Panasonic 2009 plasmas available in stores and for pre-order; pricing leaked

The THX- and VieraCast-equipped G10 series is shipping this month, and pricing was just leaked.

(Credit: Panasonic)

Judging from the frequency and urgency of reader mail I've received since CES, the most highly-anticipated 2009 HDTVs this year, by far, are Panasonic's new plasmas. In the last week or so, a few of the models have started to appear in stores and on the company's Web site for pre-order, and one Web site has leaked pricing information for other upcoming models.

Below you'll find the latest stats and information we have on a per-model basis, including prices either on the company's Web site now or leaked by HDGuru.com--who also leaked LCD pricing info. All prices are estimated street prices, but still may be higher than the best online prices. Update 3-12-2009: Pricing and availability has been updated per Panasonic.

• TC-PX1 series, entry-level 720p
  • 42-inch TC-P42X1 (available now, $899)
  • 50-inch TC-P50X1 (now, $1,099)
• TC-PS1 series, entry-level 1,080p with more-efficient, higher-contrast NEO-PDP panels
  • 42-inch TC-P42S1 ($1,199, March)
  • 46-inch TC-P46S1 ($1,499, March)
  • 50-inch TC-P50S1 ($1,799, now)
  • 54-inch TC-P54S1 ($2,199, May)
  • 58-inch TC-P58S1 ($TBD, August)
  • 65-inch TC-P65S1 ($TBD, August)
• TC-PG10 series, adds THX display certification, 24p compatibility, VieraCast
  • 42-inch TC-P42G10 (March, $1,399)
  • 46-inch TC-P46G10 (March, $1,699)
  • 50-inch TC-P50G10 (March, $1,999)
  • 54-inch TC-P54G10 (May, $2,399)
• TC-PV10 series, adds Digital Cinema Color
  • 50-inch TC-P50V10 (June, $2299)
  • 54-inch TC-P54V10 (June, $2699)
  • 58-inch TC-P58V10 (August, $TBD)
  • 65-inch TC-P65V10 (August, $TBD)
• TC-PZ1 series, adds wireless, 1-inch-thick panel
  • 54-inch TC-P54Z1 (Summer, $5999)

And in case you're wondering, no, plasma isn't dead, and in most cases we do recommend waiting for the new models, which should offer significant improvements over their 2008 counterparts in terms of energy efficiency and picture quality.

Of course, the most common question I get is, "When are you going to have a review?" I'll be honest when I say I don't know. Panasonic is notoriously slow to get review samples to editors, even ones like me who hound the company's reps incessantly. The latest they'll tell me is that I'll get review samples "soon" and that I will be the first to see one. For whatever that's worth. The company is hosting a March 11 meeting in New York that I'll be attending, and I hope to receive a review sample in the following couple of days. Maybe.

In the meantime, while you wait with bated breath for a review, exhale in the comments below and let me know what you'd like to see in a review, or whether you're holding out for a new Panasonic, or are planning to grab a closeout 2008 model while the grabbing is good.

And if you want to buy a new model and send it to CNET's labs for testing first, I'll return it within two weeks, complete with a calibration! And how does free shipping sound? Seriously. E-mail me. Let's talk.

Update March 4, March 13: According to the Panasonic manual unearthed by the folks at AVS Forum, and since confirmed by Panasonic, the G10 models will have 24p compatibility; previously, Panasonic indicated that the feature would be reserved for the step-up V10 and Z1 lines. According to Panasonic, the G10 and G15 lines will refresh at 48Hz, which leads us to suspect that they'll suffer from the same sort of flicker seen on the 24p modes of last year's PZ800U and PZ850U models. The V10 and Z1 lines, however, will refresh at 96Hz, which shouldn't introduce flicker. We'll know for sure when we get the displays reviewed.(Thanks for the tip, Chris R!)

Panasonic plasma TVs photos

Panasonic VieraCast screenshots

[chrkeller]

Nice lineup, I am either going to grab a new model or last year's 800u, depending on possible price drops.

[digital682]

Well, I've already seen firsthand the X1 versions and I have to say at least in BB, they didn't blow me away. The 42x1 seemed a bit too saturated than the 80u from last year. A little too much red push IMO. I mean it still looked good though.

[J G M]

Unless the Best Buy calibrated the two sets in question identically (laughably unlikely), this is a ridiculous comment. The absolute last way you want to make a judgement on picture quality is at a big-box store. About all you can judge at Best Buy is whether you like the styling (and even then, it's going to look different in your home).

[MyTThor]

For those in the know, when would be the best time to get a 2008 model for best savings? or is it best to just keep my eyes open? I am trying to talk the wife into our needing the 58" 800u

[J G M]

I've had my eye on the 58-inch Pana plasma for about a year now, figuring I'd pull the trigger on the '08 model when the price dropped as the '09s came out. The NEO-PDP has me scratching my head, though, since power consumption is about the only reason I've hesistated on the Plasma vs. LCD question. Are there any figures on *how* much more efficient we are talking?

On the other hand, I wonder if this "new" technology implies some trade-off in the picture-quality area. Come on, Panasonic, send CNET a review set. . . .

[genghis-ron]

If the only thing holding you back from buying a plasma is power consumption here's the drill...my 50" Panasonic plasma runs on average six hours a day, it sent my electricity bill into the stratosphere...a whole extra 8 bucks a month...that works out to a six pack of Coke and two bags of chips.

[slikTVfool]

I'm interested in the new 2009 models and will hold out before purchasing. Lower power = less heat = fewer fans and less bulk, hopefully. And perhaps greater reliability in the long haul. I'd love to hear about these factors in a review.

And, for those of us on a budget -- recommendations for the most bang for the buck would be appreciated. Not sure THX is worth an extra $200-$300.

I'm especially interested to see how the S14 models at Costco look compared to their retail S1-series cousins. The two-year warranty and 90-day return policy is nice. Is there a noticeable difference between 30,000:1 vs 40,000:1 contrast ratio?

[carlitos92]

In a word, yes, the THX is worth it. By most accounts, it is very near a one-button calibration. I leave my TV in THX mode permanently.

Regarding how low the 2008 model pricing will go, the 50" PZ800U (a cnet editor's choice) got down to around $1750 on Amazon around xmas. At that price, I had to pick one up.

As far as energy consumption, the 2008 Panasonics were among the most efficient plasmas, and found in cnet testing to use less juice than many LCDs of a comparable size. The PZ800Us, at least, met Energy Star standards.

I would not hesitate to pick up the 800U if I was shopping and could find one now, but the 2009 models look promising.

[green2u]

For that extra $200 between the S1 series and the G10 series, you get THX, VIERA CAST, VIERA Image Viewer with AVCHD playback.

[slikTVfool]

FWIW, Provantage.com is listing some of these sets at discount prices of about 10-15% from the leaked prices. Shipping is about $45. So, I guess this is a sign of things to come in terms of discounts to expect. Sears also has 3 years no-interest, or 10% back via rebate for the next few days.

[haub123]

have the 58 07 as a closeout or the 08 as a brand new...can't remember which.....anyway, the prices look better on here judging that a 1080P VersaView (or whatever) TV is only 2000 and my TV was like 4000...but the guy was sooooo nice cause we redid our entire house and he took off a few hundred.

[artificialdan]

david, when you get a chance to review these puppies (particularly the S1 and G10 line) please compare to the pioneer 5020FD. i'm currently on the fence btwn these new panny's (waiting to see them in person) and the comparably priced pioneer model, which i already know looks damn good. thanks for all you do.

[katzmaier]

Hey Dan,

I don't have my 5020FD review sample anymore, but I do have a PRO-111FD Elite that they'll have to pry from my cold, dead etc. Direct comparisons between the two will be made, and you can easily extrapolate a 5020FD comparison; i.e., just keep in mind the 5020FD's less-accurate color.

FWIW, I expect the congruency to be similar to last year, so the S1 series will have less-accurate color, while color accuracy will be the big PQ step-up (thanks to THX) on the G10 models. I said in my CES posts that the G10 is the early favorite for Editors' Choice, and that still seems to be the case. But we'll see.

David

[tpoulin]

Hi David,
I was previously interested in last year's TH-50PZ800U, but now I'm considering the TC-P50S1 or TC-P50G10 and eagerly awaiting your review. I'm also interested in how the new 2009 Panasonics compare to the Samsung line, such as the PN50B550. I found the calibration settings and power consumption stats you've included in previous reviews helpful.

[katzmaier]

I've been told by Samsung that I'll be receiving samples in late March, including comparable plasmas, but again I'm not holding my breath. I never want to promise reviews until I actually receive the TV. Regardless, I'll definitely do the full comparison, calibration and power consumption testing on all HDTVs I review this year, as usual, and I'm currently working on a better way to deliver the calibration picture settings. Stay tuned.

--David

[TigerHD]

Can't wait to see the new 150" full HD Panasonic - don't know what i'd do with a TV that big!?!

[mitchWYO]

Recently, I've been in the market for a new plasma TV. I was all set to purchase the 50pz800u, but once I saw the '09 lineup I've been trying to convince myself to wait until the new lineup hits the market seeing as I most likely will have buyer's remorse if I jump the gun. My brother purchased a 46pz800u and the picture quality was mind blowing. I really liked the styling on the set, and I see that the V10 series plasma has the same one sheet of glass design for a couple of the screen sizes. I've also looked into the G10 series of plasmas and have considered picking up one of those because they release earlier. I just wish Panasonic would release pricing on their lineup, so I can know whether the step-up V10 series is worth waiting for.

[sticks1839]

I'm with Mitch. The V10 series looks like a significant step up style-wise over the G10 series, and I'd love to go that route if the price increase is reasonable. I'm expecting at least $500 and wouldn't be surprised if they priced the V10 about a $1,000 higher, so $3,000 for the 50".

I'm also glad they brought in the 54" sets. Great compromise between the gargantuan 58" and the big, but not huge 50".

[IU39]

I'm with you on the bringing in the 54 inch size this is a great addition to their line up in my opinion.

[IU39]

Depending on reviews I will be purchasing either the 54 inch S1 series or 54 inch G10 serires in July which will replace a cheap sanyo plasma purchased 3 yrs ago. We have one panasonic already a th-42pz700u and have been pleased with it as well as two BD30 blue ray players no problems. I await your reviews of the G and S series anxiously. I'm trying to decide between the S series and G series in that the only feature that would be of interest or use to me on the G series over the S series is THX. Not looking for the internet connectivity or the other stuff on the G series. I only need the one HDMI input since this will be hooked up through a ONKYO 705 av receiver with straight 1080 pass through. I run three HDMI into the AV and one out to the tv. So for me will THX be worth the extra expense on the G10 sereis over the S1 series? Viewing enviroment will always be dim or dark.

[IU39]

Forgot one thing in reading the G10 manual it states it also has 24fps playback which is a upgrade I'd be interested in but will it still flicker is the question.

[NYCBaby]

I, too, was seriously considering the 800u, but notice that Amazon hasn't carried it in a month. I assume they're clearing the decks for the new line-up! The G-10 looks promising, but is 24p worth waiting for? Aren't all of these new models 600Hz?

I'll use my TV primarily for video games. I'm worried enough about burn-in that I was about the purchase the Samsung a750. Should I hold off for the Panasonic?

[DaveV]

As an early VieraCast adopter, I better get the update with Amazon video on my 58PZ580u. Love my TV though. Some day I will get it calibrated.

[Benigna-Marko]

It seems that electronics are still our number expenditure even with the economy being where it is at. Regardless, would like t o know your review of this new plasma. Than you.

[curmudge1]

What about Tru2Way support? Since there's no CableCard slot.

--
Dave

[bkc1972]

Hi Dave, I've been following the thread at AVS forum concerning the new Pannys for a couple of weeks now because I am in the market for my first hdtv. I plan on getting one of the new Panasonic plasmas, the 42"/46" G10 in particular. Then I started seeing posts about the G15 that is only 2" thick and only $100 more. At that minimal price increase I'd like that TV if it reviews well. I don't however see any info about this set on Panasonic's US web site which has me thinking that maybe it's not gonna be available in the states. I was wondering if you (or anyone else reading this) know(s) anything concerning the G15 model as far as where it's gonna be available. Thank you.

[larrfry]

David Katzmaier:

First I'd like to thank you for your excellent reviews and also publishing the settings you used.

Here is my wish list of the additional information I'd like to see in future reviews.

1.) Screen Reflections. I'd like to see a screen shot showing the reflections produced by an arc of lamps which are directly opposite the screen. Obviously this picture would have to be taken using the same camera, F-stop, etc each time. We need some kind of qualitative and quanitative data to judge this.

2.) Brightness. I'd encourage you to also find a way to evaluate how well an HDTV will perform in a room with moderate light. While I fully understand that a completely dark room can be easily reproduced it does not reflect how most users watch TV. While you publish foot-lamberts I don't believe most readers have any sense if 40 foot-lamberts is a significant jump from say 35 foot-lamberts . At the very least we need a tutorial on foot-lamberts.

I currently own a 2008 58" 800U. My only complaints are the dimness of the display and minor reflections on the screen. I'd really love to know how much brighter these 2009 models are in some practical sense.

Thanks for writng the best reviews on the net.

[paulvieth]

Id like to see CNET compare each of the new models to the 58pz850U benchmark , so i can decide if its better to buy one at end of life prices now or wait for PS1 or PG10 models at a comparable price.