Panasonic’s long awaited 2008 Viera television line-up, combining new features and initiatives perfecting on last year’s winning formula, has been launched in the Middle East. 

A total of five plasma and six LCD next generation models are being introduced. This launch sees Panasonic expand its Full HD line up, with the flagship models being the 37 inch TX-37LZ800 in LCD and 50 inch TH50PY800 in plasma.

Panasonic is targeting to achieve a share of 25 per cent in the 37 inch and over flat panel market.

The new Viera LCD range incorporates the new and improved “IPS Alpha” panels. “IPS Alpha” panels include an energy saving back-light to minimise power consumption and ensure clearer images, a wider viewing angle and higher contrast than conventional LCD panels.

The biggest differentiator over last year’s Plasma models is the dynamic contrast of 1,000,000: 1 (Mega Contrast) that is given in this year’s range.

Seiji Koyanagi, managing director, Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Panasonic Gulf, said “Panasonic is committed to enhancing the lifestyle of its customers with the best products and services. We envision being the most customer preferred brand in the region”.

“The unsurpassed picture quality and advanced technology in the new Viera line-up will undoubtedly provide viewers with a truly unique Viera experience” he added.

Panasonic Marketing Middle East Product Manager Shimpei Tsujigami says that this year's line-up of Viera flat-panel TVs has been greatly strengthened.

“The line-up comes with three pillars of the Viera concept: impressive picture quality, environmental consciousness and smart networking,” he says.

“In addition, these superior performance features are moulded into stunning designs to form one of the most attractive TV series.”

The new Viera models reproduce fast-moving images with outstanding sharpness. Based on Panasonic’s own research, its wide-ranging colour reproduction lends rich expression to movie colours, whilst their high contrast ratios create deep, life-like blacks which are gentler on the eyes.

“In addition to brilliant picture quality, Viera models offer the easy operation made possible by Viera Link and the SD card slot.”

Panasonic is investing $2.8 billion in its fifth Plasma Display Panel (PDP) factory in Amagasaki, Japan, which will have a maximum production capacity of 12 million units per year, with production scheduled to begin in May, 2009.

Similar investments are also being made into the production of LCD panels, with a total of 3 billion US dollars being invested in Panasonic’s “IPS ALPHA” LCD factory in Himeji, Japan, where a maximum capacity of 15 million units per year will be achieved once production starts in January, 2010.-TradeArabia News Service