By Claire Reilly

While CES may be a hotbed of bizarre gadgets and hi-end tech wizardry, these products don’t necessarily trickle down to everyday retailers in Australia. But there are some well-known brands making big announcements about the staples of their ranges at the conference this year. 

One such brand is Panasonic, which announced the arrival of its HDTV Plasma range for 2012 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas today. The company launched 17 new models (ranging in size from 42- to 65-inches) across the VT50, GT50, ST50, UT50, XT50 and U50 series of TVs.

Just as Samsung affirmed its commitment to Content, Interaction and Evolution as the three cornerstones of its TV success, underpinning Pana’s new product releases will be five core points of focus for the company: Networking, Easy Operation, Picture Quality, Eco and Design elements.

Here’s vice president of Panasonic marketing, Henry Hauser.

“Panasonic is proud to be recognized by numerous critics for its superior picture quality and for its continuing commitment to the highest technology standards possible. Never ones to stand on our laurels, the 2012 series of VIERA Plasma HDTVs fine tunes the 3D picture quality to one that rivals what is seen in the theatre.

“Furthermore, we have expanded and enhanced the VIERA connect internet functionality by employing cloud technology, enabling users to access an infinite number of apps.”

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This internet connectivity will allow users to access MySpace TV, which was announced today and was being spruiked at the Panasonic conference presentation by Justin Timberlake (who recently bought a stake in the beleaguered social networking website).

MySpace TV will initially be centred on music, drawing on the website’s library of 42 million songs and 100,000 music videos; however, there are also plans to expand this content to cover movies, news, sport and reality channels.

“We’re ready to take television and entertainment to the next step by upgrading it to the social networking experience,” said Timberlake of the new service. “We’re giving you the opportunity to connect your friends to your moments as they’re actually occurring. This is the evolution of one of our greatest inventions, the television.”

Aside from the focus on content, Panasonic is also upgrading the tech specs on its plasma range. Selected models will include internet browsers, and 8-Train Speakers will provide “3D Real Sound”. The company also states that it has improved the luminance efficiency of its panels and introduced the “latest generation of lightweight 3D glasses” that feature Bluetooth technology, rechargeable batteries and weigh in at 27 grams.

“Panasonic is continually striving to surpass the previous year’s commercial and critical success, as well as listening to what consumers are saying,” added Hauser. “That is precisely why Panasonic’s 2012 Plasma models will once again prove to be the industry leader.”