On the main stage, a 3D Mass Display consisting of 61 panels presented dynamic 3D images of previous Olympic Games activities as well as scenes recorded inside the Space Shuttle by the Panasonic 3DA1 3D Camera.

The Digital AV Network corner showcased the newly designed 2012 Smart VIERA models. Visitors were welcomed to this year's venue by an impressively huge Smart VIERA monument.

Designed in the image of a cloud, the monument was constructed around five axes, representing Picture Quality, Easy Operation, Networking, Eco, and Design. This effectively relayed the fact that Smart VIERA does much more than simply connect to a network. Indeed, it is the newest and most advanced form of smart TV, thanks to its dramatic evolution in all of these five major areas.

Two presenters, Paul and Rich, greeted visitors on a special stage and provided easy-to-understand explanations of the Smart VIERA concept and features.

This Smart VIERA visual made its public debut here. It shows the kind of joy and excitement that Smart VIERA brings to daily life.

Here, we'll introduce the booths that presented the five major advantages of Smart VIERA.

The second smart advantage is Easy Operation. Here, an entirely new kind of remote control unit, the VIERA Touch Pad Controller, was presented. Visitors were able to operate the new remote themselves, navigating around VIERA Connect content and browsing through websites with its surprising user-friendliness.

VIERA Connect, the cloud-based Internet service for TVs, already offers a wide range of apps — for sports viewing, video on demand, games, social networking and more. This versatile and growing collection of apps, including those in the new Kids category, was introduced in the Networking corner.

Demo screens for apps in the new Kids category were also on display.

A large variety of accessories,* such as gamepads, keyboards, and 3D Eyewear, can be purchased online, via VIERA Connect, from the VIERA Connect Market.

* Not available in some regions.

New Skype Communication While Watching TV

VIERA Connect for 2012 lets you enjoy Skype while watching TV, both on the same screen. A demo was set up so at the booth visitors could watch an actual TV broadcast and connect via Skype to a TV in another area of the venue.

* The availability of each app depends on the region.

Panasonic pursues manufacturing methods that have minimal impact on the earth's environment. Our plasma models feature long-life panels that are mercury and lead free. And our LED LCD models have a large-aperture IPS panel* that uses a number of new materials, and a high-efficiency LED backlight. The synergetic effect of these features reduces power consumption by approximately 25%** compared with previous Panasonic models. Both plasma and LED LCD models have a variety of energy-saving functions, such as functions that automatically adjust screen brightness, or turn off the power, to match the usage conditions.

* Only for the WT and DT Series.
** The rate of power consumption reduction varies depending on the model.

The 2012 VIERA design concept is "Glass and Metal." Both plasma and LED LCD panels combine these two materials into a design that pursues a highly harmonious form. In other words, they package the newest technologies into a cutting-edge form. The booth displayed the VT Series, which is designed with the theme of "One Sheet of Glass," and the WT Series, which is designed with the theme of "A Super Narrow Metal Frame with Crescent Stand."

The High Picture Quality Technology corner displayed a 20-inch 4K2K IPS LCD panel as a reference exhibit.

3D End to End Solution

The London 2012 Olympic Games, which will begin in July, will be the first Olympic Games in history to be broadcast in 3D. The shooting and editing equipment that will produce these dynamic 3D images was displayed here, intermixed with a variety of Olympic imagery. Images shot with a 3D camera were played on the spot for viewing with 3D Eyewear.

3D-Compatible LUMIX Camera and Camcorder

The 3D corner featured the 3D1, the first LUMIX model to be equipped with a Dual Lens, and the HC-X900M, the top-of-the-line camcorder for 2012 mounted with an optional 3D Conversion Lens. The wide-ranging 3D content from these cameras was attractively presented on Smart VIERA displays.

The FULL HD 3D images of the HC-X900M, made possible by its 3D Conversion Lens were especially impressive. They showed how easy it is to create and enjoy FULL HD 3D images with the crisp clarity and vibrant beauty that distinguish Smart VIERA and its Frame Sequential Method compatibility.

The Home Theater corner exhibited a FULL HD 3D Blu-ray Disc™ Home Theater with true to cinema sound quality.

The layout flexibility of our sound bar was further enhanced this year. The ability to separate the bar into two speakers in order to create a 2.1-channel speaker system exemplified the many layout possibilities.

The Panasonic press conference, which was held on January 9th local time preceding the start of CES, included a special appearance by Mr. Justin Timberlake. As part of his comments, he mentioned the new social communication that is now unfolding thanks to the linking of Myspace and Panasonic VIERA. He was well received by the enthusiastic audience.

In the same manner as was done at IFA 2011 and CEATEC Japan 2011, a live stream broadcast was also provided directly from the CES venue.

So what did you think of it? We hope you felt the excitement and passion surrounding the Panasonic booth even if you weren't able to visit it yourself. And we hope you'll look forward to even more great things to come from VIERA and the Panasonic product line in the future.