Panasonic annonced that it has developed the world's largest 152-inch 4K x 2K (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) definition Full HD 3D plasma display. The display features a new plasma display panel (PDP) Panasonic developed with its new quadruple luminous efficiency technology.

According to Panasonic, self-illuminating plasma panels offer "excellent" response to moving images with full motion picture resolution, making them suitable for rapid 3D image display.

Skype announced support for Skype video calls on PCs in 720p high definition, as well as Skype software embedded into internet-connected widescreen televisions from its consumer electronics manufacturer partners.

The latest version of Skype for Windows can deliver up to 720p HD-quality video calling at 1280 x 720 resolution, at up to 30 frames per second.

At CES, Skype also announced partnerships with LG and Panasonic to offer Skype–enabled HDTVs. Skype software will be embedded into Panasonic’s line of 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs and LG’s 26 new LCD and plasma HDTVs with NetCast Entertainment Access.

Best Buy and Sonic Solutions announced a strategic relationship that will result in a new Best Buy customer offering in its line-up of digital entertainment products.

The new on-demand movie and entertainment service will be powered by Sonic's Roxio CinemaNow.

The software required to access CinemaNow's video library will be included on all the Web-connected devices sold in Best Buy's more than 1,000 U.S. stores.

Aiming to bring Full HD 3D TVs to the market in 2010, Panasonic steps up its efforts in developing the related technology. The company has just developed a 50-inch Full HD 3D compatible plasma display panel (PDP) and high-precision active shutter glasses that enable the viewing of theater-quality, true-to-life 3D images in the living rooms.

The new PDP and glasses evolved from Panasonic's Full HD 3D Plasma Home Theater System that was developed in 2008 and comprised of a 103-inch PDP and a Blu-ray Disc player. The prototype PDP has a 50-inch screen, which is expected to become the most popular size for home theaters.

Filed under: Displays, Panasonic, LCD

Remember those fancy new VIERA HDTVs introduced at CES by Panasonic? Yeah, well every last one just got a price tag and release date for the Japanese market. The Z, V and G Series (13 models in all) have been officially given a sticker and launch window, with the earliest ones heading out in March and the laggards getting boxed up in late April. Needless to say, there are far too many zeros and commas to list here, but you can head past the break along with your trusty currency converter to get a ballpark estimate of what these will run on American soil.

Panasonic's CES 2009 VIERA HDTV lineup priced and dated... for Japan originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Panasonic, Plasma

When something costs eight thousand pounds, it simply cannot be even a hair less than phenomenal. According to a recent review of the incredibly expensive TH-65VX100E, Panasonic somehow managed to create a plasma worth that asking price. The 65-inch, 1080p set -- which was introduced across the pond late last year -- displayed "the best picture quality" critics had ever seen on a flat-panel. It also boasted "reams of features and exceptionally flexible settings." In fact, the only negative listed was that it costs more than a Renault Megane, which is pretty darn valid if you ask us. For those with the cash to spare and a hankering for big screen PDP action, it seems like this one just made the short list.

Panasonic's pricey TH-65VX100E plasma reviewed, swooned over originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Panasonic, Plasma

It's no 103-incher, but Panasonic's 65-inch TH-65PZ800 is rather imposing in its own right. The delighted critics over at Trusted Reviews were able to sit down with the monster recently, and needless to say, they fell in love with the gentle giant. Pretty much everything from top to bottom on this set was smiled upon, with the Wide Color Gamut technology in particular proving exceptionally praise-worthy. Incredibly enough, the set actually handled SD content just about as well as HD content, which is pretty remarkable for a panel of this stature. In the end, critics noted that it was "really tough to come up with anything seriously negative to say about the 65PZ800," and it was also stated that while it may not be quite as amazing as the Pioneer [KURO], it gets "startlingly close while costing less than [they] thought possible."

Panasonic's 65-inch TH-65PZ800 plasma reviewed: stellar indeed originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sales of high definition plasma TVs have risen by 37 per cent in the third quarter compared to last year's figures.
A survey by DisplaySearch has shown that consumers are being enticed to buy plasma sets by sweeping price cuts, especially on 32-inch sets.

Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Panasonic, Plasma

Panasonic's 58-inch TH-58PZ800U probably isn't the first bigger-than-big plasma that comes to mind when shopping for the best, and even though Pioneer's KURO line is currently basking in the limelight, this bugger is still probably worth a look. The PDP was recently reviewed over at CNET, and somewhat surprisingly, the set was found to be a solid performer -- if not an outright star. Critics found that it reproduced deep black levels / highly accurate colors, had excellent uniformity compared with RPTVs and featured a very satisfactory assortment of ports. The only rubs were the lofty price tag and somewhat lackluster picture controls, but we're just thrilled to see some real competition in this space.

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The US’s NBC network is to broadcast both the women’s Wimbledon final between the Williams sisters and the men’s match between Nadal and Federer on its HD channel.
The addition of this year’s Centre Court battles is just the latest addition to a growing selection of sporting events being shown in high def.
Sports programming is perfectly suited to high definition because of the fast motion and action in sports.
The 16:9 aspect ratio of HD provides a vastly better perspective and coverage of a game than SD.
Viewers can see, for instance, the entire ice in a hockey game or the baseball field in a baseball game.
So impressive are the results that they influenced an estimated 2.4 million high-definition television sales prior to this season’s Super Bowl in the US.

Manufacturers will have to install features currently only available as paid-for add-ons in top-of-the-range HDTV models if sales growth is to be sustained.
That is the conclusion of a report by research firm DisplaySearch which suggests that sales of HDTVs will peak in the next two or three years.
It goes on to say that sales will then fall unless manufacturers can add compelling features that consumers are willing to pay for.
Calvin Hsieh, the director of research at DisplaySearch, said internet connectivity, full 1080p resolution, PVR capabilities and upgraded HDMI port specifications need to become standard fare by next year.

Industry experts have played down reports that Panasonic’s Tru2way TV has failed to pass tests after being submitted for certification.
The manufacturer was expected to introduce Tru2way sets at selected retail outlets in test markets in September.
It had submitted units for certification testing at the industry’s R&D consortium, CableLabs.
Reports then emerged of “bugs” in the implementation which had resulted in the sets being failed.
CableLabs issued a statement saying it was unable to comment on specific test results.
However, it went on to say it was common for devices to require multiple test runs before achieving CableLabs Certification.

If Europe wants to benefit from the growing HDTV market, broadcasters and production companies must take a broader view.
That is the advice of Jaume Rey, director of Professional & Broadcast IT Systems Business Unit (PBITS), part of the Panasonic group.
Urging those involved in producing TV programmes to look beyond local markets, he noted that while European consumers have embraced HD acquisition technology, many viewers are still watching television on SD sets.
“In countries such as Spain, broadcasters and production companies must show a lead in the introduction of HD," he said. "In a growing market, manufacturers need to think globally instead of locally where content production and distribution is concerned.”

Panasonic is to roll-out sales of a range of Blu-ray recorders in Australia, making it only the second country after Japan to receive the devices.
A 500GB Twin High Definition Tuner and VIERA Link model is to go on sale this month as well as various lower-spec recorders, the first 46” plasma TV and new 37” Full HD LCD TV models.
Paul Reid, Panasonic Australia’s Director for Consumer Electronics Group, described the move as a “significant breakthrough” for Blu-ray.

Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Panasonic, Plasma

There's been quite a few VIERAs reviewed of late, but the latest one to capture an Editor's Choice award from the folks at CNET is Panasonic's TH-50PZ800U. The 50-inch plasma purportedly produced "highly accurate colors and deep black levels," and the "excellent uniformity, in-depth calibration, handsome styling," stellar port selection and effective anti-reflective screen didn't hurt matters. The only real digs came from the lofty price tag, less-than-perfect black levels and ho hum 24p mode -- all of which were apparently not enough to keep critics from falling at least mildly in love. Overall, the set was deemed "one of the best-performing HDTVs available," and that alone speaks volumes. Tap the read link for the full spill if you're still in disbelief.

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Panasonic has announced that it has developed the first single-chip signal processing LSI for Blu-ray Disc players that can both read the disc and decode the content.
Previously these functions were performed by separate front end and back end LSI in addition to seven external memory chips.
By combining the functionality into one chip, 50 per cent less space is required and 25 per cent energy is saved.
As a result of the single chip solution, manufacturers will be able to make smaller Blu-ray players that consume less energy.