Panasonic Viera TV model codes and comparisons

Panasonic Viera - information and comparison

How to choose your Panasonic Viera HDTV

With such a wide range of Panasonic Viera HDTV models to suit so many needs and preferences, it is inevitable that there has to be a system of identification, to keep track of them all.

This is done by including codes in the model numbers and the key to these codes unlocks the information you need to help you compare models and choose which is best for your needs.

Model year

The number range indicates the model year as well as the sound quality. 2006 models had the numbers 6, 60 and 600, and the 2007 range is indicated by 7, 70 and 700.

The last model year models may be available at lower prices than the new range, so it could still be possible to pick up a bargain from the 2006 range.

If you want to be sure you have the latest 2007 model, with the most up to date specification, make sure you choose a 7, 70 or 700 model, for example the TH-50PX70

What the codes mean

Let's look at how the codes are made up. Take, for example, the TH-50PX70. Just these few letters and numbers give us a wealth of information.

We need to take each set of letters and numbers individually, so the separate elements are TH, 50, PX and 70. These tell us all we need to know, really.

The first pair tells us whether this is an LCD or a Plasma model, TX for LCD and TH for plasma. Easy so far!

The second pair is even easier, they tell us the size of the screen, so this model is a fifty inch screen model.

Next we have the quality of screen display or resolution, either PX or PZ for plasma models, with the PZ being higher resolution than the PX. For the LCD models it indicates the ultra wide viewing quality, LMD for horizontal viewing and LXD for both horizontal and vertical.

The next pair of numbers refers to the sound quality, but also gives a clue as the age of the model. Single digit is the most basic sound quality, double digit better and triple digit best, for example 7, 70 and 700.

All 2007 models are "seven" models, so if you see any 6, 60 or 600 models, they are last years models, carried over or remaining in stock.

You may also see models listed with a further set of letters, PED which has a small pedestal or foot, for table top use, CAB, which has a floor standing cabinet, and WALL, which comes with a wall bracket for wall fitting.

Finally, the letters which aren't usually there, the country suffix, so a TH-50PX70GB is a British model TH-50PX70U is for the US market, and so on.

Big screen or small?

What size of screen do we want? Perhaps a better question is what size of screen do we need! LCD models are available in 26(66) and 32(80) inch(cm) sizes, Plasma in 37(94), 42(106) and 50(127) inch(cm) screens.

The size refers to the diagonal screen size, not the width. Screens are widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio format.

It is very tempting to go for the biggest possible size, but the larger screens can be just a bit too big for the modern living room.

There are two main criteria for choice of screen size, apart from whether you can squeeze it into the room, of course, the distance from which you will be viewing it, and what it will be used for.

The distance is important, as it is much easier to view a big screen from a distance than a smaller screen. So, if your seating area is close to where the television with be situated, you will be able to see it from a closer distance, so you may not need such a big set. Indeed, a smaller set can appear clearer than a big set at closer distances.

However, if your sofa is at the opposite end of a larige living room from the TV set, a larger screen would certainly be useful.

The other criterion is what you will be watching. There is little reason to have a big screen if you usually watch news, panel games, discussion programmes and the like, a small screen will give you everything you need.

However, for sport, movies, nature programmes, etc, the benefits pf having a big screen will be obvious.

So, it is mainly a matter of what you prefer, with these basic requirements taken into account.

One helpful tip may be to tale a tape measure and assess how much room the television will take up, wherever it will be sited. You may realise you manage a slightly bigger set than you thought, or perhaps more likely, find the space a bit tight for the size you were considering.

Finally, remember Panasonic Viera televisions are available in three fittings. You can buy the set with no stand or fittings at all, you can have a small pedestal stand for sitting on a table or television unit, there is a cabinet model, which comes complete with a floor standing cabinet to sit it on, and there is also a wall fitting, so if you want a bigger set than you have room for, remember you can put it up on the wall.

Screen viewing angle and resolution

First, LCD viewing angle, all models have ultra wide viewing angle horizontally, that is, from side to side. This means people sitting on armchairs at either end of a sofa should be able to view the screen. Without ultra wide viewing only those on the sofa would have a clear view. Panasonic Viera LMD models have horizontal ultra wide viewing but not vertical.

The LXD models have both horizontal, that is, side to side, and also vertical, that is, up and down, ultra wide viewing. This means that as well as people sitting alongside each other at different angles having a clear view, people vieing from different heights in relation to the screen with also see well.

At its simplest, this means you lie on the floor and watch, or sit on a high stool, but could also be important if you have the set on the wall.

For plasma models, the letters relate to screen resolution, with PX models being XGA standard and PZ models being the extended SXGA standard.

XGA is an abbreviation for eXtended Graphics Array, which has a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. This is one of the standard PC data display modes.

SXGA is an abbreviation for Super eXtended Graphics Array, which has a resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels. This resolution is a vertical and horizontal expansion of XGA (1024 x 768 pixels).

Put in simple terms, the PZ models have sharper, clearer picture quality than the PX models.

Sound quality

It would be safe to say that all Panasonic Viera television sets have sound quality which most of us will consider perfectly fine for most viewing purposes.

There are however, enhance stadards of depth and quality of sound which will enhance the listening experience, particular where sound quality is important, when watching a concert, for example, or a movie.

The standard sound system is indicated by the suffix 7 in the model code, intermediate 70 and top quality the 700 models.

The 7 and 70 models have speakers below the screen, the top quality 700 model had them on each side of the screen.

The sound features, maximum output and connectivity to a PC and other devices vary depending on the model chosen, with the 700 model being the highest specification.

CAB, PED or WALL

Panasonic Viera HDTV sets are available in a variety of styles. You can buy them with no fittings at all, which means you can place the set directly on a TV unit, cabinet, or the like.

The PED, or pedestal, model, comes complete with a small pedestal, or foot, which allows it to stand on a TV unit or other surface, keeping the set itself off the surface, supported by the oedestal.

The CAB, or cabinet model, is supplied with a substantial floor standimg TV cabinet, matching the set, and enabling the unit to be free-standing, perhaps in a corner of a room.

Finally, there are WAL or WALL models, which come with a wall bracket for mounting the television set directly on to the wall. This can be really effective for very large screen models, where they are to be viewed from various parts of a large room, or for smaller sets, where space is limited.

The Panasonic Viera models at a glance

TX-26LXD7