Panasonic’s 152†plasma display has a 17:9 aspect ratio and can display 3D images when fitted with an optional external IR emitter. The full HD display boasts 4K by 2K resolution and weighs 600kg.
Why did you buy the display?Lang is a company that stands for high quality imaging systems and we realised that not many European rental companies would have this display in their fleet. Therefore, if someone wanted to hire this screen we would be one of the few companies that could provide it.
Also we are working closely with Panasonic, handling plasma repairs, servicing projectors and running training courses. Purchasing the 152” was part of that ongoing partnership.
When we decided to buy the display we didn’t know if there would be a lot of demand in the market but it has been very busy. People were curious about the display, they wanted to see it but we didn’t know if they would rent it. It’s incredibly expensive and I think anyone who wants to buy or rent the plasma thinks not only twice but perhaps thrice.
What do you like about it?I love the big resolution and the sheer size of this one massive plasma screen. It’s really impressive and has some advantages over LCD. For video content, especially uncompressed video content, the plasma screen looks better. Together with the 4K resolution it’s really outstanding. This is a top end product and it’s the largest plasma in the world.
It’s robust, which is essential for the rental market. We’re taking this screen all over Europe so it’s really important. It also has anti-glare glass and produces a bright, vivid image.
On our booth at ISE we showed it in 4K mode and we have coupled it with a radarTouch system to create a giant touchscreen. We’ve also shown it off in our showrooms in Germany in 3D. It’s a good image and creates a really great 3D experience.
It’s eye-catching. People want to rent it because its size makes it really imposing and will produce really great images.
What would you change?The original Panasonic transport frame was, for a while, the only way of presenting the screen. Since it was not that beautiful and did not do the product justice we were very glad to get a screen lifter from a German company called MediaScreen. Now the screen looks even better and is easier to handle.
Although plasma has many benefits over LCD it also has some disadvantages. The screen is not good in high ambient light conditions. If you put full white on the screen you will loose brightness. However, if the content is thought about carefully most issues can be avoided and you can create a bright picture with great colours.
On the image processing side it is not that flexible with input signals. You have to make sure that all of your four input signals are perfectly synced with each other. As long as you take care of these inputs it’s not a problem but, for example, you can’t just plug four PlayStation 3s into the display and expect it to work. For simple 2k or 2k-3D playback everything is fine.
In use?The display has mostly been used at exhibitions. It was on the Telecom booth at CeBIT and it was used at an exhibition for Orange in France.