Panasonic Releases Smart TVs

• Smart Viera offers IPTV
• Share content through wireless LAN
• Expanded Skype functionality

Panasonic latest range of television comes with ‘Smart Viera’ technology, which will allow IPTV streaming of internet content, sharing of stored entertainment such as movies and TV around the home, and access to user-created content such as home videos and photos.

Paul Reid, Director, Consumer Electronics Group, Panasonic Australia said, “The television is no longer a one-way entertainment medium but is entering a new era of becoming a truly interactive lifestyle experience. 

“Consumers are expecting more from their TVs, demanding not only exceptional picture quality but also immediate viewing of a broader range of content via advanced features that make the TV the hub of the lounge-room…”

As well as expanding its IPTV offerings, Panasonic is broadening the entertainment experience in the home by making it easier to share content. DLNA server/client networking is available on a range of Panasonic products, and allows content to be streamed and shared by linking devices via wireless LAN throughout the home.

Smart Viera delivers catch-up TV with ABC iView,and Yahoo!7's PLUS7,videos, music, interactive games, health and fitness apps, and social networking. Viera TVs now support DivX HD and MKV, and on selected TV models the USB port and SD Card slot allow for easy recording and playback straight from the TV.

Viera Connect will be an open platform to encourage the growth of Panasonic’s IPTV service through application developers.

The company has also expanded its Skype functionality with a ‘video answering machine’ feature on selected 2011 Blu-ray discrecorders and players, and 3D Blu-ray home theatre systems. With an existing large-screen TV and Panasonic-compatible Skype camera, userscan record a personalised voice or video message onto the device’s HDD or via SD Card, which plays automatically when a call cannot be answered. Incoming callers can record video messages which can be watched when the user returns home.

Panasonic has also expanded its Viera Full HD 3D Plasma range – the VT30, GT30 and ST30 Neo Plasma Series offer improved image quality, deeper black levels and new features including 2D to 3D conversion. In addition, the company has announced its first IPS LED LCD Full HD 3D TVs – the DT30 Series – offering viewers an ultra-wide viewing angle and immersive 3D images in smaller screen sizes, due to IPS technology.

RRP
TBC