Audio Video News

In a tactic intended to keep its top-level products moving in a sluggish economy, Zenith Electronics Corporation has announced a significant price reduction on its high-definition f 60-inch Plasma Display Panel (PDP), the DPDP60W. Originally announced at a suggested retail of $27,999, the PDP will actually debut at $24,999, according to a mid-August press release.

Dealers should begin receiving their first shipments of the lightweight, ultra-thin DPDP60W later this month. The big-screen PDP is the first 60-inch plasma display available in the U.S. and one of the world's largest hang-on-the-wall monitors. Its viewing area is the equivalent of four 30-inch-wide screens combined. Because it eliminates the need for a projector, or the space necessary for the large enclosure of a rear-projection set, the new Zenith will offer home theater fans more choice as to placement of equipment and seating.

The DPDP60W has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, a contrast ratio of 330:1, a color palette of 16.7 million colors, and a viewing angle of 160 degrees. Its 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for HD broadcasts or widescreen movies from DVD; gray side panels are available to mask the unlit portions of the screen when used with 4:3 sources, such as NTSC television or computer-generated images. The plasma display is said to be compatible with VGA, SVGA and XGA video and digital input sources, as well as traditional analog video sources.

The PDP's enclosure is made of brushed aluminum. A universal remote with a backlit LCD display and "thumbstick" pointing device is standard equipment; options include wall-mounting brackets, tabletop pedestal, and matching stereo speakers.