Panasonic has launched seven new Viera 1080p HD TVs. The range includes six plasma TVs ranging from 42 to 65in and a single 37in LCD TV, all with a selection of futuristic features.

The plasma line up is broken down into the PZ750 series, which includes 65, 58, 50 and 42in models, and the PZ70 range, which comes in either 50 or 42in models.

The PZ750 Viera series

The four PZ750 displays each have an SD/SDHC memory card slot for still images or AVCHD-format HD videos. They can also be linked up to Panasonic's video intercom system to automatically transmit video footage to the TV when someone is at your front door.

Six three-way speakers are built into the four TVs, which the manufacturer claims allows for the delivery of rich low sounds through the use of a specialist porous carbon material - helping to make all those crashes and explosions in the Die Hard series more realistic than the acting.

Full-HD Picture Enhancement Accelerator with Kinetic System (PEAKS) technology is also used to deliver a moving-picture resolution of over 900 lines and a 10,000:1 contrast, which Panasonic claims will make images so realistic you'll almost feel the texture of images on screen, so watching nature programs could be tricky.

The PZ70 Viera series

The PZ70 series is very similar and also features PEAKS Plasma technology. Both models use a specialist technology that ensures they provide a consistently clear picture when viewed off-centre, have a refresh rate of 120fps, and a 7,000:1 contrast ratio.

The 37in LCD Viera

By comparison, the 37in LCD seems rather mundane. It offers the same off-centre clarity technology and a refresh rate of 120fps, giving a moving-picture resolution of over 600 lines. It also had a 7,000:1 contrast ratio and is compatible with SD/SDHC memory cards.

All models will be available from next month, unfortunately only in Japan though. So you'll have to put up with your current set for the time being at least.