Panasonic Takes Connected TV to New Level with Introduction of Smart VIERA

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, a leader in FULL HD 3D technology and built-in TV web entertainment, today announced the introduction of Smart VIERA, a new and expanded application of VIERA Connect, that is more than just a connection to the Internet. The advent of Smart VIERA centers on five main points: Networking, Easy Operation, Picture Quality, Eco and Design elements. The seamless integration of the aforementioned elements makes for a truly smart IPTV, one that allows the user to not only access the web but provides the technology for connecting people with people via social media. Furthermore, to further enhance the experience, Panasonic announced the creation of a targeted Facebook page, www.facebook.com/panasonictv, delivered by a VIERA Facebook team directly from Panasonic's AVC Network Company and Global Consumer Marketing Section's office in Osaka, Japan.

Panasonic led the industry by introducing an IPTV function called VIERA CAST in 2008. This function evolved into VIERA Connect last year and in 2012 the platform is further enhanced with the implementation of a cloud based service, providing not only online movies and sports, but adding a host of new apps in categories such as games, kids and health & fitness. The new Smart VIERA HDTVs provide access to the VIERA Connect Market, which allows the consumer to pick and choose the apps they want to access. To promote further growth in VIERA Connect apps, Panasonic established the VIERA Connect Developers site, a means for supplying developers with the applications, programs, interfaces and technical information that they need to develop new apps.

In order to further develop and expand its IPTV concept, Panasonic researched the nature of conventional TVs from every angle and then presented its new IPTV model - Smart VIERA - and focused on the five essential elements that comprise Smart VIERA. Networking allows  access to content both inside and outside the house and to that end a new, highly refined graphic user's interface (GUI) was developed. Panasonic paid special attention to allowing the user to do everything, from obtaining new apps to selecting what they view, without the need for a PC. The GUI and all the apps in VIERA Connect are supported by a cloud based service, ensuring that the user always has the most up-to-date versions, without having to worry about upgrades. Smart VIERA now gives the user access to daily necessities like weather reports and news, while also providing a number of VOD services. Furthermore, the appearance of Social Networking TV apps such as Facebook and Twitter make large screen communication more comfortable for the consumer. A sidebar on the screen displays the wall and timeline for these Social Media sites, so viewers can directly write in SSN comments and tweets while simultaneously watching TV. The beauty of Smart VIERA's networking function is that it makes it possible to freely access content from virtually anywhere in the home. A home network can easily be made with Smart VIERA and other DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) compliant devices.

Smart VIERA is mindful of Panasonic's philosophy to make products that are user friendly and easy to operate. For example, Media Player lets one insert an SD Memory Card from a digital camera directly into the TV's SD card slot for playback. The Smart VIERA HDTVs feature built-in  that makes it easy to connect to the internet. In addition, Panasonic developed a new VIERA Touch Pad Controller (included with the VT50 and WT50 series) for easy web browsing and a newly developed application called VIERA remote App allows an iPhone, iPad or Android Smartphone to be used as a remote control. Also, select 2012 VIERA HDTVs (VT50, GT50, WT50) support multitasking, which makes it possible to open several web pages simultaneously and freely switch between them. To further aid the user and make the Smart VIERA extremely easy to operate and get all the benefits that IPTV has to offer, the consumer can display eHELP on the TV by pressing the HELP button on the remote. This function provides access and help in connecting or operating peripheral devices. There is also a support function, Product Support Center (requires apps downloaded from the VIERA Connect Market for free) that provides instant online access to movies that give easy to understand guidance.

Panasonic HDTVs have a long history of critical praise and are recognized for their pristine picture quality and excellent black levels. A newly developed drive technology in the 2012 VIERA Plasmas achieves the equivalent of 24,576 steps of gradation. This enables the display to distinguish even the smallest differences in dark scenes. In addition, a new filter further blocks external light and an advanced pre-discharge control gives greater expression to depth and texture in dark scenes. The inherent Plasma display advantage of moving picture resolution has also been further improved by the use of 2,500 Focused Field Drive.  The IPS LED LCD HDTVs benefit from performance improvements to the panel and a 1,920 Backlight Scanning that enhances backlight area control, which combine to clearly render even small changes in contrast. Fast motion performance in the LED LCD HDTVs has been improved thanks to an original frame generation technology. Both Plasma and the LED VIERA HDTVs support the Active Shutter method for optimal 1080p FULL HD 3D resolution in each eye. To further the viewing experience and recognizing that audio is an important element to the viewing experience, the 2012 Smart VIERA HDTVs feature a newly developed speaker system, 3D Real Sound with 8 - Train Speakers in VT, GT, ST series of PDP and WT, DT series of LED LCD.  This combines with an acoustic field compensation technology that makes movie dialog appear to come directly from the actor's mouth.

Panasonic has always been environmentally focused and was recently the only Consumer Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking. Well known for its efforts to save energy in all of its products, Smart VIERA is guided by a concept in which the product automatically locates waste and saves energy in accordance with the usage environment. Smart VIERA instinctively adjusts its own screen brightness to match the brightness of the room, and also minimizes standby power depending on usage. This is particularly evident in the IPS LED LCD where power consumption was reduced approximately 25% compared to 2011 models by combining the IPS panel, which features a high level of light transmissivity with an LED backlight, which achieves high brightness with a relatively small amount of power.

The design of the 2012 Smart VIERA HDTVs has evolved to the point where the TV blends harmoniously with the surrounding room interior. The concept for the VT series of Plasma models is "One sheet of glass." The frame was narrowed to give the TV a minimalist appearance of a single, flat pane of glass. The concept for the WT series of LED LCD models is a "Super Narrow Metal Frame with Crescent Stand," an attractive metal frame with a thickness of less than 10 mm, complemented by a flowing pedestal to create a unique ambience.

"Panasonic has been an innovator in the growing area of IPTV and the enhancement found with Smart VIERA provides the consumer with the easiest to use and the ultimate in home connectivity," said Henry Hauser, Vice President Merchandising, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. "Smart VIERA is poised to redefine the core of a new IPTV lifestyle. In it, all of the home's AV devices will be connected and people will be able to freely access the content they want from any room in the house. With Smart VIERA, people will have an unlimited source of content options, and equally as important, a very easy way to access that content."

About Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America, a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American Subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations, offers a wide-range of consumer solutions in the U.S. and Canada.  The Company's portfolio of innovative consumer products ranges from VIERA Full HD 3D Televisions, Blu-ray players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Wellness and Personal Care products and more. 

Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Panasonic was the only Consumer Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking. Follow Panasonic on Twitter @panasonicdirect, and additional company information for media is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

SOURCE Panasonic