They have also unveiled a line of 1,080p plasma panels, and a prototype of a 42-inch 1,080p plasma television which Panasonic executives from Japan have said will come to Australia when released.
According to Andrew Nelkin, of the Panasonic display group Panasonic would focus on 3LCD rear-projection TVs powered by its new LIFI backlighting system. The company has used DLP and 3LCD rear projections in the past.
"The LIFI lamp system works best with LCD so we are going to flip this all over to 3LCD. We are going in the [LIFI] direction," Nelkin said.
LIFI promises to deliver an enduring light source for LCD microdisplays "that may never need replacement," Nelkin claimed.
Unlike UHP lamp technology typically used in microdisplay rear-projection systems, the LIFI lamp does not use filaments. Instead the new system sends plasma radio frequencies through the lamp itself to emit a glow. There is nothing to wear out, Nelkin said.
The technology shares many of the benefits of new LED systems used by Samsung and others in DLP rear-projection systems, but at "an extremely competitive cost." Nelkin said the color advantages of LED and LIFI are equal, and the "length of the [LIFI] product is far superior." Whereas a traditional lamp-based set would take 60 seconds to power up and display a picture, a LIFI-based set would take 10 seconds, Panasonic said.
The company's LIFI line will consist of the LCZ and LCX series with 61-inch, 56-inch and 50-inch inch screen sizes and a new floating panel design. The LCZ series will be available in 1,080p, the LCX in 720p resolution.
Pricing in Australia could be as low as $5,500 for a 56" screen.
