2009 Panasonic HDTV series

The Panasonic HDTV, commonly known as the Panasonic Viera, is one of the leading brands of HDTV, and 2009 is particularly a good year for it. This year, Panasonic adds seven new Viera 1080p HDTV series – both Plasma and LCD televisions – which are all worth considering in your hunt for the perfect HDTV.

Panasonic Viera S1 LCD Series

The Panasonic S1 LCD series has two distinctive features. First, it sports an IPS Alpha Panel, which provides a 178 degree viewing angle – wider than most LCD televisions. Second, it carries the Panasonic Motion Focus Technology, which results in clear images even during fast motion sequences. Like many other series, it also has the Viera Image Viewer and Viera Link features, and also comes with a Game Mode and a 15,000:1 contrast ratio. In terms of connectivity, this Panasonic HDTV series offers three HDMI inputs, a PC input and several others. As of now, it only consists of two models, though – the 37-inch TC-L37S1 and the 32-inch TC-L32S1.

Panasonic Viera S1 Plasma Series

The Panasonic Viera S1 Plasma Series is most known for its relatively low energy consumption – a result of its Neo PDP panel and the low light output of its default picture setting. It also has a 600Hz Sub-field Drive and a Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution, which combine to create crisp and clear images during very fast sequences. It even has an Anti-Reflective Filter to reduce distractions. Like its LCD counterparts, the Viera S1 Plasma HDTVs have the Viera Image Viewer, Viera Link, a dedicated Game Mode and three HDMI inputs, although they lack a PC input.

Panasonic Viera G1 Series

The Panasonic Viera G1 Series is a step up from the Viera S1 LCD Series. While it carries the same IPS Alpha Panel with a 178 degree viewing angle, the same number of HDMI inputs and the same features such as the Viera Image Viewer and the Viera Link, it has a 120Hz Motion Picture Pro3 technology, which is better than the Motion Focus Technology in delivering excellent pictures during fast moving sequences. It also has a better contrast ratio of 20,000:1 and comes with a stand that swivels so you can easily rotate your HDTV.

Panasonic Viera U1 Series

This Panasonic HDTV series currently consists of three Plasma HDTV models – the TC-P50U1, the TC-P46U1 and the TC-P42U1, all of which come with a 1080p Full HD resolution and over 900 lines of moving picture resolution. They also have three HDMI inputs and a contrast ratio of 30,000:1 aside from the Viera Image Viewer and Viera Link features.

Panasonic Viera G10 Series

The Panasonic HDTV Series shares a few similarities with the Viera S1 Plasma Series, such as the Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution, the Viera Image Viewer, Viera Link and Anti-Reflective Filter. The Viera G10 Plasma HDTV models, however, have a THX mode wherein colors are more accurate. They also have a PC input and a LAN port for the Viera Cast feature – a new feature which allows you to access selected online content like YouTube videos, on your HDTV even if you don’t have a computer.

Panasonic Viera V10 Series

The Viera V10 Series has many exceptional features. For one, this Panasonic HDTV series has a highly impressive design, with its 50 and 54-inch models having just one sheet of glass measured at just two inches. It also has Digital Cinema Color, which means it can faithfully reproduce the color space of movie theatre screens. It has a 24p Cinematic Playback, too, which means it can refresh faster without flickering, as well as an additional HDMI input.

Panasonic Viera Z1 Series

Even before its release, this Panasonic HDTV series is already creating a lot of clamor. After all, it is unbelievably slim, measuring only one inch thick. Because of this, the inputs and outputs are on a separate box which conveys the signals to the HDTV wirelessly. Only time will tell what else this series can offer, though one thing is sure – the Panasonic HDTVs in this series won’t come cheap.

Edward McKellen is an HDTV expert who writes LCD TV Reviews for HDTVreviewlab.com. To read the latest Samsung HDTV reviews visit HDTVreviewlab.com