Though there are lots of new television technologies vying for your attention, we think two of the most significant are slim and wireless. We've already seen the ZX1 and EX1 LCD screens from Sony, and now it's Panasonic's turn.
Upside
The Z1 was on display at last year's event as a "prototype" and while the actual model isn't quite as slender as it appears in the video it's still impressive. It measures at one-inch thick and comes in the one model: 54 inches. This size is yet another new category for the company, which debuted its first 46-inch this time last year.
The screen features the company's Neo Full HD plasma panels with a 1080p resolution, 2,000,000+:1 contrast, and a 1080p wireless connection to the main media box. Like the Sony TVs before it, this box can be placed up to 10m away and accepts all of the appropriate connections. The screen also has an HDMI port should you need it.
The panel includes the Viera Link HDMI control and AVCHD viewing via the on-board SD card slot, as do all plasmas that have come out in 2009. Interestingly, unlike Panasonic's competitors, the screen lacks Ethernet connections, with the company choosing to include those on its recorders and players instead.
Downside
Here's one thing we're puzzled by … the Z1 uses a 60GHz signal — completely wireless — but Panasonic still recommends placing the receiver within line of sight at the bottom of the panel. A black box the size of a packet of fags hanging off the bottom of the TV just looks ugly. We prefer Sony's method of integrating the receiver into the unit itself. Hopefully Panasonic will change this by the time the plasma rolls off the assembly line.
Outlook
The Z1 is due for release in September and appears like it will be a winner. It looks very sexy, and seems to perform quite well from what we saw. Pricing is yet to be announced but we wouldn't anticipate much, if any, change from 10 grand.
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