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NEC PlasmaSync 5OMP1 Plasma Display Used MedieStudio Pro 6.0
NEC Technologies is the current leader in production of plasma panels-its factory in Japan builds and ships more than any other manufacturer. It should be no surprise that NEC has jumped into the plasma monitor market whole-hog in the past few years, with an expanding line of plasma display panels (PDPs) for both the public display and professional AN markets.
The 50MP1, NEC's second 50" offering, is a professional A/V product and is intended for the display of both static images from PCs and motion video from disc, tape, or broadcast. And it couldn't be more different from its predecessor [the 50" PlasmaSync 5000W) in performance, features, and connectivity; this panel reflects a lot of note-taking and pro innovation that shows NEB is serious about the plasma marketplace.
Why 50" plasma? Right now, it's the "hot" category. Spurred on by a price reduction to under $18,000 earlier this year, 50" sales are taking off for both consumer and professional applications. Manufacturers such as Pioneer, NEC, Panasonic, and Fujitsu have noticed a direct correlation between price reductions and increased sales-so much so that Panasonic announced an MSRP of $14,995 for their 50" TH-50PHD3U at Infocomm 2001. (Duck! The MSRP ceiling is falling!]
It remains to be seen what action NEC will take to counter Panasonic's bold move, but you can be sure we haven't seen the end of the price wars. Reports have been received of 42" Sony HD plasma panels selling for $6300 on the Internet, and even some 50" Pioneer panels being offered for under $12,000 via Web "street" prices. With newcomers like Samsung and LG/Zenith joining the fray-and Fujitsu about to roll out its new 50" panel-this is going to be a busy year for POPs.
out of the box
The 50MP1 is probably one of the sturdiest-and heaviest-of all plasma panels offered for sale. Continuing in the NEC tradition, it has a super-rigid frame to protect the glass and a strong desktop stand to hold up the works. As a result, the 50MP1 has a net weight [without stand) of 101.3 pounds-14 pounds heavier than Pioneer's PDP502MX. But it's somewhat thinner than its 50" predecessor at 4.2".
The original 50OW reflected a consumer...