[Phil Hinton]

Panasonic have announced two new Professional home cinema plasma panels boasting the blackest blacks and highest industry contrast ratios. The 65" VX100 will be available in January 2009 with the 50" model due in February 2009. We will have an exclusive review of the 65" panel in December, keep an eye on AVForums home cinema equipment reviews for more.

Here is the full press release.

Originally Posted by Panasonic Press Release

Panasonic Professional Displays Europe, announces the introduction of two 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) full high-definition plasma displays for high-end home cinema enthusiasts and AV professionals. With the increasing availability of full high definition content, there is a growing consumer appetite to enjoy high-quality images at home, and with Panasonic aiming to distribute these models through a selected network of high level Custom Home Cinema specialists, the exceptional TH-65VX100 and TH-50VX100 panels look like packing a visual punch.

Panasonic has been long committed to expanding its product line-ups for luxury home cinema applications, including the launch of the World's Largest 103-inch plasma display back in 2006. Employing these two exquisite new models with a stunning 60,000:1 contrast ratio*3 - the world's highest, the new advanced plasma displays feature enhanced high-quality image technologies accumulated in the development of the Professional Display PF series supplied for many commercial applications including at broadcasting stations and post production houses.

For these latest models, Panasonic uses the new-generation plasma display panels (PDP) equipped with a new structure in which a recently-developed 'Dynamic Black Layer' is positioned at the front end of the panel. Reducing the amount of predischarge to one-sixth that of the conventional models boosting the contrast ratio to the world's highest at 60,000:1, leading to exceptionally deeper, richer blacks. By incorporating the newly-developed phosphor material process technology and optical filter, the advanced plasma displays have extended the HDTV-standard colour gamut and cover almost the entire colour range currently used in digital cinema industries.

Panasonic's world's leading maximum 18-bit digital signal processing and 'Digital Colour Reality' technologies achieve a detailed gradation from light to dark and faithfully express subtle colour differences. The moving picture resolution of over 900 lines reproduces clear, crisp, and smooth moving images. The oustanding picture quality of both the 65 and 50inch beauties, deliver breathtaking images which give a realistic movie experience and evoke emotions and feelings in any viewer.

The new models are equipped with a variety of customisable functions for high-end home cinema connoisseurs. The 16 adjustment menus cover items such as six gamma curve options and white balance adjustment. The advanced memory function makes it possible to name and save the used or calibrator adjusted data. With a black aluminum hairline finish on the front bezel, the highly-refined design in every detail creates a sophisticated and desirable air.

Main features:
1. Reproduces the blackest black with the world's highest contrast ratio of 60,000:1 by employing the new plasma panel.
2. Expresses true-to-life colours in a wide range.
3. Achieves the industry-leading gradation level of 7,160 steps. The cinema picture qualities delivers breathtaking, beautiful images which give a realistic movie experience.

The TH-65VX100 will be available in January 2009 and the TH-50VX100 in February 2009.

Looks like being an interesting new model and it will be interesting to see how the new panel looks and performs. Will we see a Kuro challenger?

Our review will be an exclusive UK first and David Mackenzie will be covering it in December, so keep an eye on the reviews area, there will be a video review as well - a new feature that will accompany all new reviews.

[wess74]

Hi Phil,

Any idea on pricing yet! More interested in the 50", and are there any photos.

Many thanks.

[philbam]

Same question about pricing, but more interested in the 65 inch model.

[andrewfee]

HD Guru "reviewed" one of these a couple of months ago


Black levels are not on par with the Kuros. Supposedly panels equivalent to these are going to be in the regular Panasonic line-up next year, with NeoPDP being their high-end line of displays.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it though.

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by wess74

are there any photos.

Many thanks.

Just waiting on some press shots arriving in my inbox, will add when I get them.

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by philbam

Same question about pricing, but more interested in the 65 inch model.

Will get a rough SRP price when the model arrives with David for review.

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by andrewfee

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it though.

It will be the first time we get a look at the European model, so it will be interesting. As always full testing will be carried out. Nice speculation there, if you say it enough it might become true (jesting)

[J.Haugen]

Our review will be an exclusive UK first and David Mackenzie will be covering it in December, so keep an eye on the reviews area, there will be a video review as well - a new feature that will accompany all new reviews.

Great! Looking forward to the review.

[andrewfee]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

Nice speculation there, if you say it enough it might become true (jesting)

[Phil Hinton]

Image as requested. I have asked for details on possible pricing.

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by wess74

Hi Phil,

Any idea on pricing yet! More interested in the 50", and are there any photos.

Many thanks.

SRP will be about £7999 for the 65"

[marvinwright1]

Whats the difference between these and the new 11 Series that have just come out ?

[wess74]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

SRP will be about £7999 for the 65"

Thanks Phil, but what about the 50".

All the best.

P.S. £8000 for a 65" Pana!!!, makes the 60" £4500-£5000 Pio KRP'S seem like stealing

[usman24]

according to what-hifi online the 50 vx100 will only be 30,000:1 contrast ratio unlike the 60,000:1 quoted for the 65" version.

this is unfortunate because I was almost willing to wait for the 50" vx100 to be released with the extreme contrast. I assume the 50 vx100 is basically a 50PF11 with more calibration menus/options?

[rewerb]

Originally Posted by usman24

according to what-hifi online the 50 vx100 will only be 30,000:1 contrast ratio unlike the 60,000:1 quoted for the 65" version.

No, the Panasonic press release says 60,000:1 for both models

[usman24]

Originally Posted by rewerb

No, the Panasonic press release says 60,000:1 for both models

check out the link below as this also confirms 30,000:1 for the 50" and 60,000:1 for the 65". Panasonic need to sort their act out if they are to compete with Pioneer's extreme contrast panels. Recycling the same panel over and over again is getting a bit boring.

HEXUS.lifestyle - Press Release :: Panasonic to Launch Two Full-High Definition Home Cinema Plasma Displays : Page - 1/1

[rewerb]

Originally Posted by usman24

check out the link below as this also confirms 30,000:1 for the 50" and 60,000:1 for the 65". Panasonic need to sort their act out if they are to compete with Pioneer's extreme contrast panels. Recycling the same panel over and over again is getting a bit boring.

HEXUS.lifestyle - Press Release :: Panasonic to Launch Two Full-High Definition Home Cinema Plasma Displays : Page - 1/1

I stand corrected.
Looks like the press release at the start of this thread omitted the footnotes, which show most of the best features are on the 65" (extended digital colour, higher contrast and lower pre-discharge.)

[usman24]

Originally Posted by rewerb

I stand corrected.
Looks like the press release at the start of this thread omitted the footnotes, which show most of the best features are on the 65" (extended digital colour, higher contrast and lower pre-discharge.)

Its sad that Panasonic have done this. I would have waited for the 50vx100 but as it stands I may just go for a 50 KRP-M pioneer but I am not too keen on the glossy surround and a bit concerned about dead pixels etc. which seem to be fairly common on the pio's. I should be able to have a demo of this model within the next 14 days.

[Phil Hinton]

Our in-depth review of this professional monitor is now live on the site and you can read it here: Panasonic TH-65VX100 Professional Plasma Monitor Review review at AVForums.com
The video review will be here in the next few days. Enjoy!

[wess74]

Great review guys. But can you tell me what the difference is between the TH-50VX100 and the TH-50PF11EK because i can't see that many (if any!).

[John Anderson]

Originally Posted by wess74

Great review guys. But can you tell me what the difference is between the TH-50VX100 and the TH-50PF11EK because i can't see that many (if any!).

TH-50VX1000

TH-50VX100 contrast ratio now 40,000:1
- Gradation is now [B]6,144 steps (equivalent)
- Now 16 adjustment menu's.
-New Luxury hairline aluminium bezel.

TH-50PF11EK
TH-50PF11EK0contrast ratio now 30,000:1-
- Gradation is now 5,210 steps(equivalent)
- Standard Panasonic Pro Menus
-Standard bezel.

[Kent Home Cinema]

Morning all

Panasonic have kindly let us have a TH65VX100 production model over the Christmas period so if any AVForums members would like to demo this new model before it heads off to Switzland on the 2nd Jan please give us a call.

Regards

Alastair

Now that you had a chance to play with the 65VX100, how does it compare with the Panasonic 11UK, and current Kuro

Originally Posted by Alastair Collie

Morning all

Panasonic have kindly let us have a TH65VX100 production model over the Christmas period so if any AVForums members would like to demo this new model before it heads off to Switzland on the 2nd Jan please give us a call.

Regards


Alastair

[Bluedan]

Both Panasonic VX100 model will be on display at the Bristol Sound & Vision Show next.

With the end of Kuro in sight it's a great chance to see what the new standard bearer in High End plasma is all about

[rewerb]

There is a review of the 65VX100 on the US CNET site.

[Kent Home Cinema]

Originally Posted by BOB HAN

Now that you had a chance to play with the 65VX100, how does it compare with the Panasonic 11UK, and current Kuro

Morning

Sorry missed your post. The VX100 is certainly a quality screen and following full calibration compared favourably with the Kuro. The depth of blacks were better with the Kuro however we found the shadow detail better on the Panasonic. The VX100 panels are hand picked from the production line which is partly reflected in the premium price for this panel and they are only going to be available in small numbers.

65" screens are currently available with a small quantity of 50" VX100 screens becoming available later this month.

Regards

Alastair

[Liam @ Prog AV]

50" VX100 should be at Bristol this weekend, hoping for stock of the 50" next week!!!!! £3,600 inc VAT seems to be the price (I actually thought it would be more given the 9 grand tag on the 65")

[SimonH]

Originally Posted by Liam @ Prog AV

50" VX100 should be at Bristol this weekend, hoping for stock of the 50" next week!!!!! £3,600 inc VAT seems to be the price (I actually thought it would be more given the 9 grand tag on the 65")

£9k doesn't seem massively feasbable does it? The best Kuro is about half that, seems like rather a hard sell frankly.

[lfletcher]

Having seen the 65" (and 50") at Bristol on Friday, I'm not convinced there was much that would convince me that this was worth twice as much as my existing 65" PF10. It's always difficult to compare something in isolation and there's nothing to say that the screen was setup to it's best, but I think Panasonic will have a pretty hard sell on these compared to the PF range.

[Kent Home Cinema]

Afternoon all

Can now confirm the Panasonic TH50VX100 is available albeit in small numbers. Our demonstration unit is now up and running for anyone who would like to come in and have a look. Out of the box quality looks very good with further calibrating to be started tomorrow.

Regards

Alastair