AfterDawn: News

Panasonic shows 11-Series plasma TVs

Panasonic presented the complete new 11-series product family of plasma televisions on Monday. The models come in 42-, 50-, 58- to 65-inch sizes support up to Full HD (1080p) High-definition video content. All are equipped with 18-bit signal processing equipment. The new TH-42PH11EK/ES has a resolution of 1,024 x 768 at 42-inch in size. Also immediately available is the TH-50PH11EK/ES 50-inch with a resolution of 1,366 x 768. Both sport 1,400cd/m2 brightness and a 15,000:1 contrast ratio.



The new TH-42PF11EK model is just 42-inch in size but offers a native resolution of 1920 x 1080, and is joined by the TH-50PF11EK (50-inch), TH-58PF11EK (58-inch) and TH-65PF11EK (65-inch) models in offering the Full HD effect. While these models have a slightly lower brightness at 1,200 cd/m2, they are marketed as having a 30,000:1 contrast ratio.



The televisions are available first in Germany, with the 42-inch and 50-inch models available (Full HD and 720p models) with the rest due to be released next month.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 9 Nov 2008 3:05

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• 12 comments

• badkrma

  I'm pretty close to buying a new 50+inch LCD, and as far as I'm concerned I won't look at a plasma because of burn in. Now I see this... am I wrong in thinking plasma is a dying breed? I have a panasonic 34crt and think that panasonic is a good brand but I thought the world was heading in the direction of LCD.

  9.11.2008 05:43 #1

• lxhotboy

  You can get a good lcd at walmart for about $1200 but i would wait till black friday and the holiday seasons to take advantage of the sales. Just make sure you pay attention to the contrast ration as well as the resolution. Most people just see 1080p and think that is good but look for the higher contrast ratios as well b/c i have seen lcds with 720p with contrast ratio of 30,000:1 have better picture quality than an lcd at 1080p with a low contrast ratio of 5000:1. Also if you are into spending the money i would look into getting the OLED tv. My cousin said he saw some in hawaii for sale. Not sure if they are selling here in US yet. But to go along with the 1080p he saw a contrast ration of 1,000,000:1 He said they had transformers on BR playing and the diff was astounishing between it and the Plasmas and LCD. They are extremely high right now though.
  
  http://www.oled-display.net/oled-television

  9.11.2008 08:20 #2

• etherz

  Plasmas stopped being plagued by burn in issues years ago. If your looking at 50"+ screens I would heavily consider plasma, the main reason is better blacks (contrast ratio).

  9.11.2008 08:28 #3

• pedrojim

  Originally posted by badkrma: I'm pretty close to buying a new 50+inch LCD, and as far as I'm concerned I won't look at a plasma because of burn in. Now I see this... am I wrong in thinking plasma is a dying breed? I have a panasonic 34crt and think that panasonic is a good brand but I thought the world was heading in the direction of LCD. Hey badkrma, you should consider plasma. All of the problems with plazma have been corrected in the last couple of years. I own 2 and would'nt trade them for an LCD. Picture quality is superior. This past weekend HH GREGG has a Samsung 50 inch plazma for $987.94. Try getting an LCD for that! With either you can't go wrong. Just do it. Good luck, olpedro

  9.11.2008 09:17 #4

• varnull

  I have to say I greatly prefer the pictures from a plasma too. lcd's seem to suffer narrow viewing angle and always perform poorly in what would be considered normal ambient light conditions. Like early colour tv's back in the day most lcd screens are hopeless for watching Wimbledon with the curtains open.

  9.11.2008 12:30 #5

• badkrma

  Thanks guys, because of you I have opened my eyes a bit wider and read more about the newest improvements...

  9.11.2008 12:47 #6

• nervuli

  Oh yeah I have plasma and no I wouldn't consider switching to LCD.

  9.11.2008 14:53 #7

• Blessedon

  How does Panasonic's new offerings compare to Sony's XBR CRTs?

  9.11.2008 22:20 #8

• johndoe66

  42" 1080p panny for for $800 shipped at 6ave.com

  10.11.2008 01:35 #9

• emugamer

  I was just in Sam's Club this past weekend and they have LCD's lined up as soon as you walk in. The contrast ratio is definitely important. With all the TV's playing the same signal, I could definitely see a difference between a 5,000:1 and a 30,000:1 contrast ratio. Just my 2 cents. The lower contrast ratio was just as I was expecting - slightly washed out when compared to the higher ratio. Not sure if you can get the same kind of viewing at a store like Best Buy, since they are mounted pretty high to cover wall space. Sam's Club happened to have them all at eye level.

  10.11.2008 12:22 #10

• lxhotboy

  Originally posted by emugamer: I was just in Sam's Club this past weekend and they have LCD's lined up as soon as you walk in. The contrast ratio is definitely important. With all the TV's playing the same signal, I could definitely see a difference between a 5,000:1 and a 30,000:1 contrast ratio. Just my 2 cents. The lower contrast ratio was just as I was expecting - slightly washed out when compared to the higher ratio. Not sure if you can get the same kind of viewing at a store like Best Buy, since they are mounted pretty high to cover wall space. Sam's Club happened to have them all at eye level.That is exactly where i was when i really noticed the diff in contrast ratio. Sams has them lined up perfectly to compare. Contrast ratio is important.

  11.11.2008 09:23 #11

• kubapolak

  Thanks for the eye opening info as well. I'm in the market to upgrade some of my old electronics as well.

  17.11.2008 23:53 #12