Panasonic launches 2008 Viera plasma TVs

Including a 46-incher

3 March 2008 16:52 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Panasonic has released details of their new range of full HD and HD ready Viera plasma TVs, including a new 46-inch model added to the line-up.

The PZ85 Full HD Series, available in March, is equipped with the new "Intelligent Frame Creation" feature. Using the computing power of the V-Real Pro 3 processor, additional frames are created and inserted between the source frames which Panasonic says means more natural frame-to-frame transitions, for smooth motion images with high resolution.

The 24p Real Cinema technology ensures enhanced judder-free playback when viewing 24 frames per second material, such as that output from certain Blu-ray players.

The PZ80 Full HD Series, with V-Real Pro 3 picture technology, also features 100Hz Double Scan claiming to ensure flicker-less on-screen motion and extra wide colour gamut with x.v.Colour, which is said to produce richer, more vivid colouring from x.v.Colour signals.

It also comes with three HDMI ports to connect all your AV equipment. The PZ80 Series will be introduced in April, May and June.

The PX80 Series HD ready plasma TV comes complete with V-Real 3 technology to enhance picture performance and 100Hz Double Scan. It also has three HDMI inputs, a PC input and built-in SD memory card slot, and will be available from March.

Panasonic's plasma TVs also offer Viera "Tough Panel" finish, a glass layer to protect the screen, Viera Link and lead-free plasma panels, an improved panel life and a new "ECO" mode to help lower power consumption.

The new models are as follows, with pricing to be confirmed:

PZ85 Series TH-46PZ85B, TH-42PZ85B Full HD
PZ80 Series TH-50PZ80B, TH-46PZ80B, TH-42PZ80B Full HD
PX80 Series TH-42PX80B, TH-37PX80B HD Ready