HDTV Lounge

Loewe have announced the Modus L42 to their product line, the Modus L42 is an HD ready 42-inch Plasma set.

The L42 has a resolution of 1024×1024, although this seems a little strange as it supposedly supports 720p which has a resolution of 1280×720 so maybe there is some stretching of the image involved?

It comes with a built in tuner, and looks great, judging from preview Loewe models the sound should be good also.

The Panasonic TH-65PX600U is a 65-inch plasma HDTV that was launced in Japan in 2005 as the TH-65PX500. The Panasonic Viera KIT-TH-65PX600E has now been set for release in europe on the November 1st.

This 65-inch Plasma will be avaliable in the US as the Panasonic TH-65PX600U, estimated prices are around $8,000. The TH-65PX600U features the latest G9 panel with a contrast ratio of 5,000:1, three HDMI inputs, SD card slot, and SRS TruSurround XT.

Hitachi’s new UltraVision 42-inch 42HDT52 sits second from the top of the company’s 2005 plasma line. In other words, it has a full complement of features and excellent connectivity, and it costs more than your typical 42-inch plasma ($4,400 list). We really like its awesome-looking design and form factor, and we have to admit that its motorized swivel stand, while a bit gimmicky, is still pretty darn cool

We really liked the Hitachi 42HDT52’s Day and Night modes, which provide two independent memories per input. In Day mode, you might crank up contrast and brightness to adjust for ambient light; in Night mode, you might calibrate the settings for optimum picture quality in a controlled environment.

The connectivity on this panel is quite generous. Unlike many sets, the Hitachi 42HDT52 offers two HDMI inputs. It also has two component-video inputs, two A/V inputs with S-Video, two RF inputs (one for antenna and one for cable TV), the CableCard slot, a set of monitor A/V outputs with S-Video, and a FireWire port. Read more

The Panasonic TH-50PX60U is a 50-inch Plasma from Panasonics’ TH-PX60U series,which is an update to the popular TH-PX50U series. The TH-50PX60U has a native resolution of 1,366×768and has a black frame surrounding the screen, while the rest of its cabinet, as well as the tabletop stand, is finished in silver. Left and right stereo speakers are located below the screen, keeping the width of the set to a minimum, and the grilles are slickly disguised so that you’ll barely notice them.

Connectivity on the TH-50PX60U is great, given its price. The two HDMI inputs are welcome in a world where most HDTVs still provide only one. There are two component-video inputs, two S-Video inputs, two composite inputs, an RF input that will accept over-the-air analog and digital signals as well as QAM cable HDTV signals, and an A/V output with composite video only. Front-panel connections include the SD card slot as well as S-Video and composite-video inputs.

Fujitsu Hitatchi Plasma Display Corporation keeps churning out their Plasma displays when many of the others are turning to LCD. Hitachi have just announced two 1080p “Full HD” 1920×1080 Plasma’s along with one non-1080p 1280×1080 plasma.

The 50-inch HD panel based on their ALIS technology has great image processing and brightness, features a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, brightness of 1300cd/m2 and should begin production in October. The 1920×1080 50-inch plasma is their first to use single-scan technology (one chip for image processing instead of several) at that resolution, plus the same ALIS processing with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and 1100cd/m2 brightness, but will not go into production until March 2007. The 60-inch plasma brings all 2-million pixels and a new e-ALIS processing system to help smooth fast moving images on the big screen, it has a lower contrast ratio of only 5000:1 and a brightness of 1000cd/m2. Read more

The Panasonic Viera TH-37PX600, with which Panasonic hopes to prove that its unique decision to stick with plasma rather than LCD technology at the 37 inch screen size is born of a desire to give consumers the best picture quality rather than a stubborn refusal to change with the times.

The TH-37PX600 belongs to Panasonic’s latest ‘flagship’ Viera range – but you wouldn’t guess this from looking at it. Its predominantly grey bezel looks bland and feels plasticky compared with most flat TV rivals. Things do perk up a bit, though, if you pop the telly on Panasonic’s glamorous cabinet stand mounting option.

Connectivity is impressive. Starting the good news off are two HDMIs, but these receive ample backing from component video ports for connecting analogue HD devices like the Xbox 360, a D-Sub PC jack, three Scarts, and a front-mounted SD card slot.
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The Samsung PPM42M5H is a great HD Plasma display with an impressive 10,000:1 contrast ration, the PM42M5H delivers a true HDTV image with superb detail. The PM42M5H has a 42-inch display in 16;9 widescreen aspect ratio at 1024 x 768 resolution, ideal for conference rooms or for home use. It also features Digital Natural Image enhancement technologies (DNLe) for vivid and natural color and detail at a brightness of 1,300 cd/m2. The
PPM42M5H also has built in video wall processor and burn in prevention features. A slim and stylish design means it can be placed virtually anywhere and connected via a variety of inputs including PC input.

The NEC 42XR4 is the most impressive 42-inch plasma display panel that PC Magazine has tested to date. It doesn’t include many extras, and its advanced picture controls demand professional setup, but with some tweaking, this TV’s accurate and faithful video reproduction is a pleasure for the eyes.

The 42XR4 is a 42-inch plasma display that, post-calibration, delivered the most impressive imagery that we have seen from any plasma TV in its class. Subjectively, both DVD movies and HDTV appear pleasingly correct, with accurate colors and detailed imagery. The 42XR4 strikes me as a great plasma display that was designed for professional installation. The à la carte accessories and the advanced menu options (which can be hidden when not in use) are ideal for customizing the display to its owner. Yes, the 42XR4 costs more than most other 42-inch plasma displays, but I have yet to see a 42-inch TV come this close to image perfection.

The 42XR4 has a native resolution of 1,024 by 768 pixels. That means that it has 150,000 fewer pixels than a standard 720p broadcast signal. In general, 42-inch plasma TVs such as the 42XR4 are considered high-definition displays, since they offer at least 720 lines of vertical resolution. Horizontal resolution is not a factor in the established definition of what counts as “HD.”
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The Grundig Elegance 50 PXW 130-9625 Dolby is, as the name sujests a very elegant 50-inch widescreen plasma HDTV. The Elegance 50 PXW 130-9625 has a Luminous density of 900 cd/m² and a contrast ratio of 3,000:1, and has a viewing angle of 170°. The 50 PXW 130-9625 features intelligent signal processing for better pictures, is HDTV ready, and has Virtual Dolby® Surround. The Elegance 50 features 2-tuner picture in picture, and has HDMI, DVI, 2x SCART, YUV input and RCA AV. Dimensions: 127 x 83.3 x 10.5 cm (27 cm with pedestal). Weight: approx. 56 kg. External loudspeakers included

The Grundig PlanaVision 50 PXW 130-9625 Dolby is a very smart and elegant looking 50-inch wide-screen plasma display from Grundig. The PXW 130-9625 has a Luminous density 1,500 cd/m² with a contrast ratio of 5,000:1 and a 170° viewing angle (horizontal/vertical).

The PlanaVision 50 PXW 130-9625 Dolby features Intelligent signal processing for picture optimization, is HD Ready, and can be fitted with a DVB-T module for receiving digital TV programmes with an indoor or rooftop antenna. The PXW 130-9625 also features a 2-tuner Picture in picture display and has DVI input for PC connection, 2 x Euro- AV (1 x RGB-compatible), YUV-input. Dimensions: approx. 122.6 x 82.8 x 9.9 cm (22.5 cm with pedestal) Weight: approx. 53 kg