At the 2013 International CES, it was hard to escape all of the HDTVs. That's because they're so big, so pretty, and there's just so many -- and that's just what was seen in the Panasonic booth! The company announced six new HDTV lines, with 16 new models and a slew of new features.
For 2013, Panasonic is putting several new features into some of its top models. The first is My Home Screen, which will allow users to personalize the home screen to their liking. That means that each user in the home can have instant access to favorite apps and other content, right from the home screen.
Next up is Swipe & Share 2.0. This allows the TV to transform into a bit of a hub, so users can stream and share photos and video to and from compatible smartphones and tablets. Designed to work with iOS and Android devices, the new feature will be located under Panasonic's VIERA Connect platform.
The final two features allow users to interact with the TV in new ways. Voice Guidance uses text-to-speech functions to actually verbalize text content as it appears on your TV. Voice Interaction, on the other hand, allows users to just say a keyword into the Smart VIERA Touch Pad Controller or a smartphone using the VIERA Remote 2 app, with the search result showing up on-screen as well as with a verbal read-out.
Now, let's talk actual TVs. Panasonic is introducing six different series this year and all of the VIERA LCD models are LED models.
The top of the heap is the WT60 Series, which includes active 3D technology for full 1080p in 2D and 3D. This model also has a new IPS Panel technology, which boasts a wide viewing angle with almost no picture degradation. Other features include twice backlight scanning motion and a better contrast ratio with better dimming control. There's also something called 4200 Backlight Scanning technology to reduce motion blur and loss of detail in fast-moving images.
Another new perk is that the WT60 Series is the first Panasonic TV to have a camera built in, for use with Skype. Available as the 47-inch TC-L47WT60 and the 55-inch TC-L55WT60, these models have all of the new features mentioned above. Rounding out this lineup, these models also have 2D-to-3D conversion, Clear Panel Pro, the ISFccc Calibration Mode with Advanced Calibration, three HDMI ports and VIERA Connect app access.
The 55-inch TC-L55DT60 and 60-inch TC-L60DT60 are the two new models in the DT60 Series. There's no 3D, but both sets do have a full 1080p HD image. The 55-inch model has 1920 BLS technology, with the 60-incher getting 1200 BLS. Other features include VIERA Connect, the My Home Screen, Swipe and Share 2.0, Voice Interaction and Voice Recognition, three HDMI input, three USB ports, and a dual-core Hexa processing engine.
Next up is the ET60 Series, which includes the 50-inch TC-L50ET60 and the 55-inch TC-L55ET60. These two models have active 3D technology, a 1080p image, and backlight scanning with up to 720 BLS. These IPS LED TVs also have 2D-to-3D conversion, VIERA Connect, the My Home Screen, built-in WiFi, Swipe & Share 2.0 and Voice Guidance. There are also plenty of connection options, including two USB ports and three HDMI inputs.
Last up in this year's line of "connected" TVs is the E60 Series, which has the 42-inch TC-L42E60, the 50-inch TC-L50E60, the 58-inch TC-L58E60 and the 65-inch TC-L65E60. All four models have active 3D, 1080p, dot noise reduction, and backlight scanning with up to 240 BLB. Each one comes packing two USB ports, three HDMI inputs and built-in WiFi, as well as the Home Screen, Swipe & Share 2.0 and Voice Guidance features.
For something slightly simpler, the EM60 Series has a 1080p image, but ditches the 3D and web-based features. The 39-inch TC-L39EM60 and 50-inch TC-L50EM60 have slim bezels, with media player options, dot noise reduction and backlight scanning up to 240 BLB. Both models also feature two HDMI inputs and one USB port.
The XM6 Series has the lone 32-inch TC-L32XM6, which has a 720p image, two HDMI inputs and one USB port. This model also boasts a slim bezel and dot noise reduction technology.
Wrapping up this year's models is the B6 Series. The 32-inch TC-L32B6 has a 720p resolution, with the 39-inch TC-L39B6 and 50-inch TC-L50B6 packing in a 1080p picture. Each one has the dot noise reduction, one USB port, and two HDMI inputs.
"Panasonic's new LED/LCD models transform the home, creating not only the ultimate viewing experience, but the finest in design innovation, allowing the television to become the centerpiece of the home" said Henry Hauser, VP of the merchandising group at Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. "We're committed to pushing the envelope in terms of form and functionality while maintaining our strong commitment to producing the most environmentally-friendly products."
Panasonic has yet to announce pricing on any of its 2013 VIERA LED LCD HDTVs. However, the company plans to start shipping those models sometime this spring.
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