Panasonic VT50, GT50 & ST50 3D Plasmas Launched At CES 2012

Panasonic has launched its 2012 Smart Viera range of 3D plasma TVs amid little fanfare at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012 in Las Vegas. Usually products that excite videophiles all around the world (especially since the withdrawal of Pioneer from the TV market), Panasonic HDTV models received surprisingly little mention at the Japanese manufacturer’s CES 2012 press conference which instead focused on the company’s green innovations, Viera Connect IPTV (internet-protocol television) platform, as well as its new alliance with MySpace TV.

Panasonic VT50

Panasonic VT50

The new top-of-the-line plasma will be the Panasonic VT50 series which replaces the outgoing VT30: the jump from 30 to 50 in the model number is to avoid the figure 4 which is deemed unlucky according to Japanese superstition. Currently two screen sizes – 55 and 65 inches – are planned for the American market, although we expect at least another 50-inch model to go on sale in the UK and Europe.

Screen Size US Model Number UK Model Number
50-inch N/A Panasonic TX-P50VT50 or TX-P50VT50B
55-inch Panasonic TC-P55VT50 Panasonic TX-P55VT50 or TX-P55VT50B
65-inch Panasonic TC-P65VT50 Panasonic TX-P65VT50 or TX-P65VT50B

These flagship plasmas will feature full HD 3D resolution, Infinite Black Ultra NeoPlasma panel with fast-switching phosphors and 2500 FFD (Focused Field Drive), 24,576-step gradation technology, 2D-to-3D conversion, THX certification in both 2D and 3D, ISFccc calibration mode, one-sheet-of-glass design, new Louver filter, the inclusion of a Viera Touch Pad controller, Viera Connect internet-connected platform with in-built web browser, and integrated WiFi. We will reserve judgement on whether some of these innovations actually bring about any improvement in picture quality (over last year’s already-excellent VT30) until we see the European versions at this year’s Panasonic Convention in Hamburg next month, or test them in-house.

Panasonic GT50

One rung down from the VT50 is the Panasonic GT50 3D plasma series. A quick glance at the spec sheet revealed that compared to the VT50, the GT50 only features an Infinite Black Pro (rather than Ultra) panel, and a more traditional (albeit still stylish) separate bezel and screen design. It also lacks direct ISF interfacing, and does not ship with the Touch Pad remote controller.

Panasonic GT50

Four screen sizes are planned for the US market, but again we expect to see a 42-inch model to cater for the smaller home sizes in the United Kingdom and Europe:

Screen Size US Model Number UK Model Number
50-inch Panasonic TC-P50GT50 Panasonic TX-P50GT50 or TX-P50GT50B
55-inch Panasonic TC-P55GT50 Panasonic TX-P55GT50 or TX-P55GT50B
60-inch Panasonic TC-P60GT50 Panasonic TX-P60GT50 or TX-P60GT50B
65-inch Panasonic TC-P65GT50 Panasonic TX-P65GT50 or TX-P65GT50B

Panasonic ST50

Panasonic ST50

The ST50 is the company’s most affordable plasma-based 3D TV model that employs an Infinite Ultra Black Pro panel. Compared to the step-up GT50 range, features that are omitted on the Panasonic ST50 are the inbuilt smart browser, multitasking capabilities, 24,576-step gradation, and THX certification. There is also one less HDMI ports (three instead of four). Six screen sizes ranging from 42 to 65 inches are available:

Screen Size US Model Number UK Model Number
42-inch Panasonic TC-P42ST50 Panasonic TX-P42ST50 or TX-P42ST50B
46-inch Panasonic TC-P46ST50 Panasonic TX-P46ST50 or TX-P46ST50B
50-inch Panasonic TC-P50ST50 Panasonic TX-P50ST50 or TX-P50ST50B
55-inch Panasonic TC-P55ST50 Panasonic TX-P55ST50 or TX-P55ST50B
60-inch Panasonic TC-P60ST50 Panasonic TX-P60ST50 or TX-P60ST50B
65-inch Panasonic TC-P65ST50 Panasonic TX-P65ST50 or TX-P65ST50B

35 comments

  1. No 46 in the mid range plasmas is a mistake, you really need a huge room for a 50.

  2. These are USA models. 2011 models also start from 50″ there.
    My guess is that we will see European models start from 42″ and include 46″. Hopefully VT50 series as well, 46″ size is the one I need ;)

  3. the big question is will they suffer from the green tinge issue many customers were complaining about on gt/vt30 series?

  4. I agree that it would be a huge mistake not to include a 46″ size in mid range, at least!!
    I am looking forward to my next TX-P46GT50 in my salon this year!!! :)

  5. The 50″ gt50 will be mine!!!

  6. “The ST50 is the company’s most affordable plasma-based 3D TV model that employs an Infinite Ultra Pro panel.”

    No ultra panel on the ST50, just like the GT50…

  7. @Mark: Thanks for the clarification, I have corrected the typo in the article.

    Warmest regards
    Vincent

  8. Are there any ideas on when these will hit the UK shops?

  9. I have the 55vt30 is clearly the best tv I bought the 55vt50 looks even better with a small bezel and may be thinner lets hope they have sorted out the fan notice on the tv

  10. @Dr Who: The GT30 was available from 30th March 2011 on Amazon UK last year, so perhaps similar this year for the GT50. Reviews didn’t start hitting until around May though.

  11. Here we go . Am a proud owner of the vt30 . But what the hell no web browser . Stupid to not implicate that . Internet ready. But no web browser silly Panasonic . An the consumer is no idiot . That’s y Panasonic is copying Samsung bezel an there hub with Internet web browser . But still were not idiots send a update with an independent web browser . This is silly an bad marketing on Panasonic . It’s not hard nor difficult but you want the consumer to pay for your vt50 flagship . By the way I have a d 8000 Samsung . Do your home work guys . Research these companies think we’re idiots . I no am

  12. Yea this sucks again for Panasonic. I like the fact that they are more in tune now in design aesthetics with their TVs because for a long while now, their TVs are the ugliest of the big 4 TV manufacturers (Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG) and sometimes not even as good looking as other TVs from Sharp, Vizio, and Toshiba. Panasonic began to look expensive starting from last year’s models. This year, they even look sleeker but the chrome edging is a design faux pas. It will create reflections and hotspots from ambient and interior lighting. Hopefully, they come out with an all black bezel version, perhaps a brushed dark aluminum or stainless steel.

    Another thing that sucks even more for Panasonic is that they did not come out with a 46″ or even a 50″ model for the VT30 in the US and they are doing it again on the VT50. Do they think there is no market here in US for smaller screens? Not everyone has that big of a living room. Most Americans live in small apartments and condos. Do Japanese really think that American’s are size queens? One last bummer is that the VT50 does not even come with 3D glasses so Panny went cheap on that one. It would have been a major selling point.

  13. I was going to go out and get a TX-P55VT30B. I have a 37 inch TX-L37DT30B which is “Smart Viera” but no browser and I’ll use this elsewhere – I can justify a 55 inch in the living room.

    I’m going to feel a right idiot buying a VT30 if they are discounted in a couple of months to make way for the VT50 – especially if the VT50 is much better.

    Any indication when the VT50 will hit UK shores? At some stage, Panasonic will replace the VT30 with the VT50 on the production lines. Any further info would be useful. I’m also keen to know if the 3D specs are going to be new (i.e. cross-band compatible)…

  14. To all of you complaining about the internet base features or lack their of with panasonic…buy a fucking laptop. Quit crying over really dumb features….Its a television!!! And the best television manufacturer on the planet at that. If the VT50 said Pioneer on the bottom of the bezzle and had NO Internet features at all you wouldnt be complaining. Good job panasonic keep up the good work. Thank you for giving us a the closest possible television to the Elite’s. You still have the best picture on the market.

  15. I have to kind of agree with Nic, but without the four letter words. Let the darn TV be a TV. If you want the best, buy the best tv from panasonic, and the best computer from the computer manufacturer you find best suits your needs.

  16. Me gustaría saber cuando saldrán los nuevos modelos en España. Hoy he efectuado una pregunta por e-mail a Panasonic España y me han contestado que no saben nada ni de su presentación ni de su comercialización.
    Por otra parte me interesa saber su consumo energético para ver si los han reducido con respecto a los anteriores modelos (GT30 – VT30) ya que estos siguen siendo bastantes altos sobretodo si se comparan con los Led y con los Oled que en breve empezaran a comercializar todas las marcas

  17. For people complaining about lack of smaller VT models… it is because they don’t sell. Americans generally buy the biggest they can afford. They aren’t going to pay the same price for a 46″ VT when they can get a 55″ ST for the same price. Those that care about ultimate picture quality, generally are already in the higher $$$ range… which means the bigger sets. Sure, YOU might want the ultimate 46″, the problem is there aren’t enough people out there like you to make it worthwhile for them to sell them.

    As for lack of 3D glasses. I am glad they aren’t included. All it would do is raise the price. Consumers have generally dismissed 3D in the home, so it doesn’t make sense to raise the price of every TV for the single-digit percentage of people who are really excited over 3d.

  18. Where does the UT series fall in their lineup in particular TC-P42UT50? Thanks.

  19. Hi kids.

    First up, 50″ tvs required big rooms when they were 720p. We now have 1080p so you can sit a bit closer. 2m from screen is plenty for a 50″. If you are not that far away already on 46 I would be surprised. You living in a dorm or something? jeez work it out.

    Second little children. You want to be closer to the screen for 3D… if your into it. Bigger is better. The less bezel you can see the more effective the 3D. Sit closer…no thanks. Get a bigger screen kids.

    Mr ‘i dont like the bezel’. Have you seen Samsung bezels? Shiny as F&*k. What is your issue with a small edge that is not even on the face? Also, smaller bezel is not always better. The black boarder helps frame the picture from your crappy wall behind the screen. Good luck doing that on the LG and Samsung range. Nice HD image right next to your wifes sh*^y wallpaper… or your white wall. Think about it kids. Do you like it when they leave the lights on in the movies and you can still see the curtains on the side… no your don’t. That is another reason why a nice black bezel is good. But hey, if your TV is all about when its off, then why not by second hand. You will likely not notice the worn out picture.

  20. Im going to be clear this is an opinion base on my experience . I dnt hate Panasonic Iam a proud owner of the 2011 vt30 . Awesome tv . But ppl you say let a tv be a tv . If we the consumer were satisfied with whatever the company give us there would be no improvements . An let’s be honest who wants a tv to be just a tv . The idea is to make this tv do things it couldn’t do before . That’s why we buy Xbox ps3 etc toile the tv multifunctional . Let’s be honest . If you want a tv to just watch MTV . Don’t respond to this because your the clear reason why were still being abused in the consumer market with 123 numbers behind products ps3 Xbox 720 it’s a skeem. To say that’s old this is new . Please don’t hate this is my opinion . I own a Sony Bravia Samsung d 80000 an vt30 . No more of the bull with this year is blacker or more brighter . Please cut the crap . Now led is old now it’s oled . Come on u get what am getting at . Stop with the am not happy no make the shit last 10 yrs . Done

  21. Oh yea that stupid comment about buy a laptop . I have 3 of those . What’s your point . Like I said am a consumer an you are to. If a product is marketed an sold to me as an Internet ready product an it doesn’t have a web browser . Guess what that’s called false advertisement . An as the consumer I have every right to voice that . Not go buy a laptop. It’s an key feature that is in most product now a days . wake up ppl .

  22. Meph,

    You are a moron. Your ramblings are incomprehensible. Please don’t have children and hang yourself as soon as possible.

    Thanks

  23. Look at this clown . We’re discussing our opinions on next gen tvs particaly panasonic plasma vt50 . Do u even own one . Not likely . Until you own one talk . Matter of fact no reply to me if you don’t own a damn vt30 . Get on my level …………….just sad an pathetic .

  24. No browser on p55st50? Panasonic advertise it as included on st, gt & vt series.
    Bought the p55st50 this week and couldn’t find the browser :(
    So disappointing as browser was one of the most important feature I considered for upgrading to 2012 model.

  25. Sorry, no comment, but what is “direct isf interfacing”?

  26. I have a TH-42PWD5 that is now almost 10 years old. It runs on a VP into its DVI input board. I had it ISF calibrated to within a millimetre of its life as well. The picture is as good as standard def gets, and depending on the material, many people mistakenly think it’s HD. I’ve seen uncalibrated HD sets in people’s houses that look ropey as f***. However, it’s now time to upgrade to HD, and I think the 55VT50 will be the one once I get a proper look at it.

  27. Meph-Amphetamines

    Meph,

    GET OFF THE DRUGS RETARD!!!

  28. Why are u talking bout drugs . Does any of my comments relate to drugs . Why are you even posting a comment . Nothing you said relates to me sir . Get a vt30 like I said earlier . An stop re- commenting about nonsense . This isn’t YouTube ! Moron

  29. I see that the only real discernable difference between the VT and the GT is the Infinite Black Panel Ultra/Pro…so in English, what is the difference between Infinite Black Ultra/Pro?

  30. Good question . Answer Panasonic Try’s every year to give the same or close to infinite blacks that the pioneer kuro was able to visually give you . Depending on your eye capabilities you probably won’t be able to distinguish between the two . Also it really depending on the content . To me personally you won’t be disappointed . The tv is that good . I personally own the vt30 . Great tv no problems all the bells an whistles are there . Hope I answered your question . The difference I see with the vt an the gt is the specs , an pricing . Gt Is still a steal .

  31. Thanks for the input Meph. Would you say the GT50 is better than the VT30?

  32. Well . Dennis the vt30 is better due to the specs . But like I said the gt is a steal for the price . But to compare the two . The vt is on top compared to the gt . Have fun with your tv .

  33. Typo I read your comment again . You had said the vt30 vs the gt50 now that’s interesting . Well when I went to my tv dealer to check on the latest update with the vt50 . He explain to me the upgrades from the vt 30 to the vt50 . Guess what there wasn’t much . His words exactly was there was no leap in technology nor picture . In other words wait for the price to go down b/c it will . But what they did do is increase the contrast on the vt50 not sure for the others . Now is the gt or vt 30 which is better . Depends on the user . It seems you want the latest an more bang do your buck . Then I will say the gt 50 because it has the latest . Trust me either way you go . It a win . Later !

  34. I can tell you that the GT50 is excelent. I would say just as good if not better than last years VT30. Panasonic completely redesigned their panels for 2012. The results…better color accuracy, better black levels and brighter whites which equals amazing contrast.

  35. To Ajit:

    The ST50 does have a Web Browser – you have to download it from the Viera Marketplace App under “News & Lifestyle”