• Panasonic Australia hold ‘BIG Event’
• Reveal their latest VIERA Plasma TVs alongside a bunch of celebrities
• Showcase some of the thinnest plasmas around

Photos:

Panasonic yesterday announced eleven new models to its new range of VIERA Plasma TVs.

Coined NeoPDP (Next Generation Plasma Display Panels), Panasonic yesterday revealed its newest range of VIERA plasma TVs on Sydney’s Cockatoo island.

The host for the event was the SBS RockWiz host, Julia Zemiro.

Other special guests included The Umbilical Brothers and a So You Think You Can Dance dancer, Kate Wormald.

Calling its new technology “Built-in Genius”, Panasonic launched eleven new Plasma TVs alongside some of the coolest wireless technology Tech Wired has seen integrated into the home theatre.

Some of that new technology included a demonstration of what’s to come, with Panasonic readying itself for the launch of its first 54 and 50 inch 1-inch and 2-inch thick ultra-thin and super-thin wireless 1080p Full HD Plasmas (now that’s a mouthful).

Both models, the Z1 and V10, are set to hit the market by August for the V10, and September for the Z1.

Ranging from $1,849 for the 42-inch HD 720p, right through to their $3,799 50-inch Full HD 1080p set-up.

Panasonic have tried to make a plasma suited for everyone.

The pricing for the ultra and super-thin plasmas remains unknown, but it’s a sure bet that it’ll have to cost more than $3,799 model.

Some cool new wireless technology was also showcased by Panasonic. Using the 600Hz spectrum to transmit crystal clear video in Full 1080p High Definition from any HDMI output using Panasonic’s wireless transmitter was one of them.

Such transmitter allows a cable free zone. The transmitter supposedly works up to 10 metres away from your TV.

Panasonic demonstrated that if you walk in front of the transmitter, or receiver, it doesn’t affect the image quality.

Whilst the rest of the journos went on a tour, Pete Blasina, myself, and others decided we would attempt to find ways of distorting the quality of the signal.

It was truly unbelievable to us that such a clear picture was being shown without cables.

Eventually the video transmission did distort, but only when the receiver was placed behind us, blocking any potential signal from being transmitted to the TVs receiver.

So what do the Next Generation Plasma Display Panels do differently than their soon to be extinct 2008 models?

Well, Panasonic claims that their 2009 range adds “fundamental improvements in materials and processes, discharge gas and cell design, and circuit and drive technology.”

Just what this means is another thing, though one example given was that they have now reduced power consumption by 50% in some cases, often with better results too!

Other wireless technologies included in their new demonstration included the SC-ZT1, their first fully wireless home theater sound system.

Once again it also does away with cables and uses the unlicensed 2.4Ghz wireless spectrum.

The speakers, with built in subs, look very sexy, almost to the point of being pole dance worthy.They are long circular beams that look like they are from space, so may not work with all living rooms.

And lastly, Panasonic gave us a peak at one of their prototypes in the making, an 8.8mm ultra-thin panel:

Sexy screen is sexy

With the launch of their new energy wise website (www.panasonic.com.au/energy-wise/) to allow consumer to choose what they believe is suitable to the environment, big improvements to picture quality and power consumption, and a great deal of choice, I think Panasonic have a great 2009 line-up to choose from.

We’ll bring you some video footage later.