Panasonic reveals new TV prices and availability

Consumer Reports News: March 29, 2012 08:08 AM

Following up on its earlier announcement of some of its 2012 HDTV lineup, Panasonic has released details on its other sets, such as its flagship VT-series plasmas, as well as new larger-sized LCD TVs.

More TVs this year get its Viera Connect Internet service, which includes an open apps market, access to cloud-based content, and a full Web browser. All new LCD TVs offer edge LED backlights, and for the first some, some LCD 3D sets will use passive 3D technology. LCD TVs use IPS panels, which we've seen can improve viewing angles.

Plasma TVs
The ST50 models are a step-up 1080p 3D plasma series that includes Viera Connect, built-in Wi-Fi, and a full Web browser. The TVs have a new multi-speaker "3D Real Sound" sound system, and come with Panasonic's new Infinite Black Pro panel (for better blacks and whites in brighter environments). They also have a social-networking feature that allows you to watch a TV show and connect to Twitter or Facebook at the same time. Here's the ST50 plasma lineup:

65-inch TC-P65ST50 $3,000, available April
60-inch TC-P60ST50 $2,099, available March
55-inch TC-P55ST50 $1,699, available now
50-inch TC-P50ST50 $1,399, available now

Above the ST50 series are GT50 models, which have all the same features, plus a glass-and-metal design, 3D THX certification, an extra HDMI input, a PC input, and the ability to multitask. Here is the GT50 lineup:

65-inch TC-P65GT50 $3,300, available April
60-inch TC-P60GT50 $2,600, available March
55-inch TC-P55GT50 $2,100, available now
50-inch TC-P50GT50 $1,800, available now

The VT50-series sets are flagship 3D plasma TVs, which sport a one-sheet-of-glass design and all the GT50 features, plus a different panel said to produce richer blacks, ISFccc calibration, and a touch-pad remote control. There are two sets in this series:

65-inch TC-P65VT50 $3,700, available March/April
55-inch TC-P55VT50 $2,500, available March/April

UT50-series sets are 1080p 3D plasma sets that have Viera Connect, but are Wi-Fi ready (for use with an adapter). Here's the lineup:

60-inch TC-P60UT50 $1,800, available May
55-inch TC-P55UT50 $1,400, available April
50-inch TC-P50UT50 $1,100, available March
42-inch TC-P42UT50 $800, available March

The XT50 series is a lower-cost 3D series of plasma TVs that have 720p resolution and a "lite" version of Internet capability called Online Movies, which includes five popular movie services but not the full Web capability of Viera Connect:

50-inch TC-P50XT50 $800, available March
42-inch TC-P42XT50 $650, available March

Panasonic also has an entry-level X5 720p plasma series, available in two screen sizes. The 50-inch TC-P50X5 sells for $580, while a 42-inch version (TC-P42X5) sells for $430.

LCD TVs
This year Panasonic has expanded its LCD TV lineup, which includes the ET5 series, the company's first passive, or polarized, 3D TVs. These sets have IPS panels, which we've seen produce fairly wide viewing angles for an LCD TV; 360-degree backlight scanning; and Viera Connect with full Web browsing and built-in Wi-Fi. They also have the social-networking feature and DLNA, and come with four sets of polarized 3D glasses. All LCD models listed here use LED backlights. Here's the ET5 model lineup:

55-inch TC-L55ET5, $1,900, available March
47-inch TC-L47ET5, $1,300, available March
42-inch TC-L42ET5, $1,100, available April

Panasonic's flagship LCDs are in the WT50 series, followed by the DT50 series. All have edge LED backlights, passive 3D technology, built-in Wi-Fi, and the full Viera Connect Internet service. The main difference is that the WT50 sets have different cosmetics, local dimming, and ISF calibration. They also comes with a touch-pad remote. There are two models in each series: