The 2013 Panasonic plasma line-up has a number of significant changes from last year’s models.
The five series tops out with the ZT60. It has a new panel that incorporates a number of picture improvements including: direct attachment of the cover glass to the front panel glass eliminating an air gap and associated double images. We’ve been told this was last seen in the Pioneer Kuro models (when Pioneer left the plasma game, their IP and plasma engineers joined Panasonic). Other picture improvements include new Studio Master Panel with deeper blacks and brighter whites, a new faster Focused Field drive, a new front Louvre filter for more effective rejection of room reflections, new red phosphor and wider color gamut. The ZT60 won the HD Guru Best HDTV Award at the 2013 CES. All the new features and descriptions and prices are after the break.
TC-P65ZT60
65-inch $4,099 Available May
TC-P60ZT60
60-inch $3,499 Available May
Features
My Home Screen
My Home Screen provides instant access to your favorite Smart TV contents. The My Home Screen menu leads you to a wide variety of content in addition to TV, including smart apps, an Internet web browser, videos and photos. It provides complete access to everything as soon as you turn on the TV.
Selectable Apps
Selectable apps available from the My Home Screen menu include: Clock, Calendar, Weather, Reminder, RSS, Memo, YouTube, Skype, Facebook and more.
Voice Guidance
SMART VIERA Voice Guidance uses text to speech functions to verbalize text contents on TV. It works well for verbally reading out program information, SNS messages and web page contents.
Full HD 1920 x 1080p 3D Resolution
The display alternately shows images for the left and right eyes. The left and right lenses of the eyewear open and close in sync with this display timing to show separate images to your left and right eye. By repeating this action at high speed, the brain perceives 3D images. Plus, since the TV is compatible with a 1080p 3D signal and the panel has Full HD 1920 x 1080p native resolution, you’ll enjoy Full HD 3D images. Two pairs of 3D eyewear are even included.
2D to 3D Conversion in Full HD 1080p Resolution
With advanced 2D to 3D conversion technology, you can turn virtually any 2D content into crisp and clear Full HD 3D images. It allows you to turn ordinary TV broadcasts and recorded programs into exciting 3D content.
3000 Focused Field Drive
This original Panasonic technology detects image movements like the human eye, and optimizes the drive accordingly. By achieving instantaneously powerful light emission rather than finely divided emission, it reduces the afterimages that cause blurring. As a result, fast movement is reproduced with excellent clarity.
Studio Master Panel
Eliminates the air gap between the cover glass and front panel glass. Other enhancements to the panel and cells help reproduce images with smooth, national gradation and deep, rich blacks – even when viewed in bright surroundings. In movies, the true, deep blacks faithfully convey the intent of the filmmakers, adding realism to the viewing experience.
VIERA Connect Cloud-Based Internet Content Access
VIERA Connect provides cloud-based Internet content access. It brings you video-on-demand (VOD), catch-up TV, games, educational content and more – all through a wide range of apps. It affords virtually limitless content consumption from the comfort of your living room.
Built-In Wi-Fi with Easy-to-Understand Wireless LAN Settings
With built-in Wi-Fi, no additional equipment is needed to connect with an existing wireless router in your home network. Your Panasonic TV will automatically detect available networks and take you through an easy Wi-Fi setup process.
DLNA Certified
This DLNA-compatible TV makes content easy to share by linking equipment over a home network. Enjoy photos, movies, music and more in the living room, bedroom or any room in the house.
VIERA Remote 2 App
VIERA Remote 2 is a free app available for download to compatible iOS and Android mobile devices. It lets you use a smartphone or tablet as a second screen for watching private content or controlling the TV and adjusting TV settings. It provides intuitive tap and flick-based commands. Plus, it supports easy functions like Swipe & Share 2.0, which make the TV easier to use.
Swipe & Share 2.0
With Swipe & Share 2.0, you can use a one finger swipe to share and transfer video, photos, music contents and web pages between the TV and your smart devices by linking a smartphone or tablet to Panasonic’s Smart VIERA TV. You can also share content with friends and family. With a two finger swipe, you can easily save video, photos, music contents and web pages.
USB Media Player & SDXC Card Reader
Thanks to the triple USB ports, you can use a USB memory stick to enjoy previously saved music, photos and video clips using the TV. You can also add frames and other effects to your photos and videos, as well as create slide shows complete with background music. A wide variety of formats are supported, so you can play PC-based music files and Web movies right on your TV. You can also use the SDXC memory card reader for playing media files.
C.A.T.S. (Contrast Automatic Tracking System)
The C.A.T.S (Contrast Automatic Tracking System) feature automatically adjusts screen brightness according to ambient light. When the room darkens, it lowers the screen brightness and adjusts the image quality, resulting in both easier viewing and power conservation.
Mercury & Lead Free Eco-Friendly Panel
All VIERA plasma display panels are free of both lead and mercury. This reduces the impact on the environment years down the road when the TV is recycled or retired from use.
Long Panel Life up to 100,000 Hours
Thanks to an innovative phosphor process and rear panel process, this plasma panel will last for up to 100,000 hours before the brightness decreases by half.
Other Features
96 Hz Playback with 24fps sources
Supports 24p Smooth Film playback and 24p playback (3:2)
Full HD Active 3D
Dual built-in 5W front speakers and a 10W 75mm woofer (20W total)
Supports VR-Audio Pro Stage 2.1 for simulated surround sound
Supports Skype on TV with optional camera
Access to eHelp and Product Support Center
Electronic Touch Pen ready
VIERA Link and Bluetooth compatible
Web Browser with Flash
One Sheet of Glass design
HDMI connectivity with Audio Return Channel (ARC) support
30,720 Gradations
6,000,000:1 Contrast Ratio
VR-Audio Pro Stage 2.1 Side Speakers
Voice Interaction
Touch Pad Controller w/MIC
Smart Calibration (via App), Contrast Ratio
Improved Front Filter
Dual Core Processor w/Hexa-Processing Engine
THX 3D/2D
New Pure Red Phosphor
98% of DCI Color Gamut VR-Audio Pro Stage 2.1
2D-3D w/Face Detection, Side Speakers
ISFccc Advanced Calibration Options w/Day and Night Modes
2 Pairs of active 3D glasses
Connections
3 HDMI, 3 USB, 1 component video/composite video, Ethernet jack and SDXC card slot
The VT60 uses the Infinite Black Ultra panel in place of the air-gapless Studio Master panel in in the ZT. Panasonic adds a built-in Skype HD Camera. Other features are similar between the two series.
TC-P65VT60
65-inch $3599.99 Available around March 30
TC-P60VT60
60-inch $2999.99 Available around March 30
TC-P55VT60
55-inch $2599.99 Available around March 30
My Home Screen
Selectable Apps
Voice Guidance
Full HD 1920 x 1080p 3D Resolution
2D to 3D Conversion in Full HD 1080p Resolution
3000 Focused Field Drive
Infinite Black Ultimate Panel
VIERA Connect Cloud-Based Internet Content Access .
Built-In Wi-Fi with Easy-to-Understand Wireless LAN Settings
DLNA Certified
VIERA Remote 2 App
Swipe & Share 2.0
USB Media Player & SDXC Card Reader
C.A.T.S. (Contrast Automatic Tracking System)
Mercury & Lead Free Eco-Friendly Panel
Long Panel Life up to 100,000 Hours
96 Hz Playback with 24fps sources
Supports 24p Smooth Film playback and 24p playback (3:2)
Full HD Active 3D
Dual built-in 5W front speakers and a 10W 75mm woofer (20W total)
Supports VR-Audio Pro Stage 2.1 for simulated surround sound
Skype on TV with built-in camera
Access to eHelp and Product Support Center
Electronic Touch Pen ready
VIERA Link and Bluetooth compatible
Web Browser with Flash
One Sheet of Glass design
HDMI connectivity with Audio Return Channel (ARC) support
30,720 Gradations
6,000,000:1 Contrast Ratio
VR-Audio Pro Stage 2.1 Side Speakers
Voice Interaction
Touch Pad Controller w/MIC
Smart Calibration (via App), Contrast Ratio
Improved Front Filter
Dual Core Processor w/Hexa-Processing Engine
THX 3D/2D
New Pure Red Phosphor
98% DCI Color Gamut
VR-Audio Pro Stage 2.1
2D-3D w/Face Detection, Side Speakers
ISFccc Advanced Calibration Options w/Day and Night Modes
2 Pairs active 3D Glasses
Connections
3 HDMI, 3 USB, 1 component video/composite video, Ethernet jack and SDXC card slot
Save On The Best Selling HDTVs
TC-P65ST60
65-inch $TBA Available around April 20
TC-P60ST60
60-inch $1699.99 Available around April 20
TC-P55ST60
55-inch $1499.99 Available around April 20
TC-P50ST60
50-inch $1149.99 Available around April 30
My Home Screen
Selectable Apps
Voice Guidance
Full HD 1920 x 1080p 3D Resolution
2D to 3D Conversion in Full HD 1080p Resolution
3000 Focused Field Drive
Infinite Black Pro Panel
VIERA Connect Cloud-Based Internet Content Access .
Built-In Wi-Fi with Easy-to-Understand Wireless LAN Settings
DLNA Certified
VIERA Remote 2 App
Swipe & Share 2.0
USB Media Player & SDXC Card Reader
C.A.T.S. (Contrast Automatic Tracking System)
Mercury & Lead Free Eco-Friendly Panel
Long Panel Life up to 100,000 Hours
Supports 24p Smooth Film playback and 24p playback (3:2)
Full HD Active 3D
Dual built-in 5W front speakers and a 10W 75mm woofer (20W total)
Supports VR-Audio Surround 2.1 for simulated surround sound
Skype on TV with optional HD Camera
Access to eHelp and Product Support Center
Electronic Touch Pen ready
VIERA Link and Bluetooth compatible
Web Browser
HDMI connectivity with Audio Return Channel (ARC) support
12,288 Gradations
5,500,000:1 Contrast Ratio
Fast Switching Phosphors
VR-Audio Pro Stage 2.1 Side Speakers
Smart Calibration (via App),
VR-Audio Pro Stage 2.1
2D-3D
2 Pairs active 3D Glasses
Connections
3 HDMI, 3 USB, 1 component video/composite video, Ethernet jack and SDXC card slot
TC-P65S60
65-inch $1699.99 Available around April 20
TC-P60S60
60-inch $1299.99 Available around March 30
TC-P55S60
55-inch $999.99 Available around March 30
50-inch 
TC-P42S60
42-inch $729.99 Available Soon
1080p Full HD Resolution
4,000,000:1 Contrast Ratio
VIERA On-line Movies
Built-In Wi-Fi
DLNA Certified
VIERA Remote 2 App
Swipe & Share 2.0
USB Media Player
C.A.T.S. (Contrast Automatic Tracking System)
Mercury & Lead Free Eco-Friendly Panel
Long Panel Life up to 100,000 Hours
Supports 24p playback (3:2)
Access to eHelp and Product Support Center
Electronic Touch Pen ready
HDMI connectivity with Audio Return Channel (ARC) support
6,144 Gradations
Connections
2 HDMI, 2 USB, 1 component video/composite video, Ethernet jack
TC-P50X60
50-inch $549.99 Available around April 30
TC-P42X60
42-inch $399.99 Available around April 30
1024 x 768 Resolution
3,500,000:1 Contrast Ratio
USB Media Player (MKV/MP4,MP3/DTS,JPEG)
Mercury & Lead Free Eco-Friendly Panel
Long Panel Life up to 100,000 Hours
Supports 24p playback (3:2)
HDMI connectivity with Audio Return Channel (ARC) support
6,144 Gradations
Connections
2 HDMI, 1 USB, 1 component video/composite video
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