Panasonic launches new range of 4K and 1080p TVs – “Plasma quality with LED technology”
Panasonic announced a new range of TVs at CES 2014 including an 85-inch 4K model, the first 85-inch 4K TV the company has ever made.
Known as “Life Screen” models, the 4K TV range includes the AX800 4K series and the AS680 and AS650 1080p series.
In 2013, Panasonic announced that it would stop producing plasma panels. Following that bombshell, Julie Bauer, President of Panasonic’s consumer division, was keen to point out that Panasonic had achieved plasma quality results using LED tech.
“We will deliver plasma quality with LED technology” she stated twice during the press conference.
During CES 2014, LG pledged that it would continue plasma production, despite other manufacturers moving away from the technology.
Bauer also explained that Life Screen has a totally overhauled user interface building on the ‘My Home Screen’ features introduces at last year’s CES. This brings a “whole new level of interaction and customer experience”, she explained. The new UI will be part of every new Panasonic 4K and full-HD TV launched.
Aimed to provide total personalisation for the whoever is viewing the TV, Life Screen capable models will include improved voice assistant modes allowing the TV can be controlled using voice commands.
A new notification area called the Info Bar displays useful information, like weather reports, time and personalised recommended content to view. Video messaging via an integrated camera will also be part of the Life Screen TV interface.
Read more: Best 4K TVs 2014