Big Picture Big Sound

In New York this week, Panasonic revealed complete details of its 2007 plasma line, including pricing. Can you say a 42-inch full HD 1080p plasma for $2499? Sure you can!

The new 1080p models range in size from the 42-inch TH-42PZ70U ($2499.99, June) to the 58-inch TH-58PZ750U ($5499.95, June). Panasonic's existing 65-inch and 103-inch 1080p plasma HDTVs will be carried over into this year's line-up.

A 50-inch 1080p plasma model, the TH-50PZ700U is expected to be available as early as April for $3499.99. This set in particular is sure to give the latest 1080p LCD models from Sharp and Sony a run for their money.

---

Update (June 21): From now until June 25th, you can purchase Panasonic's 50-inch 1080p plasma model (TH-50PZ700U) for the super-low price of $2399.99 - $1100 below MSRP - by using a special coupon code only available to Big Picture Big Sound readers: Panasonic TH50PZ700U 50 inch 1080p Plasma HDTV- Brand New: $2399.99 until June 22 You must add the TV to your cart and supply coupon code "2ND200" at check-out to bring the price down from $2599.99 to $2399.99. Local pick-up options are available in warehouse locations all across the country, as well as in-home delivery.

---

"With our 2007 HD plasma line, we've maintained and continued to improve upon the same expertise that resulted in numerous 'best of' awards last year," said Dennis Eppel Vice President, Panasonic Display Products Company. "And we have every intention of maintaining the market share lead that we've held for virtually the last two years. With additional manufacturing capacity, we expect to address a planned 11.5 million-unit production schedule for 2008. Continuing our philosophy of listening to our customers we've expanded our line of 1080p Plasmas, and, enhanced our cosmetics - our 2007 plasma models feature a beautiful gloss black finish."

The sets will also be available with Panasonic's optional artwork-style frames and will be compatible with "GalleryPlayer" SD cards. Put one of these cards into a Panasonic plasma TV, and you can display your favorite art masterpiece - a famous painting or photograph - while the set is not in use displaying something equally artistic, say "Survivor," "American Idol" or "My Name is Earl." GalleryPlayer's content partners include National Geographic, MoMA, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New York Times and Time-Life.

"Perhaps because of my background as a graphic designer I'm drawn to rich and beautiful colors," said Ridley Scott, award-winning director of movies such as "Alien" and "Gladiator." He added, "As a filmmaker, deep blacks are essential and in my experience no technology captures those attributes as well as plasma. Watching one of my recent films, 'Kingdom of Heaven' on a 65-inch Panasonic Plasma was breathtaking."

Within the 1080p model line-up will be both standard models and upgraded ones. The standard 700 and 70 series will be introduced first, followed by the upgraded 750 series. The 750 series is distinguished by the inclusion of a "Studio Reference" mode, which is designed to provide the consumer with the exact color reproduction as seen on the reference monitors used in film editing studios. The goal is to reproduce the precise colors and expression intended by the film makers. In addition, the "Pro Setting" Mode allows the hobbyist consumer to professionally calibrate the set without having to access hidden service menus. The 750 series will offer three HDMI connections and a unique black chrome ornament cosmetic.

The full line, comprised of both 720p and 1080p models, also offers an improved EZ-Sync™ remote system which allows the customer to operate any compatible Panasonic equipment that is connected to the set via HDMI, even if that component is out of range of standard IR remotes, or behind a cabinet door.

Panasonic 2007 Plasma Model Line
Model	Features	Availability	SRP*
TH-58PZ750U	Limited Distribution: 1920x1080p resolution, 58-inch screen size (diagonal), Built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, H.264 (movie playback) on SD, Studio Reference Mode, Pro Setting Mode, 3 HDMI inputs, EZ­ Sync, Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating, Gallery Player	June 2007	$5499.95
TH-50PZ750U	Limited Distribution: 1920x1080p resolution, 50-inch screen size (diagonal), Built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, H.264 (movie playback) on SD, Studio Reference Mode, Pro Setting Mode, 3 HDMI inputs EZ­ Sync, Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating, Gallery Player	June 2007	$3999.95
TH-58PZ700U	1920x1080p resolution, 58-inch screen size (diagonal), Built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, SD Memory Card slot, 2 HDMI inputs, EZ Sync, Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating, Gallery Player	April 2007	$4799.95
TH-50PZ700U	1920x1080p resolution, 50-inch screen size (diagonal), Built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, SD Memory Card slot, HDMI inputs EZ­ Sync, New Cosmetic, Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating, Gallery Player	April 2007 Order from B&H	$3499.95
TH-50PX77U	1366 x 768 resolution, 50-inch screen size (diagonal), side firing speakers, SD Memory Card slot, 2 HDMI inputs, EZ-Sync, Anti-Glare coating, Gallery Player	April 2007	$2799.95
TH-42PX77U	1024 x 768 resolution, 42-inch screen size (diagonal), side firing speakers, SD Memory Card slot, 2 HDMI inputs EZ-Sync, Anti-Glare coating, Gallery Player	April 2007 Order from ABT Electronics	$1799.95
TH-50PX75U	1366 x 768 resolution, 50-inch screen size (diagonal), SD Memory Card slot, 2 HDMI inputs EZ-Sync, Gallery Player	March 2007 Order from Amazon.com	$2499.95
TH-42PX75U	1024 x 768 resolution, 42-inch screen size (diagonal), SD Memory Card slot, 2 HDMI inputs EZ-Sync, Gallery Player	March 2007 Order from Amazon.com	$1599.95
Carried over from 2006
TH-65PX600U	1920x1080p resolution, 65-inch screen size (diagonal), Built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, CabIeCARD slot, SD Memory Card slot, HDMI inputs with HDAVI­ Control, TV-Guide	Available now Order from Amazon.com	$9,999.95
TH-103PZ600U	1920x1080p resolution, 103-inch screen size (diagonal), 16:9 aspect ratio; 5,000:1 contrast ratio; effective display area of 89.3" x 50.2"	Available now Buy from ABT Electronics	$69,999.95