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Site created 12/15/97.
page created: 1/8/00
(updated 1/13/00)
CES 2000 Picture Gallery
Page 4
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| We're
not done with Panasonic - not by a LONG shot folks. One of the most
impressive things we saw at CES had nothing to do with DVD. It was
Panasonic's line of thin-screen plasma DTVs. If you look at the
picture below, you'll know why. No, you're eyes aren't playing
tricks on you - that's a 60 INCH plasma screen, and the picture is
amazing. Unfortunately, Panasonic doesn't expect to have it ready
for consumers until mid-2001 (they've only produced about 15 of them
for testing and demonstration purposes). And even then, it will set
you back a pretty penny. They will have a 50" display coming in
the late fall of this year, for roughly $20,000, and 37" and 42"
displays will be available sooner. Still, I have no doubt that once
the technology is refined and mass-producable, the future of TV is
hanging on the wall. |
 Your eyes don't lie... that's a 60-inch Panasonic plasma screen! |
| What
also impressed Frank and I about Panasonic's booth, is the
comprehensive line of other DVD products they had on display. Their
basic strategy seems to be to put DVD in everything they make. To
start with, they've got a "DVD Home Theater System" in a
box - the SC-HT80 (expected in March). For about $700, you get a DVD
player with built-in AM/FM receiver and tuner, and a set of six
surround sound speakers. It's perfect for those who want to take
advantage of DVD's high video and surround sound quality, but have
only a small budget. It's also nice for those who don't want to
wrangle with lots of video and audio cables - all you do is add a
TV. |
 DVD home theater a go-go - the DVD player and receiver all in one box (you get the speakers too). |
| And
if you've gotta have DVD in your small office or college dorm room,
or wanna give the kids a thrill, there's DVD in a boom-box. There
are two systems on the way for early 2000 - the SC-DV150 and the
SCDK1. The DV150 features more powerful speakers and a more modular
design, while the DK1 is a 1-piece design (plus speakers) with a
built-in 5 disc changer. Once again... just add TV. |
 Boom-box DVD - just add TV! |
 A closer look at boom-box DVD - this one's a 5-disc changer too! |
| And
if you're really mobile, there's that DVD deck for your car we
mentioned a minute ago. Here's a closer look at the faceplate on the
control unit that mounts in your dash (the actual deck is a separate
unit you can hide somewhere else in the vehicle). |
 Panasonic auto DVD - movies on wheels anyone? |
| And
let's say that you want DVD designed for use on a mobile A/V cart
for a business presentation or classroom use. Or maybe you've gotta
have DVD in your kitchen. How about this little TV, with VHS and DVD
built right in? |
 Panasonic even makes TVs with DVD and VHS built-in! |
| And
since Panasonic was the first major manufacturer to market a
portable DVD player, they've got more on the way. In fact, their 2
new portables feature a slimmer design, longer battery line, and
improved heat dissipation. The DVD-LV75 features a 7" LCD
display (top below), while the DVD-L55 has a smaller 5" screen
(bottom). Note that both have adopted the dimensions of an Amaray
keep case, so they're easy to fold up and store on your bookshelf,
right alongside your DVD collection. |
 The new Panasonic portables - here's the DVD-LV75 (with 7-inch LCD screen)... |
 ... and here's the LV55 (with 5-inch LCD). Notice the simulated picture? Someone's got a sense of humor. |
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