http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/tvs/panasonic-announces-affordable-1080p-plasma-tvs-296975.php

oOo... Thoughts comments???

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF ITS INDUSTRY LEADING 1080P PLASMA LINE

More Affordable 1080p Plasma TVs in 42", 50" Class Screen Sizes Now Shipping

DENVER, CO (September 6, 2007) - Panasonic, the market and technology leader in Plasma HDTVs, announced today at the opening of the 2007 CEDIA convention, that it has expanded its already industry leading line of 1080p High Definition Plasma TVs, to include two new, more affordable models - the TH-42PZ77 and the TH-50PZ77. Scheduled to ship this month, the new 42-inch and 50-inch class Plasmas have SRPs of $1799.95 and $2799.95 respectively.

The introduction of the PZ77 series increases Panasonic's already deep line of 1080p Plasmas to eight - the widest selection of Plasma TVs in the industry - and further demonstrates Panasonic's industry leadership and cutting edge technology in big screen Plasma entertainment. The two new 1080p TVs join the critically acclaimed 700 and 750 series providing consumers with a wide selection of Plasmas with the highest, to date, possible resolution. Panasonic's top rated Plasmas are available in 42-inch, 50-inch, 58-inch and 65-inch class models, all of which include the unique SD memory card slot, a feature that allows consumers to view images from an SD Memory Card on the big screen Panasonic Plasma, rather than the camera's small screen or a computer monitor.

"CEDIA is the perfect environment to introduce Panasonic's expanded line of 1080p Plasmas," stated Dennis Eppel, Vice President, Panasonic Display Company. "Custom installers are a very important part of our business and with this in mind we are confident that the depth and outstanding picture quality of Panasonic's Plasmas will meet and exceed the installer's requirements. In the end, Panasonic's commitment to providing the highest quality ensures that we will continue to meet consumer desire for a High-Definition lifestyle."

The TH-42PZ77 and TH-50PZ77 feature more than two million pixels and have a resolution of 1920 x 1080, with a contrast ratio of 10,000:1. The two latest additions to Panasonic's 1080p Plasma line also feature an anti-glare screen coating and a jack pack that includes two HDMI inputs, three S-video inputs, three composite video inputs and two component video inputs. The PZ77 series also incorporates an automatic pixel wobbling function - as does the entire 2007 Plasma line - for anti-image retention. The PZ77 series also features EZ-Sync™, a technology that links Panasonic consumer home entertainment and video products to allow seamless control of the entire system using only one remote and the unique SD Memory card slot.
"Panasonic's 2007 line of 1080p Plasmas produces crisp, clear images with a wide viewing angle so that the superb picture can be seen from any seat in the home environment," added Eppel. "We've been the market leader for the past three years and as the saying goes - the proof is in the pudding. Quite simply, Panasonic's Plasmas produce beautiful pictures and with our recent announcement of an extended life span of 100,000 hours to half brightness, these 1080p TVs are the perfect technology for a variety of entertainment options, from gaming to viewing sports and movies."

Berlin, Germany
Panasonic introduced new lower priced 1080p HDTVs in the 42 and 50 inch sizes. Both use the same 10th generation 1920 x 1080 pixel panels found in its 700 series. The new European 70 series achieves a lower price by eliminating the front HDMI jack, (leaving two rear HDMI connections), a built in 20 watt stereo speaker system using full range drivers (versus 31 watts and separate woofers and tweeters in the 700 models) and the 70 series keeps the SD card slot but losses the AVC HD playback. The 42” retails for 1999 Euros. We will have to wait for this week’s CEDIA show in Denver to learn about US pricing and availability. Panasonic also introduced a TH-65PZ700 1080p 65-inch model. Unlike last year’s US model, this plasma comes with built-in stereo speakers.

Panasonic also introduced a European model 2007 37” plasma (1024 x 720). Panasonic discontinued the US version earlier this year.

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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Im still trying to find out what "affordable" means.

They boast a higher contrast ratio and lower price...must be something different that makes it cost less to manufacture.

Looks like they don't have the upgraded sound systems and it looks like they lack a PC input that the PZ700/750 had but thats not a big deal because you can connect a PC via the HDMI and it works perfect.

I'm guessing that it's the PX77 + 1080p display. That's just my guess, I haven't gotten the specs on it yet, so don't quote me!

Are they for the Canadian market aswell?

Im still trying to find out what "affordable" means.

They boast a higher contrast ratio and lower price...must be something different that makes it cost less to manufacture.

The other option is that they are planning to phase out the old 700's, but the press release implied that these new models are "in addition too" rather than "instead of".

I hope Jungle Monkey is right about the features that were dropped. I'd be willing to part with those for 200 clams.

Do you guys think there will be a 58" display as well?

Looks like they don't have the upgraded sound systems and it looks like they lack a PC input that the PZ700/750 had but thats not a big deal because you can connect a PC via the HDMI and it works perfect.

I want to beleive this, because then for people that simply want a superior upgrade in quality, but dont care about losing some of those inputs to make it "more affordable" but so far i'm a little miffed. I mean, ok the contrast is higher (hopefully that will mean an improvement on the odd dimness of the 700u people complained about) but is that it?

Superior IR features would be cool, but they already said it has the same pixel wobbling stuff the other 2007 models do (and besides most places these days pretend the technially is fool proof, so they really coouldnt say they "improved" it any more).

Dam this is making me wait now lol.

I have a 50" PZ700U on order to be delievered at the end of the month...I think I am going to cancel it and get the TH-50PZ77.

I was set to buy the panny tomorrow till I seen this

I was set to buy the panny tomorrow till I seen this

The thing is the store I got my set from had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned the new set(I understand it just came public)...I will have to go down there myself and re-order the new set,

The thing is the store I got my set from had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned the new set(I understand it just came public)...I will have to go down there myself and re-order the new set,

pfeh, i've found that the ultimate electronics store near me has the best staff, and they still havent really heard of the Samsung 81's (ok, at this point they have, but only as an item that will be stocked soon, they have no idea what i really am talking about when i aks about "the new samsung LCD's that are about to come out").

One really has to do their homework before they go get a set...I have learned/educated myself soooooo much from this board. The people on here are so helpful and provide great insight. I feel more educated than some of the sales reps I have dealt with.

These two models will definitely shake up the game. We can guess that street price will be below the 700U's...

Chris

I was already a little bummed (but not surprised) at the price drop Panasonic enacted a few weeks after i bought my 42PZ700U, but now i'm also bummed that i didn't wait a month so i could have checked out the anti-glare properties of this TV. I like the idea of a 1080p panel housed in the nice low/wide PX77 cabinet and a much less reflective screen than i have now with the PZ700.

I do wonder though if the Anti-Glare coating takes anything away from the image. When i compared the PX77U to a PX75U i did perceive a little less depth but the image was pretty much the same and the Anti-Glare was probably 95% as effective as the LCDs that were on the same wall.

Does it have VGA connection for pc and my xbox 360?

they are out in eu as pz70. They apear to take 1080p24 and some pansonic tech guy said it does 72Hz with it(still unofficial though). Some said motion was even better on pz70 than pz700. My info comes from avforums.com.