Panasonic Introduces Its First HD-Compatible Superflatâ System TVNew Tau Monitor With Pure Flat Screen Specifically Designed To EnhanceDigital Video Enjoyment

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC) makes another leap forward in DTV technology. Adding to its impressive line-up of consumer DTV products, the company introduced its first HD-compatible 34-inch (diagonal screen size) direct-view flat-screen 16:9 (1.78:1 aspect ratio) monitor. The new CT-34WDM60 takes Panasonicís celebrated SuperFlatTM System television concept to the next dimension in this evolutionary step. The new widescreen 16:9 (1.78:1) monitor is fully poised to deliver the superior picture quality unique to digital media sources such as digital television (DTV) broadcasts, digital satellite receivers and DVD. Its innovative screen design diminishes the distortion resulting from the curvature of a conventional TV screen, and enables the vibrant colors and clarity of digital video to display even more brilliantly. Dubbed ""Tau Series,"" the CT-34WDM60 shares parent company Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Ltd.ís worldwide designation for digital, perfectly-flat-screen television products. ""This is our first direct-view monitor created for High Definition Television,"" said Bill Mannion, General Manager, Panasonic Television and Network Systems Division. ""Itís specifically designed to enhance the presentation of digital images via its pure-flat, high-contrast black screen."" When paired with an optional DTV set-top decoder, such as Panasonicís TU-DST50, the CT-34WDM60 allows viewers to enjoy the brilliant clarity of HDTV (1080i) and SDTV (480i/480p) digital television broadcasts.Component video inputs break the video signal down into its luminance (Y) and separate chrominance (PR and PB) elements, resulting in the highest resolution and color accuracy available from sources with component video outputs.The CT-34WDM60 is also great for viewing current analog NTSC, when connected to a VCR or cable box tuner. Its built-in progressive scan converter (line doubler) will enhance NTSC signals by progressively scanning the television picture - resulting in remarkably sharp, detailed images without visible scan lines.The screenís 1.78:1 aspect ratio is consistent with the widescreen HDTV broadcast standard. When viewing a standard 4:3 (1.33:1) picture, you may use the Digital JUST mode to stretch (justify) the right and left edges the image to fill the entire screen.Viewers can expect exceptionally high quality pictures regardless of the source material. A 3D Y/C comb filter for accurate color separation; velocity modulated scan for clean black-to-white transitions; and horizontal and vertical edge correction to help produce clean, crisp images. For optimum picture brightness, the CT-34WDM60 uses large, individual, crystal pigment phosphors. Thereís also Artificial Intelligence Picture Control, which automatically adjusts picture contrast in areas that need it the most, without affecting the black level or brightness of the overall picture. A 4-layer anti-reflective screen coating on the picture tube also helps reduce reflection.To get the best possible picture quality when viewing a movie on DVD, the set incorporates special circuitry, called Cinema DSP, to identify the original source material as film and compensate for the 3-2 pulldown conversion. For big sound to go with the big picture, the monitor features a built-in five speaker system for home theater audio connection. Artificial Intelligence (AI) sound circuitry automatically levels out wide variations in volume.Aside from component video inputs, the monitor includes a component output, an impressive four sets of A/V inputs, three S-video inputs, and both fixed and variable audio outputs for home theatre applications. ""Panasonic was the first to bring consumer digital TV products to market,"" says Mannion, citing the companyís August, 1998 introduction of its HD-compatible 56-inch widescreen projection monitor/TV. ""Panasonic has been instrumental in forwarding the DTV initiative from the outset,"" he continued, ""giving consumers the first taste of DTV with innovative TVs, monitors and a DTV-certified set-top box. Panasonic will continue to lead consumers into the digital age through education initiatives, innovative product offerings and our overall expertise in this area."" The CT-34WDM60 adheres to the governmentís Energy StarÆ guidelines for power consumption.The Panasonic CT-34WDM60 Tau display is available now at a suggested retail price of $5,999.95.Consumers seeking more information on the companyís products can call Panasonicís Customer Call Center at 800-211-PANA or access Panasonicís home page at www.panasonic.com.