Panasonic's plasmas also have a 10,000:1 contrast ratio
By Marc Perton 
posted Mar 20th 2006 4:53PM
posted Mar 20th 2006 4:53PM
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Has anybody ever watched an HDTV program on a 1366x768 TV? Personally, I haven't, but I imagine that since this is not a native resolution for any recording, you'll be losing out on image quality no matter what you watch.
HDTV comes in either 1280x720 or 1920x1080 resolutions. These are 16x9 formats. And scaling between them should be fairly simple - 1:1.5, so not much complex math involved for interpolation. I can see why some TV manufacturers might go with 1280x768 - a 16x10 format - just so that computer users have a little more real estate....but TV watchers still get a perfect 1:1 (with slight letterboxing) when watching HDTV of the 1280x720 variety. But some bright marketing genius, apparently, realized: Hey, if we go up to 1366x768, it looks like higher resolution so we can charge more...and it's 16x9 again. The trouble is that now, no matter what you watch, it must be interpolated by a not-very-round number. What's the real point of this? It must cost more in image processing for the TV, result in lower picture quality no matter what you watch, and fool uneducated buyers into thinking they're getting some extra value.
I'm sure the picture is impressive, but surely the design team could have built a better case. After all, the tv isn't on ALL the time.
(simulated image)
Does Samsung not also have one as well- avaliable now?
http://samsung.com/Products/TV/PlasmaTV/HPR4262XXAA.asp
Actually, these models are already on sale and in stores now.
I would be SO impressed if that were the actual picture. But, alas, it probably isn't.
"Lest you think that Sony is the only company rocking a plasma display with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio..."
Not true. My Pioneer PDP-5050HD, manufactured back in November has a contrast ratio of 10000:1
I have the 42 60U sitting right behind me in my bedroom.
I think it looks nice off ;-) O and the picture is good.
"Lest you think that Sony is the only company rocking a plasma display with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio..."
Not true. My Pioneer PDP-5050HD, manufactured back in November has a contrast ratio of 10000:1
I don't think Sony actually makes the glass that they use. There are only a few companies that make the panels used in plasma TV's. Panasonic is one and Fujisu/Hitatchi is another. So Sony is probably using Panasonics panel.
"...when it hits stores later this year."
These are already out. We've been selling them like crazy (without even having them on display!), and we put the 50" out today. Whatever you said about the resolution being a negative is simply not true... the 50" is gorgeous!
It would also be nice if the Human Eye were capable of seeing 10,000:1 contrast ratios. It's all in how the company tests and rates their products. It's brightness that sells these TV's especially for Sports Nuts.
So you didnt use my question on ask engadget asking about these sets, and yet you post on it a couple of weeks later? Shame on you!
Anyway, as other have said. These sets are out and I have one in my living room.
However, the contrast ratio is UP TO 10,000:1. In reality, it is around 4000:1
Vizio has been there for a while. You can get a 50" Plasma with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio for $2,500-- granted at 1080i, not 1080p. At this point, 1080p is overkill anyhow. I've had mine since October and have been extremely satisfied.
http://www.vinc.com/site/products/product_p50hdm.html
There was a very long article on Tom's Hardware about contrast ratios and their importance a while back but due to changes in their site it has been reduced to a shorter synopsis of that article. It is still, however, quite relevant and though it was written about LCD PC monitors the same information applies here. You can read it here: http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/02/26/lcd_technicalities/page2.html and it continues on to the next page. It falls in line with what ISF Dood was saying about brightness.
I have the 42 inch model - picture is AWESOME.
My Dell 42" W4201c is also 10,000:1
samsung and sony,specialy samsung contrast ratio is unrealistic.
Vizio just released their new 42HDTV plasma with 10000-1 contrast and it is 1499.00 for March Madness at Costco
contrast ratio is useless
why isn't the 600U models on panasonics site? i believe those are the models that are a little higher than 60U models...with the previous iteration (the 500Us), it included PC inputs, slightly different base (looks better), PIP...does anyone know if the 600Us are designed a little differently as well? any pics?
Contrast ratio IS important, but only in the proper context. A poor contrast ratio means that dark areas will never be really black. In many cases this is not a problem and even LCD projectors with just 1000:1 can be ok for many tv shows etc. The problem with poor contrast is when watching films with dark scenes. I have a DLP projector with 3000:1 and I often wish it had better contrast for such films (though 90% of the time it is more than good enough).
The other thing one has to consider is how the contrast degrades with lighting. For instance you could have a plasma screen which gives 10000:1 in pitch darkness, but as soon as you switch on some lighting (as you normally would) it could easily drop to 3000:1 or less (because the ambient light would be reflecting off the pixels that are not lit). So really for a contrast ratio to be meaningful it should be specified for a given ambient lighting condition.
My Philips 42" plasma I got last year also has 10,000:1.... http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/product.jsp?productId=42PF7320A_37_US_CONSUMER&activeTab=specifications&language=en&country=US&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=JJSIDEJMKL51FJ0RMRESHP3HKFSEKI5P
I did quite a bit of research before buying and found that it spec'd out higher than the competing Sony or Panasonic models.
My Vizio 50inch plasma also has a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Best plasma for its price range. P50HDM.
http://www.vinc.com/site/products/product_p50hdm.html
I bought this Samsung 2 weeks ago primarily because of the higher contrast ratio: http://samsung.com/Products/TV/PlasmaTV/HPR5052XXAA.asp
Best Buy and Circuit City made no reference to any Panasonic Models not on display so I was completely unaware of these new models. Doubt it would have changed my choice, however. The price of this Samsung was much better than the 3000:1 Panasonic on display....
#2: In the photos these PX60U series look kinda ugly, but once you see the actual products you'll change your mind., this year these entry-level Vieras are more attractive than the upcoming PX600U top-of-the-line series. Still nothing, like last year's PX50U and PX500U series.
#10: You're wrong, Sony uses ONLY Samsung SDI PDPs for their professional 50" plasmas and all Samsung LCDs.
#11: Yeah, Best Buy has been selling them HIGHER than the current MSRP and offering them. You pricks geeks!
#14: thouse Vizios sold at Costco are VERY good. They use the new LG 10,000:1 panels.
#17: Dell uses the Samsung SDI panel, also use by Philips, Sony and a few other manufacturers.
#18: And PanaSUCKnic is?
#19: Very good HDTV, i saw it this week side-by-side with the Pioneer PDP-4214HD and the 50" Vizio and it had the best there, very crisp, very clean picture., i haven't seen a plasma like it since the Pioneer PDP-5040HD.
#20: Would you care to elaborate instead of just voicing your opinion?
#21: Thouse Panasonic PX600U series will be available later on the summer, Panasonic might add them by the end of April. All Panasonic Vieras for this year,that included the PD60U, PX60U, PX600U series will be assemble in Mexico., i've seen the remote control and it feel ultra cheap compare to last year's model. No wonder why they are so cheap now, no Japanese-made this year or any year from now on.
I bought the Panasonic 42PX60B Viera. I have a real problem with the dullness of the picture when the scenes are in studio or there are cloudy or dark conditions in outside broadcasts. I have to set the brightness and contrast at maximum to get a decent picture. The spec boasts of 10000: contrast ratio. very disappointing yet all the mas raged about the set. Cost £2000