You heard the “scoop” first that it would be coming for the holidays in our exclusive video clip presentation way back in February, and now Panasonic has confirmed that the TH-103PZ600U with 1080p capability will be available for delivery in time for Christmas 2006, at least in the US.
That’s not the only good news! There is improved contrast compared to the prototype we saw for the first time in Europe back at ISE 2006 and an “unprecedented” three-year in-home limited warranty being offered. The suggested retail price has now been confirmed as $69,999.95 which could be considered good news, too, given the prices for the “smaller” XXXL models from the competition and the first indications…
Click on the photo to see in video the 103" TH-103PZ600U
Let’s see just some of the details. The TH-103PZ600U provides stunning widescreen progressive display featuring full HD pixel resolution of 1,920 × 1,080, a contrast ratio of 4,000:1 (up from 3000:1), and 4,096 equivalent steps of gradation. Its effective display area of the super-size 103” 1080p panel is equivalent to four 50-inch Panasonic plasma displays !
In addition, Panasonic will offer a three-year in-home limited warranty. “As important as it is to provide customers with the biggest and the best image, it is equally as important to Panasonic to provide extreme customer satisfaction,” said Andrew Nelkin, Panasonic’s Display Group Vice President. “With that goal in mind, we are offering customers an industry-first three-year in-home limited warranty with the 103-inch Plasma. We believe our Plasma TV customers are entitled to extra assistance to ensure they enjoy an easy transition to HDTV and get the full value of their investment.”
The Panasonic TH-103PZ600U will be built to order. It will be available from select high-end electronics retailers and will require (which seems to go without saying!) professional installation due to its weight and size as well as, logically, to insure the full guarantee.
You’ll get more information, particularly on their new guarantee as well as the Panasonic Plasma Concierge Program in their recent Press Release, HERE.
For more information on XXXXL screens, see our article HERE, with links to the video clips of them we did at the CES 2006.