March 25, 2004

By: Matt Arp
Website: http://www.1st-in-hdtv.com

Panasonic launches new Viera series flat-panel TVs

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand products, today announced that it will introduce 13 new flat-panel TV models in the Japanese market this autumn. Ranging from 50-inch to 14-inch diagonal screen sizes, the models to be introduced include plasma and LCD televisions with both high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) picture quality. The wide range of this line-up shows Panasonic's strong commitment to the fast-growing flat-panel TV business. The company also announced a new name - "Viera"-- to be used for its Panasonic flat-panel TVs.

In 2002, the worldwide flat-panel TV market reached 1.8 million units and it is expected to reach 4.3 million units this year and 13.8 million units in 2005. To meet this rapid increase in market demand, Panasonic is strengthening its product line-up and production capacity for flat-panel TVs and plans to achieve an annual production capacity of 4 million units to capture 30% share of the global market of flat-panel TVs by 2005.

Among the new digital HD flat-panel TV models to be introduced are three plasma televisions - TH-50PX20 (50-inch diagonal), TH-42PX20 (42-inch), and TH-37PX20 (37-inch) - and three LCD televisions - TH-32LX20 (32-inch), TH-26LX20 (26-inch), and TH-22LX20 (22-inch). All models feature an integrated tuner that can receive all three kinds of digital broadcasting services available in Japan-- Broadcast Satellite (BS), 110-degree Communication Satellite (CS 110), and terrestrial broadcasting -- incorporated into a flat, thin body.

They will be also equipped with Panasonic's state-of-the-art Picture Enhancement Accelerator with Kinetic System (PEAKS) that includes the single-chip HDTV system LSI and the high-definition PEAKS progressive display panel. Panasonic's PEAKS technology makes it possible to process all video signals in digital form to achieve optimal picture quality. Other features include an Ethernet jack for connecting to the broadband information service "T-navi," which is available only in Japan, the industry's first Electronic Program Guide (EPG) spanning the above three broadcast systems and analog terrestrial broadcasting, and PCMCIA card /SD card slot.

Also see: plasma screen television

Author Notes:

Matt Arp contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-hdtv.com.  Great information on high definition, plasma, projection, LCD TV's plus home theaters and more.