Panasonic prepares to ship 32 plasma, LED HDTVs in spring
updated 01:48 pm EST, Tue January 8, 2013
Smart TV features in many, top range includes 2D-3D coversion
Panasonic has outlined its 2103 Viera lines of LCD and plasma HDTVs, with a wide array of options available for future TV buyers. A total of 32 televisions have been detailed by the company, divided equally between plasma-based and non-plasma, and have been split into five plasma screen series and seven LED-based LCD display ranges.
Many of the HDTVs share the same smart TV features. My Home Screen allows users to create their own personalized home screen with quick access to their favorite content, voice recognition is possible through either the Smart Viera Touch Pad Controller or through an app on a smartphone, and an accessibility function called Voice Guidance automatically reads text-based content that appears in programming. Content can be transferred to some of the devices through Swipe & Share 2.0, which uses Panasonic's proprietary Viera Connect platform to send photos and videos from Android and iOS devices to the screen for display. A number of the plasma screens also have the ability to edit photos sent to the screen by using an optional Electronic Touch Pen on the display itself, before sending it back to the portable device.
The high-end offerings from the ZT60 and WT60 series also offer 2D to 3D conversion, allowing users to view content offered in 2D through the 3D mode with included Active Shutter 3D glasses.
The entire collection of televisions include a wide array of configurations, including multiple HDMI and USB ports, THX certification, integrated cameras, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Dot noise reduction technology. The size ranges from 32-inches to 65-inches, with cheaper offerings including 720p resolutions instead of 1080p and sacrificing other features for a more favorable price.
Prices for individual TVs were not available at the time for all ranges, but details will be issued when the different ranges go on sale in the Spring. Of those that are available for pre-order, the 65-inch Smart Viera ST60 with Viera Connect, Swipe & Share 2.0, built-in camera, Touch Pen and Full HD 1080p 3D capability is available for preorder at $2,800.
