Hot TV Deals

Panasonic Introduces 9-Series Broadcast Plasmas

Source: Panasonic
June 9th 2006

Panasonic, the industry leader in plasma manufacturing and sales, unveiled its newest generation of professional plasma displays – the 9-Series professional models. Raising the bar in plasma display technology once more, this advanced display series features key high-performance improvements, including higher video capabilities, greater flexibility and a thin, lighter design. The new series includes three high definition panels – 50″ TH-50PH9UK, 42″ TH-42PH9UK, and 37″ TH-37PH9UK as well as the standard definition 42″ TH-42PS9UK.

The 9-Series professional plasma displays feature a number of industry-leading technologies, including 16-bit digital signal processing and improved sub-field driving technology to reproduce 3,072 steps of gradation, the highest contrast level (10,000:1), and the highest bright-area contrast (400:1). The new Real Black Creation color-enhancing feature produces high-contrast and rich, deep blacks resulting in an impressively high contrast level (10,000:1). Included in its outstanding features are a Contrast Management System that perfects the color of each individual portion of the image displayed and a high-precision Motion Pattern Noise Reduction circuit to provide a consistently sharp image across the entire image during fast-paced scenes.

“As the world’s leader in plasma technology, Panasonic professional plasma displays are renowned for their exceptional image quality and versatility,” said Robert Harris, Vice President of Marketing for Panasonic Broadcast. “Flexibility is key for today’s display user. Our displays combine high-quality color performance with a variety of connection options, resulting in an ‘all-in-one’ solution that is tailored to their needs.”

The 9-Series models feature a new lightweight design, with overall weight reduced by up to 15% over previous models, making installation and maintenance easier. New panel improvements and phosphor technologies dramatically increase burn-in resistance and provide these long-lasting displays with an impressive 60,000-hour service life.

“The new, propriety phosphor technology in the 9-Series panels enables them to significantly resist burn-in as effectively as CRT displays,” said Harris. “With stunning video quality, higher performance and a long life cycle, the 9-Series continues to make Panasonic’s professional plasmas unmatched values and a terrific investment for professional uses.”

Greater Flexibility with New Terminal Boards

The highly customizable 9-Series plasma displays provide video pros with the flexibility to use them in virtually any AV, PC or interactive environment. The 50″ and 42″ 9-Series panels offer three multi-function input slots concealed at the back so users can add different combinations of optional terminal boards in each input slot and customize the plasma displays according to their system needs. The 37″ model comes with two interchangeable slots.

From presentations to videoconferencing to in-store display, new optional terminal boards for the 9-Series allow these plasma displays to become super-flexible, “all-in-one” installations. With the new PC board PLUG-VC251, the 9-Series plasma becomes its own computer system. The small board can be inserted into the multi-function input slots allowing users to run custom applications and even presentations from the monitor. With the PC board, the display can also be updated from a centrally located system. The PC board is compatible with Windows XP and XP embedded operations systems and a wide variety of Windows based applications software.

The new CAT5 transmitter with a switcher function (model KE811CT) allows a user to send signals to the plasma display from a separate command center and control up to 128 plasmas at the same time from a single location. The new AV switcher allows the user to change the plasma display’s input from presentations to live video and more, reducing the cost of set-up time and allowing greater flexibility in placement.

Expanded Multi-Screen Display Capabilities

The 9-Series displays feature a new, built-in image-enlarging function for use in powerful multi-screen display systems; as many as 16 displays (4×4 construction) can be configured. This automatic, built-in function can independently enlarge images up to four times vertically and horizontally. With this feature, 9-Series users now have the option of installing the displays in a variety of combinations, including 1×4, 2×3 and other combinations up to the maximum 4×4 construction. Full screen images over large custom video walls maintain their image quality and text visibility even across display edges, highly beneficial for bank lobbies, airports and other places where large display systems need to be read from a distance.

Additional display features include the Advanced Dual Picture Mode which allows users to combine video clips with textual information from a PC, for stunning visual presentations, especially useful for teleconferencing. The 50″ and 42″ models can also be displayed vertically without any adjustments, especially useful for a simple digital signage solution.

The lightweight 9-series models also feature a broad range of environment-friendly functions that help minimize energy consumption. The displays utilize no fans and provide quiet operation. The 9-Series also feature a remote system monitoring function that lets the user monitor the displays from a separate area.

Expected Availability: September 2006, at the same prices as the current 8UK Series Panasonic Plasmas.