Panasonic Adds Two Entry-Level 1080p Plasmas
By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 9/3/2007
DENVER — Panasonic is using CEDIA Expo to present two "more affordable" 1080p models in its 2007 plasma TV line.
The new plasma sets comprise the 77 model series and include the 42-inch TH-42PZ77 ($1,799 suggested retail) and the 50-inch TH-50PZ77 ($2,799), both of which are scheduled to ship to dealers this month.
The new SKUs bring Panasonic's 1080p plasma offerings up to eight models, which Panasonic is billing as the widest 1080p plasma assortment in the industry.
They join models in the 700 and 750 series, and give Panasonic a lineup of 1080p screen sizes including 42-, 50-, 58- and 65-inches.
All of Panasonic's 1080p offerings include SD memory card slots that allow viewing images from SD memory cards on the big screen.
The TH-42PZ77 and TH-50PZ77 feature 10,000:1 contrast ratios; anti-glare screen coatings; and a jack pack with two HDMI inputs, three S-video inputs, three composite video inputs and two component video inputs.
The PZ77 series also incorporates an automatic wobbling function — as does the entire 2007 plasma line — for anti-image retention. The PZ77 series also features EZ-Sync, a technology that links Panasonic consumer home entertainment and video products to allow integrated control of the system using one remote.
"CEDIA is the perfect environment to introduce Panasonic's expanded line of 1080p plasmas," stated Dennis Eppel, Panasonic plasma display company VP. "Custom installers are a very important part of our business and with this in mind we are confident that the depth and superior picture quality of Panasonic's plasmas will meet and exceed the installer's requirements.
"Quite simply, Panasonic's plasmas produce beautiful pictures and with our recent announcement of an extended life span of 100,000 hours, these 1080p TVs are the perfect technology for a variety of entertainment options, from gaming to viewing sports and movies."
