0 Comments | New Straits Times, Mar 8, 2010 | by Dick Tan

WHILE the digital display market is abuzz with Twiggy-thin LCD TVs, Panasonic is offering plasma TVs that give their LCD brethren a run for their money. An example is the new Viera Series TH-P54Z1S, which measures less than an inch thick, possibly the thinnest digital display around.

Even with a screen size of 54 inches, the TH-P54Z1S weighs only 30 kilograms. Most LCD TV rivals of similar dimensions weigh about the same, if not more, so LCD TVs are not always lighter than plasmas.

According to Panasonic, the TH-P54Z1S features the new plasma panel technology Neo PDP, which uses less power but offers up to twice the brightness level of LCD panels.

This plasma is also said to offer a much lower black level performance through the proprietary Real Black Drive technology, giving it a contrast ratio that exceeds 2,000,000:1.

Panel life is also improved to 100,000 hours. If you switch the TH-P54Z1S on for eight hours daily, it should last up to 30 years!

Besides that, the model comes with Lucasfilm’s THX-certified audio and video quality, four HDMI inputs and side detachable speaker systems with dual woofers and dual tweeters driven by a 10- watt x 2 built-in amplification system.

Other features include a sub-field drive motion refresh rate of 600 hertz for a smooth and sharp rendition of moving pictures.

The TH-P54Z1S goes for RM23,999.

For details, call Panasonic (M) Sdn Bhd at 03-55437025.