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Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Home Theater
Welcome to Engadget's holiday gift guide! Head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. For many of us, "home entertainment" systems can be tucked in backpacks or propped up on an airline tray table. For diehard media fanatics, however, such lightweight solutions won't do. If you or someone you love knows their LCD from their plasma -- and you have the money to spend -- the TVs below are sure to please. The days of 4K may still be early, but, hey, nothing makes watching Planet Earth more social than a giant, brilliant set. Even if your wallet isn't fat, you can upgrade a living room with our favorite set-top boxes and TVs.
Panasonic buries rumors of plasma TV's death
A certain demographic of home theater connoisseurs has fretted for a few weeks over talk that Panasonic might end plasma TV production and research -- would viewers have to resort to anything so vulgar as... an LCD? No, Panasonic says. Despite earlier claims of frozen development, the company's merchandising VP Henry Hauser is emphatic that there remains "room for further improvement" in the plasma realm, and that Panasonic fully intends to develop upgrades. The Viera ZT series we saw at CES will be a launchpad for future work, according to the executive. Hauser's full statement awaits after the break if there are any lingering doubts; for now, it appears that Panasonic values plasma's distinct qualities as much as the next basement movie maven.
Panasonic reveals pricing for (most) 2013 HDTVs, puts plasma R&D on ice
Panasonic's NYC press event had more than pricing for its media streamers and Blu-ray players, as the company also put tags on its 2013 HDTVs. While it wasn't ready to announces MSRPs for its top of the line ZT60 plasmas that impressed us greatly at CES, it did put prices and shipping windows on its other models (check after the break for a complete list). The former flagship VT60 series will be available in 55-, 60- and 65-inch versions later this month for $2,600, $3,000 and $3,600, respectively. Cheaper plasma models include the ST60 and S60 series, available in sizes up to 60-inches. Its top of the line WT60 LCD LED-lit models will also ship later this month, topped by the 55-inch version with a sticker price of $2,999. The bad news? While Panasonic's plasma manufacturing will continue, The Verge reports VP Kiyoshi Okamoto confirmed at the event that development has ceased on its plasma models, although some engineers have been shifted to work on OLED displays. We'll see if its recovery efforts and technological developments lead to new large-size OLEDs anytime soon, but for now it appears we're seeing the last of its efforts to push plasma technology forward.
Sixteen new plasma TVs from Panasonic for 2013, none that break into larger classes
The new 2013 lineup of Panasonic plasmas will be available starting in February, with 16 new models ranging from 42-inches to 65-inches -- nothing to compete with the 70 and up LCDs. The new flagship series is the ZT60. Only available in 60 and 65-inches, it is the only one in the lineup that offers "Beyond the Reference" level of picture quality and ultimate black color with its Studio Master Panel. The bulk of the new cool features of the ZT60 are also available on the VT60. Things like Voice Guidance and Voice Interaction -- which fall short of full blown voice control -- integrated camera and WiFi, TXH for both 2D and 3D and ISFccc Calibration Mode and include a touch pad controller. Every new model, except the X60, also supports an optional Electronic Touch Pen accessory. The ZT60, VT60, and ST60 set themselves apart even further with a personalized home screen, Viera Connect with Swipe & Share for transferring photos and videos from your smartphone or tablet with a flick of the finger. While the lineup detailed in the press release below certainly features some new features worth clamoring for, as well as an attractive new design, the lack of any sets larger than 65-inches, and no Ultra HD, gives the competition an indisputable edge in the large TV market. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
