CES 2010 Best in Show Award: Panasonic VT25
January 6, 2010 9:09 PM PST
CES: Panasonic makes 3D HD official with VT25 plasma TV series
by David Katzmaier
The TC-PVT25 series looks like an average HDTV when seen in two dimensions.
(Credit: Panasonic)
Panasonic includes the required 3D glasses with its 3D TV.
(Credit: Panasonic)
Sony, Samsung, LG, and Toshiba all announced 3D-compatible HDTVs at this year’s CES, but Panasonic has made the most noise about the technology. The company began touting an extra dimension at last year’s CES, and this year it has finally announced a shipping date for its first 3D plasma TV. Dubbed the VT25 series, it’s expected to be released in the spring. It will be among the first 3D-capable flat-panel HDTVs available for sale in the U.S.
The set will include one pair of 3D glasses–every other 3D set announced at the show, save Sony’s XBR-LX900 series, lacks included glasses. Also, like all other makers, Panasonic will employ an active LC shutter system. The right and left lens in the glasses alternately darkens and lightens, too quickly to perceive, while the TV synchronously displays the corresponding right- and left-eye-specific images. The result is a stereoscopic 3D effect that, in the case of the VT25 mated to full-resolution 3D content, preserves all 1,920×1,080 (1080p) pixels for each eye–hence Panasonic’s term “Full HD 3D.”
Toshiba and Samsung have announced 2D to 3D conversion systems with their sets, which purport to create a 3D effect with standard 2D material; however, Panasonic avoids such processing tricks with the VT25. The only way to get 3D out of this TV (at least until 3D-upconverting players come along) is to mate it to a true 3D source, which means a 3D-compatible Blu-ray player playing a 3D disc, or a cable or satellite box tuned to a 3D channel. Such hardware-content combinations are nonexistent today, but given the preponderance of 3D related announcements at CES–including Panasonic’s own DMP-BDT350–they won’t be for long. We’ll take a closer look at 3D after the show, but in the meantime, Panasonic’s 3D HD Web site provides a good overview–as long as you can stomach the inevitable boosterism.
Aside from 3D, the VT25 is separated from step-down models in Panasonic’s lineup by the inclusion of Infinite Black Pro, which we assume improves upon the already excellent black level performance found on current Panasonic plasma TVs. The company lists the same 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio (for what it’s worth) for both the Pro and non-Pro versions of the feature, so we’ll have to wait for a review sample to see how black this latest Panasonic can get.
The VT25 also offers ISFccc, a protocol to help professional calibrators home in on the perfect picture, and an RS-232 port for custom installations.
Update January 8, 2010: We asked Panasonic’s rep whether the the new TVs, like the current V10 series, would include a 96Hz refresh rate, to better display native content. We were told that the VT25 would have a 96Hz option, but that the new G25 and G20 models would have the same flicker-prone 48Hz refresh rate option found on the current G10 models. See the review of the Panasonic TC-PG10 series for details.
Aside from these differences, its feature set is identical to that of the company’s TC-PG25 series, so check out that write up for more information on the other features below.
Panasonic TC-PVT25 features:
* 3D compatible
* Includes one pair of 3D glasses
* Infinite Black Pro
* ISFccc mode
* THX certified
* VieraCast interactive suite adds Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, and Fox Sports to previous content
* Skype video calling
* Optional Wi-Fi connection
Panasonic TC-PVT25 series models:
* Panasonic Viera TC-P65VT25: 65-inch, available spring 2010, price TBD
* Panasonic Viera TC-P58VT25: 58-inch, available spring 2010, price TBD
* Panasonic Viera TC-P54VT25: 54-inch, available spring 2010, price TBD
* Panasonic Viera TC-P50VT25: 50-inch, available spring 2010, price TBD
