The Plasma TV Blog

This unit is a 61“ screen monster of a high tech television. It uses Texas Instruments trademarked DLP rear projection technology. There is always some concern in rear projection type televisions about loss of picture quality with larger screens. It is interesting to note that one measure of picture quality, the contrast ratio, drops a bit in this unit when compared to the 56” screen DLP also offered by Panasonic. The contrast ratio is still 12,500:1 which exceeds most Plasma and LCD units and produces a very crisp and lifelike picture display. This is helped by the resolution that is 1920 x 1080, and progressive scan that allows 1080p High Definition display that handles just about anything being produced today, and seems well positioned to handle even the next generation of display formats.

The DLP or Digital Light Processing technology uses a small chip containing over a million microscopic mirrors that tilt independently focusing light through a rapidly rotating color wheel to the pixel array. Panasonic adds a HD2+ Digital Micromirror Device and an 8 segment color wheel to further eliminate some of the earlier distortion problems of the DLP style picture displays. The result really has to be seen to be appreciated.

There is a full package of extras to compliment the picture reproduction. Connection is made simple via HDMI one cable connection ports although inputs and output to handle almost every type of connection need are also included. These include a full array of connector ports that can hook to your personal computer. There is also a SD card slot for displaying JPEG pictures on your DLP screen. The sound is matched to the picture with a special BBE High Definition Sound system that is also a trademarked exclusive feature of Panasonic, and a set of 30 watt surround sound speakers. The DLP needs a little more room in the back than its flat screened brothers, but still this unit has a depth of just a bit over 18 inches so finding a location in your home for it will not be a serious problem, but it is a good idea to locate it in front of a very comfortable chair because once you begin to view the kind of High Definition image that 1080 progressive scan resolution, high contrast pictures that produce, you are not going to want to ever turn it off.