Panasonic Increases Number Of Viera Hdtvs That Are Thx® Certified

Panasonic Corporation of North America, the industry leader in high definition and Plasma HDTV, today introduced its expanded 2009 line of THX® Certified* VIERA® HDTVs. In 2008 four VIERA HDTVs achieved THX certification, while the 2009 line expands the prestigious certification to 9 models- the VIERA Z1 as TC-54Z1 54-inch class (54” measured diagonally), the V10 VIERA series includes the TC-P50V10 50-inch class (49.9” measured diagonally), the TC-P54V10 54-inch class (54” measured diagonally), the TC-P58V10 58-inch class (58” measured diagonally) and the TC-P65V10 65-inch class (64.8” measured diagonally) screen sizes. The G10 line of VIERA HDTVs features the TC-P42G10 42-inch class (41.6” measured diagonally), the TC-P46G10 46-inch class (46” measured diagonally), the TC-P50G10 50-inch class (49.9” measured diagonally) and the TC-P54G10 54-inch class (54” measured diagonally) screen sizes.

Panasonic TC-54Z1

In addition to being THX Certified, the V10 and G10 models feature the innovative VIERA CAST® functionality, allowing the consumer to access select internet sites without the need for an external box or PC. Each display provides 1080p resolution, 600Hz Sub-field Drive, VIERA Image Viewer™ – allows for easy playback of digital photos and HD video - multiple HDMI inputs and the proprietary VIERA Link™, a technology that employs HDMI-CEC to operate the audio/video components with one remote. The G10, V10 and Z1 series of THX Certified Displays also feature THX Cinema Mode, an out-of-the-box video setting designed to optimize visual performance to match that found in the filmmaker’s studio.

“When George Lucas founded THX it became synonymous with the very best quality in both video and audio. So it is understandable that we are proud that our VIERA HDTVs have achieved THX certification. All of our research and development is driven by the desire to produce the best picture possible and to be recognized and certified by THX that our Plasmas meet their rigid standards is a testimony to that goal,” said Bob Perry, Executive Vice President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “THX spends numerous hours testing and analyzing displays in both laboratory and home theater environments to insure the highest levels of quality and usability. THX certification is yet another confirmation of Panasonic’s picture quality and affirms our commitment to provide the consumer with the best television possible.”

THX certification begins during the initial product design phase and has three primary goals – to drive quality in manufacturing, optimize image quality and signal processing, and to help simplify the consumer’s buying decisions.

THX sets strict performance standards for such items as black levels, resolution, contrast and color gamut. THX engineers have also created a battery of signal processing tests that challenge a display’s scaling, motion conversion and de-interlacing capabilities. This type of in-depth analysis predicts how a display will present a variety of high definition and standard definition content, and highlights any areas that may require technical improvement by the manufacturer.

“Panasonic has embraced the THX Certified Display program and the quality enhancements it brings to the consumer’s HDTV experience,” said Michael Rudd, chief of AV architecture at THX. “The decision to expand the 2009 line of Panasonic HDTVs to include more THX Certified models sends a clear message to retailers, installers and consumers about Panasonic’s commitment to driving innovation and delivering superior picture quality.”

*THX certification is pending final testing and approval by THX Ltd.