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HD EVENT: PANASONIC 2005 CONSUMER TV LINE SHOW |
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Panasonic’s 2005 TV line show wasn’t nearly as significant for what was announced as it was for a casual remark made to me after the formal presentations: Panasonic is apparently exiting the microdisplay rear-projection TV business. The event, held last week at Panasonic’s Secaucus, NJ headquarters, was originally billed as a ‘Lifestyles’ event. The intent was to showcase Panasonic’s new plasma TVs, DVD recorders, and digital cameras in a low-key way. But it turned out to be a regular line show anyway, particularly since there were six new 8th-generation plasma TVs out for inspection. (Yes, you read that right, 8th generation!) At the bottom of the ladder is the TH-42PD50U ($2,499), a 42-inch EDTV with QAM, NTSC, and ATSC tuners. It’s followed – oddly enough - by the smaller, yet more costly TH-37PX50U ($2,999), featuring an equally unusual 1024x720 native pixel resolution and integrated digital tuners, plus CableCARD slot. The TH-42PX50U ($3,499) is next in line with 1024x768 resolution and the DCR lineup. Want something bigger? Try the TH-50PX50U, a 50-inch 1366x768 TV with digital and analog tuners plus CableCARD for a measly $4,999. Two additional skews – the 42-inch TH-42PX500U and the 50-inch TH-50PX500U – add full on-screen electronic program guide, a SD memory card reader, and employ Panasonic’s latest deep black filter and black level drive system for higher contrast. They’re priced at $3,999 and $5,499, respectively. And the ‘top-of-the-line’ 65-inch Onyx TH-65PHD7UY ($15,000) is aimed squarely at the Cedia channel.
Figure 1. Panasonic’s TH-50PX500U
(left) and TH-42PX500U (right)
One major problem on last year’s models was their inability to accept 720p component (YPbPr) signals. Supposedly, someone told the engineers at Panasonic that cable and satellite HD set-top receivers couldn’t output video in the 720p format – only 1080i and 480p. As a result, the 2004 plasma TVs rejected this signal format, which riled up more than a few of Panasonic’s customers. Fortunately, someone set the factory straight, and support for component 720p video is back across all of the 2005 models. Panasonic also has a few new LCD TVs to fill up the remaining holes in their product line. The TC-19LX50 ($999), TC-23LX50 ($1,299), TC-26LX50 ($1,799), and TC-32LX50 ($2,499) are 19-inch, 23-inch, 26-inch, and 32-inch models respectively, offering 1280x768 resolution and NTSC tuners. They’re compatible with external 480i/p, 720p, and 1080i component video sources.
Figure 2. The TC-32LX50 (left)
and TC-26LX50 (right) are HD-ready LCD TVs,
Now, back to that comment about the demise of rear-projection TVs: During the lunch break, I was told by a long-time Panasonic employee that rear projection sets would go away in favor of plasma, and that “… the rear projection TV models designed in 2004 were the last ones.” Of course, those three 2004 designs made their debut earlier this year. All of them are CableCARD sets and use 1280x720 high-temperature polysilicon LCD panels: They are the PT-44LCX65 ($2,299), the PT-52LCX65 ($2,799), and the PT-61LCX65 ($3,499). With two of Panasonic’s new 42-inch plasma TVs priced competitively with the PT-44LCX65, it hardly makes sense to carry a projection set with a screen that small. Studies by IDC and Pacific Media have shown that once plasma TVs get down to $2K (or less) in price, they are the preferred new television ‘buy’. However, there is quite a price spread from the TH-50PX50U to the PT-52LCX65 ($2,700, to be exact). Even the least-expensive 50-inch Panasonic plasma TV I could find on-line (TH-50PHD7UY, $3,645) is still $900 more. And you can buy four of the 61-inch LCD rear-projectors for the cost of the 65-inch Onyx.
Figure 3. Panasonic also unveiled
three new DVD recorders
Here’s a thought. If Panasonic were really phasing out RPTVs for plasma, then they’d need one more plasma TV screen size between 50 and 65 inches to fill out the line. But where would they get it? Lo and behold, Panasonic and rival plasma manufacturer Hitachi announced this past February that they would discuss working together on future plasma R&D and manufacturing, possibly to realize some sorely-needed economies of scale in manufacturing. Guess what Hitachi has in its current line-up? A 55-inch plasma TV. It really makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Editor’s note (6-1-05): Subsequent conversations with other Panasonic representatives corrected my original source and stated the company will continue to produce microdisplay (HTPS LCD) TVs for some time yet. |
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