Product Description

Smart Viera from Panasonic in 2012 is about redefining the way we use TV in a modern age. Up to now TVs have been all one-way devices. The new generation of TVs are not just for viewing content provided by the major broadcasters at a time which suits their broadcast schedules. Smart Viera allows you to interact with the TV and access a wide selection of digital content at a time that suits you. Content that is provided by the Internet such as catch-up TV or movies on demand. Content that is stored on your computer or other storage devices in your home, like external Hard Disc Drives or memory stick/card. What about sharing content that friends bring to your home, such as pictures, music or videos? No problem with the new Viera App for tablet or smart phone devices.

Introducing Swipe & Share. Using your home Wi-Fi network and an Android or Apple smart phone, simply swipe treasured pictures or video content* to your Smart Viera. Share the moment on your large screen in great picture quality.

Smart Viera allows you to communicate through your TV by joining conversations on Social Network sites or making free video calls to friends and family around the world on Skype*. Want to talk to friends but don't want to miss the best TV moments or sporting action? No problem, with our unique Watch & Chat feature, you can make that Skype call and watch TV at the same time.

*Skype calls require Skype account and purchase of optional Skype camera.

However you choose to enjoy this new world of entertainment, Panasonic build all their TVs around the following five pillars of form and functionality.

Picture & Sound Quality

Viera IPS LED LCD Panel with WIDE VIEWING ANGLE

Traditional LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) TVs have now come of age with the introduction of new LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlight technology. LCD flat panel TVs using traditional fluorescent tubes as a rear light source, suffered from poor black level performance and smeared or blurry pictures when showing fast moving scenes. Now, with ultra-slim LEDs providing the back light source to the LCD panel, high contrast, vivid images are delivered with ultra-smooth motion and black levels that can rival the best Plasma technology.

Wide angle viewing performance is also improved in the E5 models as Panasonic use a technology called IPS (In-Plane Switching) that aligns the open crystals horizontally and parallel to the screen, thus providing wider viewing angles with less loss of picture performance when viewed off-centre of the screen.

Full HD Picture Performance

All E5 models in the range offer High Definition resolution screens which are made all the better if the source is High Definition, such as Freeview HD or Blu-ray Disc. These HD video signals are made up of picture frames containing 1920 x 1080 pixels (about 5 times more pixels than standard definition), what the industry calls "Full HD". With the same resolution in the TV screen, all the amazing detail and colour of Full HD content can be enjoyed. With the advanced picture processing of Panasonic Viera TVs, standard definition broadcasts look good, but it is HD content that really makes the picture "come to life".

V-audio Surround Sound

The virtual surround system gives the effect of a multi-channel system from the TVs own two speakers, producing a surround effect without the need for additional surround speakers.

Networking

Viera Connect

As the multimedia powerhouse of your home, VIERA Connect gives you easy access to selected online content. Utilising the latest "Cloud technology", dozens of internet applications are available for you to access without the need of a PC. The Viera Connect Apps are automatically downloaded to your connected TV, all you have to do is take a look in the Viera Market section of Connect and install the ones that you fancy. The apps are even updated automatically in the background without you having to wait for the update to install.

The E5 series include optional Wireless technology (requires purchase of Panasonic TY-WL20E Wi-Fi dongle) or a wired built-in Wi-Fi technology or an Ethernet connection allowing easy link up to a Broadband router. Viera Connect provides fast connection to a wide selection of services including Catch-up TV, News & Lifestyle, Weather, Sports, Music and Gaming to name a few.

Skype and Social Networking TV

You no longer need to be tied to your computer or phone to communicate with friends and family. A compatible Skype camera can be purchased that plugs in to one of the USB sockets on the TV. Once connected, just set up a Skype account and select the Skype application from Viera Connect. Not only Skype, but Facebook and Twitter accounts can also be accessed through Connect. You can even carry on a conversation while continuing to watch TV.

Access Media and Other Devices Around Your Home

Thanks to DLNA capability, the E5 can 'communicate' with other devices around the home. Many modern products including PCs, Blu-ray Players and Digital Video Recorders now offer "Home Sharing" of content such as photos, video and music. Many file formats stored on these "Server" devices can be streamed to the TV provided that the device is connected to your home network. The E5 also supports streaming of these files to another device, when they are stored on an external Hard Disc Drive, SD card or USB memory stick and plugged in to the TV - and it even lets you stream content to and from your compatible smartphone or tablet.

SD Card and USB Media Player

Whether it's digital still pictures or video taken on a digital camera or camcorder saved on an SD card, or photos, video's or music files saved from a computer on to a USB stick, chances are they can be viewed on the Viera TV. It's a great way to enjoy family photos and videos - just like a giant digital photo frame.

Easy Operation

Panasonic have stood for many years on its reputation of reliability and ease of use. The new generation of Smart VIERA uphold this tradition. The VIERA Remote App 2.0 lets you conveniently use your smartphone or tablet as a touch-screen remote. Download the free app from the Apple or Android store and experience amazing control from your smart device.

The Smart VIERA menu intuitively navigates you through your multimedia, letting you comfortably choose from many digital sources. However, even in this age, the primary use of a TV is to easily access TV programmes from our main UK broadcasters, and to that end Panasonic have not forgotten the importance of easy TV access.

Freeview HD Tuner Built-in

Access to High Definition TV programmes is now available to almost all households in the UK. The E5 offers the wide range of terrestrial digital services including those offered in HD. Freeview provide the TV signals directly through your rooftop aerial*. The E5 provides a 7-day Electronic Programme Guide that allows you to surf all of the channels on offer. High Definition content brings your HD TV to life, so Panasonic make sure you get to take full advantage.

*Freeview services coverage check is recommended.

Viera Link

Numerous remote controls can be the bane of our lives, but with Viera Link, multiple products can be controlled from just one. When you connect a Panasonic Blu-ray Player, Recorder, Home Cinema System, Camcorder or Digital Camera via HDMI cable to the TV, a communication is made that lets you control all these devices from the TV remote.

Voice Guidance

New for 2012 Viera TV and exclusive to UK and Irish models, Panasonic have included 'Text to Speech' conversion software that, when activated, verbally reads out on screen text such as menu options and even the TV programme guide. This feature is very useful for the partially sighted or viewers that have difficulty reading the text on screen.

Design

The design of VIERA TVs features a graceful combination: high quality materials and robust manufacturing. The E5's slim screen is surrounded by a gun metal grey narrow bezel with transparent acrylic edge offering an attractive clean design whether pedestal or wall mounted.

All models are stylish and timelessly elegant - while the select materials and excellent craftsmanship exude uncompromising VIERA quality.

Eco

VIERA TVs feature numerous energy-saving functions which lower your energy consumption. The latest Panasonic IPS LED technology features industry leading energy efficiency, boasting high brightness with low power consumption (A+ energy label rating on almost all models*). Panasonic Viera also strives for extremely long life span to ensure less waste and easier recycling.

*check rating on individual models.