Revolutionary Plasma Technologies Boast Dramatic Energy Efficiency, Less
Than One-inch Super-thin Profile and 150-inch Ultra-large Screen
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, the leading brand by which
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, today announced that the
company has developed three prototype plasma display panels (PDPs) using
ground-breaking technologies. The prototypes include a 42-inch panel with
double efficiency technology that halves energy consumption while
maintaining the same brightness*, a less than one-inch super-thin 50-inch
PDP and the world's largest 150-inch advanced high definition (HD) PDP. The
three prototypes are on display at the 2008 International Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) that starts on January 7 in Las Vegas.
At the core of these cutting edge PDP's lies the double efficiency
technology used in the 42-inch prototype. After thoroughly reviewing its
existing IC technology and panel structures, Panasonic developed new
phosphors and cell design technology for improved discharge and new circuit
and drive technology to significantly reduce power loss. As a result, the
42-inch prototype has twice the luminance efficiency and provides the same
brightness as the existing 42-inch 1080p full HD PDP, while cutting the
power consumption by half.
The double-efficiency technology forms the base for next-generation
PDPs, enabling even thinner profiles, larger screens, brighter images,
higher definition and lower power consumption. The revolutionary technology
promises to open up new possibilities for PDPs. Higher density HD PDP's
that can be used as master monitors for movie studios will become possible
through this innovative technology.
The 24.7mm** (less than one inch) super-thin 50-inch Plasma TV, for
example, is about one-fourth as thin as previous plasma TVs* thanks to the
new circuit and drive technology. It weighs only 22 kg, about half the
weight of previous models*. This thinner profile and lighter weight give
users more setup flexibility in the living room, while also making the unit
an elegant addition to the room decor.
Furthermore, using the wireless transmission system that Panasonic
developed recently based on "Wireless HD" standard, it will allow users to
enjoy HD contents on the TV with more flexible layout and no wire
installation. It can be hung on the wall or suspended from the ceiling
according to user's viewing preference.
As a leader in large-screen PDPs, Panasonic took a huge leap in making
them even larger. The 150-inch PDP delivers dynamic, overwhelming image
quality with an 8.84 million pixel resolution (2,160 x 4,096) -. more than
four times the 1080p HD specification (1,080 x 1,920). The prototype has a
screen size equivalent to nine 50-inch PDPs with an effective viewing area
of 11 ft (3.31 m) (W) x 6 1/4 ft (1.87 m) (H). With the enhanced PDP
technologies Panasonic accumulated in the development of its 103-inch PDP,
the 150-inch PDP provides stable and uniform images across the vast expanse
of the screen and the same brightness as the 103-inch PDP. Featuring
true-to-life color reproduction capability and quick response to moving
images, the ultra- large PDP renders clear, crisp, spectacular images
unrivaled by any other.
As the 103-inch PDP has been welcomed by industry for use in commercial
and public facilities and consumers for family entertainment, the 150-inch
plasma is expected to generate new demand from various fields.
These innovations may prove to be only the tip of the iceberg of
Plasma's potential. PDP is a relatively young technology as it has only
been about ten years since the Plasma TV appeared on the market. In tandem
with the market's growth, the Plasma TV has steadily improved in quality,
gained popularity and become a leader in the global market for
high-quality, large-screen TVs. Over the course of their development PDPs
have established their reputation as displays that excel in high-contrast,
color reproduction, moving picture resolution2) and wide viewing angles.
However room for improvement remains as the PDP's full potential is still
yet to be realized.
In the future, high definition will become the norm in broadcasting and
video recording such as Blu-ray Disc recorder/players. There will be
progress in wireless and other peripheral technologies and more convergence
is expected to take place between TV and communications technologies. Along
with these developments, demand for larger and higher-definition flat-panel
TVs will be accelerated. At the same time, industrial applications of PDPs
will be expanded further in such areas as the medical, educational and
public fields.
Panasonic continues to explore new technologies to open up a new area
for Plasma TVs as the company responds to customer demands across the
world. While seeking to raise the quality bar in products, the company
continues to pursue greener products. When it comes to TVs, Panasonic has
become the first company to completely eliminate lead from PDPs. Its Plasma
TVs have a long life of 100,000 hours and natural materials are used in the
speakers such as bamboo fiber diaphragms.
* This refers to previously manufactured Panasonic panels.
** The thickness from the glass surface is only 23.7mm thin.
About Panasonic
Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America markets a
broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business
and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary
of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC) of Japan, and the
hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D
operations. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at
http://www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is
available at http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
SOURCE Panasonic
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Related links:
http://www.panasonic.com
http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom
CONTACT:
Media, Jeff Samuels, +1-201-392-4571,
samuelsj@us.panasonic.com, or Chris DeMaria, +1-201-348-7182,
demariac@us.panasonic.com, both of Panasonic; or Adam Paige of
Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9833, adam_paige@cohnwolfe.com, for
Panasonic
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