Panasonic Increases Commitment to VIERA(R) LCD HDTVs

Panasonic Increases Commitment to VIERA(R) LCD HDTVs

LED-backlit LCD Models Added to Innovative IPS-panel LCD Line-up, Multiple 42-inch Models Featured in 2010 VIERA Product Line-Up and New 22-inch Screen size Introduced

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic Corporation of North America (NYSE:PC) expanded its commitment to LCD HDTVs by announcing at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show an increase in screen sizes to include additional 42-inch class models and showcased new models employing LED-backlight technology. The majority of the 2010 VIERA® LCD line-up features IPS Panel, delivering a 178 degree wide viewing angle and higher moving picture resolution for clear, bright images. Panasonic's popular Universal Dock for iPod® feature, which also works with iPhone, continues on select VIERA LCD HDTVs. To accommodate the expanded product line and continue to increase Panasonic's presence in the LCD arena, Panasonic will open a new LCD factory in Himeji, Japan in July, 2010.

"Panasonic's corporate philosophy is driven by listening to our customers and providing technologically innovative products that meet the consumer's wants and needs," said Bob Perry, Senior Vice President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "We firmly believe in providing options for the consumer and by producing LCD and Plasma HDTVs, Panasonic is doing just that. Panasonic's commitment to providing the ultimate in picture quality and home entertainment is affirmed by the advances made in the 2010 VIERA LCD line to improve what was already a terrific quality and valued HDTV."

Panasonic's LED-LCD D2 series features two 1080p Full HD models - TC-L37D2, a 37-inch class (37" measured diagonally) HDTV and the TC-L42D2, a 42-inch class (42.0" measured diagonally) HDTV. The D2 series introduces LED-backlight technology to the 2010 model line-up. LED-LCD uses white LEDs arranged around the inside frame of the TV along with a special diffusion panel designed to spread the light evenly behind the LCD panel. This method of backlighting the LCD panel allows for the LED-LCD HDTVs to become extremely thin and offers a wider color gamut than traditional back-lit LCDs, which use fluorescent bulbs to provide the light source. Combined with the IPS panel, the viewing angle is enhanced, contrast is also improved and there is lower power consumption. The D2 series also features the proprietary Universal Dock for iPod; the VIERA Image Viewer(TM) to view digital still JPEG photos with music slideshow capability; VIERA® Link(TM), a technology that utilizes HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) and allows a consumer to operate all VIERA Link compatible A/V components using only the TV's remote control; a PC input; 24p Smooth film; 120Hz Motion Picture Pro 4; four HDMI connections and Clear Panel.

Panasonic's TC-L42U25, a 42-inch class (42.0" measured diagonally) HDTV, is a 1080p Full HD Resolution HDTV whose features include 120 Hz Motion Picture Pro 4; 24p Smooth film; VIERA Image Viewer to view digital still JPEG images; VIERA Link; three HDMI connections and a PC input.

The LCD U22 series presents three screen sizes - the TC-L42U22, a 42-inch class (42.0" measured diagonally) HDTV; the TC-L37U22, a 37-inch class (37" measured diagonally) HDTV and the TC-L32U22, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally) HDTV. The U22 series of LCD HDTVs features 1080p Full HD Resolution; VIERA Image Viewer to view digital still JPEG images; VIERA link; three HDMI connections and a PC Input.

Panasonic's increased LCD line-up for 2010 continues its expansion with three additional model lines, all with 720p lines of resolution. The LCD X2 series includes the Universal Dock for iPod in its three screen sizes and introduces a new 22-inch screen size - TC-L37X2, a 37-inch class (37" measured diagonally) HDTV; TC-L32X2, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally) HDTV and TC-L22X2, a 22-inch class (21.6" measured diagonally), HDTV. In addition to the Universal Dock for iPod, the X2 models include the VIERA Image Viewer to view digital still JPEG images; VIERA Link; three HDMI connections and a PC Input. Improvements to iPod Dock make it easier to use with iPhone and iPod Touch. TC-L32X2 and TC-L22X2 feature Clean Touch bezel, designed to keep the TV bezel looking best with less fingerprints.

The LCD C22 series consists of two screen sizes - the 37-inch class (37" measured diagonally) TC-L37C22 and the 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally TC-L32C22. Both are 720p HDTVs and feature VIERA Image Viewer to view digital still JPEG images; VIERA Link; two HDMI inputs and a PC input

Availability and pricing will be announced 30 days prior to shipping.

MODEL FEATURES
----- --------
1080p; LED-backlit LCD; 120Hz Motion
Picture Pro4; iPod Dock; IPS Panel;
24p Smooth film; VIERA Image Viewer;
VIERA Link; PC Input; 4 HDMI
TC-L42D2 connections; Clear Panel, swivel
-------- ------------------------------------
1080p; LED-backlit LCD; 120Hz Motion
Picture Pro4; iPod Dock; IPS Panel;
24p Smooth film; VIERA Image Viewer;
VIERA Link; PC Input; 4 HDMI
TC-L37D2 connections; Clear Panel, swivel
-------- ------------------------------------
1080p; IPS Panel; 120 Hz Motion
Picture Pro4; VIERA Image Viewer; 24p
Smooth film; VIERA Link; PC Input;
TC-L42U25 three HDMI Connections
--------- -------------------------------------
1080p; IPS Panel; VIERA Image Viewer;
VIERA link; PC Input; three HDMI
TC-L42U22 Connections
--------- -------------------------------------
1080p; IPS Panel; VIERA Image Viewer;
VIERA link; PC Input; three HDMI
TC-L37U22 Connections
--------- -------------------------------------
1080p; IPS Panel; VIERA Image Viewer;
VIERA link; PC Input; three HDMI
TC-L32U22 Connections
--------- -------------------------------------
720p; Universal Dock for iPod(R); VIERA
Image Viewer; IPS Panel; VIERA link;
TC-L37X2 PC Input; three HDMI Connections
-------- ---------------------------------------
720p; Universal Dock for iPod(R); VIERA
Image Viewer; IPS Panel; VIERA link;
PC Input; three HDMI Connections,
TC-L32X2 Clean Touch bezel
-------- ---------------------------------------
720p; Universal Dock for iPod(R); VIERA
Image Viewer; VIERA link; PC Input;
three HDMI Connections, Clean Touch
TC-L22X2 bezel
-------- ---------------------------------------
720p; IPS Panel; VIERA Image Viewer;
VIERA Link; PC Input; two HDMI
TC-L37C22 Connections
--------- ------------------------------------
720p; IPS Panel; VIERA Image Viewer;
VIERA Link; PC Input; two HDMI
TC-L32C22 Connections
--------- ------------------------------------

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.

For more than 20 years, Panasonic has been proud to support the Olympic Movement as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category and, beginning in 2009, in the Digital Imaging category as well. Panasonic has also renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for an additional eight years through the 2016 Summer Games. For more information, visit http://panasonic.net/olympic.

Source: Panasonic

CONTACT: Chris De Maria, Panasonic, +1-201-348-7182,
demariac@us.panasonic.com; or Blayne Murphy, Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9763,
blayne.murphy@cohnwolfe.com; Jeff Samuels, Panasonic, +1-201-392-4571,
samuelsj@us.panasonic.com

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

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