Panasonic G series transitioning to LED?

[bobthemonkey]

Panasonic Japan has announced some new sets for next year, the X3 and the G3 which presumably follow on from the years G20/X20 and before them the G10 and X10. The Engadget article only highlighted the fact that they allow for recording to SDXC cards; fine but not that interesting.

More concerning was on the Japanese spec page, they clearly state that the G3 uses an IPS-Alpha display (LCD technology) with LED backlighting. I guess we can say good by to affordable plasma screens then; maybe the V3 and above will remain plasma. I suppose there is always the hope that Panasonic run concurrent plasma and LED lines, but it would be doubtful.

In their defence, Panasonic are using the better end of the LCD spectrum with IPS-Alpha and if they are using rear, as opposed to side, LED backlights with local dimming the end product shoudln't be too bad. Even so, the current generation of plasmas will leave an awfully big pair of shoes to fill if they are replaced by anything but plasma.

ETA:Link

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&pre...

Anybody able to deny or confirm?

Edited by bobthemonkey on Sunday 19th December 18:03

Edited by bobthemonkey on Sunday 19th December 18:08

[PJ S]

Nothing in your link mentions the loss of Plasma displays - each one(X3, C3, G3) are all preceded with L which signifies LCD.
With no mention of any Plasma models, it would seem they're being kept under wraps for the CES show in a couple of weeks time.
Another thread here purports that the X20 is the last of the 37" Plasma displays, and if so, then would suggest it's not cost effective to produce that size in the low volume of sales it achieves.
Shame, but no surprise really as Panasonic have a habit of going against the market for a while, before then following it - FZ range of Lumix cameras being a classic case in point.

[bobthemonkey]

I was also going from this; http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&pre...

I hope you are right, and that Plasma lives on, even if it is for the truly large sizes.

[headcase]

All I can tell you about the current range of LED's is that they use a LG panel, an LG PSU, a Panna main board and Panna Cabinet so they are pretty much a hybred with the LG. I guess its cheaper to test the waters this way.

[PJ S]

bobthemonkey said:

I was also going from this; http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&pre...

I hope you are right, and that Plasma lives on, even if it is for the truly large sizes.

Oh I see now - you were extrapolating from the fact they're now making a 42" LCD TV called the L42G3

After acquiring Pioneer KURO tech, and ex-employees, plus development of the new phosphor cells in the current VT20 series (25 in USA, iirc) Plasma is not going anywhere.
If they're pushing for minimum entry into Plasma being 46", then it would indicate for me that the NA market is of greater importance than the EU one.
Where that leaves 42" buyers, I'm not sure - switch to Samsung/LG or reluctantly go to 46"?
If 46" is the entry point, then HD Ready is dead and buried, and it's Full HD only.