DENVER, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, the market and technology leader in Plasma HDTVs, announced today at the opening of the 2007 CEDIA convention, that it has expanded its already industry leading line of 1080p High Definition Plasma TVs, to include two new, more affordable models -- the TH-42PZ77 and the TH-50PZ77. Scheduled to ship this month, the new 42-inch and 50-inch class Plasmas have SRPs of $1799.95 and $2799.95 respectively.

The introduction of the PZ77 series increases Panasonic's already deep line of 1080p Plasmas to eight -- the widest selection of Plasma TVs in the industry -- and further demonstrates Panasonic's industry leadership and cutting edge technology in big screen Plasma entertainment. The two new 1080p TVs join the critically acclaimed 700 and 750 series providing consumers with a wide selection of Plasmas with the highest, to date, possible resolution. Panasonic's top rated Plasmas are available in 42-inch, 50-inch, 58-inch and 65-inch class models, all of which include the unique SD memory card slot, a feature that allows consumers to view images from an SD Memory Card on the big screen Panasonic Plasma, rather than the camera's small screen or a computer monitor.

"CEDIA is the perfect environment to introduce Panasonic's expanded line of 1080p Plasmas," stated Dennis Eppel, Vice President, Panasonic Display Company. "Custom installers are a very important part of our business and with this in mind we are confident that the depth and outstanding picture quality of Panasonic's Plasmas will meet and exceed the installer's requirements. In the end, Panasonic's commitment to providing the highest quality ensures that we will continue to meet consumer desire for a High-Definition lifestyle."

The TH-42PZ77 and TH-50PZ77 feature more than two million pixels and have a resolution of 1920 x 1080, with a contrast ratio of 10,000:1. The two latest additions to Panasonic's 1080p Plasma line also feature an anti-glare screen coating and a jack pack that includes two HDMI inputs, three S-video inputs, three composite video inputs and two component video inputs. The PZ77 series also incorporates an automatic pixel wobbling function -- as does the entire 2007 Plasma line -- for anti-image retention. The PZ77 series also features EZ-Sync(TM), a technology that links Panasonic consumer home entertainment and video products to allow seamless control of the entire system using only one remote and the unique SD Memory card slot.

"Panasonic's 2007 line of 1080p Plasmas produces crisp, clear images with a wide viewing angle so that the superb picture can be seen from any seat in the home environment," added Eppel. "We've been the market leader for the past three years and as the saying goes -- the proof is in the pudding. Quite simply, Panasonic's Plasmas produce beautiful pictures and with our recent announcement of an extended life span of 100,000 hours to half brightness, these 1080p TVs are the perfect technology for a variety of entertainment options, from gaming to viewing sports and movies."


Source: Panasonic

I was pretty much set on a PZ700 but now they do this. I wonder if that 10000:1 contrast truly is higher than the 5000:1 advertised on the PZ700 series or if they're just bumping up the number for marketing reasons.

I was pretty much set on the PX75, and I'll probably stick with that... hopefully this will drive down the price even more!

Jungle Monkey, ignore the contrast ratios in the spec sheets. They are meaningless. If you really care about absolute black level that much you'll need to see it in person.

If you really care about absolute black, you should check out the Pioneer models.

Sorry about the confusion guys. I know that all the numbers are BS, I'm just wondering if this new model truly has a higher contrast ratio or if its just more marketing BS.

As jvincent said, we'll just have to wait and see in person.

Any information on when these arrive in Canada and the msrp? I am holding out for the 42pz for the cheaper price and the anti glare compared to the 700..

Does it have the same video processors as the PZ700? The PX series processors don't seem to do as good of a job upscaling SD signals as the PZ series (at least to my eyes - or is this a resolution issue?).

I sent off an email to Panasonic Canada yesterday as to the availability and price of the TH-42PZ77, and received a reply today...

According to the person who sent the response, she said that it wasn't in their system as of yet, but to check back in a week or two when there may be new info. She also mentioned that she believed that it would probably be available in Canada around mid-October.

Depending on the eventual price, I'm 98% sure that I'm going to get this TV.

I also called Panasonic ca and got a similar reply. Check back in two weeks. I talked to my A/V supplier here and he said I can get one installed first week of October... looks like Canada will not be far behind the US. Got a price of 2,000 from one and 1,870 from another. Apparently guys in the US have already picked up this set check out the AVS forums. I hope to have mine up and running on Oct 5. Fingers crossed....

Any other canadian street prices out there??

Just sent off another email to Panasonic, and received a reply...

The TH-42PZ77 will be released at the end of October, and the price has not been finalized.

May not know the exact day or price, but at least we have more then we did.

Just for the record, I'm definitely getting one of these bad boys right before Christmas. I always get myself a Christmas Present, and this year I think I'm really going to treat myself. And since my dad gets all my "hand me down" electronics, he'll be getting the (almost) new Panasonic plasma TV that I bought last year; so it will be a pretty good Christmas for him as well!

Just got off the phone with the folks I get my electronics from, and they tell me that the 42PZ77U is now available for sale. I see they have also added it to the Canadian Panasonic site (which also has the price I was quoted). I'm definitely picking this up come December when I can get the money together!