Panasonic centered its CES press event around two strategic initiatives, 3D and web connectivity.

Their focus on an end-to-end 3D solution included the announcements of a 3D Innovation Center at their Hollywood facility; the establishment of an Asia Committee within the International 3D Society to bring 3D information and training to China, Japan, and other asian countries; and Panasonic’s support of a 3D initiative within the Campus Movie Festival, which enables thousands of college students to create and screen their own short films.

Panasonic president Shiro Kitajima predicts that 3D-capable TVs will account for 32% of total TV sales worldwide by 2014.  As part of their end-to-end solution, many new Panasonic TVs and Blu-ray players have an SD slot, so 3D home movies and photos shot on Panasonic 3D camcorders and cameras can be easily transferred and displayed.

VIERA CAST, the first Internet-connected TV service, was introduced by Panasonic in 2008. Today, they announced its transition to VIERA Connect. Key aspects of VIERA Connect include access to 3rd party apps and many online services that consumers enjoy; such as YouTube, Netflix, Facebook, gaming sites, and Skype.

Panasonic also announced the VIERA Tablet, an Android-based tablet that will access cloud services through VIERA HDTV (e.g. VIERA Connect) and complement their connected TVs. The VIERA Tablet will be available later this year.

Jim Sanduski, SVP, discussed four areas of 3D display improvements in the 2011 models: crisper image (reduced crosstalk), deeper blacks (“infinite black”), brighter images (from new phosphors), and reduced power consumption (part of their company-wide environmental initiative).

Panasonic introduced 19 new plasma screens, 8 new LCD screens, in addition to new 3D-capable Blu-ray players, 3D-capable camcorders, and 3D-capable cameras.