Panasonic Corporation of North America (NYSE:PC), the industry leader in high definition Plasma and LCD televisions, introduced its expanded line of VIERA LCD HDTVs at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show. Panasonic’s continuing and growing commitment to LCD televisions is evidenced by an increase from five VIERA LCD models in 2008 to 12 in 2009. In addition to the enhanced product line-up, Panasonic added an iPod docking station to four of the new VIERA LCD models and introduced a new screen size – a 19-inch class (19”measured diagonally) to the LCD family. To accommodate the expanded product line and to increase Panasonic’s presence in the LCD market Panasonic will also open a new LCD factory in Western Japan, with production scheduled to begin in 2010. When in full operation, the factory will be capable of producing 15 million 32-inch panels per year.

Panasonic’s top-of-the-line LCD is the VIERA G1 series, featuring the 1080p TC-L37G1, 37-inch class (37” measured diagonally) TV and the TC-L32G1, 32-inch class (31.5” measured diagonally) model. Both TVs offer 120Hz Motion Picture Pro3 technology, helping to ensure crisp, focused images for sports and other fast-action scenes; IPS Alpha Display Panels that deliver a 178° wide viewing angle and bright, clear images from most any location in the room; and the VIERA Image Viewer that provides the consumer with an easy way to view and share their digital photos via the TVs’ built-in SD card reader. The G1 LCDs also feature VIERA Linkä, a PC input, Game Mode, a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, three HDMI inputs, and a swivel base and narrow bezel design. The G1 series will be available in April 2009.

“Panasonic is one of the few companies that is technologically agnostic, and we believe that the choice of video entertainment is directly related to the consumer’s applications – where they will be watching the TV and what they like to watch,” said Bob Perry, Executive Vice President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With our expanded product lines in both LCD and Plasma, Panasonic firmly believes in giving the consumer choices for their entertainment decisions and we are perfectly positioned to do just that. Panasonic’s Plasmas have been an industry leader for years and we are fully committed to achieving that status with our LCD line-up. Last year Panasonic’s LCD TV was top rated in a leading consumer publication and we have every intention of building upon that success.”

The VIERA S1 series, available in March 2009, features two screen sizes, both of which have 1080p resolution – the TC-L37S1, 37-inch class (37”measured diagonally) and the TC-L32S1, 32-inch class (31.5” measured diagonally). These two televisions feature Motion Focus Technology, IPS Alpha Panels, and the VIERA Image Viewer. Other S1 features include VIERA Linkä, a PC input; Game Mode, a 15,000:1 contrast ratio, and three HDMI inputs.

Panasonic’s 720p VIERA X1 LCD series introduces both an iPod entertainment kit and the new 19-inch class (19” measured diagonally) screen size to the 2009 LCD family. There are four screen sizes in the X1 series – the TC-L37X1, 37-inch class (37” measured diagonally), TC-L32X1, 32-inch class (31.5” measured diagonally), TC-L26X1, 26-inch class (26” measured diagonally) and the TC-L19X1, 19-inch class (19” measured diagonally). The iPod Entertainment Kit allows consumers to enjoy their iPod music and videos on the X1 series’ high-definition screen and provides the unique convenience of controlling the playback of iPod content using only the VIERA’s remote control. Other X1 features include VIERA Image Viewer, VIERA Linkä, a PC input; Game Mode, a 12,000:1 contrast ratio, and three HDMI inputs on the 32” and 37” models. The 37-inch and 32-inch models will be available in March 2009, the 26-inch in April, and the 19-inch in August.

The Panasonic VIERA C12 LCD series, available in April 2009, features one model, the 32-inch class (31.5” measured diagonally) TC-L32C12. The C12 HDTV offers the VIERA Image Viewer, VIERA Linkä, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio plus a PC input and two HDMI inputs.

Panasonic’s expanded LCD line-up for 2009 also includes two models specifically developed for the growing club market. The VIERA TC-32LX14, 32-inch class (31.5” measured diagonally) and the TC-26LX14, 26-inch class (26” measured diagonally) feature the VIERA Image Viewer, VIERA Linkä, and a 12,000:1 contrast ratio. Both club models are 720p televisions and the 32-inch model features an IPS panel.