Panasonic Builds Upon Its Award Winning Line Of 1080p Full HD Viera(R) Series Plasma Televisions

Panasonic Builds Upon Its Award Winning Line Of 1080p Full HD Viera(R) Series Plasma Televisions

2008 Plasmas Feature New Screen Size, New Panel, Improved Picture Quality, Increased Production, Continuation of Unique Concierge Program To Reinforce Industry Leadership and Commitment to Excellence

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal U.S. subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC), the industry leader in high definition and Plasma TV, today introduced its 2008 line of Plasma full HD televisions. The VIERA 2008 full HD Plasma series introduces a new screen size - a 46-inch(1) class display, complimenting the Panasonic Plasma family of televisions, further strengthening Panasonic's award winning Plasma line-up, which also includes televisions in the 42-inch class, 50-inch class and 58-inch class size. This year, Panasonic 's VIERA Plasma 1080p series feature a new panel with increased contrast ratio and an improved anti-reflective screen, a Game Mode, VIERA Link(TM), increased luminous efficiency, lead free panels and 100,000 hours to half brightness. Completing the 2008 Plasma HD line-up are two 720p Plasmas in 42-inch class and 50-inch class screen sizes. The entire VIERA line of HDTVs features a new aesthetic look.

Year after year, Panasonic has brought new picture improving technologies to flat panels and 2008's increased line-up continues that trend. With the digital transition on the horizon and an increased awareness among consumers about high definition, consumers now demand blacker blacks, faster response time and the billions of colors that Panasonic VIERA full HD Plasmas deliver.

"Panasonic's superior picture quality, connectivity and service continues to distinguish the 2008 line, which we have re-branded VIERA. VIERA means a new visual era, and our 2008 line of HD Plasmas is committed to providing the consumer with televisions that do indeed usher in a new era of television. We firmly believe that the television is the center of the living room with an emphasis on family time spent experiencing entertainment together via a variety of audio and visual products," said Dennis Eppel, Vice President, Panasonic Display Products Company. "Not only have our Plasma displays received critical acclaim from consumer and trade publications, but Panasonic has maintained the market lead for the majority of the last three years. Panasonic has never rested on its laurels and the 2008 VIERA line continues that philosophy. And, all of our Plasmas continue to include an SD Memory Card slot, a unique feature that we have found to be a differentiator."

The VIERA PZ80 series introduces the new 46-inch class display -- the TH-46PZ80 -- to the 2008 line, that includes three screen sizes, all with 1080p resolution. The 42 inch class TH-42PZ80 and the 50-inch class TH-50PZ80 complete the PZ80 series and feature Game Mode, VIERA Link, an SD Memory Card slot, HDMI connections and an improved native contrast ratio of 20,000:1. . The Game Mode minimizes the time lag when displaying game images on the Plasma screen. The Mode synchronizes the response of the game image to the player's operation, thereby producing an extremely clear image with no motion artifacts. VIERA Link allows the consumer to operate all VIERA Link equipped components with a singe remote.

The VIERA PZ85 series includes three screen sizes, all with 1080p resolution - the 42-inch class TH-42PZ85, the 46-inch class TH-46PZ85 and the 50-inch class TH-50PZ85. These full HD Plasma televisions feature an improved native contrast ratio of 30,000:1; Game Mode; VIERA Link; an SD memory Card slot and a PC input. In addition, the speakers are now hidden in the front.

The VIERA PZ800 series of 1080p Plasma televisions includes four screen sizes, the 42-inch class TH-42PZ800, the 46-inch class TH-46PZ800, the 50-inch class TH-50PZ800 and the 58-inch class TH-58PZ800. The PZ800 series meets the THX(TM) Certified Display specifications, signifying the highest standards of performance and quality. The PZ800 Plasma televisions feature an improved native contrast ratio of 30,000:1; Game Mode; VIERA Link; a PC Input, four HDMI connections and an all new one sheet of glass design concept.

While Panasonic's focus for 2008 is on Full High Definition 1080p Plasma displays, there are two 720p High Definition Plasmas in the 2008 line-up. The VIERA 42-inch class TH-42PX80 and VIERA 50-inch class TH-50PX80 feature an improved Native contrast resolution of 15,000:1; Game Mode; an SD Memory Card Slot, VIERA Link(TM), which allows the consumer to operate multiple VIERA Link equipped components with one remote, and three HDMI connections to insure the highest audio/video quality

To emphasize its commitment to excellence in both technology and customer service, Panasonic's unique VIERA Concierge program continues to be a success. "Panasonic is very proud of the Concierge Program's acceptance and success," said Eppel. "Panasonic is intensely focused on its commitment to excellence in customer service. The Concierge program is another differentiator in the market, providing the customer with 'peace-of-mind' services. Furthermore, our continuing commitment to Plasma technology is evidenced in the construction of Panasonic's fifth Plasma panel factory in Amagasaki. Expected to be completed in 2009, the new factory will have a production capacity of 1,000,000 sets a month."

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-50PZ800 1080p resolution, one sheet Spring, 2008 TBD
of glass design; native
contrast ratio 30,000:1;
THX; 24p native reproduction;
Game Mode; SD Memory Card slot;
four HDMI connections;
PC-Input; VIERA Link

TH-46PZ800 1080p resolution, one sheet Spring, 2008 TBD
of glass design; native
contrast ratio 30,000:1; THX;
24p native reproduction; Game
Mode; SD Memory Card slot; four
HDMI connections; PC-Input;
VIERA Link

TH-42PZ800 1080p resolution, one sheet of Spring 2008 TBD
glass design; native contrast
ratio 30,000:1; THX; 24p native
reproduction; Game Mode; SD
Memory Card slot; four HDMI
connections; PC-Input; VIERA
Link

TH-50PZ85 1080p resolution; Native contrast Spring 2008 TBD
ratio 30,000:1; 24p native
reproduction; Game Mode; SD Memory
Card slot; three HDMI connections;
PC Input; VIERA Link

TH-46PZ85 1080p resolution; Native contrast Spring 2008 TBD
ratio 30,000:1; 24p native
reproduction; Game Mode; SD Memory
Card slot; three HDMI connections;
PC Input; VIERA Link

TH-42PZ85 1080p resolution; Native contrast Spring 2008 TBD
ratio 30,000:1; one sheet of glass
design; 24p native reproduction;
Game Mode; SD Memory Card slot;
three HDMI connections; PC Input;
VIERA Link

TH-50PZ80 1080p resolution; native contrast Spring 2008 TBD
ratio 20,000:1; Game Mode; SD Memory
Card slot; three HDMI connections:
VIERA Link

TH-46PZ80 1080p resolution; native contrast Spring, 2008 TBD
ratio 20,000:1; Game Mode; SD Memory
Card slot; three HDMI connections;
VIERA Link

TH-42PZ80 1080p resolution; native contrast Spring, 2008 TBD
ratio 20,000:1; Game Mode; SD Memory
Card slot; three HDMI connections;
VIERA Link

TH-50PX80 720p resolution; native contrast Spring, 2008 TBD
ratio 15,000:1; Game Mode; SD Memory
Card slot; three HDMI connections;
VIERA Link

TH-42PX80 720p resolution; native contrast Spring, 2008 TBD
ratio 15,000:1; Game Mode; SD Memory
Card slot; three HDMI connections;
VIERA Link

(1). Measured diagonally

(2). Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC (DCI) was crated in March, 2002 and is a joint venture of Disney, Fox, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal and Warner Bros. Studios. DCI's primary purpose is to establish and document voluntary specifications for an open architecture for digital cinema that ensures a uniform and high level of technical performance, reliability and quality control.

*Suggested retail price. All prices are in U.S. dollars.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

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 for Panasonic, +1-212-798-9833,
adam_paige@cohnwolfe.com

Web site:

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

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