As well as our recent stories about Panasonic’s first passive 3D TVs and new large-screen LED TVs, we though you’d probably be interested in getting the details of Panasonic’s full TV range for 2012. So here goes…
On the plasma side of things, the entry level models are the X50 series. These come in 50in and 42in sizes (Panasonic has scrapped its 46in plasmas this year), and feature 600Hz sub-field driving, a game mode, two HDMIs, a media player, and one USB port. They’re also HD Ready in resolution rather than full HD; don’t use one of Panasonic’s latest neoPlasma panel designs; and are the only 2012 Panasonic plasmas not to support 3D.
The XT50 series is up next, and which adds both active shutter 3D and Panasonic’s Viera Connect online system, complete with a Web browser. It also supports DLNA networking, adds a second USB, and is a higher contrast panel than the X50 – though it’s still not one of Panasonic’s latest neoPlasma efforts.
Panasonic P55VT50: It's big and, yes, it's clever.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this series is that they’re the first active 3D plasma TVs from Panasonic that only enjoy an HD Ready rather than a full HD resolution.
The UT50 series is up next. Again this is available in 42in and 50in sizes, but now both models feature full HD resolutions to go with their active shutter 3D compatibility.
They also up the sub-field drive rate to 2000Hz thanks to faster-switching phosphors. This should improve motion handling as well as, potentially, the amount of shadow detail and colour gradations visible during dark 3D scenes.
Where things really get exciting is with the ST50 series. For these 42in, 50in, 55in and 65in models all use the latest Panasonic plasma panel design, with its much increased brightness and efficiency. They also offer 2000Hz subfield driving, an improved contrast filter, full HD active 3D playback, built-in wi-fi and a third HDMI. The 65in model is particularly promising, as this is the first time Panasonic has introduced a 65in model to anything other than its flagship range, resulting in a highly attractive price for the 65ST50 of around £2,500.
After the success of last year’s GT30 series, it’s a bit of a surprise to find the GT50 series only containing two models: a 42in and a 50in. These differ from the ST50 series by upping the sub-field drive to 2500Hz, introducing THX specification, and perhaps most significantly of all, they introduce a Dual Core Pro4 processor, which enables improved picture quality and multi-tasking with the set’s ‘Smart’ online functions.
This processing continues, of course, into the flagship VT50 series, which comes in 65, 55 and 50in iterations. This features the top tier of Panasonic’s 2012 plasma technology, adding a best-quality contrast filter, 24,576 steps of colour gradation, ISF calibration compatibility, a touch-pad controller, Bluetooth, and a 4th HDMI to the spec of the GT50s. It’s the only plasma series, too, which ships with two pairs of active 3D glasses included for free, and also features a distinctive ‘one sheet’ glass design.
Turning our attentions to the LCD TVs, at the bottom of the pile is the X5 series. Available in 19, 24 and 32in versions, these are HD Ready (except the full HD 24in model) LED TVs with media players and USB ports.
Panasonic DT50 series.
Stepping up from these you get to the E5 series, available in 32in, 37in, 42in and 47in versions. These all use IPS panels for wider viewing angles and 150Hz backlight scanning for higher motion resolution, as well as offering DLNA support, Panasonic’s Viera Connect online service, and four HDMI terminals.
The ET5 series, meanwhile, represents Panasonic’s cheapest 3D LCD option for 2012, using passive 3D technology as noted in our earlier story. These sets are available in 32in, 37in, 42in, 47in and 55in versions, and all come with four pairs of passive glasses included in the price.
The ET50 series, in 42in and 47in sizes, represents Panasonic’s entry-level active 3D proposition, using screens driven by ‘800Hz’ systems (200Hz plus a four times blinking backlight) and one of Panasonic’s wide viewing angle IPS 3D panels. These sets also sport built-in wi-fi to make it easier to access Panasonic’s new Viera Connect online service, or the set’s DLNA functions. You can record to USB HDD via the the USB ports, too.
The step up DT50 series is for us arguably the most interesting of Panasonic’s new LED ranges. They come in 42in, 47in and even 55in sizes, and up the ‘scanning’ to 1600Hz (200Hz refresh rate screen combined with a backlight that blinks eight times a frame). They feature high-contrast panels too, as well as enhanced audio.
The flagship WT50 LED Series, meanwhile, are also available in 42in, 47in and 55in sizes, and significantly these are the only LED models with dual-core processors to offer multi-tasking ‘Smart’ functionality and more powerful video processing.
Their design is also far and away the nicest thing Panasonic has ever delivered on a TV, with its ultra-slim bezel and crescent-shaped stand. The WT50 sets also offer even better sound and contrast performance.
So there you have it: The key info on arguably the most inventive and diverse TV range Panasonic has launched for years. Needless to say, we can’t wait to get our hands on review samples in the next few weeks…
