Panasonic 3D TV Models Introduced for 2010
Known for its high quality with plasma displays, there were high levels of anticipation regarding the new 3D Plasma TV from Panasonic, and in general reviews have been fairly positive, especially in comparison to other 3D televisions. Plasma is known to perform marginally better than LCD screens when it comes to showing 3D images, and the fast refresh rates of the Panasonic Plasma TVs are essential for the 3D effect of frame sequential technology. The new 2010 release of the Panasonic 3D TV includes the Viera VT25 Series, and the Viera VT20 Series. These are set to become Panasonics prime TV releases for 2010, although they have released many other non-3D televisions for 2010 as well.
The Difference Between the VT25 and the VT20 Series
Both series are almost identical when it comes to performance and 3D abilities. The VT20 series is only available as a 50″ screen, whereas the VT25 series ranges from 50″ to 65″. The VT20 series does not have an RS232 interface, nor does it have ISFccc video calibration capabilities. Considering that the price difference between the VT25 and the VT20 is only $100 for the same sized 50″ screens, it seems that it might be more logical for most people to go with the VT25 series.
Sharper Imaging, No Ghosting
In order to get the 3D effect, viewers watch the screen through 3D eyewear. One set of glasses comes with each unit, thus you will need to purchase additional glasses for however many people will be watching the television. Given that the glasses cost $150 per set, this will add to the overall cost of setting up a 3D Home Theater. While viewing the 3D movie, the glasses themselves open and close the right and the left shutters, synchronizing this with an infrared beam from the screen. This means that a separate image is sent to each eye at the same time, with a refresh rate of 120 frames per second, or 60 frames per eye.
The eyewear that comes with the system has an adjustable frame that can be worn over regular eyeglasses and that can accommodate either an adult or a child’s face. They have an automatic off switch, which turns them off after five minutes of inactivity–they remain active only as long as they are inside the viewing range of the television. Just how durable the frame and the hinges are remains to be seen, and it probably depends largely on how much use they receive and who is using them. They do come with a lens case and it is recommended that you store them in the case when not in use.
Several features have been improved in the Panasonic 3D Plasma TV in order to provide viewers with crisp, clear images. High drive speed keeps the screen illumination bright. Red and green phosphor decay time has lessened by well over 60 percent, which has significantly improved the sharpness of the picture and has minimised the ghosting of images that occurs when the right and left images overlap. They eyewear is so synchronized with the actual screen that both shutters are closed at the exact same time the screen is blanked out momentarily, again enhancing the overall image and minimising light leakage.
Convenience and Ease of Use
When it comes to a home theater and home viewing pleasure the more options available to make this easier to do, the better. The VT25 series is definitely packed with great features that will enable you to get the most from the system you possibly can.
The wireless LAN capabilities allow you to connect directly to the internet, providing you have a broadband connection. Setup is relatively easy, and the instructions are fairly clear and basic to all of their HDTVs.
If you want to view your photos or other images, the Viera image viewer does a nice job of this, and it will also play videos saved to a HD memory card.
It also has 2 USB ports, PC input as well as RS232C connection, 4 HDMI connections and ISFccc capabilities.
THX Certification, which measures image quality and signal processing performance, offer proof that the Panasonic VT25 series has met the high industry standards set for their brightness, color, low black levels, resolution, and contrast and scaling, guaranteeing that there will not be any problems with jagged images or jerky motions, and that the picture you will see will be the best the TV can produce.
Black Levels Brighten with Time
There are some concerns that the black levels on the Panasonic televisions gradually change and become brighter over time, as has been evidenced in earlier Panasonic TVs. Apparently voltages inside the screen increase over time in an effort to cope with the panel’s aging. Panasonic, in answer to questions about this, have reported that it is considerably less than in previous years and models; however some private studies made have shown that it may be at similar levels. With the increase in the brightness of the black levels, the image quality goes down considerably.
This has lead to questions as to whether the Panasonic 3D TVs really are some of the best on the market at present with some reviewers changing the evaluation of the televisions black level performance down to ‘very good’ instead of the original ‘excellent’ rating many reviewers gave them. It is fairly subjective when it comes to a Panasonic 3D TV review, exactly how this will affect long term viewing, however, as too little time has passed for accurate testing.
Should You Buy a 2010 Panasonic Viera VT25 or VT20 Plasma 3D TV?
As with any fairly new invention, which 3D Home Theater viewing is for the most part, it is unlikely that the very first models released on the market by any manufacturer will be of terrific quality and performance. If you are eager to set up a 3D home theater you would do best to compare the features of different 3D televisions, as well as the prices, and make your decision based around what you expect to get from a television.
In light of it being a rather expensive piece of equipment, you do need to have the confidence when buying a 3D television that it really is the best value for your money. Generally, people are very happy with the features and performance of the Panasonic Viera VT25 and VT20 Plasma 3D TVs, and many did not notice the gradual increase in the darkness levels with their 2008 and 2009 models. It really all comes to weighing up the pros and cons between different makes and models, and then choosing which one has what you need or what you expect from a TV.
Price: Too low to display
Keep in mind that 3D television is still a relatively new concept, and that there will most likely be huge advancements in the quality and features as new models are released onto the market, and former problems have been resolved. If you are ready to step into the 3D market now, you will probably be very pleasantly surprised with the quality and the ease of setting up and operating the Panasonic Viera 3D televisions. If you are not sure whether it is the best time for you to invest in this system right now, or if you recently upgraded your television set and you are not ready to make a new purchase, you will probably find that waiting a year or two will provide you with an even better television.
Samsung 3D Plasma Televisions
The advent of three dimension movies being released in theaters — most notably the blockbuster “Avatar” — has produced a frenzy amongst television companies who realize the potential of the technology. As a result, new model TVs are being rushed onto the market with the ability to turn a movie to show into a live experience, but the number of new products and the developing design makes it a difficult choice for customers who have very little understanding of the best value and capabilities. The most prominent companies, such as Panasonic and Sony, have their own models of 3D televisions, but the industry leader Samsung offers some of the highest quality imagery for the best cost. This Samsung 3D TV review looks at their newest lineup of high definition and plasma screen televisions with three dimensional image capacity.
Three dimensional imaging works because of the angle which our eyes perceive objects; as one eye is spaced slightly differently than the other, the projection power of 3D television acts to overlay one layer on the other so that the spacing creates the illusion of depth. Specific 3D glasses are needed to watch a Samsung 3D TV — or any other 3D television — but can be purchased cheaply from any store which sells the technology for televisions or computers. The glasses project separate images per lens, as one is tinted red and the other blue, and each picks up the picture to give overlapping images that appear lifelike. Other televisions work to quickly block the projections given to one eye (the red or blue) and then the other in succession. This moves too rapidly for the human eye to notice, so that the constant back and forth looks as if it is moving towards or away from the viewer.
Samsung has several models with 3D capabilities in addition to their standard product; the line of Samsung 3D plasma TVs not only have the eye popping imagery but produce the viewing quality that is standard on plasma models. Plasma televisions use two gases in conjunction with glass tubes for a much more vibrant color than simple red, blue, and green standard televisions. Samsung’s 7000 and 8000 plasma models have 3D capacity along with the excellent surround sound and high definition ports that come standard with the product. Similarly, Samsung’s line of LED and LCD televisions give 3D capacity on the highest end 750 models. The advantage of higher end televisions is that they can run other capabilities, such as Internet capacity, so that customers can use their television as a computer monitor and check email or shop from the comfort of their couch.
As only the best televisions come with 3D imagery, it goes without saying that a 3D television is much more expensive than a basic high definition or standard definition television. A Samsung 3D TV with a sixty inch plasma screen in the 8000 model can cost thirty seven hundred dollars — without any extra accessories or customization! This, obviously, can represent a significant amount of a customer’s budget if they are looking for the best possible product. The lowest end three dimensional television from Samsung is the HD 750 line and costs sixteen hundred dollars; still a considerable price tag, but less than the larger theater systems. Samsung offers a variety of payment plans for their customers, so that even a high end purchase can be paid off in as little as fifty dollars per month.
Knowing the specific dimensions of your living room’s space is necessary for purchasing a larger television. The rule of thumb for standard definition televisions is to sit six times further back from the screen than the screen is measured in inches; thus a person should sit six feet away from a twelve inch standard TV. For plasma and HD televisions, however, this ratio can be reduced in half — a necessary upgrade, as a sixty inch TV would otherwise require thirty feet of space — as the images are more complex yet easier on the eye. Still, it’s necessary to make sure you’ve carefully planned out where the television will be and where viewers will sit to avoid possible strain and ensure comfort.
Many customers have been receptive to the new lines of Samsung’s 3D televisions. The products have proven favorable compared to Sony and Vizio product line of televisions, as they give clearer, crisper pictures, especially from high definition television channels. However, as technological improvements usually go, the complaint from customers is that a newer, better product comes onto the market as soon as they purchase their television. Televisions released as recently as mid 2009 are already being lapped by new designs, so comparisons between companies must be analyzed carefully. However, that Samsung is consistently being rated above their competitors for new designs speaks to the high quality of their engineering standards.
One of the problems, however, that is consistently associated with Samsung’s 3D televisions is the poor back lighting that is apparent when watching movies in a dark room. The televisions tend to give off a light around the edges of the frame, which is not a problem in a well lit room. In a dark room or late at night, however, this overflow draws attention from the screen and can be frustrating as it is not adjustable. Previous models have had troubles with back lit projection — that the television is brighter at the center than at the edges — and although Samsung has corrected these flaws in newer models, the problem of central display seems to be an anchor for Samsung’s products. This fluctuating light is readily apparent when watching three dimension movies because of the overlap in images from the corners of the screen.
Price: $2,159.97
Other complaints from customers center around the viewing glasses required to watch a 3D movie or television channel. Some customers purchased the televisions without realizing that the technology for image projection is not built into the screen itself and that wearing the glasses is the only way to render the picture. The glasses are not manufactured by Samsung themselves, but the company still receives blame from customers who believe that the glasses are bulky or uncomfortable to wear for a two or three hour film.
Although there are some production flaws, the reception for Samsung’s 3D TVs has generally been very positive. The monitor is so thin and light that it can be carried easily by one person and is simple to install and set up. A number of television stands are compatible with the Samsung models, so the TVs can be installed on wall mounts or swivels. In addition, the quality of images with Blue Ray movie players is considerably higher than that of other companies, because Blue Ray movies are designed to play on high definition televisions, and Samsung’s line of high definition televisions have the highest pixel ratio on the market for the sharpest pictures.
If you are interested in purchasing a three dimensional television for ground breaking, breathtaking movies and shows, Samsung’s product line combines the highest quality with 3D capacity to lead the industry in sales and models. Consider your personal budget and check local electronics stores for the best options.
