Panasonic is getting its new HDTVs out in Japan ahead of the expected 2008 Olympics buying spree, with 12 new models unveiled today. One of the few times Japan gets the short end of the tech stick, its incredible 150-inch plasma, and Google-enabled (for Youtube, Picasa access) PZ850 line from CES were nowhere to be found, with the top of the line represented by the 42-, 46-, 50-inch PZ800 series (sporting 1080p, x.v.Color, THX display certification, a new less-reflective glass and 30,000:1 contrast ratio) thats due April 20 for ¥370,000 - ¥500,000 ($3,584 - $4,844). The lower end PZ85/PZ80 (the PZ85's are slimmer, the PZ80 comes in black or silver finish, but they're otherwise the same) screens slide in with 42- to 50-inch models hitting shelves April 10th for ¥300,000 to ¥430,000 ($2,906 - $4,166). Finally the 32- and 37-inch 1080p LCDs (LZ85/LZ80) round things out with 10,000:1 contrast ratios, 120Hz motion processing and an expected arrival of April 20.

[Via Impress]

Those who just seem to sleep better knowing that every component of their (Sony) setup has the same brand name on it may take pleasure in the fact that the aforementioned company is doling out a smorgasbord of new AV cables across the pond. Apparently, the firm's high performance AV series will include HDMI, component, SCART, optical / coaxial digital audio and stereo audio flavors, and they will all be marketed as perfect complements to BRAVIA TVs, VAIO PCs, PS3s and Sony Blu-ray players. These cables are purportedly a notch above the midrange lineup introduced earlier this year, and they all boast 24k gold plated connectors and are manufactured from 99.996-percent oxygen free copper (OFC). No prices are mentioned, but you can supposedly find the whole lot now in one, three and five meter lengths over in Europe.

[Via Cybertheater]

Trust us, we know when these mega-corps put their heads together to create a buzz-eliciting presentation about the "future of HDTV," things don't always materialize as planned, but Mitsubishi and Hitachi each had a few interesting things to say at a recent pep talk about their hopes and dreams. Aside from alerting us all to the painfully obvious tidbit that HDTV prices are "unlikely to be stable" in the years ahead, Mitsubishi also talked up how 1080p will become an integral part of its forthcoming sets, and more interestingly, spoke about integrating "LED and laser technologies" into HDTVs. Also, it was stated that bigger screens would likely garner more attention as prices fell, and that x.v. Color would also play a role in 2007 / 2008 strategies. On the Hitachi front, it focused more on marketing its "well built flat panels" as "accessible luxuries," but also mentioned an expansion in its HDTV lineup, a boost in 1080p-capable sets, and a 60-inch flagship plasma that would "be sold only through A/V specialists." Now, who's betting it all comes true?