We already know that Panasonic will unleash a slew of new LED HDTVs for 2013. However, the company doesn't plan to neglect the technology that has really set them apart in the TV business: plasma. In fact, Panasonic just announced 16 new plasma models for the year, ranging from 42 to 65 inches.
This year's lineup has a lot of the same features that we're going to see in the company's LEDs -- and even a few extras. First up is the My Home Screen feature, which allows each user to create a personalized home screen. This delivers instant access to favorite apps and other content, by user.
Next up is Swipe & Share 2.0. Designed to turn your TV into a digital hub, this feature lets users stream and share photos and video between the TV and a compatible smartphone or tablet. Tap into the feature through Panasonic's VIERA Connect platform and use an Android or iOS device to move that content to and from the TV.
One of this year's most interesting additions is Touch Pen. Available on select models, this option will allow you to actually write on the TV screen -- and have it be a good thing! From there, you can transfer doctored photos back to a smartphone or tablet, using the add-on Electronic Touch Pen (TY-TP10U).
Last, but certainly not least, Panasonic is encouraging users to interact with a few of those new TVs. Voice Guidance adds a text-to-speech function that will verbalize text content, as it appears on the TV. The second perk lets users say a keyword into the Smart VIERA Touch Pad Controller or a smartphone. From there, the Voice Interaction feature will display search results on the TV and provide a verbal read-out.
So which TVs will have which of the new features? Users can expect a little bit of everything in the ZT60 Series. Available as the 60-inch TC-P60ZT60 and the 65-inch TC-P65ZT60, Panasonic's Full HD 3D Plasma flagship series is busting with features, including everything mentioned above. It also has something called a Studio Master Panel and the new Louver filter, promising deep blacks and a better overall image.
This model has active 3D technology, to display 2D and 3D content in full 1080p HD. Also, users should be able to test those 3D features right out of the box, since each of these TVs will come with two pairs of active-shutter 3D eyewear.
Other features include a dual-core Hexa processing engine, the 3000 Focused-field Drive, a Touch Pad Controller, the ISFccc Calibration Mode with Advanced Calibration, built-in side speakers, three HDMI inputs and three USB ports. Both of the models in this line also have built-in WiFi, for easy access to all of the goodies on Panasonic's web-based VIERA Connect platform. That also includes a new web browser!
Finally, these ZT60 models offer a continuation to last year's Glass and Metal design concept, with slick designs that look like a single sheet of glass with a thin metal pedestal.
Th VT60 Series has many of the same features mentioned above, in three sizes. The 55-inch TC-P55VT60, the 60-inch TC-P60VT60 and the 65-inch TC-P65VT60 all have a full 1080p 2D and 3D image, a built-in camera, an Infinite Black Ultra Panel, the 3000 Focused-field Drive technology and both 2D and 3D THX Modes.
Other features include the built-in side speakers, the ISFccc Calibration Mode with Advanced Calibration, built-in WiFi and VIERA Connect, as well as the new My Home Screen, Swipe and Share 2.0 and web browser features. These models also come packing the Touch Pad Controller with Voice Internation, three HDMI inputs and three USB ports, as well as two pairs of active-shutter 3D glasses.
Last in this year's 3D lineup is the ST60 Series. This crop includes the 50-inch TC-P50ST60, the 55-inch TC-P55ST60, the 60-inch class TC-P60ST60, and the 65-inch TC-P65ST60. All of the models have active 3D technology, for a full 1080p image in both 2D and 3D. Other features include the Infinite Black Pro Panel with 2500 Focused Field Drive, VIERA Connect, three HDMI inputs and two USB ports. All four sets also have the new My Home Screen, a web browser, Swipe and Share 2.0 and Voice Guidance features, as well as the two pairs of 3D glasses.
The S60 Series is one of two non-3D offerings in this year's lineup. The 42-inch TC-P42S60, the 50-inch TC-P50S60, the 55-inch TC-P55S60, the 60-inch TC-P60S60, and the 65-inch TC-P65S60 all have a full 1080p HD image, built-in WiFi, the 600Hz sub-field drive, Media Player, DLNA, VIERA Link, two HDMI inputs and two USB ports. The S60 Series also includes an Online Movies feature, which provides select IPTV functionality by offering access to popular applications for streaming movies and other videos.
The final entry in Panasonic's 2013 plasma lineup is the X60 Series, which includes the 42-inch TC-P42X60 and the 50-inch TC-P50X60. Both models are slightly no-frills, offering a 2D 720p picture, a media player, the 600Hz sub-field drive, two HDMI inputs and one USB port.
"Panasonic continually strives to surpass the previous year's successes, and the new 2013 series of VIERA Plasma HDTVs does just that," said Henry Hauser, VP of the merchandising group for Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. "The series' enhanced VIERA Connect IPTV functionality, superior picture and sound quality, and advanced connectivity capabilities have completely transformed the TV viewing experience. With the 16 new models, Panasonic has set the bar for years to come."
Like the LEDs, Panasonic has yet to announce pricing for its 2013 VIERA Plasma HDTV lineup. However, models should start shipping sometime in February.
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