Prices for Panasonic Z1, other 2009 Viera TVs leaked
updated 04:10 pm EST, Thu March 5, 2009
Panasonic prices leaked
HD Guru on Thursday revealed unannounced pricing for the Panasonic 2009 TV line-up, including the flagship 1-inch thick 54-inch Z1 plasma. The panel of the Z1 uses the company's Neo PDP technology and gives the set a 40,000:1 contrast ratio along with low energy consumption. The TV achieves its thin profile thanks to a separate HDMI receiver that sends signals to the display wirelessly. The TC-P54Z1 is due to ship this June, priced at $6,000.
Panasonic's V10-series of plasmas will replace the current PZ850 TVs and include a 50-inch set, 54-inch, 58-inch and 65-inch set. They share the same contrast ratio and features of the Z1, and each has four HDMI inputs. The TC-P50V10 ships in May with a $2,300 price tag, while the TC-P54V10 is coming in June for $2,700. The TC-P58V10 and TC-P65V will be available in August, though no prices are yet known for either.
The G15s are also two inches thick and retain the features and specs of the V10 except for Digital Cinema Color, one HDMI input and a swiveling stand. All will be available in June, with the TC-P42G15 priced at $1,500, the TC-P46G15 at $1,800 and the TC-P50G15 at $2,100.
U1 TVs are the entry-level plasmas from Panasonic with 1080p resolution, foregoing the energy-efficient Neo PDP panel of the costlier sets. Contrast ratio drops to 30,000:1, and there are similar features to the higher-level HDTVs, including Viera Image Viewer SD card reader for still photos and VIERA Link Internet connectivity. The TC-P42U1, TC-P46U1 and TC-P50U1 will ship later in March, priced at $900, $1,200 and $1,500, respectively.
The C1 Series plasmas offer 1366x768 (roughly 720p) resolution along with 15,000:1 contrast ratios. They have only two HDMI inputs but retain the VIERA Link web connection and SD card reader. The 42-inch TC-P42C1 will ship later in March, priced at $750, while the 50-inch TC-P50C1 will be available in April with a $1,000 sticker.
