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Panasonic launches its 2012 Smart VIERA Plasma TV range

Panasonic Award Winning Plasma TVs Now Even Smarter

Continuing its tradition of producing award winning Plasma televisions, Panasonic has launched its 2012 Smart VIERA Plasma TV range. The line-up of 10 new models defines the very best in outstanding TV technology, with enhancements to picture quality, easy operation, networking, ecological features, and design.


The new range – the VIERA VT50, ST50, UT50, XT50 and U50 Series – includes eight Full HD 3D models, one HD 3D model and one Full HD 2D model. The models range in size from 65 inches to 50 inches. The design of this year’s VIERA Plasma range is clean and simple, with most models incorporating a glass design concept for an elegant theme.
Panasonic’s iOS and Android-based apps allow you to use your Smartphone or tablet with your VIERA TV. In addition, the VT50 Series is supplied with the cutting edge VIERA Touch Pad Controller allowing users to easily browse the web and other applications with the flick of a thumb.

The 2012 models enhance Panasonic’s commitment to its Internet platform, VIERA Connect™. Building on Panasonic’s cloud-based architecture, VIERA Connect allows an almost infinite number of apps. New content providers include BigPond Movies, which offers a library of 4,000 titles on demand. Quickflix has also been added, offering unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows directly to your TV. These join the already popular social networking sites as well as ABC iView, Yahoo!7’s PLUS7, videos, music and interactive games.

Key Features

The top of the range Neo Plasma VT50 Series and ST50 Series feature Panasonic’s specially engineered Neo Plasma panels with 2500Hz focused field drive to provide the best moving picture quality.

Thanks to Infinite Black Ultra on Panasonic’s VT50 Series, it offers an even more intense viewing experience with blacker blacks. Furthermore, with an amazing 24,576 steps of gradation on this Series you can enjoy subtle brightness variations, rich colours and precisely rendered contrasts, especially in dark scenes.

Sound quality is improved on the VT50 and ST50 Series, which offer revolutionary 3D real sound with 8-Train speakers, making the in-home 3D viewing experience even more enjoyable. Panasonic also continues its relationship with THX, offering THX video standard certification in both 2D and 3D mode on its Full HD 3D VT50 Series Plasma TVs, meeting the stringent standards of Hollywood’s top film makers.

Sharing content around the home has never been easier, thanks to DLNA capability and Wi-Fi which allows VIERA TVs to ‘communicate’ with other devices around the home – for example, users can wirelessly stream multimedia stored on a DLNA-compatible server such as a PC or Blu-ray Disc Recorder to their TV. New for 2012, the VT50 Series can now also operate as a DLNA server, allowing content to be streamed from a storage device attached to the TV to other DLNA-compatible devices including a tablet, Smartphone or another TV.

With the new Smart VIERA Remote App Version 2.0, viewers can tap and flick content such as movies, images and music stored on their Smartphone or tablet directly to their VIERA TV. The Media Player feature allows users to view digital photos and HD video recorded on a SD Memory Card and USB HDD directly on their TV.

Users can also record their favourite TV shows using an external hard drive or SD Memory Card on the VT50, ST50, UT50 and XT50 Series. The USB HDD Recording function supports a host of convenient features such as Timer Recording from the Electronic Program Guide, Direct TV Recording and Pause Live TV.

In addition, Panasonic continues its commitment to the environment with mercury-and lead-free panels. Eco Mode is available on all models which adjusts screen brightness to reduce power consumption and turns the power off when there is no activity or signal.

Panasonic has also introduced its latest generation of lightweight 3D glasses. Weighing only 27 grams, they utilise Bluetooth technology and feature a rechargeable battery.

 

Features Model Star Rating Availability RRP
VT50 Series – Full-HD 3D Neo Plasma

Picture quality

  • Active Shutter Progressive Full HD 3D
  • Neo Plasma Panel – Infinite Black Ultra
  • 6,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast
  • 2500Hz Focussed Field Drive
  • 24,576 Equivalent Steps of Gradation
  • Web Smoother
  • THX® 3D Certified Display
  • ISFccc Calibration Mode with Advanced Calibration

Easy operation

  • VIERA Remote App Support
  • VIERA Touch Pad Controller included
  • Multitasking

Networking

  • VIERA Connect
  • Web browser with Adobe Flash Player
  • Wi-Fi built-in
  • DLNA / digital media player, recorder, server
  • SD / USB HDD recording
  • Media player: AVCHD 3D/Progressive, SD-VIDEO/Motion JPEG (LUMIX)/ DivXPlusHD/ WMV/ MKV/ AVI/ MP4/ MOV/ M4v/ FLV/ 3GPP/ VRO/ VOB/ TS/ PS, MP3/AAC/WMA/FLAC, JPEG/MPO
  • VIERA Link
  • 4 x HDMI (side) / 3 x USB ports

Eco

  • Mercury and lead free panel
  • Smart energy-saving functions
  • Eco navigation

Design and other features

  • One sheet of glass design
  • 1 x Eyewear & 1 x VIERA Touch Pad Controller supplied
TH-P65VT50A

65 inches

TBC June $5,999
TH-P55VT50A

55 inches

TBC June $3,799
ST50 Series – Full-HD 3D Neo Plasma

Picture quality

  • Active Shutter Progressive Full HD 3D
  • Neo Plasma Panel – Infinite Black Pro
  • 5,500,000:1 Dynamic Contrast
  • 2500Hz Focussed Field Drive
  • 12,288 Equivalent Steps of Gradation
  • Web Smoother

Easy operation

  • VIERA Remote App Support

Networking

  • VIERA Connect
  • Web browser
  • Wi-Fi built-in
  • DLNA / digital media player, recorder
  • SD / USB HDD recording
  • Media player: AVCHD 3D/Progressive, SD-VIDEO/Motion JPEG (LUMIX)/ DivXPlusHD/WMV/ MKV/ AVI/ MP4/ MOV/ M4v/ FLV/ 3GPP/ VRO/ VOB/ TS/ PS, MP3/AAC/WMA/FLAC, JPEG/MPO
  • VIERA Link
  • 3 x HDMI (side) / 2 x USB ports

Eco

  • Mercury and lead free panel
  • Smart energy-saving functions
  • Eco navigation

Design and other features

  • Crystal frame
  • 1 x Eyewear supplied
TH-P65ST50A

65 inches

TBC June $3,999
TH-P60ST50A

60 inches

6 May $2,799
TH-P50ST50A

50-inches

5.5 April $1,749
UT50 Series – Full-HD 3D Plasma

Picture quality

  • Active Shutter Progressive Full HD 3D
  • Plasma Panel with tough panel
  • 2500Hz Focussed Field Drive
  • 6,144 Equivalent Steps of Gradation
  • Web Smoother

Easy operation

  • VIERA Remote App Support

Networking

  • VIERA Connect
  • Web browser
  • Wi-Fi capable with optional dongle
  • DLNA / digital media player, recorder
  • SD / USB HDD recording
  • Media player: AVCHD 3D/Progressive, SD-VIDEO/Motion JPEG (LUMIX)/ DivXPlusHD/WMV/ MKV/ AVI/ MP4/ MOV/ M4v/ FLV/ 3GPP/ VRO /VOB/ TS/ PS, MP3/AAC/WMA/FLAC, JPEG/MPO
  • VIERA Link
  • 2 x HDMI (rear) / 2 x USB ports

Eco

  • Mercury and lead free panel
  • Smart energy-saving functions
  • Eco navigation

Design and other features

  • Optional Wi-Fi dongle #TY-WL20A
  • 1 x Eyewear supplied
TH-P60UT50A

60 inches

TBC June $2,499
TH-P55UT50A

55 inches

5.5 May $1,999
TH-P50UT50A

50 inches

5.5 April $1,399
XT50 Series – HD 3D Plasma

Picture quality

  • Active Shutter Progressive HD 3D / 2D
  • Plasma Panel with Tough Panel
  • 600Hz Sub-field Drive
  • 6,144 Equivalent Steps of Gradation
  • Web Smoother

Easy operation

  • VIERA Remote App Support

Networking

  • VIERA Connect
  • Web browser
  • Wi-Fi capable with optional dongle
  • DLNA / digital media player, recorder
  • SD / USB HDD recording
  • Media player: AVCHD 3D/Progressive, SD-VIDEO/Motion JPEG (LUMIX)/ DivXPlusHD/WMV/ MKV/ AVI/ MP4/ MOV/ M4v/ FLV/ 3GPP/ VRO/ VOB/ TS/ PS, MP3/AAC/WMA/FLAC, JPEG/MPO
  • VIERA Link
  • 2 x HDMI (rear) / 2 x USB ports

Eco

  • Mercury and lead free panel
  • Smart energy-saving functions
  • Eco navigation

Design and other features

  • Optional Wi-Fi dongle #TY-WL20A
  • 1 x Eyewear supplied
TH-P50XT50A

50 inches

6 April $1,199
U50 Series – Full HD Plasma Panel

Picture quality

  • Progressive Full HD
  • Plasma Panel with Tough Panel
  • 600Hz Sub-field Drive
  • 6,144 Equivalent Steps of Gradation

Networking

  • Wi-Fi capable with optional dongle
  • DLNA / digital media player
  • Media player: AVCHD/SD-VIDEO/Motion JPEG (LUMIX)/MP4/ DivX HD/ WMV/ MKV/ AVI, MP3/AAC/ WMA, JPEG
  • VIERA Link
  • 2 x HDMI (rear) / 1 x USB ports

Eco

  • Mercury and lead free panel
  • Smart energy-saving functions
  • Eco navigation

Design and other features

  • Optional Wi-Fi dongle #TY-WL20A
TH-P50U50A

50 inches

TBC June $1,299

 

 

 

 

 

72 CommentsLeave a comment

  • Hi, do any screens of your range over 50″ have a matte screen rather than reflective gloss?

  • Hi Sharkbiscuit, no none of our TV models have a matte screen finish. Cheers, Team Panasonic.

  • I have ordered a TH-P50ST50A and would like to study the operating manual before it’s delivered, where can I download it?

  • I am keen to pick up VT50 Series – Full-HD 3D Neo Plasma harvey norman cant tell me when or even if they are going to carry them where can i pick one up in Australia and when ?

  • Why would one choose the latest models of Panasonic plasma over an LCD? Expert advice needed as most sales staff are unable to provide a plausible answer. Furthermore, the larger stores (eg Hardly Normal) have very poor display areas where comparison is difficult .

  • JBHIFI watergardens told me that the VT 50 will only be available on order and they wont have any on display. I find that a little weird seeing it is panasonics flagship model

  • After waiting for 3week for the plasma 60″ST model. Jb at watergardens said i have to wait for another 4weeks &maybe even then i might not get my tv. so i got my money back. But when r u guys going 2have stock

  • Hi there, sorry to hear you’ve been waiting so long 🙁 Unfortunately we have stock issues with this model at the moment as there was more demand than we anticipated. We are currently doing our best to try and resolve this, although stock may not be flowing again until November. Cheers. Team Panasonic.

  • Hi I see Panasonic and Sony have a joint venture to produce the OLED.
    How long before you expect OLED to supersed plasma?

  • Hi guys just to let you know I know where 2 VT 65″ Panasonic plasma tv are in Melbourne. I’ve got one on hold for myself

  • Hi does Panasonic have any plans to include/ up date Adobe Flash Player to a more recent version for the TH-P50ST50A?
    This is starting to become an issue when viewing on-line content..

  • Can you please confirm;

    1. The VT50 series has been released
    2. They are available in stores

    Believe it or not these questions I have not been able to get straight forward answers to.

    Appreciated.

  • Hi Steve, there are no plans to add adobe flash to this TV. However if an update occurs your TV will update automatically. Cheers.

  • Hello, desparately need to get hold of operating manual for TH-P60ST50A so we can work out how to record to a usb flash drive. Have already tried the manual download option on panasonic website and it says there is nothing for this model. Help pls!!!

  • When I try to watch tv shows that are available on tv channels website it asks for flash and won’ t play. Is there a way around this?

  • Hi Alan, what model TV do you have? If it’s a 50 Series PDP/LCD, then only PDP VT50/LCD WT50 series support Flash player. Unfortunately, all other TV models don’t.

  • Hi, could you please advise stockists in Adelaide that should have the VT50 series – they’re tough to find! Thanks.

  • Recently I have had my neo plasma 50 inch for 5 months and already its playing up on me. It keeps switching on and off, then stays on for a while and repeats the same process. I’m not happy with the product as I expected the tv to be robust for at least a couple of years before anything can go wrong. What can be done about this? It is still under warranty.

  • Hi Murphy, sorry to hear you’re experiencing issues with your plasma. So that we can help you further, please give one of our team members a call on 132 600 with your proof of purchase documents ready. Cheers.

  • I would like to know if anyone has preferred picture calibration settings for the TH-P55UT50A Plasma.

  • P60ST50A
    Is it normal for the wireless feature to be disabled when I connect a 1TB Toshiba to the USB HDD socket ?

  • Hi Camster, no, unfortunately this doesn’t sound normal. Please give one of our team members a call on 132 600 to arrange a service. Cheers.

  • Can I put blue tooth on my 50″ Panasonic plasma TV. Why am I wanting this ? I wish to have wireless surround sound.
    Grateful for any advice

  • Hi Campbell, unfortunately no you cannot use blue tooth on this plasma TV. Cheers.

  • Hi – I’ve just purchased a VT model 55 inch version. My receipt says THP55VT50 but I note your model has the same description but with an ‘A’ on the end of the model number. I am confused as to whether it’s relevant

  • Hi Terry, the ‘A’ suffix indicates the product is specific for Australian markets. Cheers!

  • Hi
    I just purchased a 60st50a , read all the posts and thought it was the TV to buy . Plugged it in and unfortunately got the 7 deadly flashes . Very happy that the retailer replaced the TV the next day with a new one , no questions . TV looks amazing but it has made me nervous that the TV may play up again , 2-6-12 months who knows ?
    Plasma definetly beats LED, I can only hope it lasts as long as the Kuro . One of the reasons I bought it was for the custom calibration that could be done on the ST50 series but for some reason I can’t find the ‘custom’ picture settings on the ST50A that allows fine picture calibrations.
    Are custom calibrations offered on the ‘A’ Australian model , if so how do I find them .
    The next question should I return the TV and wait to buy the 2013 equivalent model that has overcome the ‘7 deadly flash’ defect

  • Hi
    Just to clarify – the 7 deadly flashes causes the TV to switch off after 3 minutes, seems to be the same problem to a previous post .

  • Hi Adam, When TV’s develop a hardware fault, they emit a flash code for service purposes – flash codes & fault vary model to model. 60ST50A does not support ISFCCC custom calibrations, hope this helps. Thanks.

  • Hi, I have a th-l55t5a model. It is saying I need to update my flash player. Though I don’t know how. I have check it has the the latest software update. Thanks iain

  • have tried to record from my TH-P5oST30A to variouse thumb drives. Have formatted them to fat 32 or left as they came. if you can record to SD cards why not thumb drives? the screen always says “device not supported”

  • Hi Rob, the TV will need to format the devices. Please refer to pages 53 on how to perform this function.

  • Hi, I’ve just bought a TH-P50UT55A and was loving everything about it until I tried to play some catch-up tv on Channel 10’s website and realised the tv doesn’t support flash. I’ve just read on this forum that only the VT50 supports flash.
    Come on Panasonic, surely there’s a fix? Maybe a firmware update? This is 2013 after all…….

  • Hi Evs, you TV does not support flash so unfortunately you will be unable to view websites that use flash. Apologies for this inconvenience, it cannot be updated by firmware.

  • This TV has a great design and even better HD display. This product is for those who want to have a taste of plasma display quality and a large screen size at the same time, but aren’t willing yet to pay for the premium models.

  • 55VT50 – horribly loud fan noise from this. Fans replaced under warranty, seemed to work when done, but loud as ever after a day. From forums online seems a common issue. Now trying all kinds of baffles and foam behind the tv. I thought this was a high end TV?

  • Hello Panasonic team,
    or anyone else with the knowledge

    I would like to buy a Panasonic Plasma
    65′ or 70′?

    Im not into all the Oct 2013 “smarts” and dont need the fancy skype, 3d, wifi etc
    Im wondering if there is a model that i can get the size without all the most up to date bells and whistles
    Im hoping to reduce my purchase price if there is such a model that i can be referred to?
    I currently have the 50′ Vierra that i have had for a couple of years and basically i justy want it for the fairly basic TV/Foxtel watching comforts

    It might me a 2012 type model that i might be looking for to suit my needs
    Im not tecnologically strong so wont use any of the extras that come that rtaise the price

    Thanks for any feedback

    James

  • Hi wfdTamar, please call our Customer Service Team on 132 600 with your job number and any other information you can provide to assist us in investigating this matter further. Thanks

  • Hi James, Panasonic have two 65” Plasma TV’s available, both of which are High Spec TV’s. Please see the below URL’s for further information on these products:
    TH-P65VT60A – http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/VIERA+televisions/Plasma+TVs/TH-P65VT60A/Overview
    TH-P65ST60A – http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/VIERA+televisions/Plasma+TVs/TH-P65ST60A/Overview
    If you have any questions in relation to the features and functions of this TV, please call Panasonic Customer Care on 132 600.

  • Hi panasonic team, I bought this TH-L55ET60A led 3D tv. I was very happy with this tv until i realised this tv does not support flash. My friend baught samsung tv with nearly same specification, but his tv plays flash. I mean what is the need of web browser in this time and age if it cannot play online content. I dont think it is a very big deal for any big company like yours to just release an update for flash. I have even seen some very cheap quality smart tvs in the market which can play flash so why not panasonic.
    Thanx
    Maninder

  • I bought the thp50st60a plasma tv 29/09/2013.the tv has lasted just over a month.it developed a nice blue line abought 30 cm wide from top to bottom.have hade a tech come twice now only to tell me you will be getting a new tv 12/11/2013,but the good news is tat I wont get it till late November/early December.this is called great service apparently.

  • Is Panasonic planning to add adobe or similar programme to the th-p50st60a so it is possible to watch catch up tv?

  • Model = TH-P50UT55A

    Is there any way of running flash on this TV? This was sold to me as a ‘smart’ TV, and I feel totally ripped off. This model is anything but smart. We need flash to watch any catch-up TV that isn’t supported with its own Panasonic app.

    Alternatively, how about giving us a channel 7 and channel 10 app?

    Come on Panasonic, how about supporting your customers?!

  • Hi Evs, apologies this TV does not have flash and as this is to do with the hardware, not something that can be updated. Panasonic products at this time to not have access to Channel 7 or 10 apps.

  • Hi Panasonic,

    Thanks for replying. Rather than just telling us what this ‘smart’ tv cannot do (which we are painfully aware of, and for which we regret buying), can you please suggest a workaround that would allow us to access flash content, even if this is via wirelessly streaming from a PC in another room, or wirelessly displaying a PC screen on the TV? We have of course done this by bringing a laptop in and connecting with an HDMI cable, but this is impractical so we are looking for a wireless workaround.

    Thanks,
    Evs

  • I have just purchased the P50ST60A and everything is working fine. The issue I have is that about every 3 minutes the smart viera screen comes up on the bottom of the picture with information about the different functions etc of the TV. It even comes up when watching foxtel. I have switched the setting for the banner display to off however they still come up. How do I permanently stop the info screen coming up as it is becoming extremely annoying to watch the TV.

  • Hi Andrew, we would recommend performing a shipping condition reset, then select Home during the installation process.

  • have just purchased a TH-P60ST60A and one of the things we specified that it have a web browser that allows viewing of ABC iview , the Age.tv etc and now we find that the web browser app only allows access to places like bigpond (who want an account to charge us) and not the sites we specified. Even trying to view any of the Australian newspaper sites causes issues with the display of these… missing columns or pictures makes them unusable.

    The store told us to contact Panasonic and check out their FAQs on internet browsing (useless), So here i am … do we have a dud set or is the web browser as bad and as useless as it appears?

  • Hi Ian, good news – the dedicated iView app is already on the TV when you hit the APPS button on your remote. This feature comes pre-programmed. Unfortunately, the newspaper sites require ADOBE FLASH which is unable to be supported by the Television.

  • WOW just spent a lot of money on a so called smart tv – with the view of watching catch up tv and now find out I can’t….. always purchased Panasonic TV’s in the past maybe I should have taken the retailers advice and purchased something else

  • Hi Margaret, could you please provide the model number so we can confirm which apps your TV has?

  • Hi Brooke, we need the product model number. Please contact our customer service team on 132600 and they will assist you with this matter.

  • Hi,

    We bought our Panasonic Viera TH-L55ET60A in the sales last year and had it professionally installed and connected in November/December 2013. Lately (after 6 months) it keeps intermittently losing the picture and sound for a while, or going to a plain green/pink screen before coming back on. The intervals of losing the picture are getting longer and more frequent. I’ve lost the proof of purchase and manual though JB HI-FI may still have details of the purchase and delivery in their system. Can you please suggest what might be wrong and how it might be rectified. Our previous Panasonic in another room is still going strong after seven years so we had hoped to get as long out of the new one.

    Thank you

  • Hi Joanne, please contact our customer service team on 132600 and they will try some options over the phone for you and if required book a service call. For warranty purposes, you will need a copy of the proof of purchase. SB