CES: Panasonic Unveils 2013 TVs; New Smart TV Interface - Page 2

I'm only stating the reality of the era in which we live. I say you should continue to use advanced vocabulary regardless of what offends the PC police. It's more than obvious you were not using any slants and Glashub was just having a little fun at your expense.

Not really... more of a removal of a few series and (re)introducing another. The VT60 still has ISFccc that the G series never had, and the ST60 doesn't appear to have THX certification and will probably have the same 2pt white balance and possibly (but probably not) a color management system this year. So the VT60 and ST60 are about the same as far as where they sit in the lineup. They just essentially removed the UT and GT series, rebadged the U50 to the S60, and re-introduced the ZT series. I'm guessing the VT60 and ZT60 will perform fairly close. The ZT60 might have better blacks.

edit: appears that the VT series no longer has THX certification, but still has ISFccc... THX is only on the ZT, so the ZT will probably have a little better PQ out of the box.
Edited by rahzel - 1/7/13 at 1:08pm

Any pictures posted yet?

"The new flagship series is the ZT60. Only available in 60 and 65-inches, it is the only one in the lineup that offers "Beyond the Reference" level of picture quality and ultimate black color with its Studio Master Panel."

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/sixteen-new-plasma-tvs-from-panasonic-for-2013-none-that-break/

Studio Master Panel has a nice ring to it. Oh and this just in, I've heard that a certain member of this forum has already set up eight of these and none of them buzzed! Wow!

Any idea when MSRP is normally announced? HDguru seems to think that these will get a Feb release, which is faster than I expected.

Too bad nothing bigger than 65".

I keep looking in vane for a panel that will provide better PQ than my Elite PRO-151FD. Every year for the past 4 years I scan the CES highlights look for something to dethrone the Pioneer. So far, none yet. A 5" increase in screen size would not be worthwhile for an upgrade.

It's the closest thing they've ever had to the prestige of a Kuro. I think this panel will beat out the 101FD/500m...

Feb is REAL optimistic. As far as MSRP, hint, look up.

So the ZT will have one less HDMI input then the VT50 has. Although it's claiming better blacks, color, and overall picture.

That's a bold position to take (matching 9G is all I'm hoping for), but if you're right...I'll be all in.

February sounds reasonable for the S60/ST60. Based on Panasonic's traditional release schedule I would place the ZT in late April/early May, and the new VT a few weeks to a month earlier than that.

What sizes do the S60 series come in? Are they going to make a 55" anymore?

-Guru

With the ZT60 using a single sheet of glass bonded directly to the panel, it sounds a lot like a Kuro.

I think the ZT60 (or even VT60) has a very realistic shot of matching (or at least coming very close) to a 9G Kuro. I think it will at least be low enough that it will look very similar, even in a dark room with low APL content.

Between the ZT60 and VT60, unless Panasonic is using a different panel, I can't see the ZT60 performing that much better than the VT60.

edit: according to the insider at the other forum, the ZT60 uses a new panel whereas the other models use the same base panels as the 2012 models.
Edited by rahzel - 1/7/13 at 3:11pm

Panasonic has been doing bonded filters since their 2009 Z-series. Doesn't necessarily mean anything.

The product pages are semi-live: (no specifications)

ZT60: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P60ZT60
VT60: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P60VT60
ST60: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P60ST60 (MSRP $1899.99)
ST65: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P65ST60 (MSRP $2799.99)

etc.

Pictures are there too.
Edited by anexanhume - 1/7/13 at 2:23pm

ST60 50 inch http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P50ST60 $1299

If it beats the black levels of 9g Kuros, I'll be in....I've had a 9g Kuro for three and a half years; biding my time for something bigger and blacker

Uh oh. Is there a 60" ZT? My sweet spot for a trade up from my 55VT50.

65" will give you a far bigger impact coming from 55".

Glad I got in on the UT before it was gone.

does this mean the new VT60 line MSRP will be comparable to the current GT50 line or VT50 line?

Interesting both the ZT60 and the VT60 has the following specification which I did not see listed in the press-release:

"30720 Gradation steps, DCI 98% color space"

Source: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P60ZT60, http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P60VT60

Compare this to the GT/VT50's 24576 Gradation steps!

With a completely light controlled room and a tight budget, I guess I'm going to be trying to get a UT before they're all gone.

True, I would probably wait at least a few months until after these are released (price will only drop too) to see if any issues come up. I cannot wait to hear from the top traveling calibrators how the ZT60 compares to the VT60.
I am likely upgrading to a 65" ST60, VT60, or ZT60 (if this is worth the extra money). My 65ST30 will hold me over in the mean time.

I am disappointed a 70" is not coming though.

Or a lightly used 2012 VT50. You are in a nice spot. Keep in mind also the BBY credit frequently offers 3yrs at zero percent. Many of us without a few grand can handle $50/month for 36 months with no fees and no interest. That's free money.

The ZT and VT look physically identical except for that little plastic piece the new VT has. I'm thinking since MSRP slightly dropped they got rid of the GT title but the VT will still be slightly expensive. That's my prediction. No way a single glass sheet design will be too cheap. I'm thinking 65VT60 MSRP $3399 and. 65ZT60 $3999-$4399