Panasonic Announces Its First HD-compatible SuperFlatô System TVNew Monitor With Pure Flat Screen Specifically Designed To Enhance Digital Video Enjoyment

Adding to its impressive line-up of consumer digital television (DTV) products, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC) has announced its first HD-compatible 34-inch (diagonal screen size) direct-view, flat screen 16:9 monitor.The new CT-34WDM60 takes Panasonicís SuperFlatô System television concept to the next dimension. The new widescreen monitor is fully poised to deliver the superior picture quality unique to digital media sources such as 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,"" says Bill Mannion, General Manager of Panasonicís Television 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 TUDST50, 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 P8) elements, resulting in the highest resolution and color accuracy available from sources with component video outputs.The CT-34WDM60 also wires with current analog NTSC, when connected to a VCR or cable box tuner. Its built-in progressive scan converter will enhance NTSC signals by progressively scanning the television picture ó resulting in sharp, detailed images without visible scan lines.The screenís 16:9 aspect ratio is consistent with the widescreen HDTV broadcast standard. When viewing a standard 4:3 picture, you may use the Digital JUST mode to stretch (justify) the right and left edges the image to fill the entire screen.Because this is a SuperFlatô System TV, 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. Thereís also Artificial Intelligence Picture Control, which adjusts picture contrast in areas that need it the most, without affecting the black level or brightness of the overall picture.For big sound to go with the big picture, the monitor features a built-in, five-speaker system. 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 theater applications.The CT34WDM60 meets the governmentís Energy Star guidelines for power consumption.""Panasonic was the first to ship Digital TV products,"" says Mannion, citing the companyís August, 1998 introduction of its HD-compatible 56-inch widescreen projection monitor/TV as the first consumer DTV set to be brought to market. ""Panasonic has been instrumental in forwarding the DTV initiative from the outset."" He continues, ""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 is scheduled for introduction in summer, 1999. Consumers seeking more information on the companyís products call Panasonicís Customer Call center at 800-211-PANA or access Panasonicís home at www.panasonic.com.