Twitter launched for Panasonic Viera Cast TVs

If you own a Panasonic HDTV with Viera Cast you’ll now be able to access your Twitter account and send and read messages. With Twitter, you’ll be able to send text messages up to 140 characters through your TV. Viera Cast also allows access to other online services such as Skype, Netflix, Pandora and Fox Sports. Panasonic series HDTVs capable of the app include the VT25 and VT20 Series 3D HDTVs, the G25 Series, and the G20 series. The company also plans to add Twitter support for several Blu-ray Disc players sometime in the future. Those models include the 3D capable BDT350 and BDT300, the BD85, BD70V, BD65, and portable DMP-B500.

Panasonic shipping new Viera 3D Plasma HDTVs

Later this month Panasonic will make available two new Viera series 3D plasma HDTVs. The 42-inch TC-P42G25 and 50-inch TC-P50GT25 expand Panasonic’s Viera GT25 line, which won Best in Show at CES 2010. Both models will feature Panasonic’s VIERA CAST, allowing access to Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, and Twitter among other online services. Full Story

Vizio HDTVs to support Hulu Plus

You’ve seen Hulu, but what is Hulu Plus? Hulu Plus is the first ad-supported subscription service to offer current seasons of programming from ABC, FOX and NBC all in high-def via the internet. The service costs $9.99 a month and includes content from over 100 providers. Vizio and Hulu have now partnered to add Hulu Plus to Vizio’s Internet Apps which run on Vizio HDTVs and Blu-ray players. Full Story

Panasonic Viera VT25 3D HDTVs shipping soon

Panasonic’s new Viera VT25 series of 3D HDTVs will be shipping soon in 4 different sizes. The first models available May 3 will be the P50 and P54, at 50-inches and 54-inches respectively. Those models will sell for $2,599 and $2,999 MSRP. Full Story

3D Will Melt Eyeballs While Blowing Mind, Declares Samsung

Nope, this is not an Onion article, though the headline might have you thinking otherwise…

Samsung Corp. has released a warning regarding its 3D televisions… you know the ones you don’t yet own due to the technology being in the early adopter phase.  On its 3D TV page, a link directs potential and actual consumers to an advisory that is a reminder of what many of our parents used to tell us… Kids! Don’t sit to close to that TV set, you’ll ruin your eyes!! Full Story

Sharp adds yellow to create first consumer quad pixel 3D LCD

Now on sale in Japan, Sharp has developed a quad pixel (also known as four-primary-color) 3D LCD HDTV which fixes those unwanted “ghost” images, adds brightness (apparently the industry’s highest) and adds depth to 3D images. The new 3D solution combines four types of LCD technology: V2A technology; four primary-color technology; FRED technology; and side-mount scanning LED backlight technology. Primarily, we are excited about the addition of “yellow” to the LCD pixels. Can’t wait to see one in the U.S.

(Read on for explanations of each combined technology.) Full Story

Marvel Comics brands HDTVs with superheroes

First came Wonder Woman lunch boxes and now diehard comic fans can get their favorite superhero branded on HDTVs, including Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk, Fantastic Four, Wolverine, and Thor. The Marvel Comic image will display for 8-seconds while the TV powers up, and images of the hero are “embellished” on the bottom corners of the screen. Retro versions of the comic heroes are also available. Full Story

Deal alert Samsung 58″ plasma HDTV

Best Buy’s outlet center has a 58″ Samsung Plasma for $1499. That’s $800 (about 1/3) off the regular list price of $2299. The PN58B550T2 is a 1080p display with 600Hz Subfield Motion technology — making fast action smooth and sharp at 0.001 ms response time. In addition, the display’s antiglare technology called FilterBright reduces glare in lit environments for a better picture. Full Story

3D Battle: Cameron and Bay Slam 2D-to-3D Conversions

James Cameron has already come out swinging in the past months over the major studio’s rush to present all their blockbuster films, whether worthy of such treatment or not, in 3D.  Since the studios and minor distributors have figured out that they can rake in more first weekend dollars on 3D releases (and more so with faux-IMAX presentations) rather than their 2D versions, more and more titles are now planned for 3D presentation. Full Story

Panasonic sells out first batch of 3D HDTVs

On Mar. 10 Panasonic put a 50-inch plasma 3D HDTV package on shelves in New York City that included a 3-D Blu-ray player and one pair of RealD shutter glasses. The Panasonic model TC-P50VT20, sold exclusively at Best Buy, sold out within a week. Apparently the big $2,900 sticker (extra glasses $150 bucks each) didn’t stop early adopters from being the first to own the TVs, and those in New York will be set up to watch the first hockey game in 3D on Mar. 24. Panasonic hasn’t revealed exactly how many 3D units have sold, but they are currently taking back-orders from retailers.

LPD technology promises more eco-friendly HDTVs

CES 2010 is over but one announcement saved until after may be the biggest yet in display development. Silicon Valley company Prysm revealed a new HDTV technology that uses 75% less energy than established LCD, plasma, DLP and OLED technologies. The company developed what is called a Laser Phosphor Display, or LPD, which it claims can be constructed of non-toxic materials. Full Story

CNET names Viera 3D TV ‘Best of Show’

Editors at CNET named the Panasonic VIERA 3D plasma HDTV the “Best of Show” and “Best in Television” at the Consumer Electronics Show this past weekend. The 3D VIERA HDTVs will be available in 50″, 54″, 58″, and 65″ sizes, all four models falling under the TC-VT25 label expected to ship this Spring. Full Story

VIZIO XVT Pro series will feature 3D, 480Hz refresh rates, and Wireless HDMI

VIZIO will show off their new XVT Pro series of LCD HDTVs at CES 2010, which boast 480Hz, 3D, 16:9 and built-in wireless HDMI. The displays, expected to ship sometime this year, will be available in 72″, 55″, and 47″ sizes. MSRPs are set at $3499, $2499 and $1999 respectively. In addition to the 16:9 models, a 58″ Cinema Wide HDTV with 21 x 9 aspect ratio will also be available (no price yet). Full Story

Sony offers special deals, including a 32″ Bravia for $379

Sony is running a limited time offer until Dec. 12 on select HDTVs and HD camcorders, including a 32″ Bravia (KDL32L504) for only $379 and 40″ Bravia (KDL40S504) for only $589. The Sony CX500V HD Camcorder is marked down to $999 ($100 off), as well as several Cyber-shot digital cameras and the Sony Reader. (Some the offers may require the coupon code SONYTV40S.) Full Story

So Cal Edison sends mail regarding HDTV purchases

Got an interesting piece of mail today from Southern California Edison which addresses the HDTV energy usage issue (see pic of front). The message of the mailer is that Energy-Star qualified TVs use up to 30% less energy than others without suffering quality in picture or design. The initiative was funded by California utility customers under the “auspices” of the California Utilities Commission. In case you didn’t know, California is posed to place restrictions on HDTVs sold after Jan. 1, 2011. (See our last article regarding future HDTV regulations in California.) Get more information on the initiative at SCE’s “Save Energy, Money, and the Environment” web page.