Note that these are the same TVs rolled out at CES—nothing new has been announced, save for pricing and availability (although some remain TBD). So while the super-thin Z1 got all the CES attention, the line as a whole has some great value points scattered through its bafflingly stupid kudzu forrest of model designations. Here, the knife to get through it.

• X1 Series
The X1 are the barest bones 720p sets, and are divided between LCDs for the 26, 32 and 37-inch sizes and plasma for the 42 and 50-inchers. To sweeten the deal (a little), the LCDs come with an iPod dock that lets you play music and video via the remote on an interface on the screen. But as Wilson has said, you don't go to Per Se for McNuggets (or maybe you do)—but in any case, for a low-end LCD, you may be better served by Samsung or Sony. And you'll want to stay away from the X1 plasmas—they're the old panels from last year's line.

LCDs: TC-L26X1 - $600, TC-L32X1 - $650, TC-L37X1 - $800; all coming this month
Plasmas: TC-P42X1 - $900, TC-P50X1 - $1100; all coming Febrary 2009

• S1 Series
This is the step up into 1080p/120Hz (for LCD) land, and is a series still split into LCDs and plasmas, indicating that the distinction between flat-TV types is something people care less and less about at the store. On the plasmas, this will be the lowest you can go to still get the new 2009 panel glass, which has increased motion resolution and contrast. Motion resolution is essentially the same stat touted as 120/240Hz refresh rate in LCDs; Panasonic has starting referring to the "sub-field drive" (motion resolution refresh rate) in the same terms, here as "600Hz". Also new here is 54-inch plasma, a size Panasonic hasn't done before.

LCDs: TC-L32S1 - $850, TC-L37S1 - $900; all coming this month
Plasmas: TC-P42S1 - $1200, TC-P46S1 - $1500, TC-P50S1 - $1800 (this month for these three), TC-P54S1- $2200 (May 2009), TC-P58S1 - TC-P65S1 (no price on the biggies, coming in August).

• G1 Series
These are the highest-end LCDs at the 32 and 37-inch sizes, but with not much to differentiate from the S1 series besides an extra HDMI port, a nicer bezel and an increased contrast ratio. Again, if you're going LCD, might want to check around elsewhere.

LCDs: TC-L32G1 - $800, TC-L37G1 - $1100 (coming this month)

• G10 Series
Throwing the rest of the naming convention to the wind is the G10 series, which is the earliest point in the line where Viera Cast, Panasonic's built-in streaming software service, comes in (it's in all the series moving on up the line from here). The biggest fish offered through Viera Cast is Amazon VOD; there's no Netflix to be found. With others like LG offering both, it's kind of baffling why Netflix is missing here, but if a deal comes to fruition later, your TV will be compatible, as the whole thing lives server side. These sets are also THX-certified with a special THX preset for optimized picture settings, with sizes going up to the new 54-incher.

Plasmas: TC-P42G10 - $1400, TC-P46G10 - $1700, TC-P50G10 - $2000, TC-P54G10 - $2400, (this month for all but the 54-incher, which is coming in May).

V10 Series
The V10s are the top-of-the line, big-screen plasmas, going all the way up to 65 inches. They have everything found on the G10s, adding 24p cinema framerate playback and the bigger-sized panels. The 40,000:1 contrast ratio won't beat the custom-install only 65VX100U's 60,000:1 blacks we saw at CEDIA, but you won't have to drop 10 grand either. In fact you won't have to drop a lot of money at all, as the value quotient here is pretty hot—at least where pricing is confirmed.

Plasmas: TC-P50V10 - $2300, TC-P54V10 - $2700, TC-P58V10 - TBD, TC-P65V10 - TBD (all available in the summer: June for the smaller ones, and August for the two biggies with TBD prices).

• Z1
And of course, let's not forget the crazy showpiece Z1, the one-inch thick stunner with Wireless HDMI on top of all of the high end specs you've seen before. The pre-production model we saw today looks just as fine as it did at CES. Pricing is now set at $6000, with a non-commital 2009 release.

Here's what we don't know: Anything else.

Panasonic has plans to sell the new VIERA HDTVs starting in late October at Abt Electronics, Ultimate Electronics, and Circuit City stores. Offerings inlcude 42-inch class and 50-inch class sizes with a built-in tru2way cable receiver. The TH-42PZ80Q and TH-50PZ80Q are both extensions of the VIERA PZ80 series and they will retail for $1,600 and $2,300 respectively. The press release below doesn't say definitively when Comcast is going to have everything up and running, so users in these areas might want to take that into account before rushing out stores. Additional cities are expected to go live in the coming months.

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES ARRIVAL OF FIRST
TRU2WAY™ HDTVs AT RETAIL

Consumers In Chicago And Denver Will Be First
To Experience Comcast’s Video On Demand Without A Set-Top Box

Panasonic Tru2way-Enabled VIERA Plasma HDTVs To Go On Sale In Late October At Abt Electronics, Ultimate Electronics, and Circuit City Stores

CHICAGO, IL (October 15, 2008) — Panasonic (NYSE: PC), the consumer electronics industry leader in the development and application of tru2way technology, and Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications today announced the arrival of the first tru2way VIERA HDTVs at Abt Electronics in Glenview, IL and officially declared the tru2way platform active in Chicago and Denver.

Tru2way technology is being used to create a common software platform that will enable cable companies, consumer electronics companies, content developers, network programmers and others to extend interactivity to the TV set and other kinds of devices. The new Panasonic VIERA HDTVs are built with tru2way technology inside enabling consumers to access two-way digital cable programming, like video on demand, without a cable operator-supplied set-top box. Panasonic and Comcast have worked together to lead the development and deployment of tru2way technology and related products which are based upon specifications developed by CableLabs®, the industry’s research and development arm.

“The arrival of the first tru2way HDTVs at retail combined with Comcast’s activation of its first tru2way head ends are among the most significant milestones in the cable industry and are a huge win for consumers,” said Dr. Paul Liao, Chief Technology Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “At the May 2008 Cable Show, we stated with great confidence that the first tru2way HDTVs would be available for consumer purchase at retail by fall 2008. We are especially delighted to have partnered with Comcast and CableLabs to make good on that promise and bring the benefits of open networks to cable subscribers.”

Comcast customers in the Chicago and Denver areas will be the first in the U.S. to have access to tru2way digital cable service with additional cities expected to go live in the coming months. The tru2way VIERA HDTVs will be available in the Chicago area at Abt Electronics in Glenview and at Circuit City locations and at Ultimate Electronics and Circuit City stores in the Denver area.

“We see tru2way technology as the gateway for our customers to experience the next generation of interactive television, and our work with Panasonic to develop and support the first fully digital-cable-ready HDTVs is an important first step in making that happen,” said Mark Hess, Comcast’s Senior Vice President of Video Product Development. “This common platform also will let us develop an exciting array of interactive services and applications that we can deliver on our advanced fiber network to a variety of consumer electronics devices.”

Added Dr. Richard R. Green, President and CEO of CableLabs, “We are delighted to see the arrival of Panasonic tru2way products in the marketplace. As tru2way technology is adopted by operators like Comcast nationwide, consumers can be confident that exciting new interactive digital cable products and services from innovative companies such as Panasonic will work seamlessly with any cable network that supports OpenCable specifications nationwide.”

Panasonic’s first tru2way enabled VIERA Plasma HDTVs will be offered in 42-inch class and 50-inch class sizes with integrated tru2way cable receiver capability within the set’s chassis.
The TH-42PZ80Q and TH-50PZ80Q will be extensions of Panasonic’s critically acclaimed VIERA PZ80 series of 1080p Plasma HDTVs. The TH-42PZ80Q will have an SRP of $1,599.95 and the TH-50PZ80Q will have an SRP of $2,299.95. These tru2way HDTVs will allow consumers to access all digital cable services such as electronic program guides and the full range of interactive and video-on-demand programming – all accessible directly via the television’s remote control - without the costs or clutter associated with a traditional external cable set-top box.

In addition to tru2way technology, the VIERA TH-42PZ80Q and TH-50PZ80Q feature 480Hz Sub-field Drive for sharp motion image focus, 1,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, VIERA Link, and a built-in SD Memory Card reader for playing back digital photos. VIERA Link allows the consumer to operate all VIERA Link equipped components with a singe remote.

Each family member customizes their own fitness profile, and then scuttles over to a video wall to choose either a specific workout or interaction with a video-based instructor. Panasonic's Total Living Space Solution system will then keep track of everybody's progress. The company said its concept will see the light of day about three to five years from now. I personally can't wait, since I'm convinced the best way to ensure my family's continued health is to put them in front of a TV screen for even more hours of the day. [Crave]

Two-way CableCards basically mean that the cable box, with all its features including VOD and PPV, is built into the TV. Right now, the CableCard in a TiVo or Media Center PC will only get you video. Panasonic will integrate OCAP into its mid-level PZ80 line, in 50" and 42" models this summer. Though the list prices for the TVs without OCAP are $2499 and $1599 respectively, the price of OCAP itself will be quite noticeable. Though there are some shared-chip advantages to integrating the set-top box, Panasonic still says "it'll be the cost of a cable box built into a TV," so like, not cheap.

Panasonic is currently testing with Comcast in five markets, and are building this to spec with CableLabs and all of the cable companies, but that's no guarantee that any carrier will be ready to deploy when the TVs are, so get ready for cranky customer service operators and a lot of educational consumership. That is to say, you might have to teach your cable carrier about this new technology. [Panasonic 2008 Viera Lineup; CableLabs OpenCable]

April's batch will include the LZ85 Series TX-37LZ85 and TX-32LZ85. These LCDs will add in 100 Hz Motion Picture Pro 2 and 24p Real Cinema function, which will allow for smooth motion transition when reproducing a 24p movie source.

Lastly, the TX-37LZ800 will complete the product refresh, which will boast Motion Focus technology and an exceptionally clear panel, supposedly capable of outputting a pristine image even in well-lit surroundings. The integrated speakers will tote SRS trusurround XT, and it will come equipped with four HDMI inputs; one at the front of the display and three in the rear...must...not...make...joke.

The complete, updated Viera range will have Panasonic's latest generation of IPS Alpha panels, which will offer a 178 degree viewing angle, horizontally and vertically. V-Audio surround also makes an appearance, which will aid in sound reproduction thanks to the V-Audio technologies that feature Panasonic's digital amplifier and BBE (Bass Boost Enhancement). We'll be at a Panasonic event later today, so stay tuned for our first impressions on the whole lot. [tech.co.uk]

Pana's 65inch plasma with SD recording [TechDigest]

There is, at present, no content to support 1080p, but PS3 will change all that soon enough.

65" plasma TV going for under 1 mil. yen [Daily Yomiuri]