Panasonic's 103-incher gets model, price

You might have known it before by its nicknames: Goliath, Brobdingnag, the Colossus, etc. But now you've got a model number and price tag for Panasonic's 103-inch behemoth; call it the TH-103PZ600, and expect it out September first for a princely ¥6,000,000. Yes, that's over $51,000 US (which is what all plasmas used to cost but a few years ago, if you recall). Oh, and not that you'd care but Panny's also launching their 65-inch TH-65PZ600, 58-inch TH-58PZ600, and 50-inch TH-50PZ600 sets on the same date for significantly less (they top out at about $8,500 US). But really once you've seen the gaze of a 103-inch television, there's no way you can go back. Which is precisely why if you don't have the means, like us, you should never lay eyes on one; and if you do have the means, well, don't be bummed out when during CES 2007 Panny, LG, and Samsung all announce their own 104-inch set.

Update: Ouch! We've just received official word on pricing and availability for the US version of this behemoth, and neither will make potential customers very happy: not only will American home theater buffs have to wait until December to pick one of these models up, they'll have to shell out an eye-popping $70,000 to do so.

[Conrad @ Jul 19th 2006 8:43AM]

I can see it already - the eight owners of the 103in Panasonic breaking down in tears when they see the 104inchers.

[Temple @ Jul 19th 2006 8:50AM]

Being that the unit is aimed primarily at buisnesses rather then consumers the price may be shocking but probably in the price range of Malls, Stores, or Sports Bars etc that want a massive display.

Though I'm sure some millionares may buy it, I think it will be a small percent of the 5,000 Panasonic intends to sell.

[r @ Jul 19th 2006 8:57AM]

What is the difference between the PZ600 series and the PX600U series? Panny just released a new 50inch a couple of months ago (TH-50PX600U), why are they releasing another 50in plasma in September?

[G. Snyder @ Jul 19th 2006 10:06AM]

Hey everyone....you typically can't judge US retail price by doing straight conversion. While I am sure it will be more expensive than any electronic device I will ever buy, I would not bet that it will be exactly that price.

People make this mistake with cars a lot too.

[KCap @ Jul 19th 2006 10:30AM]

I've got a Panasonic AE900 (projector) in my living room giving me a 115 inch screen size for a very small fraction of the price of this smaller screen.

Sure, the plasma won't require the low-light environment the projector does, but you could buy the projector for less than $1500, some quality blackout blinds/curtains to keep light off the screen for a couple grand, and then end up with a larger screen size you can watch whenever you want AND $45,000+ extra dollars in your pocket...

[Wonderboy @ Jul 19th 2006 11:49AM]

KCap's got the right idea... I can't understand a single person that needs this for personal use. The only time you need to take advantage of a screen this size is in a home theater set-up. Otherwise you're just too close to the screen.

So why not get a nice projector and use the rest of the money to renovate your basement into a Home Theater that all the neighbors will envy?

[Scott @ Jul 19th 2006 11:49AM]

Actually, its $69,999.95. Yes, I know that's the pro model, but Panny usually prices the MSRP of the consumer and pro plasmas fairly closely.

http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=98050&catGroupId=14624&modelNo=TH-103PF9UK&surfModel=TH-103PF9UK

[Poopmaster @ Jul 19th 2006 11:56AM]

Fahrenheit 451 is here.

[Guruboy @ Jul 19th 2006 12:10PM]

Well you're sure not going to get an HD projector for $1500, that's a no-brainer. Besides not having the low-light requirement for viewing, and TV is also a better choice because you can put it anywhere in the house, not having to find a special place to mount that projector. I'm not sayin that's worth an extra 45 grand, though.

[DanoDES @ Jul 19th 2006 12:34PM]

Have any of you ever carried a Plasma TV before? They way a TON, even a 42 incher. You'll need a crane to get a 103" Plasma into your house let alone your basement. Having a screen this size in Plasma form is not practical for home use, no matter how much money you have. Also, bigger is not always better, it's still 1080p resolution, so it's not like the pixels get sharper when you double the usual screen size... something to keep in mind.

[BadBee @ Jul 19th 2006 12:46PM]

Projectors are the way to go. I love my 130 inch wall. It is better than most theaters. What would you be thinking buying this monstrousity. I could build a theater room addition on to my house for 50 grand.

[KCap @ Jul 19th 2006 1:58PM]

@Guruboy's "Well you're sure not going to get an HD projector for $1500, that's a no-brainer."

Huh? Panny 900 is an HD projector, which currently can be bought new for ~$1400 (counting a $400 mail in rebate).

[Ben @ Jul 19th 2006 4:06PM]

Why wouldn't you use a projector instead of this plasma? Because you wouldn't have a 103 inch plasma of course.

For people who have the means to buy this wow factor is more important then being economical.

[Mark @ Jul 19th 2006 8:00PM]

Cool. I have a coupon from Best Buy for 10% off any tv over $399.00.

[S. Kucera @ Jul 20th 2006 1:28AM]

Mark, I would be tempted to use that just to see their jaws drop when they give me a $7,000 discount. Of course, I'd return it the next day, unopened (no re-stocking fee for me on that mother).

[Brian @ Jul 20th 2006 12:04PM]

Isn't that Koyuki in the red dress? One of the best, most beautiful of the Japanese actresses. They should have used her in the Geisha movie instead of those miscast Chinese babes.

[Perrey Z. @ Jul 20th 2006 3:42PM]

I when to my bank this morning investigating how to get a loan to cover this baby., I got the green light from the loan officer but i didn't want to proceed further until this monster gets more publicity. But for $70,000 plus tax, delivery and installation, Panasonic BETTER change the bezel to a Gloss Black one, instead of that hideous fugly Matte Black use in it and the PX60U and PX600U models and a stand similar to the 65" PZ600.

[spil @ Jul 23rd 2006 12:52PM]

That's right, Poopmaster, and I'm ready!!!

[Roger @ Nov 16th 2006 12:26AM]

Panasonic has once again reached new heights with the 103-inch TH-103PZ600U Plasma TV, surpassing Samsung�s and LG�s 102-inch Plasma Televisions. With the technology of today and the popularity of Plasma TV�s, the sky�s the limit. I look forward to the next stunning achievements in the future with Plasma Televisions.

http://www.bestplasmatvinfo.com
http://www.bestplasmatvinfo.com/blog
http://www.bestplasmatvinfo.com/forum

[JB @ Sep 15th 2007 1:27AM]

This thing will generate as much heat as a blow dryer turned on all the time - at probably something like 1500 Watts peak power you will have to dedicate a full circuit at 120 volts just to run the behemoth. A 150Watt projector can project an image twice as large, when are people going to get a clue?

[S.Rissel @ Jan 28th 2009 9:30AM]

I think the Panasonic 103 system is more for the professional conferencing area. There are privates which can afforf this system but most are sold to professionals and rental companies.

Flatlift has built a special XXXL TV Lift System for the Panasonic TH103PF9EK. It was done for the Kremlin in Russia. In fact that the ceiling was to high and to custom made Mr. Putin chooses the 103" Plasma panel for his conference room.

You can find more information about that project when visiting the Website from Flatlift:

Flatlift TV Lift Systems for TH 103 PF 9 EK Panasonic Plasma panel.

[S.Rissel @ Jan 28th 2009 9:43AM]

See the 103" Kremlin Project there:

http://www.flatlift.net/index.php?id=60&lang=en