The biggest actual news, however, was about plasmas. Panasonic executives, including Bill Schindler, plasma research and development vice president of electrical engineering, stressed that they feel plasma is the superior flat-panel platform for large rooms. Reflecting that philosophy, the company announced two 1080p plasma model categories for 2007 and four total plasma lines.
The TH-58PZ700U ($4,799.95, available in April), TH-50PZ700U ($3,499.95, available in April) and the TH-42PZ700 ($2,499, available in June) combine with the hold-over current 65-inch ($9,999.95) and 103-inch ($69,000) plasmas to make up one 1080p line.
Another "premium" line will be introduced later this year, the PZ750U series, which includes the TH-50PZ750U ($3,999.95, available in June) and the TH-58PZ750U ($5,499.95, available in June).
The series is distinguished by the inclusion of a Studio Reference Mode, which Panasonic says provides viewers with the exact color reproduction as seen on the reference monitors used in film editing studios, resulting in the exact colors and expression intended by the film makers.