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CES: Panasonic Unveils 2013 TVs; New Smart TV Interface - Page 6

post #151 of 516
1/8/13 at 4:39pm
Ok then.

Well hopefully the price point for the VT comes down to that of the GT, making the ZT a top of the class flagship head honcho super expensivio series.
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post #152 of 516
1/8/13 at 4:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by esquire415 View Post

The new ZT60 is not borderless is it? Panny still can't get over that chrome edge. Why can't they just make it black all over? [/IMG]

Yeah, why must they keep including the silver bezel? Good grief. It's like they feel compelled to make us see the border of the display. Makes no sense.

Anyone know if the 2012 TY-ER3D4MU glasses will work with the new 2013 models?
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post #153 of 516
1/8/13 at 4:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by J__Chris View Post

Keeping in mind that pricing for the VT has not been announced (or has it?), and the ST60 is a little bit cheaper than the ST50 and if the VT60 pricing is about the same as the VT50, Panasonic will have 2 series, VT and ZT, that are very expensive and will probable not be more than niche sellers. Panasonic must figure that the price point of the GT was not good enough and will push the ST to the lower end of the market and the VT and ZT to "high end" market. That is unless they end up having to push the VT to the GT price points.

The ST is not going to get significantly cheaper. It wouldn't make any sense, especially with the GT gone.
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post #154 of 516
1/8/13 at 4:44pm
I don't see the VT coming down in price because of the marketplace.

Heck, the VT series really is not that bad of a price point to start considering what you get. With that said the ST will probably be the top seller for Panny due to the fact that Joe Blow consumer wants the biggest screen for the least amount of money.

The gap from the VT to the ZT is going to be steep. The last time the Z series was out (during the G10/V10) the TC-P54Z1 (54") retailed for $5999.99!!
Edited by jacksonmaha - 1/8/13 at 4:51pm
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post #155 of 516
1/8/13 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jacksonmaha View Post

I don't see the VT coming down in price because of the marketplace.
Heck, the VT series really is not that bad of a price point to start considering what you get. With that said the ST will probably be the top seller for Panny due to the fact that Joe Blow consumer wants the biggest screen for the least amount of money.
The gap from the VT to the ZT is going to be steep. The last time the Z series was out (during the G10/V10) the TC-P54Z1 (54") retailed for $5999.99!!

$5999.99? Yikes!
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post #156 of 516
1/8/13 at 5:29pm
Kuro killers ain't cheap. LG's is $12K, Panny's is a probable $6k. Egads.
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post #157 of 516
1/8/13 at 5:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by vinnie97 View Post

Kuro killers ain't cheap. LG's is $12K, Panny's is a probable $6k. Egads.

I like that Vinnie. The all new Panasonic Kuro Killer.
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post #158 of 516
1/8/13 at 5:43pm
The Z series will not be $5999. AVJ on the Panasonic insiders thread on the other site has stated numerous times that Panasonic is not a break the bank for a TV company. That old Z series was expensive because manufacturing cost then were much higher. Also can we kill the Kuro talk? If Pioneer was still in business today the Panasonics are probably what they would look like now. The Government has regulated power consumption ( thanks Al Gore. ....Jackass) and the Kuro would not be allowed to be sold today. I love the Kuro's as much as anyone, but they are never coming back,............NEVER.....and for those of us looking for an increase in size the new Panny's are the best Plasma option. OLED is not even a realistic purchase for most of us until the manufacturing costs come down and the savings can be passed on to the consumer. I'm looking forward to some measurements on these new sets in May when they start coming out.
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post #159 of 516
1/8/13 at 5:48pm
CES article in NY Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/sneak-peek-consumer-electronic-festival-article-1.1235291
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post #160 of 516
1/8/13 at 5:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bzal1122 View Post

The Z series will not be $5999. AVJ on the Panasonic insiders thread on the other site has stated numerous times that Panasonic is not a break the bank for a TV company. That old Z series was expensive because manufacturing cost then were much higher. Also can we kill the Kuro talk? If Pioneer was still in business today the Panasonics are probably what they would look like now. The Government has regulated power consumption ( thanks Al Gore. ....Jackass) and the Kuro would not be allowed to be sold today. I love the Kuro's as much as anyone, but they are never coming back,............NEVER.....and for those of us looking for an increase in size the new Panny's are the best Plasma option. OLED is not even a realistic purchase for most of us until the manufacturing costs come down and the savings can be passed on to the consumer. I'm looking forward to some measurements on these new sets in May when they start coming out.
While much of that is true, I will stop with the KK verbiage once Panasonic engineers a set that at least matches the black level of the 500M/101FD but not before. wink.gif This is not the equivalent of wanting the Kuro to come back but is simply wanting Plasma tech to move forward after almost 5 long years.
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post #161 of 516
1/8/13 at 5:53pm
what di u do mto bet the BB free ISF? I mentioned that to sales guy when i bought mine over the wekend, and got a blank stare!
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post #162 of 516
1/8/13 at 5:56pm
I think if you're a silver BB member the calibration is free.
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post #163 of 516
1/8/13 at 6:09pm
No, what this is is a fixation on one miniscule difference in picture quality that can't even be detected if you have a light on in the room, while ignoring all the other picture quality differences where Panasonic is far better than that old Kuro. Little things like size, brightness, color accuracy, etc...
Quote:
Originally Posted by vinnie97 View Post

While much of that is true, I will stop with the KK verbiage once Panasonic engineers a set that at least matches the black level of the 500M/101FD but not before. wink.gif This is not the equivalent of wanting the Kuro to come back but is simply wanting Plasma tech to move forward after almost 5 long years.
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post #164 of 516
1/8/13 at 6:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Speakerphile View Post

The St is the ST. The GT is gone. The VT is the VT. The ZT is new. Everyone is so cynical about this, I don't get it!

This is a little OT but that's is good news for current GT users in that, since the GT is THX certified, once our panels die, if within warranty period (extended or otherwise) they'll be automatically replaced with the VT60. My GT's warranty covers feature for feature. My last set that died, G15, was replaced under warranty with the GT50 due to THX certification.
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post #165 of 516
1/8/13 at 6:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeKnobber View Post

No, what this is is a fixation on one miniscule difference in picture quality that can't even be detected if you have a light on in the room, while ignoring all the other picture quality differences where Panasonic is far better than that old Kuro. Little things like size, brightness, color accuracy, etc...
No, sorry. That is not a miniscule difference since I almost always watch in a darkened room. If the screen could exhibit anymore brightness, I would go blind. Size and color accuracy are really the only areas left for improvement (and black levels only exceeded by high-end LED panels from Sharp and now OLED), and speaking of color accuracy, I have a feeling minuscule applies to the differences between Pioneer versus Panasonic in 2012.
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post #166 of 516
1/8/13 at 6:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Speakerphile View Post

The ST is not going to get significantly cheaper. It wouldn't make any sense, especially with the GT gone.

I never said "significantly", I said a little bit cheaper. The 60" ST60 has a list price at $1899 which is less than the list price of the 60" ST50 $2099.

Moving on...The 60" GT50 has a list price of $2599 and 55" VT50 is $2499, I will "speculate" that the 60" VT60 will be "approximately" $2999 maybe even "a bit" lower which will be about where the current GT series is. VERY interesting but also keep in mind that Panasonic has clamped down hard on special pricing but still..... GT was superfluous and is superseded by a clearly superior set.

Panasonic will not want to outright say it but the GT was not in a good market position considering product differentiation and features compared to the ST particularly "IF" pricing on the VT drops even a little bit to be closer to the GT levels.

If your on the fence now it'll be a tough one.
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post #167 of 516
1/8/13 at 6:47pm
Yay, more software that I'll never use and that will load slower then a 486 PC smile.gif.

(seriously, does anyone use the Viera Connect stuff? On my ST30 its dreadfully slow and lacking anything of interest)

Hopefully these new TV's have fixed the brightness fluctuations and buzzing issues prone in the 30's (I experience both frown.gif)

- D
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post #168 of 516
1/8/13 at 6:53pm
I'll play along as I'm currently on the fence and in the market for a 55". Going only by initial retail prices, we know the 55ST60 is $1, 599 and exactly $100 less than the initial 55ST50. I'll bet this pricing theme carries through to put the 55VT60 at $1, 999 and $100 less than the initial price of the 55GT50. I'm loving that little 55VT60 as the set to be priced most aggressively as the ZTs are only available in 60 and 65" and that 65ZT60 cant launch for more than $3, 999 can it?
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post #169 of 516
1/8/13 at 7:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarddTimezz View Post

I'll play along as I'm currently on the fence and in the market for a 55". Going only by initial retail prices, we know the 55ST60 is $1, 599 and exactly $100 less than the initial 55ST50. I'll bet this pricing theme carries through to put the 55VT60 at $1, 999 and $100 less than the initial price of the 55GT50. I'm loving that little 55VT60 as the set to be priced most aggressively as the ZTs are only available in 60 and 65" and that 65ZT60 cant launch for more than $3, 999 can it?



Yeah I was thinking the same, perhaps the VT sells for cheaper allowing the ZT to sell for cheaper. If they price too high they will go the way of pioneer, especially at this time when they are supposedly losing money on plasmas. Not to mention the economy isn't exactly in a great position world wide.
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post #170 of 516
1/8/13 at 9:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeKnobber View Post

No, what this is is a fixation on one miniscule difference in picture quality that can't even be detected if you have a light on in the room, while ignoring all the other picture quality differences where Panasonic is far better than that old Kuro. Little things like size, brightness, color accuracy, etc...

I hope you mean a subtle difference in black level from one (end-of-line Kuro) to another (current Panasonics) being miniscule, not that the general picture quality of black level itself being a miniscule difference in terms of its relative importance to picture quality. The former, not sure I totally agree but ok fine, while the latter, certifiable. eek.gif
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post #171 of 516
1/8/13 at 9:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by whipit View Post

I think if you're a silver BB member the calibration is free.

Glad you understood that cause I sure didn't.

"...mto bet the BB free ISF"
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post #172 of 516
1/8/13 at 9:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarddTimezz View Post

I'll play along as I'm currently on the fence and in the market for a 55". Going only by initial retail prices, we know the 55ST60 is $1, 599 and exactly $100 less than the initial 55ST50. I'll bet this pricing theme carries through to put the 55VT60 at $1, 999 and $100 less than the initial price of the 55GT50. I'm loving that little 55VT60 as the set to be priced most aggressively as the ZTs are only available in 60 and 65" and that 65ZT60 cant launch for more than $3, 999 can it?


The VT's will launch just below the VT's last year. The ZT's will be more expensive. The 65ZT can and will launch at more than $3999.
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post #173 of 516
1/8/13 at 9:59pm
I'm eagerly awaiting measurements of VEISA holes to edge. I'm still running with an old 47" Westinghouse LCD and have been putting off an upgrade for years. By my measurements, I can have a TV up to 52" wide before the L & R speakers block the edge of the screen from the couch. Assuming the center stays in the same place, I can go up to 31" high before the bottom edge disappears behind my (very tall) center channel. , though not sure if the mounting holes are always positioned the same vertically across models. I may be able to barely squeeze in a 60-inch TV, but may have to go with 55, which would put me out of the running for the ZT series.
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post #174 of 516
1/8/13 at 10:02pm
How long will it be before someone does a Panasonic 60ZT60 versus Kuro 600M side by side face-off?

Which set would win and by how much?
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post #175 of 516
1/8/13 at 10:33pm
Thread Starter 
From the LA Times (this to me is a little scary)

"Tsuga also talked up the expanded interactive features being added to its Panasonic Viera smart TVs. Panasonic is trying to embrace more interactivity and more second-screen activity. All of that will allow for greater personalization of the TV’s home screen, it’s menu, and for new social features.

Just as important, that’s going to allow Panasonic and content creators to get loads more information on users’ behavior. And that will enable them to soon start targeting TV ads to individuals. And of course, this is going to put a mile-wide smile on the faces of advertisers and TV producers everywhere."

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-live-updates-ces-2013-press-day-20130106,0,1985193.story?page=3
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post #176 of 516
1/8/13 at 10:36pm
If that is true and the top 65ZT60 breaks the 4k barrier I will be shocked! Then the only true value set will be the 60ST60 as its retail is only $1899 and probably similar performance to the current GT series!!
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post #177 of 516
1/9/13 at 12:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Speakerphile View Post

Quote:
So the VT was upgraded to the ZT, the GT upgraded to the VT and the ST upgraded to the GT but is still named ST while the GT is taken out of the series, correct?

The St is the ST. The GT is gone. The VT is the VT. The ZT is new. Everyone is so cynical about this, I don't get it!


Let's say you have three product ranges: Standard, Superior and Deluxe. But you notice that the Superior isn't selling so well. What do you do? You rename your product ranges to Standard, Deluxe and Premier. People reluctant to buy the Superior will now feel that they are getting the Deluxe for the previous price of the Superior.

Branding strategy 101.
Edited by Grubert - 1/9/13 at 1:36am
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post #178 of 516
1/9/13 at 1:00am
^^^agreed.

I don't exactly think we can know for sure what, if anything, replaces what, and what is positioned where. They could have easily kept the ST, GT, VT nomenclature for 2013 models and people wouldn't be so uproarious about the whole thing, which is probably what Panasonic wants. The proof will be in the pudding, and to claim anything with an air of absolute certainty yet doesn't seem wise.
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post #179 of 516
1/9/13 at 5:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jh901 View Post

No 70", right? frown.gif
New Plasma flagship is the ZT series. Very interested to find PQ differences between it and the new VT series. And, of course, pricing.


I'm with you here , no 70" messed up my interest. I want to move up from a 60" set , 65" isn't the answer I seek , 70" barely is. I'd love to see a 72-75" set ideally. I also prefer plasma. I wish they had focused on picture quality and size vs apps. 80" is too big for my situation.

I'd have paid a premium for the 70" set.....probably whether I wanted to or not. eek.gif

ZT70 w/ black bezel and superb picture quality I'm in heaven. Screw the apps ...
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post #180 of 516
1/9/13 at 7:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daphoid View Post

Yay, more software that I'll never use and that will load slower then a 486 PC smile.gif.

(seriously, does anyone use the Viera Connect stuff? On my ST30 its dreadfully slow and lacking anything of interest)

Hopefully these new TV's have fixed the brightness fluctuations and buzzing issues prone in the 30's (I experience both frown.gif)

- D

I use Viera Cast/Connect quite often on my GT50, and it's very fluid. FWIW, the GT50 and VT50 have dual core processors which makes using the built-in software bearable.
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