Panasonic parades three HD TVs with integrated Freesat

Coming this summer

7 May 2008 11:57 GMT / By Katie Scott

Panasonic has launched the UK’s first HD televisions with the new Freesat HD service, launched by the BBC and ITV, built-in.

The three new HD plasma TVs, the PZ81 series, will be available in three screen sizes: 42, 46 and 50 inch, and will be available in-store from June.

Promising "the optimum HD viewing experience", the new televisions come equipped with Panasonic’s flagship Intelligent Frame Creation System.

Here's the science bit: "Motion compensated additional frames are created and inserted between the source frames resulting in natural frame-to-frame transitions, for smooth motion high definition images", explains the manufacturer.

The new launches also use 24p Real Cinema technology for viewing 24 frames per second material.

The PZ81 series also feature 100Hz Double Scan for "flicker-less on-screen motion".

And the TVs' V-Real Pro 3 processor offers upscaling capabilities for reproducing standard definition sources such as DVD or TV programming, where HD is not available.

The three Panasonic Freesat models are supplied with HD and SD Digital Satellite, SD Digital Terrestrial and SD Analogue Terrestrial Tuners with easy user navigation between Freesat, Freeview and analogue terrestrial services.

These sets also come equipped with a LAN Connector for connection to a broadband router, enabling internet connection for future service enhancements.

For ease of use, the TVs come with Freesat EPG and Gemstar GUIDEplus, which are both 7-day on-screen electronic programme guides.

Other nifty features worth a mention are the SD Card Slot, three HMDI connectors, and audio description tool, which delivers programme narration through the TV speakers or headphone socket for people with visual impairments.

Smaller models are planned for September.

No prices as yet, but we'll keep you posted.