Showing posts with label Panasonic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Panasonic. Show all posts

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Panasonic Corp will reduce plasma TV panel production and cut up to several thousand jobs

As its loss-making television unit struggles to compete with Asian rivals...


According to REUTERS, Panasonic Corp will reduce plasma TV panel production and cut up to several thousand jobs, as its loss-making television unit struggles to compete with Asian rivals, domestic media reported on Thursday.

Panasonic will stop plasma panel production at its Amagasaki No. 3 factory in Hyogo prefecture in Southern Japan, broadcaster NHK and the Yomiuri newspaper said on their websites. NHK cited a source close to the matter, while the Yomiuri did not give sourcing.

Amagasaki No. 3, the largest plasma panel factory in the world with production capacity of 330,000 panels per month, was completed in December 2009, the Yomiuri said. It makes large panels from 42 inches to 150 inches, the paper said.

Panasonic's logo is seen on an electronics shop's wall in Tokyo April 28, 2011. (Credit: Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon)



The company is also considering selling off a liquid-crystal display panel plant at Mobara in Chiba prefecture, next to Tokyo, the reports said.

Panasonic will cut staffing by several thousand, including through voluntary redundancies, the Yomiuri reported.

A spokesman for Panasonic said the company was considering various options for its television business, but had nothing to announce at this point.

Panasonic, along with domestic rivals Sony and Sharp, is struggling to compete with the likes of South Korea's Samsung Electronics.

The firm is set to announce its July-September earnings and give an update on strategy on October 31.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

LED-TV: The best TV with LED Backlight

Best of LED TV


Your new TV should be "State of the Art", finally you not every day buys a new TV. Our advice: Grab it best to a LED TV - pack because in these models, the manufacturer in addition to the small light all the latest technology highlights.

LED is the magic word when it comes to the latest TV technology. As demonstrated by our tests, this variety of LCD TV that is a clear advantage: The backlight with LED diodes (instead of CCFL tubes like normal LCD TVs) provides for darker black levels and a higher contrast ratio - including better checkerboard contrast, what is pays off especially in fast motion in the picture. A positive side effect of LED technology is also a lower energy consumption.

Full-LED backlight, Edge LED
Not all LED TV LED TV is same: Current models have either a Egde or a full-LED backlight. With Edge LED TVs are the LEDs around the edge of the television screen distributed, where the light is transported via a circuit board behind the display. This gives a very flat design, so that the device is only a few millimeters thick. For the full-or direct-LED technology, the LEDs are not laterally, but attached directly behind the display in groups, which are also separately on and off (local dimming).

The best LED TVs at a glance
We have tested all of our LED TVs divided into six categories and present you with the best equipment in the display sizes of 32 to 37 inches, 40 to 42 inches and larger than 42 inches. How to find itself at a glance once the absolute LED TV highlights: those recommended models that offer the best picture quality, the best 3D image and the best equipment extras. And also the best LED TV deal, the best LED energy saver and the coolest LED television. All units along with the rating you will find an overview in the photo gallery.

The best TV with LED backlight

The LED TV with the best image quality

The Supreme discipline in television devices: the image. Here, everything must be right - sharpness, color, clean movements, strong contrast and high attention to detail are only some parameters that make up a great image.

32/37-Inch: Samsung UE32C6200
The Samsung UE32C6200 is a chic TV with edge LED technology, completely convinced us in the test. The image quality is unparalleled in this display size – be it from the four tuners, an external to player or the integrated media player for USB and network. Both SD and HD material tickers are razor sharp, smooth edges and scenes in motion completely judder free. Furthermore, can the TV also with a great sound and an extensive facilities to convince - and is on top of that not even expensive.
Price: 740 EUR

40/42-Inch: Samsung UE40C8790XS


Samsung's LED Edge-TV offers a nearly perfect image - especially in 2D. Both of the tuners (analog cable, DVB-T/C/S2) and external playback devices in the test, there was nothing to complain about. The coloration is darker scenes, but also very good, however, shines here in the dark corners Edge LED backlight a little pure and the 3D rendering shows this model quite distinct halos. Despite the very thin case, the sound is surprisingly powerful and trouble-free almost to the maximum volume.
Price: 1.800 EUR

Larger 42-inch: Sharp LC-46LE820E
Better image thanks to four colours technology: each pixel of an LCD TV consists usually of three sub pixels in the colours red, green and blue (RGB) - sharp engineers have halved and a half of the Green subpixels yellow coloured. Due to this four sub-pixel and an edge LED backlit, the cheap Sharp AQUOS LC-46LE820E offers an excellent image with particularly rich colors. The TV represents everything beautifully sharp, very rich in contrast and without motion blur. The sound is however no strength of TV, because the body starts to scheppern at low frequencies at higher volume.
Price: 900 EUR

Deep: The LED TV with the best 3D image
3D rendering is actually the domain of plasma TVs, but the current LED TVs are powerful catching up in the spatial representation. Here the three best 3D from the LED camp.

32/37-Inch: Panasonic TX-L32DT30E
Originally, the TV manufacturers had announced to want to send not 3D-TV below the 40-inch limit in the race. But Panasonic care and now offers a 32-inch LED TV, which makes good 3D with the TX-L32DT30E. Still completely cold Panel directly after power-on is the typical 3D-TV with dual images (ghosting / crosstalk) only at about 2 percent - this suggests even the expensive high-end models of Samsung like about the UE55D8090 of the small Japanese and makes the plasma TVs from the in-house competition. After about two hours of running time, we have seen then almost certainly no cross talk. So, also in the 32-inch 3D fun.
Price: 950 EUR

40/42-Inch: Samsung UE40D7090
Samsung relies on Bluetooth for the connection of 3D-TV and shutter glasses since the beginning of this year and with the introduction of its D-series TV. And this technical innovation is evident absolutely: the 40-inch LED TV UE40D7090 shows when 3D content is very rarely ghosting / crosstalk and if, then only with very light double contours. We have measured a deviation of only 3 per cent of cold and of about one percent after a running time of over an hour here in the test lab - that's super.
Price: 1300 EUR

Larger 42-inch: Samsung UE55D8090
The refresh rate of the 55 inch TV with edge-LED backlight is located at 800 Hz - this this 800 frames per second are composed of 400 real and 400 black images, which are achieved by switching off the backlight after each image. The active shutter glasses join also in this model via Bluetooth with the TV, which is to allow a more stable connection. And actually the 3D image in the test: from crosstalk (electronics), the so-called "ghost images" caused, almost no trace. Brightness and contrast, take off as usual in the 3D mode, but they remain in relation to the competition at a very good level.
Price: 2,900 EUR

Inexpensive: The LED TV with the best price

You will get a price-performance-winner with LED backlight from 400 euro. And not only the price is right at this low tech enjoy, because also the image of the LED bargain offer no reason for the lawsuit.

32/37-Inch: Sharp LC-32LE320E
400 Euros for a 32-inch TV with full HD resolution and edge-LED-backlight - this is a great offer. The sharp LC-32LE320E is a pronounced power-saving LED TV with very good image - also with a consumption of approximately 68 watt in normal mode in eco mode, where the device saves even a few Watts, unless this goes at the expense of image quality. The TV controls the brightness of the display of maximum 468,9 on still usable 227,4 candela per square meter down and needed only 49.8 Watt.
Price: 400 EUR

40/42-Inch: Philips 40PFL6605H
Full HD TV 40PFL6605H offers good quality no-frills: The image quality of the three tuners (analog cable, DVB-T/C) we liked the test very well - and in both SD or HD. Also, the coloration of dark scenes on DVD or Blu-ray Disc impressed us with many details in the test. The tone is strong, the housing starts but beyond the room volume to roar. Otherwise the Philips LED Edge-TV has no special equipment features - there is no 3D rendering, network or Internet features it.
Price: 600 EUR

Larger 42-inch: LG 47LX9500
The partially on and disconnect full-surface backlight consists of very small light-emitting diodes (LEDs). So, the 47-inch device is almost as narrow as only edge-LED models. In addition, the active local dimming in the test actually providing better readings with the checkerboard contrast (very good 248:1). The image quality of the built tuner (digital and analog cable and DVB-T) is overall good. Also the image of DVDs convinced us in the test. Even better, but we found the image of Blu-ray discs – here the LG TV shows class image quality. Even the image of DVDs convinced us in the test. Even better, we found that the image of Blu-ray discs - here shows the great LG TV picture quality. Did not liked us, however, the 3D rendering of the LG, because when playing a 3D Blu-ray Disc were quite distinct halos (crosstalk / ghosting).
Price: 1.100 EUR


Economical: The LED TV with the best power consumption

LED TVs need House from less power than regular LCD TV or plasma. Some manufacturers make it but to make their TV particularly economical.

32/37-Inch: Sony KDL-32EX705
The power consumption of Sony KDL-32EX705 turns out nice low with just 69 Watts during normal operation. At Eco-mode is switched on and just barely acceptable image quality, it can be reduced but even to 34.9 Watts – as the most light bulbs need more power than the TV in your home. However, the establishment of the eco mode is slightly annoying: the power management options are spread across three different menu branches, as is finding the correct settings to the ordeal.
Price: 700 EUR

40/42-Inch: Philips Econova 42PFL6805
At the Philips already the name addition "Econova" draws attention to its power management capabilities, the manufacturer uses this TV radical environmental awareness: the housing of the device consists of recycling aluminum and the solar remote not even need a battery. The ecological LED backlight TV shines with extremely low power of 67 Watts in normal operation and 59.4 Watts in eco mode. You do not have a printed manual in the Econova. The lack of paper has in contrast to many other producers but no savings reasons, but to round out the ecological overall picture according to Philips.
Price: 750 EUR

Larger 42-inch: Philips 46PFL5605H
This Philips TV offers a reduced, simple design with edge LED backlighting and fit also a low current consumption: in normal mode, the 46-inch TV needed just 72 Watts. If you switch the fuel efficient eco-mode, even only 63.1 Watt flow through the electricity meter. The image quality of the 46PFL5605H is generally good, the TV image is in motion now and then a little mushy. The coloration of films in DVD and Blu-ray Disc manages the LED TV very well, but with some color noise in very dark areas.
Price: 720 EUR


More: The LED TV with the best extras

Media Player, 3D playback, internet and network - these are just some features that bring the top models in this category: Here's the full program.

32/37-Inch: Panasonic TX-L32DT30E
The equipment of small edge-LED TV is top: in addition to four tuners (analog cable, DVB-T/C/S2), it offers a built-in multimedia player for content from the network (DLNA), or from a USB storage device. On the latter, you can record content from the three DVB-tuners - including digital program guide for convenient programming of the records. The real highlight, however, is that the Panasonic as currently only 32 incher supports also 3D-rendering, proved particularly good in the test. The TX-L32DT30E also has all popular interfaces: 4 x HDMI, 2gang SCART and a CI +-slot. Access to the network via Ethernet, but does not provide for a free Internet access via a browser. For this, but various Internet widgets (Viera connect) - for YouTube videos, Skype, Facebook, and much more can be found.
Price: 950 EUR

40/42-Inch: Samsung UE40D7090
Also the Samsung LED TV of series of D7090 is not, but: there are four time HDMI, CI+, and three times USB 2.0. The SCART Sockets (two pieces), component and composite connections are connected via adapters - so the design remains pretty flat. He used for network media players and USB supports also high-resolution videos in addition to the usual formats in the MKV container with DTS sound (USB only). You can use USB media with NTFS file system, including all movies in this format to the TV can look at, which devour Yes happy times over 7 GB of memory. Last but not least, there is also a full-featured Internet browser with Flash support, and 3D-capable is of course the TV.
Price: 1300 EUR


Larger 42-inch: Philips 58PFL9955H
21:9 - this size is almost exactly the classic cinema format. So, the LED Giant can be movies from DVD and Blu-ray disc in optimal size; no other television can do otherwise. In addition the Philips TV also offers a complete equipment: 3D-rendering, DLNA-client for playback of content from the network, four tuners (analog cable, DVB-T/C/S2), three of which also HD-capable, CI +-slot, USB interfaces, and memory card readers are on board. On the external interfaces, you can connect storage media, of which, the TV can play many multimedia formats. You can take the 21: 9 via WLAN, as well as by cable in the network or the Internet. Here he access to selected online content on the Philips NetTV platform or you surf quite freely through the Web via Opera browser (without Flash).
Price: 4,000 EUR

Monday, June 27, 2011

Review: Panasonic TX-P50VT30E (50-inch plasma TV)

Power Plasma TV with great image

The TX-P50VT30E 50-inch TV, Panasonic offers huge 127 cm screen size. The XXL TV test convinced not only with the sheer size: class is also the image quality in 2D and 3D.

The plasma TV has an integrated 3D transmitter, two active and very comfortable shutter glasses are included. The 3D image of the TV proved to be correct in the test well: In 3D mode decreases while plasma typically clear the brightness of the panel, but it remains light enough for a good looking picture. Also the measured contrast values ​​convince through the glasses. The typical double contours in 3D rendering (crosstalk) are two to three percent, while overall very low for a plasma TV but still relatively high. Some of us already tested LCD TVs, such as the Samsung UE55D7090, which can become even better.


Panasonic TX-P50VT30E: Strong plasma TV for 2D and 3D.


TV good, even better HD
The TV picture of the four tuners (analog cable, DVB-C/-T/-S (2)) convinced alll in all. Tickers for SD channels are pretty sharp, jagged edges but every now and again easily. There is no motion blur, especially the picture preset "cinema" is particularly good. For HD channels (DVB-C and DVB-S (2)), the picture presents a total clean very well, super sharp and in motion. The only shortcoming a slight noise in monochrome, homogeneous surfaces now and then. The coloration darker image sequences from DVD and Blu-ray disc is above average, the TV shows a lot of detail here. However, strongly affects the reflective panel this good result a little. Color transitions seemed pretty clean in all test sequences, the total colors very natural.

Good values, rich sound
Also the static measurements confirm the good image quality. Plasma typically, the display shows very evenly lit, it offers a large color space and no restrictions on the point of view. The checkerboard contrast of 186: 1 is the average response time of the Panel with 2 millisecond good tip. The TV delivers a nice strong sound with deep bass and begins to echo to only close to the maximum volume.

Elegant Line: The VT30 is a nice plasma flat.

High-quality remote control
The supplied remote control has got great processed, this but also quite nice hard. Handy for use in the dark home theater: the main buttons of a total open-designed command generator let light be.
At the port, Panasonic relies completely on Earth: four HDMI jacks and various, usable by cable whips AV inputs (SCART, component, etc.) can be found in addition to an Ethernet interface on the back of the extremely flat TV stuck standing on its base. A Wi-Fi dongle is included it is too thick external dock included, for the "normal" three USB Sockets. About this, you can upload but, for example, the shutter glasses or connect external storage media.

Great media player
Speaking of external storage media: from the digital tuners delivered shipments of TV on external storage picks up and supports the programming via electronic program guide. The integrated media player plays from all popular formats including MKVs with DTS sound from external storage devices - also of NTFS-formatted disks. Multimedia files over the network can also play by DLNA, here the TV supports but not so many formats such as USB and SD(HC)-cardreader.

Come with Viera connect also the usual widgets from the Internet to the TV: various libraries, Facebook, Twitter, Skype and more. There is not a free browser for surfing on the Internet.

No power saver
The Gretchen question: Need the plasma TVs still so much power? Yes - the producers substantially reduced the consumption of their plasma devices in the past two years. But with an average 174 Watts, the Panasonic is still no power saver. A light sensor and various ECO modes exist although, hard to find but on the menu the latter.

Conclusion
The Panasonic TX-P50VT30E is a good plasma TV with great picture in 2D and 3D. When equipped Panasonic also makes no half measures - many interfaces, a great media player, a good remote control and four tuners mean second place in the ranking in this category. Only some of the high power consumption and the price of almost 2000 € dim the joy of this excellent little devices.

Alternative
The LG 55LX9500 at a price of around € 1600 offers five inches or 12.7 inches more screen size. Also, this TV dominates the 3D rendering, but with significantly more crosstalk. In 2D content but there's nothing to complain about - the picture is overall very good and the sound quality of full-LED-TV can be heard with deep bass well.

Display technology Plasma
Diagonal 50 Inch
Resolution Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
TV quality well
DVD-quality Very good
Blu-ray quality Very good
Maximum brightness n/a.
Contrast Measurement with plasma screen TV not possible
Checkerboard contrast 186:1
Average response time grey-grey 2 ms
Horizontal viewing angle (50: 1) > 179°
Vertical viewing angle (50: 1) > 179°
Performance recording normal operation 174 Watts
Performance recording standby < 0,1 Watt
Power saving mode Yes
Real power switch Yes
Remote control layout well
Remote source selection indicates list
Remote control DVD / video player Yes
Ports easily accessible Yes
Swivel stand Yes
Tilt foot -
Height adjustable -
Tuner analog TV Yes
Digital Cable Tuner Yes
Tuner digital satellite Yes
Tuner, digital antenna Yes
Picture in the picture TV and connected external sources
Input HDMI 4 Sockets
DVI-D input -
DVI-I input -
HDCP capable DVI input -
Input SCART (total) 1 Socket
Input SCART composite 1 Socket
Input SCART, S-video 1 Socket
SCART RGB input 1 Socket
Composite (CVBS) input 1 Socket
Input S-video -
Input components signal 1 Socket
VGA input 1 Socket
Input audio analogue 1 Socket
Input digital audio -
LAN 1 Port
USB 3 Jacks
SCART output 1 Socket
Output headphone 1 Socket
Output analog audio 1 Socket
Output audio digital 1 Socket
Speakers 2 x 11 Watt (sinus), no subwoofer
Mass 120 x 77 x 34
Weight 35.0 kg
Memory card reader -
Common interface CI + interface

TVs up to 42 inches Perfect size and 3D from 450€

A 40-inch TV for 450 € is no good? Total nonsense!

The Toshiba 40XV733 proves exactly the opposite of that price. And who puts on it 300 € more, gets even the current winner and 3D to the home theater.

Winner: Samsung LE40C750

Even for 750€ you get a great 3-D TV 40-inch diagonal screen - the winner of 40/42-inch-TVs. The Samsung LE40C750 points in 3D mode on some slight ghosting, the bottom line is we can, given the low price but do not complain about the 3D performance. In addition, our 2D-3D conversion of the Samsung won the test with good pictures - and some even offer include 3D ​​shutter glasses included. The 2D image of the integrated tuner or DVD and Blu-ray disc is also excellent. This ensures, among other things, the TV 200Hz technology for nice smooth movement without jerks or artefacts. Even the powerful sound and rich bass of the classic LCD TVs with CCFL backlight convince.
Price: about 740 €

On sale: Toshiba 40XV733

The TV picture with a price of around € 450 extremely affordable 40-inch device in the test proved to be excellent - regardless of which of the three built-in tuner (DVB-T, analog and digital cable DVB-C). Toshiba's image enhancement technology, "Resolution +" makes the 40XV733 especially in normal SD program for a visible improvement: the edges appear smooth, the image is sharp and colorful. The integrated digital cable tuner (DVB-C) also dominated TV shows in HD resolution. DVDs of movies tend to medium dark areas but every now and then a slight pixel noise, but this is the coloration darker scenes very well. For movies on Blu-ray discs, the picture quality is impeccable. Only the sound of the Toshiba LCDs is overall a bit thin - because the money saved, you should probably buy a proper sound bar.
Price: 450€

3D-Plasma Deals: Panasonic TX-P42GT20E

The TX-P42GT20E for around 790 € in the test convinced us with an almost flawless and very beautiful three-dimensional reproduction. As with other more expensive Panasonic plasma TVs with 3D shutter technique, there is nothing to see of crosstalk and double lines. Well we also like the 2D-3D conversion of the TX-P42GT20E, she is pleasantly restrained, and produced a total of considerable 3D effects. Also shows what the television in 2D, there is no cause for complaint: The image quality of the four tuners and external sources is excellent. Small deficiency of the whole great offer: Included with the Panasonic TV's are not 3D shutter glasses - that you need to buy for around 100€ per piece.
Price: around 790 €