As expected, Panasonic introduced new 1080p plasma displays at CEDIA this past week. Models include the more affordable TH-42PZ77 and the TH-50PZ77.
Scheduled to ship this month, the new 42-inch and 50-inch class plasma HDTVs have SRPs of $1799.95 and $2799.95 respectively. The differences between the 77 series and the higher end 1080p models are: 2 HDMI inputs, full range speakers, with less power output ( versus separate woofers and tweeters) and an anti-glare screen coating versus anti-reflective coating. The 10th generation plasma panels are identical to the ones found in the Panasonic PZ700 series
Anti-glare screens have a dull finish that diffuses the reflection of bright objects in the room such as windows and lamps. Anti-reflective screen coatings are shiny, and filter specific frequencies of light, diminishing reflections. The shiny finish improves picture contrast, while the dull anti-glare coating, by comparison tends to slightly lower image contrast. Most LCD HDTVs have a similar dull anti-glare coating.
The thinking behind the new coating is that some potential buyers feel that LCD has an advantage regarding reflections of room lights and windows and the inclusion of anti-glare provides the same amount of reflection protection as the most LCD HDTVs.
Interestingly, Samsung has introduced its “Super Clear†shiny anti-reflective coating on some of its LCD models, to improve contrast, in place of the dull anti-glare finish on most of its LCD HDTVs.
Panasonic also displayed the 65†TH-65PZ700 ($8999) with a release of October, according to a Panasonic spokesperson
Copyright ©2007 Gary Merson/HD Guru™. All rights reserved. The content and photos within may not be distributed electronically or copied mechanically without specific written permission.
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I just bought the 42pz700u and I have one slight problem. Everything works great except the audio. The TV makes a rattling/buzzing noise every time the speakers have to process bass. I was wondering if this was common and if so why. This is my second TV. I took the first one back assuming it was defective. Thanks in advance.
Is there a simple summary of the Panasonic product codes (i.e. PZ700 vs PZ750U etc)..
Guru, you mention that they also showed the 65†TH-65PZ700 ($8999). Two questions on this:
1) Why PZ700 instead of PZ750U like the other high end plasmas in their lineup?
2) Can you comment on your impressions of the display quality for the 65″ model?
This is great news, HDGuru!
I was pretty set on buying one of the new JVC premium 898-series 1080p 120hz LCDs that are releasing now, but they are a higher price than these plasmas.
The reason is because I tend to suffer eye fatigue, and/or get dizzy sitting too close to a normal, anti-reflective, glossy-type plasma screen [seen at a local friend’s house], but have no problem viewing LCD images that use an anti-glare matte finish glass screen, like my 2-year old Sharp Aquos.
So, with these two new Panasonic plasmas that feature a similar anti-glare screen to that of LCDs, I’m now going to pursue with interest the new 42″ 1080p plasma that’s $1799.95.
Perhaps by Black Friday (after Thanksgiving) my local Fry’s dealer will have it for about $1500, although after I get a chance to view it’s image quality soon I might not wait till then to make a purchase of my first plasma.
Again, this is great news, and I’m really excited to see these newly developed dull, anti-glare plasma screens arriving soon from Panasonic.
Note: my local Circuit City has one of the newer Panasonic 58-inch 1080p panels on display, and it’s image quality is better than anything else in the store.