We're thinking a round or two of golf claps are in order here, no? Since going on sale (in Japan) in July of 2006, Panasonic's gigantic 103-inch plasma has been purchased 3,000 times. If our math is even close to correct, that means that Panny has managed to move around 130 of these bad boys each month, which isn't too shabby given the original $70,000 sticker. If you're curious as to where these things actually go, you'll probably be disappointed to hear some rather expected answers: nightclubs, sports arena, resorts, universities, casinos and high-brow offices in big name cities. Looking for the most in one place? Head on down to Las Vegas' own Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, where 15 of these beasts were placed in its newly remodeled $20-million Race and Sports Book room.

Well, don't you feel silly. After springing for that 103-incher last year, Panasonic has made a mockery of your spendy home theater with a 150-inch display at CES, and now an upgraded version of the original 103-inch behemoth. The new TH-103PF10UK upgrades the video processing, anti-reflective coating, "wireless presentation capabilities," media card reader and adds dual HDMI, but the actual display seems to be the same as last time around. There's also a 100,000 hour warranty included, which is only fitting since we're guessing this new 103-inch won't be selling for much less than $70 grand.

[Via Crave]

Nary a month after Hitachi unveiled a 103-inch plasma of its own to take on Panasonic's beast, Runco is getting even more official about its own iteration that first surfaced at CEDIA. The CinemaWall XP-103DHD features a native 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, provides ISF calibration modes and includes an HDCP-compliant DVI port. Additionally, its next-generation DHD Digital controller incorporates the firm's ViVix II digital video processing technology, which is said to provide "premium aspect ratio control" and prevent "double scaling." Of course, most of us will be lusting after this from afar -- unless you've no qualms with coughing up the $99,995 required to toss this under the tree when it lands in December, that is.

While Panasonic's 103-inch plasma has had the spotlight for quite some time, Hitachi is hoping to steal some of that oh-so-lucrative high-end market share with one of its own. Matching the Panny inch-for-inch is the CMP1030FWJ, which sports a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, VGA / component / S-Video / composite inputs, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, and audio out as well. Additionally, this behemoth weighs in at a whopping 485 pounds, and while we'd love to know the (presumably sky-high) price, those details have yet to be divulged. Notably, users not equipped with a den large enough to hold a 103-inch PDP can opt for Hitachi's also-new (and also unpriced) CMP650FWJ, which touts 65 expansive inches of Full HD goodness and features a 10,000:1 contrast ratio.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Panasonic's TH-103FP9 103-inch plasma may have been dethroned at CES this year by Sharp, but it is still the king in our hearts, at least untill Sharp starts shipping its 108-inch LCD, that is. TrustedReviews had a chance to review the massive TV, and after the three-hour install by the crack specialty team -- including the use of an interior crane that we'd also like to get a look at -- they were very impressed with the picture quality. They were amazed that a TV this large didn't sacrifice contrast or color, and in fact, the only thing they could complain about was how bad it made some content look after enjoying 1080p in all its glory. Of course, they didn't like the $70,000 MSRP, but we suppose that is the price you have pay to watch a 103-inch screen in a well lit room.

[Via Digital Media Thoughts]

As if the massive billboard just before the Lincoln Tunnel wasn't drool-worthy enough, and if you've been pinching those pennies ever since this beauty became available for pre-order, your wait is at long last over. Panny's mighty expansive 103-inch plasma is ready to go, and can be shipped out to your domicile right now for the not-exactly-convenient price of $69,999.95. While none of the specs have changed, at least this thing can start finding its way onto delivery trucks after all the gazing that's been done, but you might want to rent a forklift to hoist this monster up your stairs when it arrives. Oh, and if the 70 large is a bit too steep for you at the moment, Panasonic's being all generous and offering "special finance rates" if you prefer to make payments on this thing until kingdom come.

Following up on a story we wrote about earlier and got some estimates on this week, Panasonic has announced US pricing and availability for their massive 103-inch plasma that will be released later this year. The TH-103PZ600U has 1080p capability, a 4000:1 contrast ratio, and 4,096 steps of gradation, and will be yours for a mere seven hundred Benjamins -- US$ 70,000 -- and is expected to be available for delivery in time for Christmas 2006. Considering you may have to hold off on the payment for your new BMW 750 in order to pick one of these up, you can feel safe knowing that Panasonic has thrown in a three-year in-home warranty. Because each of these plasmas is built to order, and in no small part because of their size, they will have to be professionally installed, so be sure to save a couple of bottles of Dom Perignon for the unveiling ceremony. For those of us with normal budgets, the press release recommends we simply buy four 50-inch plasmas and duct-tape them together (okay, not exactly, but it would be cool to see! New addition to the Flickr pool anyone?)

[ via TVPredictions and Electronic House ]