When it comes to TVs, size really does matter. Panasonic is taking this theory to extremes by announcing the release of the world’s biggest Full HD 3D plasma display. The Japanese manufacturer showed a prototype of the 152-inch behemoth at CES this year where it was understandably drawing quite a crowd. Back in January Panasonic wasn’t confirming whether the TV would ever be commercially available, but it has now announced that it will start taking orders from July, with shipments starting in Japanese and American markets later this year. For those without the wall space to accommodate [...]

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At the UK launch of Panasonic’s VT20 plasma 3D TV series, TechRadar was also given the opportunity to see the company’s Freeview HD / Blu-ray recorders in action – the DMR-BW880 and the DMR-BW870. With Freeview only officially launching this week, it meant that we were among the first to see what restrictions are being put into place by the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 to make sure their HD content isn’t pirated. This is a real concern for broadcasters as, with devices like Panasonic’s recorder, it is easy to rip the HD content from the Freeview signal and burn it to disc. Panasonic [...]

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Panasonic officially unveiled its plasma 3D TVs in the UK this week, choosing London’s historic Air Studios to showcase the technology. Speaking at the event, Keith Evans, Managing Director of Panasonic UK, explained how much the company was behind 3D in the home. “In this industry, we get used to innovation. But sometimes new technology comes along which is epoch making – Full HD 3D is it.” Once again, Panasonic re-iterated why the company is best prepared for 3D, with Evans explaining: “We are the only brand that has expertise to be required for every part of the 3D [...]

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Panasonic officially unveiled its plasma 3D TVs in the UK this week, choosing London’s historic Air Studios to showcase the technology. Speaking at the event, Keith Evans, Managing Director of Panasonic UK, explained how much the company was behind 3D in the home. “In this industry, we get used to innovation. But sometimes new technology comes along which is epoch making – Full HD 3D is it.” Once again, Panasonic re-iterated why the company is best prepared for 3D, with Evans explaining: “We are the only brand that has expertise to be required for every part of the 3D [...]

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For the benefit of younger HCC readers baffled by the picture below of Panasonic’s new DMR-EX99V, take note: that large slot on the left of the front panel takes analogue VHS tapes. Yes, while it may cater for Freeview terrestrial digital and DVD, this Panasonic deck also connects with the old-tech past, by featuring a VCR. The very mention of VHS makes many of us go all misty-eyed and nostalgic for the early 1980s, when VCRs were prized family possessions. The good news is that, with the EX99V, those vintage tapes lurking at the back of the cupboard can easily be transferred to DVD. Get [...]

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The arguments over whether 3D TV will finally catch on are far from over, but the signs are good in the US at least where Panasonic has apparently sold out its entire allocation of 3D television bundles. Despite a price tag of $2899 (£1,897), Panasonic has had no trouble shifting its stock and the bundle of a 3D ready television, a set of 3D glasses and a 3D Blu-ray player has proven to be a big hit. Hitoshi Otsuki, Senior Managing Director for Panasonic’s overseas operations, said, “It’s a great opportunity to turn around our TV business.” Thin on the ground 3D content [...]

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Nvidia is doing the rounds with Panasonic in the US at the moment, showing off its barrage of 3D-enabled kit. On its travels it’s introduced some software which will upgrade a GeForce GPU-enabled PC or notebook to play 3D content through a 3D TV. Called simply 3DTV Play, the software package enables PCs which have a HDMI or DVI connection the ability to pipe Full HD 3D content to 3D Ready TV, bringing Nvidia’s 3D content to the big screen. This content includes the range of 3D games on the market – including Batman: Arkham Asylum and Avatar: The Game – and it will also be compatible [...]

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You wait ages for a Micro Four Thirds camera and two come at once. The second release from Panasonic this week, housing the company’s Lumix G Micro System, is the DMC-G2. Following up from the mightily successful G1, the G2 is a camera sporting 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, the new Venus Engine HD II processor, double Live-View function, AVCHS Lite high definition movie recording, and a sparkly new iA (Intelligent Auto) mode. The camera’s LCD is a 3-inch touchscreen, like its stable mate the G10, and allows the user to release the shutter and use the autofocus with a single touch [...]

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Panasonic is a superstar of the Blu-ray world. Year after year, its new players are greeted with the sort of unbridled enthusiasm usually reserved for Tom Cruise’s red carpet walkabouts in Leicester Square. The reason for its techno-celebrity is simple: innovation. Profile 1.1, BD-Live, Blu-ray recording – you name it, Panasonic did it first, and over the years no-one has done more to push the format forward. However, Panasonic’s position has been under threat from deck’s like LG’s brilliant BD390, which offers built-in Wi-Fi, PC streaming, unrivalled digital media support [...]

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Panasonic has announced the arrival of the DMC-G10, a camera that uses the company’s Micro Four Thirds technology. The G10 is touted as the first Lumix G Micro System camera that has a touchscreen interface and brings with it 1280 x 720 HD movie recording. The G10 uses a 12.1MP CMOS sensor and images are processed with the Venus Engine HD II image processing engine. When it comes to viewing your images, there’s a 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD which is said to offer up 100 per cent of the field of view and it also has touchscreen capabilities. The Live View on show [...]

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