Showcasing much of their high end TV technology for 2009, the Panasonic Z1 Plasma series is packed full of innovative features including wireless HD.

The TX-P54Z1E can transmit a full 1080p HD signal from its tuner box and also supports the Viera Cast feature wirelessly. Working in conjunction with Amazon's video-on-demand services the Z1 can stream High Definition movies and access Picasa, YouTube, and weather services.

By reducing power consumption by up to a half, NeoPDP technology on the TX-P54Z1E could give plasma screens a new lease of life. NeoPDP technology not only reduces power consumption but produces slimmer, lighter screens, with improved picture performance.

Coming in at a svelte like 1in thick, the Z1 also features Panasonic's 600Hz Sub-field Drive, a claimed contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1, THX sound certification along with 4 HDMI inputs and SD memory card compatibility.

600Hz Sub-field Drive increases the rate at which plasma pixels refresh to improve High Definition motion tracking. It is worth noting that the figure is not directly comparable to an LCD refresh rate.

Remembering that a video signal is actually a series of still images (frames) appearing so quickly that they trick the eye into believing we are watching a moving image (100Hz = 100 frames per second) - 600Hz technology adds an extra step to the process - a method used to display (or 'flash') the individual image elements (dots) on a plasma panel, 600 times per second (600Hz). Panasonic are actually employing some clever technology to 'interpolate' this extra data. The number of frames displayed per second in the case of Sub-Field technology has not actually increased to 600, which is a little confusing.

With its ultra svelte profile, lightweight design for wall hanging and brushed aluminium finish, the Z1 is one of the most stylish flat panel TV's around. The 54in Panasonic TX-P54Z1E is on sale in the UK now.

Panasonic TX-P54Z1E