Panasonic Announces 720p Widescreen Rear Projection Monitor/Receiver

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC) previewed its latest consumer digital television product to attendees of the 1999 National Association of Broadcasters Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas. When paired with a digital TV set-top box, such as Panasonicís TU-DST50, the new 56-inch (diagonal screen measurement) widescreen rear-projection monitor/receiver model PT-56WXF95 displays the new digital high definition (HDTV) and standard definition (SDTV) television signals: 480i (line-doubled to 480p), 480p, 1080i, and native 720p ñ without conversion. The setís built-in progressive scan converter also enhances the picture quality of todayís standard NTSC broadcast signal. In order to view DTV programming in its native resolution, the TV must be connected to the TU-DST50 set-top decoder by the component video inputs, (Y, Pb, Pr) and switched to DTV mode. As with conventional broadcast TV, an over-the-air antenna may be required.Months before the commencement of the new digital television (DTV) broadcasts in key markets last November, Panasonic was at the forefront of the digital television with the introduction of the industryís first HDTV-compatible consumer television product to be brought to market, its first DTV set-top decoder box and their direct-view DTV monitors. In 1999, Panasonic says that it is fulfilling its promise to deliver a 56"" HDTV monitor which directly displays both HDTV (1080i/720p) formats.""I am proud to say that Panasonic continues to lead the industry in technology and innovation,"" said Bill Mannion, General Manager of Panasonicís Television and Network Systems Division. ""The new PT-56WXF95 represents Panasonicís commitment to bringing consumers the most choice, quality and versatility in order to enjoy the full range of this new digital technology.""The PT-56WXF95 features two sets of universal component video inputs (Y, Pb, Pr in 480i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i formats. Component video inputs, designed to accept signals from digital video sources, such as Panasonicís all-format DTV decoder, separate the signals into their luminance (Y) and two color-difference (Pb, Pr) elements. The result is exceptional picture detail and color accuracy.The set also up-converts or ""line-doubles"" conventional NTSC analog signals to 480p, enhancing the picture quality of todayís standard TV broadcasts. Its built-in progressive scan converter delivers sharp, detailed images without visible scan lines.Images are projected onto a fine-pitch 56-inch diagonal screen. The screenís 16:9 (1.78:1) aspect ratio is consistent with the HDTV broadcast standard. A built-in protective screen shield is provided to help prevent screen surface nicks and scratches.The PT-56WXF95 is said to utilize highly accurate digital convergence of the red, blue and green images that comprise a TV picture. A total of 165 points are converged on the screen to create a sharp, focused image.Other picture enhancements are a 3D-Y/C (luminance/chrominance) digital comb filter for clean color separation in the NTSC mode, velocity modulated scan for sharp transitions from black to white, and horizontal and vertical edge correction, to help produce clean, crisp images. The two-tuner, Picture-in-Picture feature allows an expanded view of two channels simultaneously, without the need to turn on a VCR or other tuner source. Unlike traditional P-I-P, which squeezes the second picture into an inset box, this setís 16:9 configuration allows two images to be displayed at full height side by side, filling the screen.This intelligent TV also features four display modes to accommodate 4:3 (1.33:1) images from traditional analog sources and the users personal viewing preference. The 4:3 mode places an NTSC image in the center of the screen; the FULL mode stretches the 4:3 image horizontally to fill the screen and displays panoramic anamorphic widesceen images; the JUST mode will stretch (justify) the right and left edges of the 4:3 image to fill the entire screen; the ZOOM mode enlarges the picture uniformly to full-screen width, and then repositions the picture vertically.Besides two sets of component video inputs, the television includes three sets of standard video inputs, two S-Video inputs and both fixed and variable audio outputs for home theatre applications.The PT-56WXF95 also provides a built-in four-speaker sound system that consists of two full-range speakers and two tweeters. Other new enhancements to the speaker system include increased power versus last yearís model, and SpatializerÆ 3-D stereo audio processing. The Spatializer feature creates a three-dimensional, surround-sound effect from the setís built-in speakers. The center channel input allows the set to be used as a center speaker for a DolbyÆ ProLogicÆ or Dolby Digital /DTSÆ Digital Surround system. With Artifical Intelligence Sound Level Control, the television automatically compensates for severe increases in volume.Panasonicís Roller Guide Menu lets users select the features they want without icons obscuring the screen. Individual feature graphics appear on a ""roller"" on the left side of the screen. Sub-menus are presented on a semi-transparent background for uninterrupted television viewing. Advanced Channel Search displays 6 channels simultaneously on the right half of the viewing screen while allowing you to view the current program on the left side of the screen. You can also program the 6-channel display to search through all available channels or through your ""favorite channel"" memory.Channel Lock, Game Guard and V-chip program lockouts allow parents to restrict viewing of objectionable channels or programs. Other convenience features include a sleep timer; dual on/off timers and a trilingual menu (English, French and Spanish). The Directorô Home Theater remote control provides easy operation of the television and hundreds of other video and audio components (including satellite receivers, CD players/changers, A/V receivers and tape decks.) The remote features buttons that light up in the dark and a joystick-type control mechanism for up, down, right and left movements.The PT-56WXF95 is slated for introduction in July1999. Suggested retail price to be determined.For more informaton on the PT-56WXF95 contact Bill Mannion at 201 348 7743 or William Pritchard (pritchardw@panasonic.com) at 201-348-7182 or visit Panasonicís Website at www.pansonic.com.