Panasonic Europe has today announced the upcoming launch of its TH-65VX100 plasma display - a 65in set that promises to produce the blackest black when it arrives in January 2009.
The TH-65VX100, pictured below, features an all-new plasma display panel that incorporates a "Dynamic Black Layer" at its front. The result, says Panasonic, is a display that can produce a contrast ratio of 60,000:1 - the world's highest as of September 4th, it claims.
Its full-HD resolution (1,920x1,080) is joined by 18-bit digital signal processing and the set takes advantage of a new optical filter to provide a wider than HDTV-standard colour gamut. On paper, it seems Panasonic really believes that this is the set to topple Pioneer's Kuro as the blackest of them all.
The TH-65VX100 will feature four HDMI ports, component and VGA. You won't find standard connectors such as composite video, Panasonic is aiming this set at the high-end enthusiast and expects high-end kit to be used with it. Sadly, that also means there's no built-in tuner for the likes of Freeview or Freesat.
There's no word on pricing, but there will be a 50in model, too, namely the TH-50VX100. It'll arrive slightly later in February but won't be boasting the blackest blacks thanks to its lower contrast ratio of 30,000:1.
