Panasonic announced its 2012 Smart VIERA range of LED/LCD high definition and 3D televisions at CES 2012.

For more information visit: www.panasonic.com

Unedited press release follows:

PANASONIC EXPANDS AND ENHANCES 2012 LED/LCD MODEL LINE-UP

New Larger Screen Sizes, Focus on LED, Augmented VIERA Connect™ and Continual Technology Improvements Cement Panasonic’s Total Commitment to Smart VIERA LED LCD HDTVs

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 9, 2012) – Panasonic Corporation of North America (NYSE:PC), the industry and technology leader in High Definition Televisions, introduced an increased 2012 Smart VIERA line-up of LED LCD HDTVs defining the core of a new IPTV lifestyle at the Consumer Electronics Show, confirming Panasonic’s commitment to provide the highest quality home entertainment experience and viewing options to the consumer. The advent of Smart VIERA HDTV centers on five main points: Networking, Easy Operation, Picture Quality, Eco and Design elements. The 2012 series focuses on larger screen sizes and LED based HDTVs, with  14 of the 16 models incorporating LED technology. Adhering to its long standing focus on providing products that consumers ask for, Panasonic added 47 inch and 55 inch screen sizes to its LED/LCD family and its 3D line up.

The 2012 line-up continues to benefit from the addition of the IPS LED LCD Panel (In Plane Switching) technology. The IPS LED LCD Panel delivers a wide viewing angle with almost no picture degradation at off angle viewing, a super high speed 1920 Backlight Scanning for higher moving picture resolution during fast action scenes, reduction of afterglow and a smooth, crisp image.  The high performance, high speed, high transmittance panel materials contribute to the wide viewing angle, high contrast performance and fast response time, which in turn dramatically reduces artifacts and 3D crosstalk.

Panasonic is committed to producing HDTVs that are mindful of the environment. The new and improved high efficient LED LCD Panels reduce targeted power consumption up to approximately 25% over last years models.

VIERA Connect1,  Panasonic’s proprietary internet functionality is integrated into 12 of the new models with a new robust platform that provides easy access to such sits as  Amazon Instant Video™, Netflix™, Pandora , Facebook, CinemaNow, VUDU, Hulu Plus™, Skype™, Ustream, sports sites – MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS2, Fox Sports, gaming and health and wellness sites.

“Panasonic’s priority continues to be an absolute pledge to provide the consumer with the highest quality entertainment options,” said Henry Hauser, Vice President, Panasonic Marketing, the Merchandising Group. “Panasonic has always followed the philosophy of listening to the consumer and producing products that meet the consumer’s needs and desires, as well as providing entertainment choices. We recognize that a consumer’s decision to purchase a TV entails a myriad of factors, such as viewing environment, type of programming and price. This is precisely why Panasonic is technologically agnostic and why our 2012 line up features increased screen sizes, as well as three TVs that use polarized 3D technology.”

WT50 Series
The state of the Art design, WT50 LED series marks the debut of the two new, larger screen sizes, the TC-L47WT50, 47 inch class (47 inches measured diagonally) and the TC-L55WT50, 55 inch class (54.5 inches measured diagonally). The WT50 HDTVs feature the  FULL HD 3D, IPS LED LCD Panel; Super High Speed 1920 Backlight Scanning for higher moving picture resolution during fast action scenes, and a smooth, crisp image; 1080p resolution; VIERA Connect with built-in WiFi and Web Browser; a new Clear Panel Pro and Super-Narrow Metal Frame with Crescent Stand; 2D → 3D conversion; Social Networking TV function to allow users to access social network sites while simultaneously watching TV; Multitasking feature to switch between apps ; 3D Real Sound with 8-Train Speakers, providing immersive sound experience; Media Player, allows one to view digital images and HD video recorded on a SD Memory Card; DLNA; VIERA Touch Pad Controller; four HDMI terminals and three USB ports. The series is Energy Star* certified.

DT50 Series
Continuing Panasonic’s move to larger LED screen sizes, the DT50 series, which provides Smart TV experience, includes two models, the TC-L47DT50, 47 inch class (47 inches measured diagonally)and the TC-L55DT50, 55 inch class (54.5 inches measured diagonally). Featuring the FULL HD 3D, IPS LED LCD Panel: Super High Speed 1920 Backlight Scanning for higher moving picture resolution during fast action scenes and a smooth, crisp image, the DT50 series includes VIERA Connect with built-in WiFi and Web Browser; a new Narrow Metal Frame; 1080p resolution; 2D → 3D conversion; Social Networking TV function; 3D Real Sound with 8-Train Speakers; Media Player; DLNA; four HDMI terminals; three USB ports. In addition, the two DT50 LED HDTVs are Energy Star* certified.

Panasonic DT50 Series

ET5 Series
The three models that comprise the ET5 series feature FULL HD polarized 3D, IPS LED LCD Panel.  The TC-L42ET5, 42 inch class (42 inches measured diagonally), TC-L47ET5, 47 inch class (47 inches measured diagonally); and TC-L55ET5, 55 inch class (54.6 inches measured diagonally) incorporate the IPS LED panel, 360 Backlight Scanning for higher moving picture resolution during fast action scenes, and a smooth, crisp image; VIERA Connect with built-in WiFi and Web Browser; 2D → 3D conversion; Social Networking TV function ；Media Player; DLNA; four HDMI and two USB terminals; a PC input. Furthermore, each of the ET5s comes with 4 pairs of polarized 3D glasses. The ET5 series is also Energy Star* certified.

E50 Series
The E50 series features the IPS LED LCD Panel, a slim design and brilliant picture and is available in three screen sizes, TC-L42E50, 42 inch class (42 inches measured diagonally); TC-L47E50, 47 inch class (47 inches measured diagonally); TC-L55E50, 55 inch class (54.6 inches measured diagonally). Featuring 360 Backlight Scanning for higher moving picture resolution during fast action scenes, and a  , crisp image the E50 models also feature1080p resolution; VIERA Connect; Social Networking TV function; DLNA; a PC input; four HDMI terminals; two USB ports. The series is  ready and Energy Star* certified.

E5 Series
The four LED HDTVs in the E5 series include the IPS LED LCD Panel, feature 1080p resolution; Online Movies  a service that provides select Panasonic’s IPTV functionality by adding five of the most popular movies to the TV’s internet functionality; DLNA; four HDMI terminals; two USB ports and a PC input. The TC-L32E5, 32 inch class (31.5 inches measured diagonally) ,  TC-L37E5, 37 inch class (36.5 inches measured diagonally), TC-L42E5 inches class (42 inches measured diagonally) and TC-L47E5 inches class (47 inches measured diagonally) are  ready and both are Energy Star* certified.

X5 Series
The TC-L32X5, 32 inch class (31.5 inches measured diagonally) is a720p IPS LED LCD Panel. The TV features Media Player; three HDMI terminals; one USB port and a PC input. The X5 series also offers the TC-L24X5, 1080p LED LCD Panel, 24 inch class (23.6 inches measured diagonally) featuring one HDMI terminal; one USB, a PC input and Game Mode. The L32X5 is Eco efficient and is Energy Star* certified.

U5 Series
The TC-L42U5, 42 inch class (42 inches measured diagonally) is one of two LCD HDTVs (cold cathode backlighting) in the 2012 collection. The TV is a 1080p model with three HDMI terminals; one USB port, a PC input and Game Mode.

Panasonic TC-L42U5

C5 Series
The TC-L32C5, 32 inch class (31.5 inches measured diagonally) is a 720p, LCD HDTV (cold cathode backlighting) with two HDMI terminals; one USB port, a PC Input and Game Mode.

Based on EPA’s Energy Star Program