Panasonic Develops Super High-Efficient Thin-Profile Plasma and LCD HDTV Displays

Panasonic Develops Super High-Efficient Thin-Profile Plasma and LCD HDTV
Displays

Prototypes On Display At 2009 International CES

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic, the industry and
technology leader in HDTVs, has developed new thin-profile display panel
technologies for both Plasma (PDPs) and LCD HDTVs, achieving further
advancements in picture quality and environmental performance. These
prototypes will be featured at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics
Show (CES) this week.

The newly developed NeoPDP technology has been incorporated into two types of
PDPs. The first is a super high-efficiency 42-inch PDP that achieves triple
luminance efficiency, while reducing the power consumption to 1/3 of the 2007
models*(1) yet achieving the same brightness. The second is an ultra-thin
50-inch PDP just 8.8 mm (approximately 1/3 inch) in profile*(2). This
ultra-thin panel delivers the world's highest moving picture resolution*(3) of
1080 lines.

Panasonic's newly-developed NeoLCD technology is integrated into a super
energy-efficient 90kWh per year 37-inch LCD panel, that achieves moving
picture resolution*(3) of 1000 lines, close to that of a PDP. It has the
lowest energy consumption of any LCD HDTV in the world*(4), cutting the energy
requirement almost in half compared to the previous model.

With the growth of digital broadcasting services worldwide, the flat-panel TV
market has been rapidly increasing and is expected to exceed half of the
global TV demand in the fiscal year 2008 ending March 2009. The TV market is
expected to continue its growth with the increase of digital broadcasting, the
increased popularity of flat panel TVs, continuing need for replacement TVs
and increased demand for business, educational and medical applications. As
people's awareness of the need to improve the environment increases, it is
vitally important that TVs be designed with their impact on the environment in
mind.

Panasonic's newly developed technologies have achieved the world's highest
level picture quality as well as exceptional environmental performance through
energy conservation and thin panel design in both PDPs and LCDs. Panasonic
names these technological developments "NeoPDP(eco)" and "NeoLCD(eco)". By
taking advantage of the vertically integrated business model for PDPs and
LCDs, Panasonic continues to accelerate its technology development, according
to characteristics of each device, in order to facilitate the continuing
evolution of flat-panel VIERA TVs and to respond to the ever-diversifying
needs of its global customers.

About NeoPDP
As Plasma is a self-illuminating device - capable of adjusting luminance
levels according to scene brightness - it is inherently advantageous in both
picture quality and environmental performance. PDP TVs deliver dynamic
contrast, high moving picture resolutions, true-to-life color reproduction, a
wide viewing angle and energy efficiency. In 2006, Panasonic led the world in
eliminating lead from PDP panels. With a thorough review of fundamental
technologies, Panasonic developed and unveiled revolutionary NeoPDP panels at
2008 International CES, including panels with double energy-efficiency*(5), a
24.7 mm (less than one inch) super-thin full-flat PDP, and an ultra-large
150-inch PDP.

Panasonic continues to refine its base technologies. Employing newly developed
materials, such as discharge gas and phosphor for electron generation source
has improved discharge efficiency and cell structure. The introduction of a
new circuit drive method has cut the electricity loss to one third and enabled
low-voltage drive. The triple luminance efficiency technology has reduced the
number of components and enabled a higher integration of components. As a
result, the technology has been incorporated into a 42-inch Full HD PDP.

Further advancements made to the panel structure and circuit layout have lead
to an even thinner profile. While a full HD PDP has a moving picture
resolution of more than 900 lines, the newly developed drive technology and
materials to shorten the afterglow have attained the world's highest moving
resolution of 1080 lines, realizing precise reproduction of full HD programs
of any speed without loss of detail. Panasonic's new 50-inch HD PDP is just
8.8mm (approximately 1/3 inch) deep, with superb picture quality and thin
panel design.

The super-thin panel also allows users more setup flexibility including wall
mounting and suspension from the ceiling. And with the WirelessHD-based
transmission system, setup flexibility can be enjoyed even further. With a
wide viewing angle, high contrast ratios, and newly achieved moving resolution
of 1080 lines, PDP picture viewing is further enhanced for all types of
settings.

About NeoLCD
IPS alpha LCD panels provide a high light transmission rate and low power
consumption due to its panel structure. In addition, these panels feature high
moving picture resolution and a wide viewing angle for displaying images that
are truly natural when viewed from any angle.

Adoption of the new IPS alpha panel with improved light transmission rate*(6)
and LED backlight driven by a unique technology allows for local lighting
control according to the brightness of the picture scenes. With precise
control, the panel dramatically improves contrast with its tight black
expression. Moreover, this panel achieves exceptional energy saving
performance by cutting power consumption in half compared with the 2008
model*(7) and consumes only 90 kWh per year, which is the world's lowest power
consumption level.

The unique high-speed drive technology for LED backlight, developed by
Panasonic, allows for precise control with 1000 lines of moving picture
resolution, far exceeding the current models. As a result, the panel is
capable of reproducing fast-moving pictures with unparalleled clarity and high
contrast ratios that are close to that of PDP panels.

About Panasonic TVs
Panasonic started its R&D of TV in 1935, and began producing 17-inch
black-and-white TVs in November 1952, the industry's largest size at that
time. Panasonic achieved production of 300 millionth TV set in October 2008,
which marks the 56th year since the company began producing them in 1952,
which made Panasonic the world's first TV manufacturer to reach this level of
production.

*1: Compared with Panasonic's TH-42PZ750SK
*2: Referring to thinnest part of TV profile
*3: Moving picture resolution indicates the motion display performance by
number of line which human eyes can recognize. (Measured by Advanced PDP
Development Center Corporation Method)
*4: As of January 8, 2009, compared within the 37-inch full high-definition
class LCD TVs
*5: Compared with Panasonic's TH-42PZ750SK
*6: 1.1 times better rate compared with the conventional IPS Alpha LCD panel,
1.8 times compared with LCDs of other methods
*7: Compared with Panasonic's TH-37LZ85

About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture
of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial
needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of
9.07 trillion yen (US$90.7 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2008. The
company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:
PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic
brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.

SOURCE Panasonic

Chris De Maria, Panasonic, +1-201-348-7182, demariac@us.panasonic.com, or Alix
Dunn, Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9795, alix.dunn@cohnwolfe.com, or Jeff Samuels,
Panasonic, +1-201-392-4571, samuelsj@us.panasonic.com