(13 March 2012 6:36 pm)

MUMBAI: Panasonic US televisions has announced the availability of the company's initial wave of 2012 Smart Viera Plasma, LED and LCD HDTVs, defining the core of a new Internet connected lifestyle.

Panasonic models in the ST50, UT50, and XT50 Plasma series and the E50, ET5, E5 and X5 LED series will be available this month.

The LED models introduce two new screen sizes – a 47-inch class (47 inches measured diagonally) that will be available this month, with 55-inch class (54.6 inches measured diagonally) models to follow in April and May. In addition to the two new screen sizes, Panasonic has increased its LED model line-up from seven models in 2011 to 16 in 2012.

The 2012 models expand Panasonic's 3D lineup and enhance its commitment to its Internet platform, Viera Connect. With this in mind, new for 2012 is a cloud-based architecture that opens the Viera Connect IPTV platform to an infinite number of apps.

In addition, Panasonic says that it continues its commitment to the environment by improving the panel luminance efficiency of the Viera Plasmas, as evidenced in the 100,000 hour life span of the panels, as well as producing mercury-and lead-free panels. Enhanced power efficiency has been addressed with, among other technology advances,
new and improved phosphor mixtures and more efficient electronics. The new advanced LED IPS (In Plane Switching) panels reduce on-mode power consumption by about 25 per cent compared with last year's comparable models.

Panasonic is dedicated to bringing new picture-improving technologies to HDTVs and the 2012 Plasma lineup also builds upon that philosophy. The 2012 Smart Viera Plasma HDTVs produce black levels. The Viera HDTVs also feature super fast response time, intuitive and therefore easy to operate controls, internet apps, and a design incorporating Panasonic's Glass and Metal concept.