HDTV News

Panasonic today announced the new one inch thick Viera Z1 (TC-P54Z1) 1080p plasma television. The Z1 will be available in the 54-inch size and features a design where the display is separated from many of the components that are instead stored in a separate box. Wireless HD technology is used to stream content from the box to the display, which removes the need for wires direct to the HDTV and makes it easier to mount the Z1 on a wall. The Z1 will also be capable of streaming video content available form Amazon's Unboxed online video rental service. Pricing is not available but the Viera Z1 should be available for purchase in the summer of 2009.

In addition to the top of the line Viera Z1 HDTV Panasonic today announced a completely refreshed Plasma lineup. The V10 series of HDTVs are two inch thick Plasma televisions that support a 600Hz refresh rate and full 1080p resolution. They will be available in sizes ranging from 65 to 50 inches in the summer of 2009. Panasonic's G10 series of Plasmas sports integrated SD card slots that support both photo playback and AVCHD encoded video content. Rangning in sizes from 54 to 42 inches they will be available in May of 2009.

There will also be an S1 series of 1080p plasma televisions without these more advanced features. These will be available between 65 and 42 inches in the summer of 2009. Finally an X1 series of 720p plasma televisions targeted at gamers will be available in 50-inch and 42-inch models. All of these televisions will be available with an impressive 600Hz refresh rate.

Panasonic also refreshed its lineup of LCD HDTVs. Leading the lineup is the X1 series that ships with an Ipod entertainment kit so consumers can easily connect their iPod devices to their HDTVs. The X1 series HDTVs have a 720p resolution and are available in 19, 26, 32 and 37 inch sizes. The 37 and 32 inch versions will be available in March of 2009 with the 26-inch iteration available in April and the 19-inch version available in August of 2009.

The G1 series features a 37-inch 1080p model and a 32-inch 720p model. Both G1 series HDTVs offer 120Hz refresh rate and a 178 degree angle of view. The G1 series will be available in April of 2009. Finally the S1 series offers two 1080p HDTVs in 37 and 32 inch sizes and are targeted at gamers.