Panasonic Presents 2012 LCD and Plasma TV Range

Panasonic was on hand to present its 2012 TV range at CES 2012. With the plasma TV market losing ground, Panasonic will be prioritising LED LCD models this year. 

2012 LCD TVs

It looks like 2012 will see a transition in Panasonic's TV range. As well as focusing its attention on LCD technology, the firm has had a change of heart about 3D. Not so very long ago, it would have been unthinkable to see a passive 3D TV crop up in Panasonic's TV range, what with the reduced resolution in 3D mode and restricted viewing angles.

With the ET5, however, Panasonic is set to play LG at its own game, as not only does this model use passive 3D technology, but it also comes loaded with connected services and a 300 Hz mode.

High-end models like the WT50 and GT50 will still be using active shutter 3D. These TVs boast motion interpolation functions at 1600 Hz (actual screen frequency 200 Hz) and access to the manufacturer's various connected services.

There are five non-3D models in the range too—the C5, U5, X5, E5 and E50. Some of them don't even have Full HD resolution either. Check out the table below for more information on these TVs.

2012 Plasma TVs

In the plasma series, the VT50 is still the top-of-the-range TV, now with Infinite Black Ultra for even deeper blacks. The ST50 and GT50, on the other hand, stick with the Infinite Black Pro technology seen in 2011's VT30.

Plus, the screen refresh rates have been upped from 600 Hz to 2500 Hz, which should cut down the twinkling effect often associated with plasma technology.

Panasonic 2012 TV Range At A Glance

	Screen / Backlight	Resolution	Frequency / Actual Frequency	3D	Smart TV	Wi-Fi	Screen Sizes
C5	LCD CCFL (neon lamps )	HD	50 Hz	No	No	No	32"
U5	LCD CCFL (neon lamps )	Full HD	50 Hz	No	No	No	42"
X5	LCD IPS Edge LED	HD	50 Hz	No	No	No	24" 32"
E5	LCD IPS Edge LED	Full HD	50 Hz	No	No	No	32" 37" 42" 47"
E50	LCD IPS Edge LED	Full HD	300 Hz / NC	No	Yes	Built-in	42" 47" 55"
ET5	LCD IPS Edge LED	Full HD	300 Hz / NC	Yes / Passive	Yes	Built-in	42" 47" 55"
DT50	LCD IPS Edge LED	Full HD	1600 Hz / 200 Hz	Yes / Active	Yes	Built-in	47" 55"
WT50	LCD IPS Edge LED	Full HD	1600 Hz / 200 Hz	Yes / Active	Yes	Built-in	47" 55"
U50	Plasma 600 Hz	Full HD	50 Hz	No	No	No	50"
XT50	Plasma 600 Hz	HD	NA	Yes / Active	No	No	42" 50"
UT50	Plasma 2500 Hz	Full HD	NA	Yes / Active	No	No	42" 50" 55" 60"
ST50	Plasma Inifinite Black Pro 2500 Hz	Full HD	NA	Yes / Active	Yes	Built-in	50" 55" 60" 65"
GT50	Plasma Inifinite Black Pro 2500 Hz	Full HD	NA	Yes / Active	Yes	Built-in	50, 55, 60 et 65
VT50	Plasma Inifinite Black Ultra 2500 Hz	Full HD	NA	Yes / Active	Yes	Built-in	55" 65"

Note that the models outlined above are destined for the North American market. A rep on the Panasonic stand at CES 2012 told us that the VT50, GT50, ST50, WT50, DT50 and ET5 should be coming to European markets too, but there was no news on the other models.

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