
Wes
I wish we could get pictures of the TV’s on, so I can see what the bezels look like.
I wish there was more detail about PQ, is the TV BRIGHTER? That’s my biggest issue, fixes the dim picture AND most color issues.
I get a kick how “a lot” of people who HATED the designs of 2011 are posting (on other sites) how much they LOVE this year. Funny, the TV’s look basically the same LOL!
I can’t believe that in 2012, there are still 40″+ panels with 720p resolution.
Panasonic has introduced 6 series of plasmas and 8 series of LCDs, all with minimal and trivial differences. Come on Panasonic! Enough of the marketing garbage! (Samsung is the biggest offender with a multitude of models within a series).
Albeit for financial reasons, Sony is on the right track this year, with only 3 series; entry, mid and top end.
I can’t believe a site devoted to HDTVs didn’t hammer Panasonic over these “announcements.”
They didn’t seem to make any substantive claims about any of these TVs producing better image quality than their predecessors.
Totally unacceptable. We still need major improvements to reach the best pictures possible for existing HD standards. These still cannot produce black. They can’t produce anything like the number of colors in the spec (let alone the number of colors that human eyes can see). The plasmas are not bright enough for bright rooms. They still have some motion issues.
For them to forsake better picture for improvements in their stupid Vieracast is too frustrating for words. I don’t need the TV for connectivity. It makes far more sense to debundle and buy a separate solution, so when someone comes up with a better box, I can buy it for $200 rather than buying a new TV.
Panasonic makes monitors. That’s all I want. Better monitors. But the company seems to have taken a year off. Hell, it seems to have stopped working hard at improvements since Pio threw in the towel.
Unacceptable.