Reviews Technology: The TX-P54Z11E Panasonic

The TX-P54Z11E Panasonic is he really the ultimate in the market for flat screens?

The promise

Whether this is really elegant NeoPDP plasma TV 54 inches, measuring only 2.5 cm thick halo of THX and embedding all functions in the fashion of this year-end 2009? We should be entitled to contrasts above 2 000 000:1, DLNA certification, at DivX, a 600 Hz mode and options calibration pro. Audit.

Reality

This ultra thin widescreen plasma of 137 cm is a wonderful TV. Yes, it provides a devastating picture quality. The problem is that this level of excellence has a price, very very very high. It will cost around 8,859.95 USD (Price Public) to dispose of this device. How to justify this price level?

Look fabulous ... but detachable speakers

First, there was this thin maddening. 2.47 cm thick to be precise. It is impressive and once the screen on the wall (Panasonic offers a wall plate adapted option), it is very classy in the lounge. Then he finishes the premium and the brushed aluminum frame giving more charisma on screen. It is far from black lacquered plastic part of the smaller competitors. Real nests dust elsewhere.

However, we are not at all fans of the two detachable speakers, to add on the screen blanks. The sound delivered is certainly better than most TV speakers incorporating under or behind the slab, but in terms of aesthetics, it detracts slightly. Matter of taste.

The remote box

This thickness is reduced due to the fact that all the connections, tuners and some electronics were gathered in a remote box (the TU-Z100E), the size of a digital VCR. This man must be connected to the screen by HDMI. Panasonic provides a 3 meter cable for this.

At the back of this box there are three HDMI inputs, two Scart, YUV input, a digital audio output, Ethernet port, an input / output analog audio inputs and antenna (DVB Satellite). At the front under the flap, the place is reserved for a fourth HDMI input, PC input, one AV input coupled S-Video to the headphone jack and slot for SD / SDHC.

Everything for the calibration of the image, including a THX mode Once the device connected, large television NeoPDP done what competitors are doing, only better. First, there are settings which, as usual with Panasonic, can act on the image so real, full of finesse and nuance. It is thus possible to correct colors, color temperature, contrast, brightness and choose from one mode standard packages (including a THX mode).

Before entering the heart of the matter and to optimize the gamma curve and white balance for the components of red and blue. Not to mention the possibility of activity or not mode 600 Hz Pro Intelligent Frame Creation, 24p, Smooth Film mode and energy saving. Ultimately, it is not extremely rich, but practical and functional.

Contrasts torrid

Secondly, it is this rate contrasts absolutely bluffing. On paper, the TV offers a native contrast ratio of 000:1 and 40 may rise above 2 000 000:1 dynamic mode. On screen, native is already very impressive. The black level is excellent and the colors stand out well.

Once the screen properly calibrated, the show in movie mode on a CinemaScope image is of staggering beauty. For this NeoPDP Panasonic manages to show detail.

Rich colors and nuanced

Thirdly, there is a real quality color. It feels more obviously on HD sources, but in general, all programs are displayed with rich colors and astonishment of true especially with gradations in shades.

Gone were the blocks of color on certain portions of the uniform image! With this model, Panasonic offers the TV certainly generate the most beautiful colors of the market.

An amazing 600 Hz mode

Fourth, the screen is also extremely effective for displaying video games, and the 600 Hz mode really brings something. It helps boost the dive of moving images, without creating noise or artifact really detectable.

Media Player, Media Server

Finally, there is range of multimedia services authorized by the presence of Ethernet port and slot for SD memory cards. The DLNA Certification and Divx allow it to integrate into the home network and, through sharing software installed on your computer, it can access remote files to JPEG, MPG, MPEG-2, DivX, AVI and AVCHD.

As for the Viera Cast feature, it opens the door to online services such as Eurosport, YouTube, Picasa, Bloomberg or even the weather forecast. Improvements were also made to the protocol Viera Link. This allows two devices Panasonic (Blu-ray recorder DIGA, HD camcorder or digital camera Lumix) HDMI connected to operate together and gain flexibility.