Last week, we told you that Panasonic would have a larger presence in the LED HDTV market this year. In fact, the company announced plans for a total of 16 LED HDTVs for 2012. After getting a peek at the first review, it seems like the company has made a wise decision.
Gary Merson, also known as the HD Guru, just posted about his visit to Panasonic's headquarters in Secaucus, New Jersey. He was lucky enough to get an in-depth peek at one of the top-of-the-line models, Panasonic's 55-inch TC-L55WT50 3D LED HDTV, which is scheduled for an April release.
When Panasonic announced the set last week, there were very few details about the specs. However, Merson fleshes out some of the info in his review, adding that he was very impressed with the set's black levels. Panasonic is very well know for its plasma HDTVs, but it seems that this LED-lit LCD HDTV will give a good plasma a run for its money in the black level and off-axis viewing departments.
Like most of Panasonic's other 3D HDTVs (the ET5 series notwithstanding), the TC-L55WT50 uses active 3D technology. Other features include backlighting scanning, Clear Panel Pro, THX certification, ISFccc calibration, and a 240Hz refresh rate. Merson also says that the set will include a bevy of processing methods including "1080p Pure Direct, Pure Image Creation, Vivid Color Creation and Web Smoother, for enhanced color detail and smooth motion signal processing, among other benefits."
It's no surprise that this LED will include Panasonic's VIERA connect service. However, Merson says that the company will soon add a slew of children's apps, including Disney books.
Another very interesting tidbit is that this set will come with two remotes. That's not a typo or a mistaken factory freebie. Besides the regular VIERA TV remote, Panasonic is also throwing in a second Touch Pad controller.
After getting a closer peek at the TC-L55WT50, Merson left us drooling for more. "Panasonic's TC-L55WT50 sets new performance benchmarks against every other HDTV," he said. "In addition its fresh styling, svelte form factor, $2,999 retail price and many Internet features makes it a worthy contender for best LED LCD of the year."
Aha -- so we now also have a price. For more in-depth details about the TC-L55WT50 and its initial performance, check out Merson's full TC-L55WT50 review at HD Guru.
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