Panasonic Previews First IPTV Plasma Display

Panasonic's VIERA PZ850 Flagship Series Introduces Four New Full HD 1080p
Plasma Televisions

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /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 television,
today, with the introduction of its flagship PZ850 series, previewed the
industry's first IP enabled television. Building upon the market and critical
success of Panasonic's previous Plasma models, the 2008 PZ850 series includes
a number of step-up features that will further strengthen Panasonic's
leadership position.
Panasonic's VIERA full HD 1080p PZ850 series features four models -- the
46-inch class TH-46PZ850, the 50-inch class TH-50PZ850, the 58-inch class TH-
58PZ850 and the 65-inch class TH-65PZ850. The introduction of the IP enabled
televisions, a technology that provides access to on-line content directly
from the televison with VIERA CAST(TM) technology, is one of many advances
found in the PZ850 line. In addition, the PZ850 series features a Pro Setting
Menu, allowing the consumer to access professional calibration software; an
improved native resolution contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and a dynamic ratio of
1,000,000:1; Digital Cinema Color Re-Mastering; 24p native reproduction; Game
Mode; an SD memory Card slot; RS-232C connection; four HDMI connections;
increased luminous efficiency; lead free panels; 100,000 hours to half
brightness and a PC input. The 850 series further expands the capabilities of
the SD Card feature by utilizing the H.264 codec to display high definition
video recorded on a HD camcorder equipped with the H.264 codec.
Recognizing the growing use of Plasma HD televisions in the gaming world,
Panasonic created the Game Mode, which 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. Digital Cinema Color Re-Mastering is a value
added technology that allows for color reproduction, enabling VIERA displays
to reproduce the essential colors for viewing movies. 24p native reproduction,
which negates the need for 3:2 pulldown, resulting in a smoother picture, is
another feature that provides the best possible viewing experience.
"We're very excited about the technological advances that have been
incorporated into VIERA's PZ850 series," said Dennis Eppel, Vice President,
Panasonic Display Products Company. "IPTV in particular is a technology that
by providing access to on-line content directly from the TV, allows the
consumer to optimize his or her options and use the VIERA Plasma for more than
entertainment. Now the consumer has a large screen TV that is also the source
of an endless stream of internet information.
"As a result of listening to our customers, Panasonic's flagship VIERA
line features a Pro Setting Mode that provides the consumer with access to
calibration software. This is yet another example of Panasonic's philosophy of
ideas for life from life."
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-65PZ850 Pro Setting Menu, VIERA CAST Fall 2008 TBD
IPTV; RS-232C; 1080p
resolution, one sheet of
glass design; native contrast
ratio 30,000:1-dynamic ratio
1,000,000:1; Digital Cinema
Color Re-Mastering; 24p
native reproduction; Game
Mode; SD Memory Card slot;
four HDMI connections; PC-
Input; VIERA Link

TH-58PZ850 Pro Setting Menu, VIERA CAST Fall 2008 TBD
IPTV; RS-232C; 1080p
resolution, one sheet of
glass design; native contrast
ratio 30,000:1-dynamic ratio
1,000,000:1; Digital Cinema
Color Re-Mastering; 24p
native reproduction; Game
Mode; SD Memory Card slot;
four HDMI connections; PC-
Input; VIERA Link

TH-50PZ850 Pro Setting Menu, VIERA CAST Spring 2008 TBD
IPTV; RS-232C 1080p
resolution, one sheet of
glass design; native contrast
ratio 30,000:1- dynamic
ratio 1,000,000:1; Digital
Cinema Color Re-Mastering;
24p native reproduction; Game
Mode; SD Memory Card slot;
four HDMI connections; PC-
Input

TH-46PZ850U Pro Setting Menu, VIERA CAST Spring 2008 TBD
IPTV; RS-232C; 1080p
resolution, one sheet of
glass design; native contrast
ratio 30,000:1- dynamic
ratio 1,000,000:1; Digital
Cinema Color Re-Mastering;
24p native reproduction; Game
Mode; SD Memory Card slot;
four HDMI connections; PC-
Input; VIERA Link

SOURCE Panasonic

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