Panasonic CT-36HLD64 HDTVnyone

[igreg]

Anyone seen, own, or have experience with this new pure flat direct view 4:3 HDTV set with integrated ATSC tuner, HDMI input, Enhanced Progressive Line Doubler, and CableCard slot. Thanks.

[RandyWalters]

I don't think this TV is available yet. Or is it?

[BigDanB]

I am also waiting for this TV to be available. I e-mailed the Panasonic warehouse in Cypress, CA as to when they will be getting their shipment of these TVs and they replied back not until 2005!

This really confuses me, because a quick search on froogle.google.com (http://froogle.google.com) shows that at least two retailers claim to have this unit in stock!

I really hope the warehouse guy is wrong, I was hoping to get this TV by the end of July. For what it's worth, here is the response I got back from them this morning.
---------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Panasonic Store [mailto:XXXX@us.panasonic.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 7:31 AM
To: Dan B
Subject: RE: Panasonic CT-36HLD64 Availability

Dear Customer,

This unit first arrival into our warehouse will be in year 2005. At this time I do not have the month.

Thank you

[igreg]

Originally posted by BigDanB
I am also waiting for this TV to be available. I e-mailed the Panasonic warehouse in Cypress, CA as to when they will be getting their shipment of these TVs and they replied back not until 2005!

This really confuses me, because a quick search on froogle.google.com (http://froogle.google.com) shows that at least two retailers claim to have this unit in stock!

I really hope the warehouse guy is wrong, I was hoping to get this TV by the end of July. For what it's worth, here is the response I got back from them this morning.
---------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Panasonic Store [mailto:XXXX@us.panasonic.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 7:31 AM
To: Dan B
Subject: RE: Panasonic CT-36HLD64 Availability

Dear Customer,

This unit first arrival into our warehouse will be in year 2005. At this time I do not have the month.

Thank you

This is confusing to me also since two on-line retailers are selling the set now, Best Digital Online and Lets Go Digital; see

http://www.streetprices.com/Electronics/Consumer/TV/36in/SP1990255.html

If available, contact the Panasonic store and tell them they need to correct their info!

[Sonikku]

Can the new Panasonic TV's do upscaled 720p in the new models out this month?

[RandyWalters]

Originally posted by Sonikku
Can the new Panasonic TV's do upscaled 720p in the new models out this month?

As far as anyone knows the Panasonics still do not support nor upconvert 720p input. They've never supported 720p so it's unlikely the new TVs do. The owners manual for the new TVs shows that they display 480p and 1080i just like my 2003 model.

[Sonikku]

But you see times are changing. The Samsung CRT set's for instance did NOT support 720p in any shape or form, but with the new TXP line this year for the first time samsung crt's at least upconvert 720p into 1080i

[igreg]

This issue about the Panasonic not accepting 720p has me really confused. Apparently this absence is not unqiue to this set; for example, the Sony XBR 960 converts 720p to 1080i.

The Panasonic apparently accepts 720p for OTA HD, and for satellite or cable, you just set the set top box to convert 720p signals to 1080i.

[STEELERSRULE]

The 720p thing is a big deal to gamers mainly. Some XBOX(maybe PS2 as well) can be played in HD, and output the signal at 720p. Since the CURRENT Panasonic models CAN'T convert a DIRECT 720p input(NOT an STB which can be set to output at 1080i. Therefore taking the 720p hd image, ABC and ESPN for example, and coverting it to 1080i) there would be NO PICTURE. IF XBOX or PS2 CONVERTED a 720p hd signal to OUTPUT at 1080i HD, this would be a NONISSUE.

[Sonikku]

But the thing is only 4 games (all of which are on the xbox) support 1080i as opposed to 30 games on the xbox that supports 720p. The PS2 can do no form of high definition BTW. It has 480p in a couple games, but that is it. And progressive scan is hardly true high definition.

[STEELERSRULE]

Sonikku,

You just made my point again. With over 30 games that output a 720p hd signal, the ability to CONVERT a 720p image is SOMETIMES a BIG DEAL to gamers. Since current Panasonic's won't ACCEPT or CONVERT a 720p hd signal, alot of people, not just gamers, look at ANOTHER TV.

I am surprised that NO PS2 games output at HD. Maybe they eventually will, or the PS3(due out at the end of next year?) will take care of that.

[BigDanB]

Bad news for anyone waiting for the CT-36HLD64, the CT-34WXD64, and a couple of the DLP models for 2004. Apparently they have all been cancelled from production and won't be made.

I had pre-ordered the CT-36HLD64 from the Panasonic Store in Costa Mesa, CA a few weeks back and I got an e-mail last night stating that my order will be cancelled because this set is not going to be produced. The CT-36HL44 will still be made, which is basically the same set minus ATSC tuner, CableCard Slot, and memory stick slot for displaying digital pictures. I'll probably get the CT-36HL44 but I'm depressed over the whole thing as I've been waiting since CES for the CT-36HLD64......

Here's the email I got from the Panasonic store:
---------------------------------------------------------------

Dan,

My apologies but it appears that this model has been cancelled (see below.) The regular 36 inch flat screen crt hd (no hd tuner built-in) unit is still going forward. If you would like I can switch this model.

The price difference is $$$.$$ (before taxes) in your favor.

Most people do not require the HD tuner built-in. If you will be receiving HD from either cable or satellite then it is not necessary to have the tuner mainly because the cable/satellite provider uses a proprietary box for decoding HD signal.

The only circumstance that requires the HD tuner be built in is when you are decoding HD signal directly through off-air antenna (local hd only.) If this is not the case then you would be unecessarily spending extra money on the built-in unit anyway. If this does not apply then please disregard the extra information.

Please advise me what you would like to do,

XXXXXX

-----Original Message-----
From: XXX
To: Panasonic Store Employees
Sent: 7/21/2004 12:32 PM
Subject: FW: TV models dropped

FYI...please cancel any orders on these models. I will delete them from
the Tyler inventory database. We will still have basic 50" and 43" DLP
this fall.(maybe)

Phil

> -----Original Message-----
>From: XXX
>Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 5:11 PM
>To: XXX
>Subject: TV models dropped
>
>The following models have been dropped from production and will not be
>made:
>
>PT-60DL54
>PT-50DLD64
>PT-60DLD64
>TY-60DL54-K
>
>PT-47WX54 (C channel)
>PT-47WXD64 (C channel)
>PT-53XD64
>
>CT-34WXD64
>CT-36HLD64
>
>Please call if any questions.
>
>

[briankmonkey]

Gran Turismo 4 on the PS2 outputs a 1080i signal

[RandyWalters]

[QUOTE=briankmonkey]Gran Turismo 4 on the PS2 outputs a 1080i signal[/QUOTE]

Heh heh, you replied to a post that's over a year old :D