Panasonic VIERA Wins CNET's 'Best of CES' Award for Its High Definition Plasma TV at 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show

Panasonic VIERA Wins CNET's 'Best of CES' Award for Its High Definition Plasma TV at 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic, a leader in High Definition technology, today announced it won the "Best of CES" award in the Television category for its 2009 VIERA Plasma HDTV G10-Series unveiled earlier this week. Produced and judged by editors from CNET (www.cnet.com), the winners of the "Best of CES" awards were announced Saturday, January 10, at the 2009 International CES in Las Vegas.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090115/NY59516 )

Selected by CNET's unbiased expert editors, winners are recognized as having the hottest products in their respective technology categories for their unmatched innovation and creativity, and their ability to excite consumers and help them explore a world gone digital. CNET editors reviewed hundreds of entries and scoured the 2009 International CES show floor for products to consider for the prestigious award.

The ten categories include car tech; cell phones and smart phones; computers and hardware; digital photo and video; gaming; GPS; home audio; home video; MP3 and portable video players; and televisions. A video of the winners and finalists showcasing their technologies can be found at http://www.cnet.com/ces.

The VIERA G10 Plasma Series models offer cutting edge features including IPTV via VIERA CAST(R) web menu, a THX(TM) Certified Display, and VIERA Image Viewer for playing back digital still images and AVCHD videos recorded on SD Memory Cards. The NeoPDP design of the G10 series also offers 1080p resolution, deeper blacks, an improved native contrast ratio of 40,000:1, Full-Time 1080 TV lines of motion resolution, an Infinite Black panel, 600Hz Sub-field Drive, as well as a Game Mode and VIERA Link(R). The G10 series will be available in a 54-inch class (54" measured diagonally), 50-inch class (49.9" measured diagonally), 46-inch class (46" measured diagonally), and 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally) screen size. The 42-inch, 46-inch and 50-inch HDTVs will be available in March 2009, while the 54-inch model will be available in May 2009.

"Panasonic's stunning picture quality, connectivity, cutting edge technology and service continue to distinguish the VIERA line," said Bob Perry, Executive Vice President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "We are proud and honored to receive a Best of Show designation from such a credible and widely respected news source as CNET. The award underscores Panasonic's continued leadership in the flat panel industry and the strength of the Plasma HDTV category for delivering the best picture quality available."

"Each year at the show, CNET editors scour the show floor to determine the top technologies that will set the trends for the coming year," said Scott Ard, vice president of content at CNET. "Chosen from hundreds of products at the 2009 International CES, Panasonic's VIERA Plasma HDTV G10 Series demonstrates the innovation and creativity to be awarded our "Best of CES" award within the Television category."

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 Panasonic Corporation (NYSE:PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

First Call Analyst:
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Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090115/NY59516
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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;
or Alix Dunn of Cohn & Wolfe for Panasonic, +1-212-798-9795,
alix.dunn@cohnwolfe.com

Web Site: http://www.panasonic.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment