Televisions

RSS

NEWS: Panasonic to offer Freesat-ready flatscreens

Clare Newsome 12 February 2008 17:57

Panasonic is to launch flatscreens complete with Freesat receivers - meaning no need for a separate set-top box when the Freeview-and-HD-via-satellite services start later this year.

First up, in the summer, will be the PZ81 series of Freesat plasmas - available in 37-, 42in and 50in screen sizes. Yes, there WILL be 37in plasmas in Panasonic's 2008 range...

The plasmas will be followed later in the year by LZ81 Freesat LCDs - initially 32- and 37in models.

Pricing and further specification details are currently unavailable, but watch this space for updates.

We exclusively learned about the Freesat sets here at Panasonic's HD Networking Convention - stand by for further reports on the company's Blu-ray and systems plans over in our Home Cinema section.

Sadly, you may have to wait until March 1st for a full TV update, when the embargo is lifted on the European versions of the 2008 models launched at CES last month.

Naturally we're working on bringing you the story - and of course the product reviews - ASAP.

EDIT - that 37in plasma may NOT make it to the Freesat range, i've just heard (the plasma line-up looks like being 42-, 46- and 50in). However, there will be 37in plasmas in Panasonic's standard flatscreen range.

Technorati Tags: Freesat, Freeview, HD TV, LCD, Panasonic, Plasma

Comments

PiperUK February 13, 2008 08:45

So the requirements for HD tuners over freesat are set in stone unlike the confusion surrounding HD freeview tuners?

Clare Newsome February 13, 2008 09:27

Panasonic talked about waiting to launch the sets until the spec and service was finalised - but with Freesat launching 'this Spring' (still no exact date), i'd imagine set-top boxes must be in production already....

NigelF February 14, 2008 13:54

Not a good news for me, I was hoping they will launch new range in spring but from the above new it looks like we will only know in march when the new TV's will be available it very well could be in summer or autumn.

I guess I should go now and buy one Samsung LE46F86, instead of torchoring myself with 14" sharp.

Clare Newsome February 14, 2008 17:39

Some of the new standard Panasonic sets will be available from March - i'm getting timelines on Monday, so should be able to share them, if not specific details on the sets themselves....

Alsone February 15, 2008 10:08

Nigel, just my 2 cents but personally I always think you're better off with a seperate receiver box anyway. Friends of mine who have satelite have had numerous box problems and with a seperate box, you simply replace the defective box, with an integrated solution, it means an expensive tv repair.

That said, its nice to see Panasonic taking the mantle and offering an integrated option for those who want one.

enverity1 February 15, 2008 20:31

Will these new TVs handle 24FPS properly? as i'm stressed with the judder on my PZ70b

NigelF February 18, 2008 18:50

Hi Clare,

With reference to your earlier comment, were u able to get any details from Panasonic on the availability of new models?

Anonymous comments are disabled

About Clare Newsome

Clare Newsome has been a technology journalist for 17 years, the past 9 years as a consumer electronics specialist. As well as being editor-in-chief of What Hi-fi? Sound and Vision, whathifi.com and the Ultimate Guides series, Clare is a regular contributor to The Guardian and other national newspapers and magazines, and often comments on all aspects of home entertainment technology and trends on TV, radio and online.