Panasonic is set to take on Pioneer in the high-end of of the plasma screen market.
Panasonic which revealed several new plasma screens at the CES 07 Expo believes it is the vendor which has the range and the technology to be #1 in the plasma market worldwide including Australia. A leader in high definition and plasma TV, the company has announced a new line of plasmas for 2007, including a 50-inch and 58-inch 1080p high definition model, which compliment Panasonic’s current 65-inch and the world’s largest plasma, the 103-inch, to provide a wide choice of plasmas in the 1080p resolution arena. The full line brings seven new plasmas to consumers for 2007, and further demonstrates Panasonic’s industry leadership and cutting edge technology in big screen plasma entertainment.
Also, at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, Panasonic unveiled a prototype 42-inch 1080p high definition plasma, that according to Andrew Nelkin, Panasonic Vice President, Display Group, “demonstrates Panasonic’s technological expertise in plasma development.”
The 2007 line directly addresses consumers’ desire for the big screen plasma experience. Sales of plasma increased 138 percent in 2006 and are expected to almost triple in 2007.* The new line, which features both 720p and 1080p plasmas, offers consumers a new sleek cosmetic design — a piano black bezel. In addition, Panasonic is making use of two new PDP factories in Amagasaki, Japan, to address a planned 11.5 million-unit production schedule for 2008.
“In 2006, Panasonic broke new ground with the introduction of 65-inch and 103-inch 1080p plasmas. We believe that consumer demand for size and a high definition experience will only expand in 2007,” said Nelkin.
“With this in mind, our new line of plasmas raises the bar once again with a full array of 1080p models, while our commitment to increased plasma panel production will ensure that we continue to meet consumer desire for a high- definition lifestyle. Panasonic continues to look at innovative ways to deliver to consumers their perfect high definition experience. In 2006, we again dominated the plasma TV market and we are very excited about the outlook for 2007,” noted Nelkin.
Year after year, Panasonic has brought new picture-improving technologies to flat panels, and 2007 continues that trend. Today, the sports and high-definition movies that are driving the demand for high-definition viewing more than ever demand blacker blacks, faster response time (no motion artifacts) and the billions of colors that Panasonic plasma screens deliver. In fact, not only do film viewers appreciate the vivid array of colors in Panasonic Plasmas, but filmmakers do as well.
“Perhaps because of my background as a graphic designer I’m drawn to rich and beautiful colors,” said Ridley Scott, award winning director of movies including “Alien” and “Gladiator.” He added, “As a filmmaker, deep blacks are essential and in my experience no technology captures those attributes as well as plasma. Watching one of my recent films, ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ on a 65-inch Panasonic Plasma was breathtaking.”
Panasonic’s two additions to its 1080p line — TH-58PZ700U and TH-50PZ700U — combined with the hold-over current 65-inch and 103-inch Plasmas, offer an incredible resolution of 1920 x 1080p. The full line, both 720p and 1080p, offers an improved EZ-Sync(TM) remote to link Panasonic consumer home entertainment and video products. Finally all new models for 2007 have a SD Memory Card slot with Photo Viewer that transforms consumer model Panasonic plasma TVs into digital photo galleries. By utilizing high definition images available from GalleryPlayer that are embedded on the SD cards, the consumer has access to thousands of images ranging from art masterpieces to dazzling photographs. GalleryPlayer’s content partners include National Geographic, MoMA, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New York Times and Time-Life.
To emphasize its commitment to excellence in both technology and customer service, Panasonic recently introduced its unique Plasma Concierge program. The program is designed to ease pre- and post-purchase anxieties for consumers, and fully complement the performance and entertainment experience of their high-tech investment. “Panasonic is intensely focused on its commitment to excellence in customer service,” said Nelkin. “The Panasonic Plasma Concierge program further distinguishes and differentiates Panasonic from its competitors by providing what we call ‘peace-of-mind’ services that, as we have learned through research, consumers are asking for and will appreciate. We feel our customers are entitled to this unique and special treatment.”
