Panasonic 2008 Plasma Line up

[VFR]

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...62008124647947

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...62008125357900

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...62008122716568

[Elemental1]

46"...interesting.

[GC3]

i'd like to know more about the "all new one sheet of glass design concept" on the z800 series...

[NathanC]

Originally Posted by GC3

i'd like to know more about the "all new one sheet of glass design concept" on the z800 series...

Yep. That caught my eye as well. Also 30,000:1 CR and 4 HDMI inputs. I have no doubt the price will be right, so well done Panasonic.

[Elemental1]

24p input also looks interesting.
100,000 hr panel 1/2 life now....nice.

[RandyWalters]

Originally Posted by GC3

i'd like to know more about the "all new one sheet of glass design concept" on the z800 series...

Apparently it's only cosmetic - one big slab of glass covering the front of the cabinet from edge to edge, forgoing the plastic bezel.

Hopefully this "one sheet of glass" means the screen will not be using the matte Anti-Glare filter on the PZ77U. I wonder which models will have the AR screen and which ones will have the AG screen.

EDIT: It turns out that Panasonic is dropping the Anti-Glare screen (a-la PZ77U) for 2008 and using a new version of their Anti-Reflective screen instead on the whole model lineup.

[6SpeedTA95]

It's about time they do a 46

[Letifo]

hmm, wonder what the msrp will be of the 50px80 will be, i don't think i can wait though i'm gonna pull the trigger on a 50px75u in a week or so.

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by Letifo

hmm, wonder what the msrp will be of the 50px80 will be, i don't think i can wait though i'm gonna pull the trigger on a 50px75u in a week or so.

I would guess we'll seen an MSRP between 1800 and 2000 dollars if the past few years are any indicator.

[tts42572]

Well...after reading this, maybe I'll wait a bit on buying and scarf up a new model this summer. Those higher contrast ratios sound nice.

And I sorta think the price premium for 1080P won't be set so high this year since everybody will be making 1080P sets. I'd almost bet the price will be $2,500-$3,000 for the 50 inch sets....which is pretty close to what the current models are now.

Anybody have any pricing/release date guesses?

I'm thinking I'll have my eye on that 50PZ800.

[creemail]

I knew that they were going to go after the black levels. Great to hear on Panasonic part!




Chris

[NathanC]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I would guess we'll seen an MSRP between 1800 and 2000 dollars if the past few years are any indicator.

The 50px75 is $1999 now. I bet the 50px80 is closer to $1600. They're well aware that this might be the last year they sell a 720p 50" display, might as well sell them while they can.

[Drewbert]

46 is a great size.... for a lot of people 50 is too large. I do not agree with that, but again 46 fights right there with the 46 lcds....

I cannot wait to see them

[6SpeedTA95]

I can't wait for more details on processing, black levels etc.

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by NathanC

The 50px75 is $1999 now. I bet the 50px80 is closer to $1600. They're well aware that this might be the last year they sell a 720p 50" display, might as well sell them while they can.

I doubt it, here's why....

The last three years, between christmas and early spring clearance they typically have an MSRP drop. Then when the new models come out the MSRP actually goes up. Then within just a few weeks time sale prices come out quite a bit lower than MSRP and within 8 to 10 weeks they have their first MSRP drop.

So lets say the PX75 drops to 1799 or even 1699 msrp in feb. Then they go on clearance the px80 comes out and it will probably be 1899 or 1999....granted I'm just guessing based on the past, i could be wrong, but that would not surprise.

A 1600 dollar price would surprise me very much but that would be sweet

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by Drewbert

46 is a great size.... for a lot of people 50 is too large. I do not agree with that, but again 46 fights right there with the 46 lcds....

I cannot wait to see them

Yeah thats the whole deal. 42 is damn small especially from my viewing distance at 12 feet. 50 is better but its going to be very tough to get a 50 in here with the surround sound etc. It will work and thats what I'm probably going with but if someone had literally just 2 or 3 inches less room than I do the 50s would be too big...leaving them with 42 inch plasmas or a 46LCD. 46 plasma fills the gap nicely and they may be the only ones at that size point for plasma. At least for a year or so giving them a bit of an advantage.

[VFR]

Info on the 850 series here.

[Drewbert]

Originally Posted by VFR

Info on the 850 series here.

Interesting, states that the consumer will have pro level adjustment

[joemama127]

Originally Posted by Elemental1

46"...interesting.

Indeed...my tv spot is just a little too small for a 50" but I think a 46" would be workable. Now then...I just have to start thinking of ways to convince my wife since we just got a new 42" a couple months ago.

[blackarsenic]

Dang, Now I wanna wait now, these specs seem retarted ( in a good way). I can imagine now though, 2,999 for the 42"PZ8000 and 3,200 for the 42" PZ8500.

[NathanC]

Originally Posted by VFR

Info on the 850 series here.

Thank god. I can finally watch YouTube videos filmed with cell phones on my $4k 1080p plasma without even using my HTPC. No thanks.

[VFR]

Originally Posted by NathanC

Thank god. I can finally watch YouTube videos filmed with cell phones on my $4k 1080p plasma without even using my HTPC. No thanks.

Dont hate

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by NathanC

Thank god. I can finally watch YouTube videos filmed with cell phones on my $4k 1080p plasma without even using my HTPC. No thanks.

lololol

[arthurvino]

Agreed.. whats the point..

Originally Posted by NathanC

Thank god. I can finally watch YouTube videos filmed with cell phones on my $4k 1080p plasma without even using my HTPC. No thanks.

[SLAPS808]

this is sweet news! i just got the 42px75u a month ago and have been really happy with it.
by the time these 08 models come out...
ill have saved by summer to get a 46in or 50in model and throw my current 42 in the bdrm.

[rob316]

Originally Posted by Elemental1

46"...interesting.

Very interesting I have a Panny 47 RPTV, I am limited in room, I could get away with getting a 50 inch plasma, but 46 is perfect for my setup. Again I am a big Panny fan, with the new Panny BD50 BR player and the new Panny 46 Plasma I cannot go wrong this year. Thanks Panasonic, this is why I love you so much "You give the customer what they want"

[Pedro2]

In terms of aesthetics, gotta wonder what "speakers hidden in front" means. Personally, I think the current lineup is much too bulky looking compared to the sleeker pioneers and especially sleek panasonic industrial models. Hopefully this new lineup will move more in that direction...looks much nicer especially if wall mounting.

In terms of picture quality, gotta love it that the 30,000 contrast is listed as NATIVE rather than dynamic. This may make it very competitive with the Kuros...we shall see.

[VFR]

Originally Posted by arthurvino

Agreed.. whats the point..

I think streaming video/images is the point.
YouTube is just an example,albeit a poor one.

[jasjenl]

Some images of the design:

[rob316]

Originally Posted by jasjenl

Some images of the design:

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!