AndyMoogle
Member
That's not a fair comparison at all. Netflix will obviously look better on a 5" 544p screen compared to a large (42" or 50") 1080p screen.
Plasma, LCD, OLED, LED, best tv for next gen
- Thread starter spannicus
- Start date
That's not a fair comparison at all. Netflix will obviously look better on a 5" 544p screen compared to a large (42" or 50") 1080p screen.
I know you don't know what edge enhancement is, it's one of the things TV forum posters saw in their dreams before they found other boogie men.
I have no idea why you're referring to 1080p in 1998, it makes no sense, just like your 10 year comment that doesn't seem to tie to anything in particular.
also like "smart features added $200 to my TV" for things that have a BOM of probably $15 at most and being confused over why manufacturers don't pay attention to things 99% of their customers don't see. take a breath man, it's not that serious.
lostinblue
Banned
They're not bailing on OLED. Thing is they're not ready to market, and their partnership was a renewable one year deal.
Sony and Panasonic plan was obviously having OLED's from that plant ready for market in 2014 and that didn't happen so Sony didn't renew, they chose not to be a Panasonic client for the time being as they'll most likely'll have to go shop for panels somewhere else. (LG just started selling WRGB OLED's to third parties, perhaps they wanted to jump on that boat by 2013's end and we'll see a Sony super-flagship model powered by that later this year)
On Panasonic camp... it's simply not ready for mass production... Reasons for the aforementioned partnership end were explained to investors to be due to the fact that cost and lifespan had not been solved.
These problems are not solved by Samsung and LG just the same, but they don't care because they're not professional market driven... Sony and Panasonic of course, are (they develop premium versions of their tech to sell to companies for big bucks... Think about Sony presence in supplying the medical field and broadcasting/image editing camps or how Panasonic sells 103" plasmas to airports, hanging outside of buildings... you name it)
Those things simply can't fail after 20.000 hours of operation, hence, they can't possibly sell them even if they're good enough to be shown on CES.
Lifespan is a big deal to them. It isn't for LG or Samsung. Which is why everyone was crying tears of joy at the partnership.
Panasonic booth, which this year was understandably all about prototypes was pretty serious about OLED:
But they're not ready.
I dont think so. plenty of other small screens have terrible black levels, off colors, and/or funky motion artifacts compared to any decent tv. this is the first small display I've been impresed with.
Also, I'm not just talking about netflix.
Yeah, getting a Vita made me hate my LCD again.
Unknown Soldier
Member
For comparisons of things like black level and pixel response time it's still completely valid.
The OLED on Vita is pretty amazing and it's not even a recent model phone OLED. The Vita's OLED is actually from the same generation as the Galaxy S2's screen, since then we have had Galaxy S3 and S4, and Galaxy Note II and Note 3 which are all have even better screens.
This is why Sony has switched back to LCD for the Vita 2000, as Samsung no longer manufactures an OLED screen suitable for the Vita.
They're not bailing on OLED. Thing is they're not ready to market, and their partnership was a renewable one year deal.
Sony and Panasonic plan was obviously having OLED's from that plant ready for market in 2014 and that didn't happen so Sony didn't renew, they chose not to be a Panasonic client for the time being as they'll most likely'll have to go shop for panels somewhere else. (LG just started selling WRGB OLED's to third parties, perhaps they wanted to jump on that boat by 2013's end and we'll see a Sony super-flagship model powered by that later this year)
On Panasonic camp... it's simply not ready for mass production... Reasons for the aforementioned partnership end were explained to investors to be due to the fact that cost and lifespan had not been solved.
These problems are not solved by Samsung and LG just the same, but they don't care because they're not professional market driven... Sony and Panasonic of course, are (they develop premium versions of their tech to sell to companies for big bucks... Think about Sony presence in supplying the medical field and broadcasting/image editing camps or how Panasonic sells 103" plasmas to airports, hanging outside of buildings... you name it)
Those things simply can't fail after 20.000 hours of operation, hence, they can't possibly sell them even if they're good enough to be shown on CES.
Lifespan is a big deal to them. It isn't for LG or Samsung. Which is why everyone was crying tears of joy at the partnership.
Panasonic booth, which this year was understandably all about prototypes was pretty serious about OLED:
But they're not ready.
It is because of you I have this sudden emotion that is most uncommon... is it... it is... HOPE
Hope in the future of display tech.
Unknown Soldier
Member
If you're been hoping then you've been doing it for more than a decade now with no results. So many technologies have been hoped for and died before reaching commercial production, like SED, and FED, and laser. Others have been relegated to front projection systems like SXRD and DLP.
There was never really any hope, the requirements for cost and margin in the TV business are so cutthroat that they make console margins look like Apple product margins. The way prices are crashing on 4K TVs should be proof of that. Which is why I have my VT60 now, I've decided that wasting years of my short mortal lifespan looking at a TV I didn't like much and hoping was just that.
Rex_Harrison
Banned
You're right, it's not that serious. So my HD camera, secondary touchpad remote with voice control, and the capability to run apps and run a web browser only added $20 to my tv ? Wow, I was way off in thinking that Panasonic would tack on an extra $200 for those features as opposed to a "bare bones" set.
I guess LED edge lit TV's aren't flawed after all. I owe Samsung, Sony, and Vizio an apology. According to you I was imagining that the backlight was shining through the panel at night, and those white clouds shining through dark backgrounds was just something I made up so I can go through the joy of carrying a 55" TV back to the store over and over again.
How did you become such an expert with LED edge lit TV's ? Are they flawless in your opinion ? Are banding and clouding fake ? Please enlighten us, there are people that could really use your expert advice in choosing their next TV.
Oh yeah, I was referring to 1080p panels being commercially available for 10 years. I guess it's only been 9, damn I'm such an idiot ! Thanks for calling me out. I'm not sure how your 1998 reference applied to what I was talking about in my previous post ?
LALALALA I cant hear you LALALALA
Aizu_Itsuko
Member
Let's have some hope, because I'm so disappointed so far with HDTVs overall.
Every time you go to the shop, it feels like you are making trade-offs. Do you pick the one that has good black levels but poor scaling, the one that doesn't act like a mirror but has motion problems or the one that has good contrast but terrible lag?
since nobody got hands on them, nobody knows what they bring to the table... PSNow was actually a hidden feature not advertised at all.
they could be worse than last years, but quite likely they will be better. Likely that they will also be cheaper... I would probably get W9 at discounted prices but wait for new W8 if I was into something cheaper than W9 but still better than barebones.
I might 50GTW60 for myself when they start selling them off... didnt really decide yet.
lostinblue
Banned
I'm putting my money on them being mostly the same, top range models to switch to full backlightning (so, better) and the W650 model to actually possibly suffer.
I mean most models are progressing, ie: W950B up from W900A, W850B up from W800A and so on. W650A? New model gets to be called called W630B. I'm sure you see where I'm getting at.
It might be a step back, one has to realize it's currently a killer model for the price, it might as well be feeding off from the W900 sales.
Feasible improvements for it, apart from switching backlight or fixing some problems are limited to better refresh (240 Hz) and a better impulse/strobbing mode able to pull 120 Hz. But I don't think they will.
I don't think prices will fall.
It's already sold out in my area.
Hi all, first post in this thread though I lurk in it all the time. Hopefully a simple question. I'm looking for a 46/47" TV, preferably under $900. It'll be about 80% gaming and 20% movies - nothing else at all. I've been eyeing either Samsung or LG - anything recommendations?
See You Next Wednesday
Banned
All that means is that the Chinese will rule the TV industry in a few years.
Just think about it, cheapo China made OLED!
Yeah, similar situation here. I'm bouncing between a ZT and a VT 65 to replace our 65" living room panny. Now that Panny has confirmed there are no 2014 models and ( by omission) that their 2014 LCDs have all the same LCD problems, I'm replacing all our plasmas (65", 50", 42", 42", 37") with 2013 models so we can get by until OLED affordably happens (hopefully within 5 years). The only problem area is the bedroom one that's 37" - which isn't made in a plasma model anymore, and 42" is too big for the armoire.
First world problems.
First world problems.
lostinblue
Banned
Actually, Panasonic have left a glimmer of light in the tunnel, they haven't given up the fight:
-> http://www.trustedreviews.com/panasonic-studio-master-4k-lcd_TV_review
Behold:
The left one is a ZT60, the right one is the Panasonic WT600... the middle one, the middle one is a Panasonic upcoming LCD using Panasonic's plasma knowhow and tech! (no model name given, it's WIP, but it was shown in a working form at CES)
It is called studio master 4K, ZT60 being Studio Master [2K], so when it hits the ground it's bound the be the most expensive Panasonic thing out, but I expect the tech to eventually make it to lower models, like it did on Plasmas. Bang for buck on the
Regardless I wouldn't hesitate to buy a plasma right now, in fact I didn't (and would buy another one if I had the money), but buying five at once... I can't say I find that sane; if you have that amount to invest you can hold out a little longer on some of them and eventually purchase this when it gets to market.
Gillian Seed
Banned
I am still loving my Panny GT50 from 2012! It saddens me to see them ditch the tech, but I understand why. The Samsung Plasma's are pretty nice from what I have read. So at least we still have that. But I have always had very reliable products from Panasonic.
Wow! Good thing I still check in on this thread because I definitely missed that at CES. Color me impressed, Panasonic.Actually, Panasonic have left a glimmer of light in the tunnel, they haven't given up the fight:
-> http://www.trustedreviews.com/panasonic-studio-master-4k-lcd_TV_review
Behold:
The left one is a ZT60, the right one is the Panasonic WT600... the middle one, the middleone is a Panasonic upcoming LCD (no model name given, it's WIP)!
Regardless I wouldn't hesitate to buy a plasma right now, in fact I didn't (and would buy another one if I had the money), but buying 5 at once...
Actually, Panasonic have left a glimmer of light in the tunnel, they haven't given up the fight:
-> http://www.trustedreviews.com/panasonic-studio-master-4k-lcd_TV_review
Behold:
The left one is a ZT60, the right one is the Panasonic WT600... the middle one, the middleone is a Panasonic upcoming LCD (no model name given, it's WIP)!
Regardless I wouldn't hesitate to buy a plasma right now, in fact I didn't (and would buy another one if I had the money), but buying 5 at once...
Still image comparisons are nice, but motion blur, bloom/clouding, and black levels are the unholy trinity of LCD sins, and this set is already confirmed to still have motion blur, which suggests the other two are still problems to varying degrees as well. Unacceptable for me. Plasma has spoiled me. No thanks.
(And the controlled demo talked about in that review was CES hype, and still some negatives. We'll see what they actually deliver, and most importantly, at what price)
When panasonic focused almost completely on comparing color reproduction (only) on the new LCD vs their existing plasma in their press conference, it was pretty clearly trouble.
Did you read the article he linked? Only remaining issue is MINOR motion blur in very fast moving scenes, while slower camera pans ended up beating the VT65 when it comes to judder. Read the whole thing.
lostinblue
Banned
Hi jester_! did you manage to switch your ST50 for a VT60 in the end?
I'll leave a build-up abbreviated compilation of the Panny Studio Master LCD CES2014 impressions for that panel here, as people won't otherwise read.
trustedreviews.com "review":
Source: http://www.trustedreviews.com/panasonic-studio-master-4k-lcd_TV_review
Cnet hands-on:
Source: http://ces.cnet.com/8301-35303_1-57617001/panasonics-prototype-4k-led-boasts-plasma-like-picture/
HDTVtest hands-on: (NOT as positive/sold)
Source: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panasonic-master-201401083577.htm
I don't give a rats ass about 4K marketing bullshit, but this technology is killer and it's still in a prototype phase (let's hope it doesn't pull a 180º, sometimes prototypes prove to be better than the final product due to cost measures), with DCI 98% it effectively even needs less to have the 4K bolted in (4K being near impossible to see from any other sofa and instead a means/plot to reproduce more "rebated" colors out of shitty non-DCI 98% compliant LCD's, hence Sharp's pitch being adding a fourth subpixel hint: my VT60 being DCI98% can fake it as well), but I digress. I hope they eventually pull them on 42" 2K screens, as I figure I'll be in the market for one (having failed to secure a 42GT60).
It's killer, sadly probably won't be as affordable as plasmas were for a while. (hence, good time to buy a Plasma still), but dark ages it isn't. Or rather, the dark ages might be coming after all (pun intended).
LCD is always going to have PQ issues. You can localize the backlight as much as you want but LCD PQ is always going to look flat compared to plasma.
I need a tech with the PQ of plasma and the resilience to IR as LCD. Alas, no such thing other than a plasma for movies/TV and a LCD monitor for gaming
Canadian Psycho
Banned
I'm moving into a new house soon and am looking to buy a Panasonic plasma (55 or 60 inches - don't care about 3D at all) to play my PS3, future Wii U and (maybe) the Wii (might leave that one on my "classic console" set up hooked up to my Wega CRT though since the U is backwards compatible).
I'm also very, very late to the HD party having always used CRTs (Panasonic Gaoo/Sony Wega), but I take from this thread that Panasonic is the way to go (my GF has a Samsung LCD and, to be honest, I don't care for it and don't mind using a CRT instead). Anyhow, are there noticeable differences between the 55 and 60 inch sets save their size? Is "burn in" really a thing and should I purchase an extended warranty to cover myself? One last thing, how much should I expect to pay/where are the best "deals" currently (I'm in Canada)?
I'm also very, very late to the HD party having always used CRTs (Panasonic Gaoo/Sony Wega), but I take from this thread that Panasonic is the way to go (my GF has a Samsung LCD and, to be honest, I don't care for it and don't mind using a CRT instead). Anyhow, are there noticeable differences between the 55 and 60 inch sets save their size? Is "burn in" really a thing and should I purchase an extended warranty to cover myself? One last thing, how much should I expect to pay/where are the best "deals" currently (I'm in Canada)?
I did read the whole thing. It was a controlled demonstration with no explanation of the settings on each set. I'll believe it when I see it in the real world. Also, with 128 zones of locally dimmable light, clouding will still be an issue along with the motion blur and loss of resolution in motion already confirmed.
lostinblue
Banned
Nobody is saying it's perfect (as you can see I went out of my way to get multiple articles precisely to get the shine out of the way), but it is a very promising prototype, no one can deny that.
With OLED's being nowhere near ready and the fact that they could perfect this after phasing out Plasmas is a passage of rite. Plasmas themselves where buying time for OLED's or something better to come along after all, it's a wonder they lasted this long seeing they were hampered by their complexity, inability to cut costs further and high price per pixel. Useless 4K was effectively a nail in that coffin, but a lot of things were closing out on it already, like energy regulations (which we don't give a damn about because they're fine ass TV's).
Even if this LCD set only matched Panasonic 2012 plasmas it would still be an achievement and a perfectly acceptable purchase, and they seem to be going further, as further as they can in fact. I was also irked at the promise on paper, but I'm all for what I've seen.
Of course though, being an LCD I expect the plasma to retain the best motion and I doubt they can match the perfect screen uniformity that to this day leaves me in awe et all but I expect motion to be enjoyable just the same. On the other hand it won't have the plasma subfield noise or IR. They're simply different tech, but with plasma gone this might just be the next big thing we can afford and perfected enough it might be so good you won't notice.
I reckon plasmas weren't known for their blacks before either, not before 2004/2005 there started to be an effort in that direction, sometimes competitive advantages and strategies get built even though they originally weren't strenghts. This might be the start of said revolution on LCD's.
I also like to have options, I'm pissed because plasma is gone, but I was pissed off when CRT's and RPTV's were gone too while still holding out on competitive advantages, "choice" is essential, multiple technologies competing is what ensues it. I don't want everything to be OLED in a few years time if LCD or any other tech can somehow have a fighting chance and hang in the balance.
It's not strictly about being better or worse, it's about choice.
Yeah, they suspected the ZT60 had Luminance Setting on low, still, black is black... My VT60 appears to be pretty much off if you splash a black full screen picture on it, when you have an LCD pulling that or something close to that... We'll you'd say it isn't a LCD at all.
It's still very impressive; does it rape our plasmas? Not counting on it, like saying VT60/ZT60 won't rape a Kuro, even if they're objectively better (regardless of blacks, down to shadow detail and motion, ironically), but once you have something "reference level" the next thing that matches it is often just reference level +1% increase... I can live with that as well as -1%. And I'm sure someone that buys that LCD when it hits the market will be able to live with it too.
I couldn't live with a shitty LCD with clouding, light leakage, DSE, banding, rainbows and shit at this point, that's for sure.
Rex_Harrison
Banned
I wouldn't be so quick to shoot my load. The TV was a prototype, hand picked by Panasonic to be on display at CES. I'd be interested to see one of the mass produced, corner/cost cutting versions in person before declaring it a Plasma killer.
It would be great to have a worry free LCD with Plasma PQ. I find it hard to believe that up until now Panasonic has had some of the worst LCD's, and now all of a sudden they have a Plasma killer on their hands. Panasonic knew for a long time that Plasma's sell like shit sandwiches compared to LCD. Have they been sandbagging this whole time or did they literally just come up with this tech ?
The one thing you can count on, if this tech does make it to the market as advertised it's going to be damn expensive.
lostinblue
Banned
True, but it's a glimmer of hope still.
Aparently they didn't strictly come out with it now, they originally pitched a rudimentary version in 2009 upon the NeoPDP plasma panel introdution and slapstick named it NeoLCD, never reached production.
They announced last April that they had stopped R&D on plasmas, they most likely used most of their plasma engineering team this year for this.
It's worth stressing that panasonic doesn't manufacture LCD's since December 2012 or so, the plan was convert their LCD plant into a OLED one in fiscal year 2013. Current lineup Panny LCD panels have been purchased to either CMO or LG, 2014 models will continue that trend. Like non-panel-producing forefront companies like Sony though, they control the driving technology and backlighting solution for their TV's and is this case are heavily laying the acquired plasma knowhow on it apparently. They certainly have the leeway to do it (ie: if someone can do it, it's them).
I also reckon Panasonic LCD's weren't THAT bad.
Oh, I'm fully counting on that.
The kind of value plasma S models had, matching up to the IQ gainings of top range models so much in a product so cheap is something I don't expect to see again in a few years (I believe it happened that way because the production line was mostly joint together with each panel being essentially a more complex and layered sandwich revision of the other, had they not kept production line functioning that way then producing the more expensive panels would really get prohibitive, but this is simply conjecture theory banter on my account).
I expect said TV to exceed the initial asking price of the ZT60 if even the 4K WT600 already does, but perhaps it'll scale down to cheaper sets eventually, I'd say it has to.
LCDs are in a race to the bottom. There is surely still a market for people looking for better quality from their displays. Maybe not a huge market, but something worth addressing.
I think there is space for a premium tier for most manufacturers, rather than have an arms race on size and thinness, try and push image quality.
If we get a couple of years of direct rear LED illumination and associated processing, things could be pretty good for us
I think there is space for a premium tier for most manufacturers, rather than have an arms race on size and thinness, try and push image quality.
If we get a couple of years of direct rear LED illumination and associated processing, things could be pretty good for us
AlimNassor
Banned
So the 42" is better then the 32"W650a? I thought the 42 was not available in the US?
lostinblue
Banned
It's sadly not available, but yeah, it's better.
I don't know if importing is feasible, but someone in here already did. Might be worth looking into.
AlimNassor
Banned
Actually...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BTY9NVS/?tag=neogaf0e-20
It's either get that or get the 32" which is down to 400.
H_Prestige
Banned
Plasma still beats OLED in terms of motion (which looks more LCD like at the moment thanks to sample and hold).
I think the MLL on the Panasonics and the F8500 is low enough that it won't be noticeable unless you watch in a pitch black cave.
I think the MLL on the Panasonics and the F8500 is low enough that it won't be noticeable unless you watch in a pitch black cave.
lostinblue
Banned
Nice to know, it's not on the Sony US site.
AlimNassor
Banned
Sadly though it's $20 shipping. I'm tempted to hit the bullet on this. Aside from ML what are the primary differences? The 32" is 458 right now.
lostinblue
Banned
Pioneer tried with the KURO, regarded as reference image quality and still had to escape the market. Panasonic finally get to KURO levels of PDP quality and that sends them out of the market too.
Even in the "high end" the appetite for the image quality that videophiles (I have a G30 series Plasma myself, and actually have felt unable to buy a new one because it's still so good) craves is seemingly rare as LCD/LED sets are actually more money than Plasma, yet seem to sell better.
I would dispute that LCDs are in a race to the bottom because we're already there. Cheap and nasty LCD panels are everywhere, and if anything the likes of Samsung, Sony, LG and Panasonic have been putting a heavy focus on high end LCD with 4K etc being their main focus.
Alas, the quality we would like to see is not where the market seems to put an emphasis on. To many, being thin and having as many inches as possible is a far higher priority than image quality.
Anyway, on the subject of that Panasonic LCD being as good as a ZT65? Possible, yet I bet it is significantly more expensive. It's a shame that Plasma doesn't scale well to 4K due to power issues and Panasonic has gave up, because in terms of cost it would surely be cheaper than trying to force an LCD to be as good by throwing the kitchen sink at it.
H_Prestige
Banned
It's impossible for an LCD to produce a plasma like picture. Two fundamentally different technologies.
We've had these claims before. Pioneer once demoed a "Kuro" LCD that they made with Sharp and claimed it produced a picture similar to their plasmas. Nothing came of it. It was just an LCD. Sharp then made their Elite line that was supposed to be the successor to the Kuro. Nobody saw it as such, and the recommendation from the enthusiasts were to go with high end Panny or Sammy plasmas if you wanted something similar to the Kuro.
We've had these claims before. Pioneer once demoed a "Kuro" LCD that they made with Sharp and claimed it produced a picture similar to their plasmas. Nothing came of it. It was just an LCD. Sharp then made their Elite line that was supposed to be the successor to the Kuro. Nobody saw it as such, and the recommendation from the enthusiasts were to go with high end Panny or Sammy plasmas if you wanted something similar to the Kuro.
US TV-GAF: I'm in the market for a new TV. Plasma is out, due to the lighting situation in my den. I've currently got a Sony 50" SXRD KDS A2000. It's had the optical block replaced once already, and now it's dimming and flickering, so I figure it's got a limited lifespan at this point. I've got about $1600 in the budget and I'd like to get a 50~60" set. I don't give a crap about 3D or SmartTV features, but I know the better panels will be in sets with those features. Suggestions on models or brands to look at?
thats pretty funny way to determine picture quality... but who knows, it could be correct... W6 48" will be 50% of the price of 50" W8.
I guess Samsung will be announcing their new product line later this year.
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-35303_1-57616627/samsung-well-have-new-plasmas-just-not-at-ces-2014/
This part is exciting for me:
But it's not all good news:
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-35303_1-57616627/samsung-well-have-new-plasmas-just-not-at-ces-2014/
This part is exciting for me:
But it's not all good news:
H_Prestige
Banned
As long as they have something like the 8500 this year, I'll be satisfied. I'll probably be in the market later this year.
I guess the one good thing that comes from this is knowing that if you buy one of these last generation plasmas, that you will have the state of the art for a long time. Whatever new LCD products are announced later on won't be able to touch it. You can be smug like the Kuro owners were for so many years
Stumbled across a 46" model of the W900 here in Dubai. Apparently they're built for Sony-Asia or something. Checked the price and (along with a gift cert I got from buying my car last year) bought that shit on the spot. I'm so excited. It was so hard to find a good gaming TV here (plasmas simply don't come under like 60" here anymore and if they do, are prohibitively expensive anyway).
Should be getting it delivered this week. Woot woot. The nearly 2 year wait is almost over.
Should be getting it delivered this week. Woot woot. The nearly 2 year wait is almost over.
H_Prestige
Banned
I wouldn't rule out the Samsung F8500. It gets about as bright as an LCD and it has an ambient light rejecting filter far above any other plasma. Very difficult to make it look washed out. It's worth taking a look at. The 50" model is just around your budget.
lostinblue
Banned
I might be wrong of course (I hope honestly hope I am). I just think W650 are too good to be true, I honestly feel it's a better deal to buy and hold now with discount (the 42" and 50" models) than waiting for questionable introductions for us (PSNow) and getting something marginally better at best, problem being obviously the possibility of actually getting something worse.
I've been burned before and could be re-enacting it in my brain, but it's like this: UT50 and ST50 were easily the best gaming TV's of 2012, fast forward to 2013 and it's clear Panasonic felt UT and ST sales had soared while GT and VT sales were cannibalized and threatened hence wanted to entice consumers to go higher as well as having bigger margins mid-segment.
And thus, ST60 panel was even better than the ST50, 2012 version, as expected, but the chips were not. Suddenly gone from being the faster plasma models on sale to being the slowest... ever. I could see 32" models staying the same (lag 33 ms) and the rest of the new line following that. I'm not counting in much better IQ if at all.
When a product is killer on the mid-segment and there's no close competition manufacturers must feel they went further than they needed to... cost cutting measures are just right around the corner after that.
A lot of us would say yes. Panny Plasma demise is a sad thing but it also means it's the time to buy.
I myself pulled the gun on a 65" VT60.
Yes Panasonic themselves made it very clear that they intent to support the 60 series for severals years. Offerings such as the 4 year warranty in Germany make that very clear.
lostinblue
Banned
Some developments on the model in question, the model inside the cabinets wasn't model labeled and it read "2014 4K LED LCD Prototype" PR's didn't know the name for it or the launch date, "tentatively 2014" but some sites are claiming it's to be called AX800 now and it's listed on Panasonic's site, it's $4500 @ 58 inches, no word on the also announced 65" version.
Relevant Specs:
The DCI 98% does give it away, Panasonic saying on CES that the thing could hit that like VT60/ZT60 while the best LCD's prior were stuck on 20% less. No Studio Master 4K, Super Chroma Drive, Black Gradation Drive or Plasma-like mention, though.
I'm having a hard time in believing that prototype is ready to go though (projected release date is spring 2014)... For it was clearly showcased as a prototype.
Perhaps it's a prior revision of the tech going into production while what we've seen is ultimately gonna be the 2015 model, I honestly dunno.
The MSRP for the 58" model is 400 dollars higher than the $4100 pricetag 65" ZT60 originally went for.