Panasonic's home entertainment blitz

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 30 August 2007 11:42

Your IT - Entertainment

If it's screen size you crave, try the $A2749 PT-AX200 video projector featuring technology that adjusts the gamma curve, iris setting, lamp power and picture sharpness to match the lighting in the room. It also provides dynamic sharpness control for fine detail even on a 100in screen.

"Recognising the popularity of Panasonic's home theatre projectors with gamers, the PT-AX200 has introduced a 'game mode', which improves signal processing for faster response," said Adam Roberts, category marketing manager for home AV and TV at Panasonic Australia. "It also enhances gradation in saturated areas such as darker scenes to provide more detail."

The projector has a resolution of 1280 by 720p and provides dual HDMI, component, composite and S-video inputs.

Still cameras haven't been forgotten, with a mid-September debut for the $A879 Lumix DMC-FZ18, a 1.8MP camera with 18x optical zoom and a 28mm Leica DC lens.

"The versatile Lumix DMC-FZ18 offers the choice of manual features for enthusiasts who want precise control, or the intuitive 'Intelligent Auto', which minimises the need to adjust settings every time conditions change," said Alistair Robins, category marketing manager, for mobile AV, Panasonic Australia. "You can get great results from this powerful 18x zoom camera, whatever your level of experience."

Other features include intelligent scene selector (portrait, macro, night, etc), face detection, continuous auto focus, optical image stabilisation, intelligent ISO control, and an LCD with adjustable brightness. 848 by 480 video can be recorded at 30fps.

Optional accessories include a tele-conversion lens, close-up lens, ND filter, MC protector, lens adaptor, and battery pack.