2011 Panasonic UK Plasma Range Announced

[Fr0dders]

Japanese TV manufacturer Panasonic has launched its 2011 range of Viera HDTV displays at its annual convention held in London today. Sitting at the top of the crop, and boasting 3D THX certification is the company’s VT30 series of 3D plasma televisions, which is available in screen sizes of 42, 50, 55 and 65 inches. The Panasonic TX-P42VT30B and TX-P50VT30B are expected to be the most popular models – in its opening presentation a company executive revealed that half of the flat-panel HDTVs it sells in Europe are 42″ and 50″.
Screen Size UK Model Number European Model Number

42-inch Panasonic TX-P42VT30 or TX-P42VT30B Panasonic TX-P42VT30E
50-inch Panasonic TX-P50VT30 or TX-P50VT30B Panasonic TX-P50VT30E
55-inch Panasonic TX-P55VT30 or TX-P55VT30B Panasonic TX-P55VT30E
65-inch Panasonic TX-P65VT30 or TX-P65VT30B Panasonic TX-P65VT30E

This year, Panasonic’s NeoPDP moniker has been replaced by “NeoPlasma”, heralding the deployment of newly developed fast-switching phosphors in the company’s plasma panels. The Panasonic VT30 NeoPlasma models will feature 600Hz subfield drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro MCFI (motion-compensated frame interpolation) technology, plus Infinite Black Pro and High Contrast Filter Pro which together deliver deeper blacks and high contrast ratios even in brighter rooms.

There is no sign of the Osaka-headquartered conglomerate shying away from 3D technology anytime soon. The Panasonic VT30 is of course 3D-capable, and is the first flat-screen HDTV range from Panasonic to be both 2D and 3D THX-certified. The company claims that its flagship 3D TV model will offer the most satisfying three-dimensional viewing experience, owing to a combination of minimal crosstalk (made possible by 600Hz motion, fast 0.001ms response time, and the new plasma phosphors) and active-shutter 3D technology (which allows for full HD resolution in 3D mode). Two pairs of active-shutter 3D glasses are included with each VT30 model purchased.

Aesthetically, the Panasonic TX-P42VT30B, TX-P50VT30B, TX-P55VT30B and TX-P65VT30B are no slouches either: all four 3D plasma TV sets boast a super-slim and one-sheet-of-glass design. Other features include the company’s new Viera Connect internet-enabled service providing access to interactive online content such as Facebook and Skype, wifi connectivity (each VT30 ships with a USB wireless dongle), and USB-to-HDD as well as SD card recording.
The VT30 is scheduled to hit UK shops in May and June this year, starting with the 42-inch Panasonic TX-P42VT30B. We will provide an update on the prices as soon as we get them from company officials.

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panasonic-tx-p42vt30b-tx-p50vt30b-201102151026.htm

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/panasonic-convention-2011.php

So then, 3.3cm thick VT30 with exclusive single piece of glass design for Europe?

Can Hardly wait. Roll on may !

 

[Somnambulist]

Fit. Wish I had a few grand laying about.

 

[glenimp617]

They need to really pull something out of the bag this year. I'm a big panasonic fan but last years models were awful and the year before even worse.

 

[Bleek]

Expected price of the 50" VT30?

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

oh noes

Im trying to convince the missus that the 42" panny is now too small for the living room in our new place

 

[glenimp617]

Expected price of the 50" VT30?

at a guess...£1,799

 

[insane200]

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panasonic-tx-p42vt30b-tx-p50vt30b-201102151026.htm

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/panasonic-convention-2011.php

So then, 3.3cm thick VT30 with exclusive single piece of glass design for Europe?

Can Hardly wait. Roll on may !

sounds nice, cant wait to see it friday, Also changed viera cast to viera connect, and added things like games.

We have recieved the Txp42c3 today, and for the price its a bargain, freeview Hd 600hz, only 720p but great little entry level set.

 

[insane200]

at a guess...£1,799

Id say more like £2k at the start.

 

[TheOtherOption]

Certainly looking good, think I'll hold onto my 50V20 for a bit yet though!

We had some TXP50C3s at work today as well as the 42" version late last week, can't wait to get some of these new sets pass through - compare them etc

Interesting to see 55" sets appearing now - can only be a good thing to have more variety in sizes to choose from.

 

[probedb]

I'm on the look out for a new TV later this year so hopefully they'll have got back to the quality of my PX70

 

[fabkat]

Some French prices:-

VT30
- 42" : 1699 € (april week 2-3)
- 50" : 2099 € (late april)
- 55" : 2799 € (may week 2-3)
- 65" : 3999 € (june week 2-3)

GT30 :
- 42" : 1399 € (late march)
- 46" : 1599 € (late march)
- 50" : 1799 € (late march)

ST30 :
- 42" : 999 € (early may)
- 46" : 1199 € (early may)
- 50" : 1399 € (early may)

G30 :
- 42" : 850 € (early April)
- 50" : 1200 € (early April)

 

[the wopster]

and the have only improved the 50hz bug NOT solved it,think i may give this years pannys a miss

 

[Fr0dders]

and the have only improved the 50hz bug NOT solved it,think i may give this years pannys a miss

i got bored by the hysteria about this bug when trying to read up on it on the AVForums and gave up.

what actually is it ?

Some French prices:-

VT30
- 42" : 1699 € (april week 2-3)
- 50" : 2099 € (late april)
- 55" : 2799 € (may week 2-3)
- 65" : 3999 € (june week 2-3)

GT30 :
- 42" : 1399 € (late march)
- 46" : 1599 € (late march)
- 50" : 1799 € (late march)

ST30 :
- 42" : 999 € (early may)
- 46" : 1199 € (early may)
- 50" : 1399 € (early may)

G30 :
- 42" : 850 € (early April)
- 50" : 1200 € (early April)

1st price of the 42" VT30 has appeared on google - £1600. VT20 is now at about £1300 for the 42" model. Would like it a bit nearer £1500 tbh, Will wait and see.

 

[insane200]

This 50hz bug cant be that bad as ive never noticed it, nor hah anyone else mention it.

Any way having been to look at the new range, I quite like the new style, the new LED range looks fantastic tbh, But the DT30 range which has local dimming you can see the light scanning across the screen which was really off putting.

The new Plasmas also look good, The VT30 looks really good with its one piece glass screen, much like a V10 did, and the 65incher was awesome , the GT30 i Prefered as the bezel was smaller overall, and still gave fantastic results.

Viera Cast has been changed to Viera Connect, which gives added options of games from an app store, Asphalt 5 ran really well, and you can plug a usb joypad into the telly.

The also have something called Ifit which can be linked to a running machine, and google maps, then you can plan a route to run/walk and it will track you adding in hills to make it realistic as possible, you can also get an armband to ware which links via bluetooth and tracks you heart rate and so on all day long if wanted.

 

[Fr0dders]

I'm almost certainly getting a 42" VT30, assuming nothing amazingly bad doesnt crop up.

What actual content is 50hz anyway ? I only watch Sky & Play PS3/Xbox (and blu rays on the PS3)

 

[insane200]

I'm almost certainly getting a 42" VT30, assuming nothing amazingly bad doesnt crop up.

What actual content is 50hz anyway ? I only watch Sky & Play PS3/Xbox (and blu rays on the PS3)

normal sd contents id guess ? what is the problem supposed to be ? as from what ive seen, plasma beats everything , especially for SD stuff.

 

[hux]

Im looking forward to the dt30 range, im tied between that or the 8 series samsung, trouble is the va panels they use are prone to crosstalk in 3d mode.

I'll have to look at both in action when the time comes and pick whichever i prefer.

Any ideas on prices for the dt30 range?

Also i believe sony and samsung have new screens on the way.

Wow look at the new D8000 series.

http://ces2011.techradar.com/2011/01/hands-on-samsung-led-d8000-series-review/

Micro dimming whilst the others have just started using local dimming.

 

[Fr0dders]

I just don't know if i can ever trust samsungs build quality again. My current one has the usual fault with the capacitors, but i'm lucky, the problems my mate had with the same model were terrible. I got it when new and got an A01 revision, he bought it a bit later after seeing mine and got an A03 revision and his was shocking, so much so that samsung told him they couldnt get it fixed and to ask his retailer for a refund. They then sent out a repair company who replaced the panel, which just as samsung said wouldnt fix it. Repair company contacted samsung who told them to refund the customer so the repair company past them onto the shop and he got all his money back.

And its not an isolated incident either, look on AVForums and the issues with build quality and panel lottery are still there.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/lcd-led-lcd-tvs/1341016-samsung-c650-owners-thread-part-2-a.html

 

[hux]

Seems you're right, quite a few on there have various problems with samsungs. Anyway im quite fortunate in that my local retailer is very good with warranties, five years as standard and they'll price match online.

I'll just wait for now and see what the new crop is like.

 

[insane200]

We have a b6000 in for repair under warranty, it looked like the screen had failed but it's not, after 2 weeks were still waiting for parts.

The DT30 look great But you can see the dimming as it happens across the screen there was also quite noticable light bleed across the bottom, as for cross talk, I couldn't see any, the 400hz and 200blb does a great job, but as I say and the guys from pan say, 3D is best on plasma screes.