Panasonic LCD HDTV

While many other manufacturers, such as Samsung and Sony, are pushing the envelope for larger screen sizes in the LCD market, Panasonic prefers to let their plasmas do the talking in that sector. With its 2009 LCD HDTV lineup completely focused on 26 to 37 inch screen sizes, Panasonic uses its four new lines to attack a specific audience, allowing its plasma HDTVs to take the higher-end market share. While this does leave Sony, Samsung, and others to make bigger and better sets than Panasonic, the company still loads its smaller LCDs with plenty of features, including its IPS LCD panels from IPS Alpha.

General Overview of Panasonic 2009 Models

The 2009 VIERA line of LCD HDTVs from Panasonic consists of four main lines, the VIERA G1 Series, the VIERA S1 Series, the VIERA X1 Series, and the VIERA C12 Series. The X1 series and C12 series are only capable of 720p, while the G1 and S1 can handle 1080p. The G1 series is also the only set in the new lines to have a 120Hz refresh rate, leaving the rest with the standard 60Hz.

The top of the line VIERA G1 series focuses on its 120Hz Motion Picture Pro 3 anti-blurring technology, a first for Panasonic’s LCDs. It has HDMI four inputs from the X1 series’ three, and its SD card slot can play video files as well and JPEGs. Panasonic also offers a connection for a feed from a Freesat satellite dish LNB next to its RF tuner input. There’s also an Ethernet port for online Freesat-related services. The one input missing that other higher-end models from Samsung and Sony include is USB. This seems to be a feature oversight that they’ve reserved for their plasmas yet again.

The VIERA G1 series also supports full HD resolution and a contrast ratio of 20,000:1. It also offers a different type of LCD HDTV panel than the rest of the 2009 line, besides the S1 series. Panasonic’s IPS Alpha LCD panels are designed to allow wider angles than most LCD TVs without its colors losing depth. The IPS Alpha panel, in addition to Panasonic’s V-Real processing engine gives the G1 series 800 lines of motion resolution. The G1 series comes in 32 and 37 inch screen sizes.

The VIERA S1 series is Panasonic’s mid-range line of the 2009 line. Besides the G1, it’s the only other model offering a 1080p native resolution and a similar IPS panel. Unlike other mid-range lines from competing brands, the S1s don’t support 120Hz technology like the G1 Series. Besides the absence of 120Hz technology, the S1 and G1 lines share most features like the IPS Alpha panel technology and a Game Mode picture setting that works well with most platforms.

Equipped with a 15000:1 contrast ratio, as well as an SD Memory Card for Jpegs and video files, the VIERA S1 series is adaptable. It has an Energy Star rating for low power consumption, which will assist many consumers in lowering their bills. The S1 series is comprised of 32 and 37 inch screen sizes.

The VIERA X1 series comes in 19, 26, 32 and 37 inch models, and are designed to replace last year’s LX85-series sets. Different than the rest of the 2009 line, the X1 series is fitted with a universal iPod dock that allows users to view iPod audio and video content via the TV’s remote. It’s compatible with most new iPods for music and videos. The X1 series offers 720p native resolution but a different LCD panel than what’s used in the G1 series and S1 series.

The VIERA X1 series is also Energy Star rated but lacks picture-in-picture and doesn’t have screen freeze. Like the other two higher-end models, the X1 series accepts SD cards into a slot on the left side, allowing users to play back images on the big screen. The Game Mode picture setting and integrated image viewer is similar to the X1’s higher-end siblings.

The VIERA C12 Series has only one model in its line, the TC-L32C12 32 inch. It has a resolution of 720p with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. The VIERA image viewer also gives users a way to share photos from an SD card reader. The VIERA link also gives users the ability to be connected to a compatible Panasonic DVD or blue-ray player, home theater sound system, or HD camcorder, giving users control over everything with one remote.

The VIERA C12 series has a PC input, and two HDMI inputs, as well as composite, S-Video, and component inputs. There is an integrated CATS tuner and two built in 20W speakers also included. The C12 series is Energy Star rated and has a 60Hz refresh rate.

Panasonic 2009 LCD TV Models

• Panasonic VIERA G1 Series – 1080p, 32 & 37 inch, 120Hz Motion Picture Pro 3, IPS Alpha LCD panels, Energy Star rated
• Panasonic VIERA S1 Series – 1080p, 32 & 37 inch, 60Hz refresh rate, IPS Alpha LCD panels, Energy Star rated
• Panasonic VIERA X1 Series – 720p, 19, 26, 32 & 37 inch, 60Hz refresh rate, VIERA Link, Energy Star rated
• Panasonic VIERA C12 Series – 720p, 32 inch, 60Hz refresh rate, VIERA Link, Energy Star rated

Panasonic VIERA G1 Series

The VIERA G1 sports a 1080p and the company’s first 120Hz Motion Picture Pro 3 anti-blurring technology. There’s also an Ethernet input for receiving a feed from a Freesat satellite dish LNB. The VIERA G1 series also has a contrast of 50,000:1. Panasonic’s IPS Alpha LCD panel is aimed at giving users wider viewing angles than most LCD TVs. The panels are made to do this without losing color saturation.

The G1 series also offers VIERA Link compatibility that gives users the power to use just one remote for accessing all the devices connected through the HDMI inputs. Missing however is the VIERA Cast feature that its plasmas support, which allows users the ability to connect to the Internet.

Panasonic VERIA G1 Specs at a Glance

• Resolution: 1080p (standard) / 1920×1080 (exact)
• Contrast ratio: 20,000:1 (dynamic)
• Anti-glare filter: YES
• 24p cinema mode: YES
• USB: NO
• Ethernet: YES
• WiFi (802.11): NO
• VIERA LINK: YES
• Other: Freesat services, SD card slot, Energy Star rated

Panasonic VERIA G1 Models

• Panasonic VERIA TC-L32G1 (32-inch)
• Panasonic VERIA TC-L37G1 (37-inch)

Panasonic VIERA S1 Series

Introduced as the mid-range models of the 2009 line, the S1 series is the only other model offering a 1080p native resolution and the same IPS panel as its higher-end sibling, the G1 series. The S1 steps down from the G1 series with its 60Hz refresh rate, but they both share the same Game Mode picture setting. The S1 series also has a slightly lower dynamic contrast ratio at 15000:1.

The S1 series shares the same SD Memory Card as the rest of the 2009 line that’s used for Jpegs and video files. The S1 shares the same Energy Star rating as the rest of the 2009 models as well, offering power savings for users.

Panasonic VERIA S1 Specs at a Glance

• Resolution: 1080p (standard) / 1920×1080 (exact)
• Contrast ratio: 15000:1 (dynamic)
• Anti-glare filter: YES
• 24p cinema mode: YES
• USB: NO
• Ethernet: NO
• WiFi (802.11): NO
• VIERA LINK: YES
• Other: Game mode, SD card slot, Energy Star rated

Panasonic VERIA S1 Models

• Panasonic VERIA TC-L32S1 (32-inch)
• Panasonic VERIA TC-L37S1 (37-inch)

Panasonic VIERA X1 Series

The X1 series stands out from the rest of the 2009 line with its universal iPod dock. The dock lets users to view iPod audio and video content by accessing the remote. Compatible with most iPods for music and videos, Panasonic’s iPod menu system offers music, videos, and podcasts categories for users to access. The dock can also charge an iPod while it’s playing.

The X1 has a 720p native resolution but utilizes a different LCD panel than its higher-end counterparts, the G1 series and S1 series. Like all in the 2009 line, it’s Energy Star rated and has SD card slot.

Panasonic VERIA X1 Specs at a Glance

• Resolution: 720p (standard) / 1280×720 (exact)
• Contrast ratio: 12,000:1 (dynamic)
• Anti-glare filter: YES
• 24p cinema mode: YES
• USB: NO
• Ethernet: NO
• WiFi (802.11): NO
• VIERA LINK: YES
• Other: Game mode, SD card slot, Energy Star rated

Panasonic VERIA X1 Models

• Panasonic VERIA TC-L19X1 (19-inch)
• Panasonic VERIA TC-L26X1 (26-inch)
• Panasonic VERIA TC-L32X1 (32-inch)
• Panasonic VERIA TC-L37X1 (37-inch)

Panasonic VIERA C12 Series

The TC-L32C12 is the only model in the C12 series. Like the rest of the 2009, it has an SD card slot, as well as the VIERA link feature, which gives viewers the capability to use just one remote for their Panasonic DVD or blue-ray player, home theater sound system, or HD camcorder as long as they’re plugged into either of the HDMI inputs. The C12 series has an integrated ATSC tuner and two 20W speakers.

With a 60Hz refresh rate, the C12 is Energy Star rated and is available with the same Game mode picture setting offered in the rest of the 2009 models. It sports a resolution of 720p and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio.

Panasonic VERIA C12 Specs at a Glance

• Resolution: 720p (standard) / 1280×720 (exact)
• Contrast ratio: 10,000:1 (dynamic)
• Anti-glare filter: YES
• 24p cinema mode: YES
• USB: NO
• Ethernet: NO
• WiFi (802.11): NO
• VIERA LINK: YES
• Other: Game mode, SD card slot, Energy Star rated

Panasonic VERIA C12 Model

• Panasonic VERIA TC-L32C12 (32-inch)