Panasonic 4K TVs set for release in Q3 2013

Panasonic looks set to release its first 4K TVs later this year, according to a report in The Nikkei.

The report suggests the company's first Ultra HD sets will arrive "this fall" in Japan and Europe, with various sizes expected, starting from 50-inch.

UPDATE: Panasonic 4K TV launched at IFA 2013

We saw a Panasonic 56in 4K OLED TV (pictured, above) at CES 2013 at the start of the year, though we can't help thinking that the company's first 4K TVs are unlikely to be OLED panels. (Not least if the company shares Samsung's thinking on the two technologies.)

Panasonic has reportedly decided to proceed with its first, next-gen TVs after the Japanese government confirmed plans to broadcast the 2014 World Cup in 4K.

Trials for 4K streaming to set-top boxes took place earlier this year, and it seems Japan sees no great need to hang around on the 4K content front.

Panasonic will be slightly late to the party, with any new TVs set to join the likes of the Sony 65in 4K TV and the Samsung 55in and 65in Ultra HD televisions.

We've asked Panasonic for comment but have had no reply at the time of writing.

by Joe Cox

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Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff and The Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).