Panasonic Viera Plasma and LCD TVs - what to go for

Panasonic provides a range of either Plasma or LCD TVs.  Both varieties come under the Panasonic Viera range and can be broken down really simply.

We’ll concentrate on the Panasonic Plasma TVs to start with.  Their standard Panasonic Viera range are all titled PD and come in two sizes, the Panasonic Viera 37PD plasma screen, a 37 inch screen and the Panasonic Viera 42PD plasma screen, a 42 inch screen.  These are the cheapest of the Panasonic range as they aren’t HD-ready (HDTV).

Then you have the entry level plasma range.  These come with the prefix PX60.  The Panasonic Viera PX60 range come in a 50 inch, 42 inch and 37 inch screen size.  It doesn’t matter what size screen you go for they are all the same spec and come HD Ready with the V-real technology for better image quality, a contrast ration of 10,000:1, 3D colour management and two HDMI inputs.

Not quite at the top of the range is the Panasonic Viera PX600 series.  This is the penultimate TV in the Panasonic camp and again has the same spec as the PX60 but in addition comes with surround sound speakers on the side, PIP (picture-in-picture) and an SD card slot.

Kings of the Panasonic's plasma castle are the PX70, PX700 and PZ700 ranges.  With 37, 42 and 50-inch screens we have the PX70 range, which supports 1080p, providing Full-HD TV.  Also supporting 1080p is the PX700, which comes in 42-inches, and the PZ700 comes in 50-inches.  The differences between the three are a 10,000:1 contrast ratio for PX70 & PX700, and a smaller 5,000:1 for the PZ700.  The PX700 and PZ70 both have three HDMIs, whereas the PX70 only has two.  The PX70 doens't have a SD memory card slot, but the other ranges do.   

Now comes the lone ranger.  The 65PV500.  This is the only Panasonic 65 inch plasma screen.  It has everything the PX600 including a whopping 65 inch screen.

When you look at the Viera range you’ll notice all their model numbers start with the prefix TH.  Next comes a two digit number which is the screen size, followed by the range (so PX60 for example) and finally it will finish with either a W, Wall, B, PED, or CAB.  These tell you the type of base you’ll get.  The W or Wall mean the TV is wall mounted.  The B or PED mean the Viera will come with a pedestal base on the plasma and the CAB means you’ll get the Panasonic curved cabinet.

So if you see the series number TH-42PX600W, you’ll be buying a 42 inch screen Panasonic Viera Plasma TV which is high definition ready and can be wall mounted.

Panasonic’s LCD televisions operates in the same way.  The Viera LCD TVs start with TX rather than TH and the middle section is LXD, LMD, or LX.
The latest LCD TV models are the Panasonic LXD7 in 26 and 32-inches (TX26LXD7 & TX32LXD7), the LMD70 in 26 and 32-inches (TX26LMD70 & TX32LMD70), the LXD70 in 26 and 32-inches (TX26LXD70 & TX32LXD70), and the LXD700, which comes in 32-inches only (TX32LXD700).  The new models, launched in early 2007, have replaced the models TX-32LXD500 and TX-26LXD500.  All of Panasonic's latest LCDs have integrated digital tuner, are HD ready, 3D Colour management, and a HDMI input as well as an SD/PC card slot. The major differences between the models include 3 HDMIs, with one at front for the LXD700, they are all 1080p supported, apart from the LXD7 models.  Also, the contrast ratio is only 7,000:1 for the LXD7 and LMD70, whereas it is 8,500:1 for the highly specified LXD70 and LXD700.

And the slightly older version is the LXD60 range.  These Panasonic LCDs are available in 23 inch, 26 inch and 32 inch screens and come with 1200:1 contrast and two HDMI inputs.