Panasonic Announces Availability of Its First VIERA(R) CAST Web-Enabled Plasma HDTV

Panasonic Announces Availability of Its First VIERA(R) CAST Web-Enabled Plasma HDTV

YouTube(TM), Google's Picasa(TM) Web Albums and Bloomberg Sites Accessible Directly On-Screen

SECAUCUS, N.J., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, the industry leader in High Definition Plasma TV, announced today that its much-anticipated web-enabled PZ850 series of VIERA Plasma HDTV's will be available at retail beginning in mid-June. The flagship line's wide range of cutting-edge features is highlighted by VIERA CAST which provides access to some of the most popular content sites on the Internet today -- YouTube, Google's Picasa Web Album and Bloomberg. The VIERA line was initially previewed at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in January 2008.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080520/NYTU092 )

Panasonic's VIERA 1080p PZ850 series offers features designed for the most demanding videophile -- enhanced contrast ratio, deeper blacks, faster response time and outstanding picture quality in four screen sizes -- the 46-inch class TH-46PZ850 (46.0" measured diagonally), the 50-inch class TH-50PZ850 (49.9" measured diagonally), the 58-inch class TH-58PZ850 (58.0" measured diagonally) and the 65-inch class TH-65PZ850 (64.8" measured diagonally). Coupled with Panasonic's new VIERA CAST technology, the PZ850 series will give consumers on-screen access to a far broader range of unique content than ever before.

"Our VIERA PZ850 series really takes connectivity and home entertainment to a whole new level for consumers," said Bob Perry, Senior Vice President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "In addition to delivering stunning, true-to-life High Definition movies and television programming that all of our VIERA HDTV's are famous for, our PZ850 series also allows you to seamlessly access an unending supply of content via the web via YouTube and Google's Picasa Web Album websites. Another terrific enhancement for the consumer is that when new web sites become available they will be automatically available on the TV.

"Imagine being able to press a button and see a family member's photos from their vacation right on your own large-screen Plasma or enjoy one of the many intriguing videos found on YouTube from the comfort of your easy chair," added Perry. "The VIERA PZ850 with VIERA CAST makes it all possible quickly and easily."

The PZ850 also makes it easy to enjoy your own High Definition digital still and video images in breathtaking 16x9 widescreen format by inserting an SD Memory Card into the HDTV. While all of Panasonic's VIERA HDTV's can display digital still images via SD card, the PZ850 features H.264 codec making it possible to enjoy HD video content from your HD camcorder by simply inserting an SD Memory Card into the TV.

In addition to the line's Internet and SD Memory Card capabilities, the PZ850 series delivers a number of other high-tech step-up features that will further benefit the consumer and strengthen Panasonic's Plasma leadership position.

The PZ850 series features a Pro Setting Menu, a must-have for videophiles who can benefit from access to professional calibration software. Images come to life like never before in crisp, true-to-life color, clarity and smoothness thanks to an enhanced native resolution contrast ratio of 30,000:1, a dynamic ratio of 1,000,000:1, 24p native reproduction, Digital Cinema Color Re-Mastering (a technology that allows for accurate color reproduction essential for movies), and Studio Reference Mode (provides faithful reproduction of the subtle colors intended by film makers).

For the avid gamer, the PZ850 series also offers a Game Mode which minimizes the time lag when displaying game images on the Plasma screen. The addition of four HDMI connections and a PC input also gives users greater flexibility to connect peripheral components to the display.

Like all Panasonic VIERA Plasma HDTV's, the PZ850 series panels contain no lead or mercury and deliver increased luminous efficiency and 100,000 hours of viewing time to half brightness (40+ years at 6+ hours viewing per day).

Additionally, the PZ850 series, as well as Panasonic's entire 2008 line of VIERA flat panels, features VIERA Link(TM), a means to control multiple AV devices with one remote.

Discussing the availability of YouTube content on the VIERA PZ850 series Plasmas at CES 2008 in January, Steve Chen, co-founder and CTO of YouTube, said, "We're dedicated to providing users around the world with a great YouTube experience, no matter where they are. Working with an industry leader like Panasonic will deliver the same terrific YouTube experience that users have come to expect from their computers; browsing, finding and watching millions of videos from the comfort of their living room."

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE:MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic's exclusive Panasonic Plasma Concierge customer support program (888-972-6276) is administered through its Virginia-based Call Center, recognized as a Certified "Center of Excellence" by the Center for Customer-Driven Quality(TM) at Purdue University. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom

   Model             Features                        Availability       SRP*    TH-65PZ850        Pro Setting Menu, VIERA             Fall,       $7999.95   (64.8" measured   CAST IPTV; RS-232C; 1080p           2008   diagonally)       resolution, one sheet of                     glass design; native contrast                     ratio 30,000:1-dynamic ratio                     1,000,000:1; Digital Cinema                     Color Re-Mastering; 24p                     native reproduction; Game Mode;                     SD Memory Card slot; four HDMI                     connections; PC-Input; VIERA                     Link    TH-58PZ850        CAST IPTV; RS-232C; 1080p Pro       Fall,       $4299.95   (58.0" measured   Setting Menu, VIERA CAST IPTV;      2008   diagonally)       RS-232C; 1080p resolution, one                     sheet of glass design; native                     contrast ratio 30,000:1-dynamic                     ratio 1,000,000:1; Digital                     Cinema Color Re-Mastering;                     24p native reproduction; Game                     Mode; SD Memory Card slot; four                     HDMI connections; PC-Input; VIERA                     Link    TH-50PZ850        Pro Setting Menu, VIERA CAST        Summer,     $3499.95   (49.9" measured   IPTV; RS-232C 1080p resolution,     2008   diagonally)       one sheet of glass design; native                     contrast ratio 30,000:1- dynamic                     ratio 1,000,000:1; Digital Cinema                     Color Re-Mastering; 24p native                     reproduction; Game Mode; SD Memory                     Card slot; four HDMI connections;                     PC-Input    TH-46PZ850U       Pro Setting Menu, VIERA CAST        Summer,     $3099.95   (46.0" measured   IPTV; RS-232C; 1080p resolution,    2008   diagonally)       one sheet of glass design; native                     contrast ratio 30,000:1- dynamic ratio                     1,000,000:1; Digital Cinema Color                     Re-Mastering; 24p native reproduction;                     Game Mode; SD Memory Card slot; four HDMI                     connections; PC-Input; VIERA Link     About Panasonic  

Panasonic is proud to support the Olympic Movement -- which is aimed at promoting world peace through sports -- as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Video and Audio Equipment category for more than 20 years since The Olympic Partner (TOP) Program commenced for the Calgary Olympic Winter Games in 1988. Under the slogan "Sharing the Passion," Panasonic will contribute to the success of the Olympic Games through its technology. Panasonic recently renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for a further eight years to 2016.

    Contacts:     Chris De Maria                  Jeff Samuels    Panasonic                       Panasonic    201-348-7182                    201-392-4571    demariac@us.panasonic.com       samuelsj@us.panasonic.com     Alix Dunn    Cohn & Wolfe    212-798-9833    alix_dunn@cohnwolfe.com  

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080520/NYTU092
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN6
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Panasonic

CONTACT: Chris De Maria, +1-201-348-7182, demariac@us.panasonic.com, or
Jeff Samuels, +1-201-392-4571, samuelsj@us.panasonic.com, both of Panasonic;
Alix Dunn of Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9833, alix_dunn@cohnwolfe.com, for
Panasonic

Web site: http://www.panasonic.com/
http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom

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Profile: International Entertainment