Neo HDTV » kuro

CNet review of the Panasonic TC-P65VT25, “it’s the best 2D TV we’ve ever tested”

Ben Drawbaugh — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:51:00 +0000

When it comes to TV reviews, we have to give a node to CNet and its David Katzmaier for being one of the best around; so when he says it is the best TV he's ever tested, we officially want one. The new Panasonic VT25 line didn't rule every category though, and of course their are concerns that the black levels will prematurely degrade like last year's -- CNet intends to continuously test the VT25 to keep Panasonic honest. Now we know you're wondering about how it compares to the legendary Kuro and while it lit up the light meeter at a crazy low .004 ftl, the PRO-111FD Kuro is still the winner at .001 ftl -- interestingly the similarly speced G20 line only managed .007 ftl. Whether this difference is noticeable at home is up for debate, but Kuro still reigns king as far as the ~~light~~ black meter is concerned. Also of note is the fact that while LED backlit LCDs can also get down real far on the meter, the inconsistency across the screen pretty much makes it a moot point. While we're comparing to LCDs; according to CNet, the 55-inch Samsung C8000 costs about $35 less a year to operate than the 50-inch VT25, and while the anti-glare screen on the Panny is more effective at reducing reflections than the Samsung LCDs, it didn't preserve the black levels as well. It was also discovered that the 96hz mode, unique to the VT25 line, produced flicker free motion with 24p content, which is a must have for movie buffs. And what about 3D? Well just like Consumer reports and many others, CNet agrees that the VT25 is the best 3DTV yet, and although it does show some signs of ghosting on 3D content, it is noticeably less than Samsung 3DTVs.

CNet review of the Panasonic TC-P65VT25, "it's the best 2D TV we've ever tested" originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio

Richard Lawler — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:31:00 +0000

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Pioneer, Plasma

Bad news Kuro fans, the rumors were true and Pioneer is leaving the TV manufacturing business. On the upside, the restructuring deadline is March 2010, so a predicted net 130 billion yen ($1.44 billion) loss shouldn't be enough to get between you and the plasma HDTV of your dreams. The company's U.S. and U.K. plants are shutting down by April and February of this year, respectively, and product development for TVs beyond what's currently on the market is ending, seeing no prospects for improving profitability even after combining plasma efforts with Panasonic and LCDs with Sharp. Overall, there will be 10,000 fewer full time and temporary Pioneer employees than there were at the end of last year, while pay and bonuses for execs have been cut. The future for Pioneer? Mostly car audio, including in-car Blu-ray players and networked electronics, while its home electronics business focus on audio, DJ equipment and cable TV boxes, with a focus on using its expertise in improving sound. All other ugly details are contained in the press release, mourning the passing of another plasma supplier is in the comments.

[Via Bloomberg and AV Watch, thanks Carl H.]

Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pioneer reportedly ending TV production, spinning off DVD business

Richard Lawler — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:23:00 +0000

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Displays, Pioneer, LCD, Plasma

Say it ain't so (again) Pioneer, Japan's Nikkei is reporting that despite planning a return to profitability by sourcing Panasonic plasma panels, facing a consolidated loss of 100 billion yen ($1.08 billion U.S.) it will end TV development and production entirely. The DVD business will be spun off into a new venture with Sharp as part of a plan to shed several thousand employees over the next year, including a shutdown of its Shizuoka plant, along with already planned closings in the U.S. and Europe. Honestly, we should have seen things were going badly when it let LaserDisc die, but the worsening economy may have proved too tough for the idea that its Kuro and Elite line of products would not be subject to the ups and downs of the economy.

[Via Gearlog, registration required on read link]

Pioneer reportedly ending TV production, spinning off DVD business originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments