viera

When I reviewed the Panasonic TC-PVT50 series, I was annoyed to see that the latest software update caused a banner ad to appear for a few seconds whenever I turned on the TV. It disappeared quickly and only popped up upon power-on, but it was still obnoxious. The first thing I wondered was whether I could turn it off.

Happily, Panasonic built in a way to disable the advertising. It's a simple, albeit buried, menu command. Here it is in a nutshell.

LAS VEGAS--LG has its Magic Motion, and Sony has its Google TV nub. And until now, Panasonic hasn't had an effective way to navigate Web content. Enter the new Panasonic touch-pad remote control.

Available on Panasonic Blu-ray players--DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500, DMP-BDT320--and select televisions, including the WT50 and the VT50--the new remote offers a simple touch-pad surface, with a couple of additional buttons.

This year's Viera TVs and Blu-ray players feature a beefed-up Viera Connect smart-TV service and an onboard browser, and the touch pad is designed to make it easier to navigate around Web pages and services like … Read more

Most users are stuck with obsolete functions on their older TVs, but Panasonic is bucking the trend by upgrading its 2010 panels with its latest Viera Connect smart-TV platform. The only caveat is you'll have to own a model supporting Viera Cast, which is the predecessor of Viera Connect. Some new features include a Viera Connect Market app store to download online services and games, as well as an iOS remote app for easier text input and navigation utilizing smartphones and tablets. Click here for more information.

To upgrade, activate your TV's online function by pressing the Viera Cast key on the remote and follow the onscreen instructions for installation. The whole process should take only a few minutes before you can access around 30 video-streaming, social-networking and news apps, depending on where you live.

(Source: Crave Asia)… Read more

Panasonic recently released a nifty iOS app called the Viera AR Setup Simulator based on augmented reality. The software is compatible with the iPhone and iPod Touch and utilizes the camera in these devices to provide users with virtual visualizations of Viera flat-panel TVs set up in their rooms. What's more, the telly's perspective will automatically adjust in real time according to the user's viewing angle (see above video for a demonstration).

(Source: Crave Asia)… Read more

It's tough to stand out in the Blu-ray player market, with all the midrange models having the main features we think are important: built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix streaming, and excellent image quality. Though the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 doesn't have any single killer feature that puts it head and shoulders above the competition, it does just about all the little things right.

It has the fastest disc-loading speeds we've seen on a player so far, coming in a good deal faster than its competitors. Its user interface is very simple to use and we love that the remote includes a … Read more

Owners of 2011 Panasonic Viera-Connect HDTVs that feature Skype take note: if you're looking to make video calls via your TV, you can now do it with a high-grade HD Webcam courtesy of Logitech.

While the new model appears cosmetically similar to the company's C910, this one's called TV Cam for Skype ($149.99) and does 720p video. By comparison, the C910 can be had for less than $100 and does 1080p video, so hopefully we'll see the TV Cam for Skype street for a little less.

"Once the Logitech TV Cam for Skype is … Read more

They may be called Blu-ray players, but in 2011 they're as much about streaming-media services as they are about high-definition discs. With every manufacturer having a different collection of streaming-media services, we've been taking an in-depth look at each company's content portal for 2011.

Today, we're looking at Panasonic's Viera Cast, which takes after LG's Smart TV in its simplicity. There's no app store or cross-platform search, but it has a solid collection of streaming-media services and an easy-to-use interface.

Panasonic Viera Cast is the same on most 2011 Panasonic Blu-ray players--and home … Read more

Editors' Note Feb 4, 2011: Pricing has been revealed. Also, we have preliminary word that THX certification applies to 3D mode as well as 2D.

Editors' Note Jan 8, 2011: The Panasonic VT30 series was one of three nominees for CNET's Best of CES award in the TVs category.

LAS VEGAS--About this time last year we gave the Panasonic TC-PVT25 series of plasma TVs our Best in Show award as the most promising product at CES 2010. At the end of 2010 it still stood out as the overall best-performing HDTV we'd tested all year, and the second-best … Read more

Update Feb 4, 2011: Pricing and availability have been revealed along with preliminary word that THX certification also applies to 3D mode.

LAS VEGAS--THX Display certification has been one of the saving graces of higher-end Panasonic plasma TVs over the last few years, making up for the relatively inaccurate color and sparse picture settings available in other modes. Among the company's lineup of 2011 plasmas, THX is available starting on the GT30 series.

According to a trustworthy leak a THX picture setting is available in 3D as well as 2D modes, much like the PX950 series.. In any case … Read more