Panasonic revamps its plasma lineup

Despite the fact that consumers and videophiles don't agree on a single preferred HDTV technology, Panasonic continues to cater to those who can't live without true blacks and accurate colors with five new lines of Plasmas. In an attempt to help you find just the right size for your setup, Panasonic has added a 46-inch model to some of its lines including the flagship PZ850. In addition to the 46-inch, the top of the line is available in the; 50, 58 and 65-inch varieties. The 850 line is also the first to include IP enabled features like YouTube and Picasa. Like a few other high-end sets -- the PZ850 includes THX display certification, easy access to ISF calibration settings, 30,000:1 contrast, RS-232C, and four HDMI ports. The PZ800 line (pictured) has just about everything the 850 does with the exception of the IP features and the addition of a 42-inch model. These aren't the only options as Panasonic also has the PZ85, PZ80, and PX80 lines, but other than they aren't as good as the 850 and 800, we're hard press to tell them apart. All the new TVs are expected in the spring of 2008 at a currently undisclosed price.

[Mr_Pat @ Feb 15th 2008 7:01PM]

Will these have the HMDI 1.3

[Fred @ Jan 6th 2008 5:01PM]

I can't imagine anyone wanting to watch a highly compressed YouTube video on a 65-inch.

[Peter @ Jan 6th 2008 5:10PM]

All that, and I bet it STILL doesn't have a VGA input...

[Jeff @ Jan 6th 2008 11:05PM]

It does. Well...on the midrange models. As usual.

[boe @ Jan 6th 2008 6:36PM]

I love the Panasonics - I think they are great screens for the price. I'm hoping they will consider larger screens.

[Dom @ Jan 6th 2008 7:19PM]

Just tried to call the 2 panasonic employees listed on the press release to get info on availability and SRP, but both went to VM. Anyone have info on these? Was thinking of buying the 700U for $2138 shipped, but.... :)

[Perrey Z. @ Jan 7th 2008 10:50AM]

Great features but man the designs suck! What was Panasonic thinking when they created these things?! they look like the Samsung LCD line up from 2006 with Sony XBR BRAVIA stands. Awful!