Audio Video News

Why does Japan get all the good stuff first? Panasonic Japan is showing off  the new Z series of Viera TVs that use half the power of the competition, but it gets even better. Instead of having those ugly cables running up to these gorgeous screens, the new Z series Vieras will have optional WirelessHD receivers. The WirelessHD uses the 60GHz band from a distance of up to 10 meters.

The screens themselves are also noteworthy. They'll be available in 46-inch, 50-inch, and 54-inch models, using the Neo-Plasma panel that has a 40,000:1 contrast ratio. The screens are only 24.7mm thick.

They'll be available in Japan by mid-April. Let's hope it doesn't take long for these to make it to the US market.  -- Leslie Shapiro

New Launches