In the "NeoPDP Technology" corner, you will find a section dedicated to the exhibition of highly efficient luminance technology used in the plasma display panels announced at the International CES this January. Two 42-inch plasma display panels are exhibited side by side. The brightness of the screen on the right illustrates the brightness of traditional models, while the screen on the left is twice as bright thanks to this technology. If you tone down the brightness of the screen on the left to the level equal to that of traditional models, the power consumption is reduced by approximately 50%, so its efficiency is quite apparent.

It's a great thing to be able to halve power consumption, but how did this become possible? When I asked the staff in the booth, they said that it involved developing new materials for the luminescent substance, a cell design technology that augments discharge efficiency, and new drive technology that would significantly reduce current power transmission loss. The staff made emphasis that this was not a mere extension of traditional thinking; Panasonic reexamined every single step thoroughly to create this revolutionary technology. This technology, which improves luminance efficiency, will be the core technology necessary to make larger and thinner plasma display panels of the future.

Panasonic has named these innovative technologies, which give rise to next generation plasma display panels, the "NeoPDP Technology." I will explain the possibilities, the sheer size, and thinness brought to life by the "NeoPDP Technology" later on.

It is only last year that Panasonic introduced the full high definition 42-inch plasma TV. And in January this year, they announced the "NeoPDP Technology," which has the possibility to halve power consumption. So much research and dedication must have gone into making this a reality. I was born in the era of the cathode-ray tube TVs, but looking back, I don't think the CRT TVs went under such rapid advancement. I am very astonished by the amazing speed at which the plasma display panels are evolving.

Can you see that the brightness of both screens is the same? But, the one on the left, the NeoPDP employing highly efficient luminance technology, has a power consumption that is about half of that of the screen on the right.