New Panasonic Plasmas TH-42PZ77 & TH-50PZ77 NO PRICE TALK!

[bimbamboom]

Posted Sep 6th 2007 11:18AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Panasonic has already kicked out a couple of HD projectors, but if you're more into wall-mounted displays, well, you're covered too. The firm has announced a new duo of 1080p plasma displays, the 42-inch TH-42PZ77 and 50-inch TH-50PZ77, which both tout 10:000:1 contrast ratios, a pair of HDMI sockets, three S-Video and composite jacks, and two component inputs. The PZ77 series "also incorporates an automatic pixel wobbling function" as well as EZ-Sync technology, which "links Panasonic consumer home entertainment and video products to allow seamless control" with a single remote. Most interesting, however, are the price tags that these suckas are wearing, as the 42-incher will only run you $1,799.95, while the big boy is expected to ring up at a still respectable $2,799.95 when they ship this month.

[ajs800]

how do these differ from the pz700u and pz75u sets?

[cybertec]

where did you get this info from, if I may ask, and those are MSRP prices right.

[GC3]

Originally Posted by ajs800

how do these differ from the pz700u and pz75u sets?

i can see the claimed contrast ratio is higher...same as the 10g 720p displays

[Joxer]

I can't find any info yet on these new models at the Panasonic consumer electronics website under their plasma section. Any links to specs and photos?

[VFR]

Here is the press release.

[AuDiOBoY529]

Are these guys suppose to be the Kuro killers? or not?

[dssturbo1]

Originally Posted by AuDiOBoY529

Are these guys suppose to be the Kuro killers? or not?

no, with the higher contrast, better glare screen and lower pricing they are more likely to kill the 700/750s than any Kuros.
lowering the msrp price points will always help tho.

[BBigJ]

Anybody know the Panasonic web site well enough to dig up an owner's manual?

[spincut]

well doubling the contrast implies less of the dimming issue and maybe better blacks so it would indeed catch up to the kuros (since Panasonic have until recently been known as havingt the best blacks).

But yeah they keep callking it the more "affordable" line, with all else being equal except a better price and contrast, so whats going on? is this tv an automatic step up? should one wait for the end of the month to get it over the 700u?

[Rhino5167]

Originally Posted by spincut

well doubling the contrast implies less of the dimming issue and maybe better blacks so it would indeed catch up to the kuros (since Panasonic have until recently been known as havingt the best blacks).

is this tv an automatic step up? should one wait for the end of the month to get it over the 700u?

This is exactly what I am wondering...I have a PZ700U on order right now to be delievred at month end...wondering if I should go and cancel the order and order 50PZ77, I don't mind waiting a month to get it. It seems like a no brainer to do it, am I wrong to think like this???

[TommyV]

now shipping? I am curious how these compare to the 700u series.

[D-Nice]

Originally Posted by spincut

well doubling the contrast implies less of the dimming issue and maybe better blacks so it would indeed catch up to the kuros (since Panasonic have until recently been known as havingt the best blacks).

Won't even be close. These new panels only catch up to their 768p siblings.

[creemail]

Fantastic! These will be priced better than the current 700U 42" and 50". Probably will have slightly less inputs is my guess...

Chris

[TommyV]

Originally Posted by D-Nice

Won't even be close. These new panels only catch up to their 768p siblings.

So you've seen them in action??

[RandyWalters]

Originally Posted by BBigJ

Anybody know the Panasonic web site well enough to dig up an owner's manual?

I've been checking throughout the day but the PZ77 owner's manual is not available yet. It seems that the manual becomes available right about the time the TV becomes available in stores.

To get to the owners manuals, go to the Support section and you should find the link where you drill-down a bit till you get to place where you can type in the model number.

[sma]

So the Anti-Glare coating from the px77u's (rather than the lesser anti-reflective coating from the 700/750u) with a 10000:1 CR at a lower price than the current 700u's.... Sounds good. No doubt the 10000:1 CR enabled the use of the AG coating now with these 1080p units.

P.S. - Pioneer, now will you please lower the MSRP of the 4280/5080?

[spincut]

Originally Posted by D-Nice

Won't even be close. These new panels only catch up to their 768p siblings.

what? how do you even know this that it wont even be close? have you seen them? I think you need to ease up a little bit and wait and see, since as far as things look now it may indeed catch up to the Kuros, but you really dont know otherwise based on what we have just learned aside from what the announcements imply as it being a step up in contrast.

[creemail]

However, I may be nit-picking, but I believe Panasonic's strategy to release these units does nothing to best Pioneer's units. I believe they should have lowered the MSRP and street price on the 700U's (42" and 50") and come out with a 42PZ800U and 50PZ800U with deeper blacks or high level black level technology with the similar MSRP as their current 700U series. This would make sense to me...!

Chris

[doctorxring]

Looks to me like return fire for the Samsung 5084 at
that price point and feature set.


dxr

[BBigJ]

Originally Posted by RandyWalters

I've been checking throughout the day but the PZ77 owner's manual is not available yet. It seems that the manual becomes available right about the time the TV becomes available in stores.

To get to the owners manuals, go to the Support section and you should find the link where you drill-down a bit till you get to place where you can type in the model number.

I tried that too. If I recall correctly, the first time the 50PE700 showed up on these boards occurred when someone posted a link to ALL of panny's plasma owner manuals. It was a whole page of PDF links to all the models including those from other countries. This was in the middle of summer--a good month or two before the PE700 showed up in stores--and the manual was already there. I'm hoping that if we can dig that link up it might have the PZ77 manuals.

[royalkilla408]

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

[Heffe156]

I believe the reason Panasonic is releasing these display's, is because they want to compete with the current growth in LCD sales. By lowering the prices and offering a 1080P set at a low price will probably change alot of peoples minds when it comes time to purchase a new flat panel for the holiday's. I hope they add a 58" to the list.

[Rhino5167]

I take it with the information just coming out, we dont have an expectation as to when they will be available to purchase? Perhaps someone out there does have this information...

[D-Nice]

Originally Posted by spincut

what? how do you even know this that it wont even be close? have you seen them? I think you need to ease up a little bit and wait and see, since as far as things look now it may indeed catch up to the Kuros, but you really dont know otherwise based on what we have just learned aside from what the announcements imply as it being a step up in contrast.

I have info on these panels that you don't. You fail to realize that I do have "insider info" from Panasonic. Please feel free to view these panels when they come out. Here is my "I told you so" in advance.

[RicheyPoor]

D-Nice,
How did Panasonic double the contrast ratio of the new PZ77 models without a new panel? Are they simply driving them harder? Also, doesn't this mean that these 'entry-level' 1080P sets will have a better picture than the high-end PZ700 and PZ750 models?

[deanstevenson]

Originally Posted by RicheyPoor

D-Nice,
How did Panasonic double the contrast ratio of the new PZ77 models without a new panel? Are they simply driving them harder? Also, doesn't this mean that these 'entry-level' 1080P sets will have a better picture than the high-end PZ700 and PZ750 models?

You're right RicheyPoor, I think this is the biggest question on everyone's mind. If the new panels would have been announced with the same 5000 contrast level then I believe many (if not all) would have assumed they were the exact same panels with fewer inputs. That said, I don't think it's too far off the mark to wonder if these new 1080p's will be better than the previous models. Quite a conundrum. I'm also willing to wager there are a number of us watching these developments closely.

[ajs800]

Originally Posted by D-Nice

Won't even be close. These new panels only catch up to their 768p siblings.

are you saying they are comparable to the 42/5080 or that they are a small improvment from the px75/77u sets? If you have inside info, are they better or worse then the pz700/750u models?

[D-Nice]

Originally Posted by RicheyPoor

D-Nice,
How did Panasonic double the contrast ratio of the new PZ77 models without a new panel? Are they simply driving them harder?

They are using a new driver to drive a revised 9G glass (new phosphors). The new driver is capable of boosting the picture brightness and slightly reducing the minimum luminance. You can expect a minimum luminance level measurements around the 0.013-0.015ftl range.

Also, doesn't this mean that these 'entry-level' 1080P sets will have a better picture than the high-end PZ700 and PZ750 models?

That remains to be seen. From what I know is it using the same V-Real processor that is in the 700/750u series. They will have much better anti-reflection properties though.

[D-Nice]

Originally Posted by ajs800

are you saying they are comparable to the 42/5080 or that they are a small improvment from the px75/77u sets? If you have inside info, are they better or worse then the pz700/750u models?

Kuros are not their siblings. The PX75/77u panels are.