First Panasonic VIERA Cast HDTVs Ship this Week

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First Panasonic VIERA Cast HDTVs Ship this Week
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Two sizes in the four-model Panasonic PZ850 plasma HDTVs featuring the company’s VIERA Cast Internet-accessing capability – the 46- and 50-inch models – are slated to ship this week, the company said. The other two sizes, of 58- and 65-inches, are due to arrive in late August/early September.

The sets will carry a $300 premium over their equivalent sizes in the company’s 800 Series with the exception of the 65-inch, which is only available in the 850 range, says Panasonic. They carry other enhancements not found in the 800 series, including Digital Cinema Color, Studio Reference Mode, RS-232C control (for the first time on a Panasonic consumer set), and SD Memory Card AVCHD playback.

The sets currently offer access to certain content from YouTube’s Web site as well as financial data from Bloomberg and photo data that consumers will be able to upload to Google’s Picasa Web Album site. They also provide temperature and weather information at present; Panasonic plans soon to add accessibility to stock quotes and to information currently available through its 800-number Panasonic Concierge help line.

The sets are not meant to be Web browsers, but to offer certain entertainment and informational content “right out of the box,” said Gregg Lee, senior training manager for Panasonic. The company said that plans are to add more accessible site content, which will be integrated into VIERA Cast and made available to viewers automatically.

“By 2012, there will be 217 million IP-enabled devices in the market, not including PCs and cell phones. Consumers love the idea of certain Web content being readily accessible on a large-screen HDTV. Ease of use is also very important. And the aesthetic benefit of this is that there are no external boxes,” he added.

The PZ850 line, Lee said, will be distributed to dealers who will be able to explain the benefits of VIERA Cast.

Pricing will be $3,099.95 (46-inch) and $3,499.95 (50-inch. For the larger sets tentative pricing is $4,299.95 (58-inch) and $7,999.95 (65-inch).

All I can say is wow !