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