Panasonic Plasma HDTV Goes from Wish List to Reality for Many This Holiday Season

Panasonic Plasma HDTV Goes from Wish List to Reality for Many This Holiday Season

Leader in Plasma TV Poised to Win Over Consumers with Superior Picture Technology at Accessible Prices

SECAUCUS, N.J., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, the market and technology leader in Plasma TV, is turning the dreams of many consumers into reality this holiday season thanks to technological advances, lower pricing and $200 installation rebates(1) which are making its best selling line of Plasma HDTVs more attainable than ever during this peak buying period.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association(2), sales of flat panel TVs are expected to top $7.3 billion this year, up 85 percent from a year ago. Half of consumers surveyed said their next TV set will be a flat panel. A recent Opinion Research Corporation study(3) of more than 1,000 adults found that nearly 75 percent of respondents feel buying a plasma HDTV is more affordable/feasible than one year ago. Only one percent said they currently own an HDTV.

The best selling Plasma TV brand in the United States this year, Panasonic continues to provide a superior quality picture and viewing experience for consumers looking to purchase a large flat panel TV. The latest Panasonic Plasma HDTV line includes 37", 42", 50", 58", 65" and 103" -- the world's largest Plasma TV. When compared to LCDs, Panasonic Plasmas demonstrate significant advantages, including better viewing angles and better reproduction of shades of black.

"Panasonic is known worldwide as a leader in high definition Plasma TVs, a level of quality and service people aspire to," said Andrew Nelkin, Panasonic's Display Group Vice President. "Panasonic Plasma TVs maximize the HD viewing experience of sports, movies and video gaming. Advances in production have given us the ability to lower prices to our dealers, so that more people than ever before will now be able to enjoy the undeniable power and beauty of a Panasonic Plasma HDTV this holiday season."

A recent IDC survey(4) of 1,300 consumers found that many are overwhelmed by the lingo of new TV technology and are looking for easy and coherent ways to understand selection criteria for their own situation. Panasonic recently began an aggressive campaign to educate consumers about the advantages of Panasonic Plasma over LCD TV. These advantages include ...

Deep Rich Blacks: Panasonic Plasmas produce deep, rich blacks for exceptional contrast and striking image quality. With most large-screen LCD TVs, blacks look gray with less detail.

Crisp, Smooth Action: Panasonic Plasma HDTVs give you crisp, smooth action in high-speed scenes found in sports and movies. Most large-screen LCDs often look blurry during fast-motion scenes.

Full Color: Panasonic Plasmas reproduce the full range of colors specified in ITU's HDTV Broadcast Standards. Most LCD TVs cannot.

Great Viewing From All Angles: Panasonic Plasmas look great from every angle. Most LCD TVs suffer from picture fade when you look at them from an angle.

Get The Lead Out: The latest line of Panasonic Plasmas are environmentally friendlier. Panasonic Plasma Display Panels have no lead or mercury. LCD TVs have mercury.

Durability: Panasonic Plasmas have durable glass screens that are much more resistant to impact than typical LCD TV screens.

Unmatched Service: Panasonic further separates itself from its competitors by offering an industry-first customer service program exclusive to Panasonic Plasma owners. Panasonic Plasma Concierge is a free service offering owners a range of valuable privileges, including live access to highly trained and specialized Plasma TV consultants who can resolve issues and provide expert advice on set-up, operation, troubleshooting, integration of the Plasma TV with other home entertainment components, and other support- related issues.

"From very attractive pricing and installation rebates to superior image quality and customer service, consumers who purchase a Panasonic Plasma this holiday season will not be disappointed," said Mr. Nelkin. "There isn't a better time to join the HDTV lifestyle and there isn't a better way to experience it than with a Panasonic Plasma."

About Panasonic

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company 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. Information about Panasonic products is available at http://www.panasonic.com/. Additional company information for journalists is available at http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

(1) Rebate by mail. Purchase between 11/5/06 and 12/31/06.

(2) Consumer Electronics Association (CEA 09/21/2006 and 04/27/06)

(3) Opinion Research Corporation CARAVAN(R) Telephone Survey
(ORC 11/10-13/2006)

(4) IDC Global TV Survey Shows It's Hip to Be Square and Flat
(IDC 08/23/06)

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

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 Adam Paige of Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9833, adam_paige@cohnwolfe.com, for
Panasonic

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

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