PLASMA SETS
VT50 Range (Available in 50" 55" and 65") ACTIVE 3D
This range is Panasonics flagship model for this year. It is much thinner than last years VT30 range and has better colour reproduction and smoother active 3D image than the VT30's too.
The frequency responce has gone through the roof this year with a rating of 2500hz. However the relative frequency responce is unknown untill I can work out what "Focused Field Drive" means in real terms so consider it a numbers trick, plasma is always the fastest medium for picture responce so If you are concerned about this ratio you wont get tricked by this set.
The set has both freeviewHD and freesatHD tuners delivering a crisp and detailed image. The dual core processor helps fast channel changing as well as keeping all your viera connect apps running in the background in true multitasking style. Unlike the Samsungs the Pannys do not have an upgrade bay for future processing cards to be added.
As before the intelligent frame creation does a fine job of medium pans (like the beginning of terminator 2 when the camera pans left to right over the neuclear aftermath) making the image look stable, detailed and almost better than real life. However it still hiccups on images that have more than one speed in the field like tennis balls and cars going really fast. Medium setting is fine, although a lot of purists will insist that this feature is switched off at all times.
Some other points:-
Wireless is finally physically built in this year
THX modes work on both 2D and 3D this year
You can create a wireless ad-hoc connection this year
there is a 3D mode that refrains from darkening the image
3D is considerably better with the pop-out stuff
the glasses are bluetooth (inexplicably panasonic call this 3DRF)
the phosphor upgrade is noticable
viera connect / market is still a bit crap (as its open source I guess we are all to blame for this one!)
GT50 Range (Available in 42" 50") ACTIVE 3D
This years GT50 has the same physical plasma panel and features as the VT50. It is less reflective than the GT30 and also looks a lot nicer with more subtle casing and slimmer case. There is not a huge between the GT and VT this year apart from the fact that the VT has a higher end finish on it and a special tint to the panel. If you want bigger than 50" the VT is your best option
ST50 Range (Available in 42" 50" 55" and 65") ACTIVE 3D
The ST50 is a good solid choice for a decent TV with the main features that you will need. It still uses the new neoplasma panel however the casing is a bit fatter. (Last years ST range used the previous years top end neopdp) The finish is adequate but not really sexy, but what else do you lose? Freesat is gone in this model, its only freeview HD. The processor seems restricted as it dosent handle multitasking with the same finesse as the gt/vt. the Focussed field drive has dropped down to 2000hz with no noticable difference in performance.
I know if I was looking for a 65" I would be considering this model as it is rather good for a range panasonic has previously knocked up out of 'last years leftovers'
UT50 Range (Available in 42" 50") ACTIVE 3D
Right, down to the UT50's and the differences are like night and day compared to the st/gt/vt's. This really is a budget plasma panel, its thick, it suffers cell reflection so much the black images look grey in daylight. Its OK for late night viewing and has a reasonable image for the prices asked but Im not stocking them this year as if price is the motivator you can get better LEDs for the asking price.
Wifi dongle is extra on this one so budget for that if you take the plunge.
*I havent seen the xt50 passive 3D plasmas so cant comment on those.
X50 Range (42" and 50")
Its the 2D version of the XT50. We actually have these and for a second room situation they will do the trick nicely. If you have a budget and need to stick to it then they will work in your main room with the kind of reliability that the samsung plasmas lack.
LED RANGE
Now we move to Panasonics LEDs. Despite Panasonic UK begrudgingly selling them saying "We're committed to plasma, but can't ignore the demands of the market. There are some people who'd never buy a plasma, whatever we say." they have turned out rather well.
WT50 Range (42" 47" and 55")
All the LEDs use Panasonic IPS panels in them for picture control they are all active apart from the ET5 range and they all look lovely. They suffer the usual LED issues of a higher lighter absoloute black that is most noticable with night time viewing, they are well suited for daytime and casual viewing with a non reflective panel and Very economic a+ energy rating equating to roughly £30 a year running cost. The set has 1600hz backlight scanning (200hz in old money) and has a nice clear image with coherent 3D that suffers no crosstalk. The pedestal stand looks a bit rank to me though
Like the plasmas, the LEDs boast "Infinite Contrast" so you will have to guage the performance with your own eyes, they do look great but if you want perfect black and accurate colours then plasma is still the way to go
The WT comes with Freesat and Freeview HD tuners and the dual core processor. They have a very slimline subwoofer in the back to improve the sound and it does a good job with a nicely balanced sound
DT50 Range (42" 47" and 55")
The DT range is Pannys answer to samsungs 8000 series with a super slim brushed metal bezel. It dosent have the bluetooth remote control of the vt and wt and the contrast is not as good as on the wt but to me this one looks like a real beauty and will most likely be the popular choice this year. It retains the functionality of the WT range with freeviewHD and FreesatHD tuners present.ET50 Range (42" 47")
The ET50 is next and has a wider silver/black bezel. Its still a looker and performs very well, the features take a knocking at this level. Freq responce has dropped to 800hz BLS (100 hz 2D / 120hz 3D) and the freesat tuner has gone. The contrast has remained the same as the DT range. This is panasonics big hitter and they expect to sell a truckload.
I think its good but have noticed that when the 3D glasses are activated the perfect silver bezel turns into a weird pinky oil-in-water colour. Quite annoying
ET5 Range (32" 37" 42" 47" and 55")
The ET5 is Panasonics first passive 3D LED effort and it is a winner. The effect is outstanding and really good. The custom IPS works well and allows you to tilt your head and retain the 3D image. Dont believe what hifi when they say its really an LG with a panny badge on it, ive seen the LGs and this isnt one of them. If you only want 3D just in case you might want it for something in the future this set is a good bet. It comes with 4 sets of glasses and works with the cinema ones too. The specs are fairly standard stuff with 300HZ BLS and no freesat but is worth serious consideration if you are budget aware and need a good reliable 3DTV.
E5 Range (32" 37" and 42" and 47")The E5 is an ET5 without the 3D and 150hz. Its a good smart 2D set
X5 Range (19" 24" and 32")
The X5 is the standard model, its 50hz and is not a smart model, it has freeview HD and picture performance is adequate for the cash. Its a reliable cheap option and is a better option than a non-brand offering
VT50 Range (Available in 50" 55" and 65") ACTIVE 3D
This range is Panasonics flagship model for this year. It is much thinner than last years VT30 range and has better colour reproduction and smoother active 3D image than the VT30's too.
The frequency responce has gone through the roof this year with a rating of 2500hz. However the relative frequency responce is unknown untill I can work out what "Focused Field Drive" means in real terms so consider it a numbers trick, plasma is always the fastest medium for picture responce so If you are concerned about this ratio you wont get tricked by this set.
The set has both freeviewHD and freesatHD tuners delivering a crisp and detailed image. The dual core processor helps fast channel changing as well as keeping all your viera connect apps running in the background in true multitasking style. Unlike the Samsungs the Pannys do not have an upgrade bay for future processing cards to be added.
As before the intelligent frame creation does a fine job of medium pans (like the beginning of terminator 2 when the camera pans left to right over the neuclear aftermath) making the image look stable, detailed and almost better than real life. However it still hiccups on images that have more than one speed in the field like tennis balls and cars going really fast. Medium setting is fine, although a lot of purists will insist that this feature is switched off at all times.
Some other points:-
Wireless is finally physically built in this year
THX modes work on both 2D and 3D this year
You can create a wireless ad-hoc connection this year
there is a 3D mode that refrains from darkening the image
3D is considerably better with the pop-out stuff
the glasses are bluetooth (inexplicably panasonic call this 3DRF)
the phosphor upgrade is noticable
viera connect / market is still a bit crap (as its open source I guess we are all to blame for this one!)
GT50 Range (Available in 42" 50") ACTIVE 3D
This years GT50 has the same physical plasma panel and features as the VT50. It is less reflective than the GT30 and also looks a lot nicer with more subtle casing and slimmer case. There is not a huge between the GT and VT this year apart from the fact that the VT has a higher end finish on it and a special tint to the panel. If you want bigger than 50" the VT is your best option
ST50 Range (Available in 42" 50" 55" and 65") ACTIVE 3D
The ST50 is a good solid choice for a decent TV with the main features that you will need. It still uses the new neoplasma panel however the casing is a bit fatter. (Last years ST range used the previous years top end neopdp) The finish is adequate but not really sexy, but what else do you lose? Freesat is gone in this model, its only freeview HD. The processor seems restricted as it dosent handle multitasking with the same finesse as the gt/vt. the Focussed field drive has dropped down to 2000hz with no noticable difference in performance.
I know if I was looking for a 65" I would be considering this model as it is rather good for a range panasonic has previously knocked up out of 'last years leftovers'
UT50 Range (Available in 42" 50") ACTIVE 3D
Right, down to the UT50's and the differences are like night and day compared to the st/gt/vt's. This really is a budget plasma panel, its thick, it suffers cell reflection so much the black images look grey in daylight. Its OK for late night viewing and has a reasonable image for the prices asked but Im not stocking them this year as if price is the motivator you can get better LEDs for the asking price.
Wifi dongle is extra on this one so budget for that if you take the plunge.
*I havent seen the xt50 passive 3D plasmas so cant comment on those.
X50 Range (42" and 50")
Its the 2D version of the XT50. We actually have these and for a second room situation they will do the trick nicely. If you have a budget and need to stick to it then they will work in your main room with the kind of reliability that the samsung plasmas lack.
LED RANGE
Now we move to Panasonics LEDs. Despite Panasonic UK begrudgingly selling them saying "We're committed to plasma, but can't ignore the demands of the market. There are some people who'd never buy a plasma, whatever we say." they have turned out rather well.
WT50 Range (42" 47" and 55")
All the LEDs use Panasonic IPS panels in them for picture control they are all active apart from the ET5 range and they all look lovely. They suffer the usual LED issues of a higher lighter absoloute black that is most noticable with night time viewing, they are well suited for daytime and casual viewing with a non reflective panel and Very economic a+ energy rating equating to roughly £30 a year running cost. The set has 1600hz backlight scanning (200hz in old money) and has a nice clear image with coherent 3D that suffers no crosstalk. The pedestal stand looks a bit rank to me though
Like the plasmas, the LEDs boast "Infinite Contrast" so you will have to guage the performance with your own eyes, they do look great but if you want perfect black and accurate colours then plasma is still the way to go
The WT comes with Freesat and Freeview HD tuners and the dual core processor. They have a very slimline subwoofer in the back to improve the sound and it does a good job with a nicely balanced sound
DT50 Range (42" 47" and 55")
The DT range is Pannys answer to samsungs 8000 series with a super slim brushed metal bezel. It dosent have the bluetooth remote control of the vt and wt and the contrast is not as good as on the wt but to me this one looks like a real beauty and will most likely be the popular choice this year. It retains the functionality of the WT range with freeviewHD and FreesatHD tuners present.ET50 Range (42" 47")
The ET50 is next and has a wider silver/black bezel. Its still a looker and performs very well, the features take a knocking at this level. Freq responce has dropped to 800hz BLS (100 hz 2D / 120hz 3D) and the freesat tuner has gone. The contrast has remained the same as the DT range. This is panasonics big hitter and they expect to sell a truckload.
I think its good but have noticed that when the 3D glasses are activated the perfect silver bezel turns into a weird pinky oil-in-water colour. Quite annoying
ET5 Range (32" 37" 42" 47" and 55")
The ET5 is Panasonics first passive 3D LED effort and it is a winner. The effect is outstanding and really good. The custom IPS works well and allows you to tilt your head and retain the 3D image. Dont believe what hifi when they say its really an LG with a panny badge on it, ive seen the LGs and this isnt one of them. If you only want 3D just in case you might want it for something in the future this set is a good bet. It comes with 4 sets of glasses and works with the cinema ones too. The specs are fairly standard stuff with 300HZ BLS and no freesat but is worth serious consideration if you are budget aware and need a good reliable 3DTV.
E5 Range (32" 37" and 42" and 47")The E5 is an ET5 without the 3D and 150hz. Its a good smart 2D set
X5 Range (19" 24" and 32")
The X5 is the standard model, its 50hz and is not a smart model, it has freeview HD and picture performance is adequate for the cash. Its a reliable cheap option and is a better option than a non-brand offering
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