Not too long ago my dad had his old TV go out after a lightning strike, so he asked me to head to the local Best Buy with him to get a new TV. I realized two things straight away. First, the vast majority of employees at Best Buy are morons. Then I realized most Best Buy TV salesman use the lower lifespan of plasma TVs compared LCD TVs to talk shoppers out of going plasma. Personally, I prefer plasma to LCD because you usually get more contrast and a brighter picture.

Panasonic has announced new plasma TVs in its VIERA 1080p line that will make the lifespan argument against plasma TVs a moot point. Panasonic says its new 1080p plasma HDTVs are rated to last for up to 100,000 viewing hours before they dim to half brightness.

Panasonic has finally answered the clamors of those seeking a successor to its popular DMC-LX2 digital camera by introducing the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3. This updated model, pricing at around $500, will be available in August.

The DMC-LX3, according to Panasonic, includes enhanced CCD technology, a LEICA lens and what is described as a “wide range of manual shooting controls.” This camera effectively offers 10.1-megapixels and, with the special CCD,  “sensitivity is almost 40 percent higher and saturation is increased by 35 percent.” This reportedly means picture quality is better while also supporting a wider range.

Panasonic unveiled today the LUMIX DMC-FZ28, an action focused digital camera with what the company says is a long zoom and 27mm wide-angle lens. It prices at around $400 and will be available in August.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 is a 10.1-megapixel shooter with an 18x optical zoom, enhanced auto mode and new auto focus tracking which which lets you automatically track a subject while it moves. This reportedly keeps it in focus without needing to hold the shutter halfway down. Up to 15 faces can be focused upon with this feature as well.

Sure, you can find a camcorder that will survive when there’s a light rain, but a camcorder that can film underwater is a bit tougher to come by. Panasonic’s new SDR-SW20 will let you capture footage underwater or in your pool. It uses SD or SDHC memory cards which makes it light and compact, and able to survive drops from about 4 feet or so, which is nice if you are the clumsy type.

As far as images, you’re looking at 640×480 quality JPEGs. While you can’t take it to the ocean floor, it is waterproof up to 5 feet so you can at least film some fish swimming by. You don’t want to bother sharks anyway. Another feature is 10X optical zoom and fast power up so you can shoot in as quick as 0.6 seconds. It will cost you $348.01 and comes in silver or red.

Panasonic is rolling out a new rugged UMPC which is the first to integrate Intel’s Atom low power processor. It is called the Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 and you’ll find it pricing around $2,500.

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 is, like other PCs of its type, designed to be used in the field under a variety of harsh conditions. It sports the aforementioned Intel Atom processor, Windows Vista, a 5.6-inch WSVGA sunlight viewable touchscreen and a 16GB solid state removable drive which can be upgraded to 32GB.

Panasonic today added two new HD camcorders, saying these new models are the world’s first AVCHD camcorders with a 3MOS system. The new HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 are pricing at around $1,300 and $1,100, respectively.

These new camcorders are based upon Panasonic’s 3CCD technology and, using the 3M0S system, reportedly capture better colors, detail and richer gradation. The HDC-SD100 records to SD Memory Card, while the hybrid HDC-HS100 records to both SD Memory Card and to its internal 60 GB hard drive.

Panasonic said today it was releasing a new mobile phone accessory which connects Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to cordless handsets in the home. It is known as the Panasonic KX-TH1211 Link to Cell and you’ll find it pricing around for around $100 (model KX-TH1212 includes two handsets and retails for around $130).

The Panasonic KX-TH1211 Link to Cell is a Bluetooth-enabled box which has a one touch initialization process, according to Panasonic. It can link up to two Bluetoot-enabled cell phones with up to six compatible wireless handsets. It can also support regular landline communications.

Panasonic is bringing a new wireless digital camera to the ranks of its TZ-family. This model will be known as the LUMIX DMC-TZ50 and it will price at around $450.

The LUMIX DMC-TZ50 from Panasonic is a 9.1-megapixel shooter with a 28mm wide-angle lens and 10x optical zoom. It can be used to wirelessly connect to a hotspot and upload the photos to Google’s Picasa Web Albums either one at a time or multiple photos at a time. Panasonic is trying to push using a T-Mobile HotSpot for this feature, offering a year of free wireless usage from T-Mobile.

When you say plasma display most of us immediately think of a big flat panel TV. In the home theater realm plasma is losing ground to LCD displays as LCDs improve in contrast and brightness. For years now LCD has been the dominate player in the cell phone industry for displays.

Panasonic and AbleComm announced today that Panasonic would be building a cell phone that uses a small plasma display to operate on the newly announced AT&T Mobile TV service. The small screen will require only 1.5 volts to operate and will require no special wiring or power supplies.

Panasonic unveiled today its first touchscreen digital camera. It is called the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 and pricing is set at around $400.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 sports a three-inch display which serves double duty as a LCD touchscreen. From this touchscreen one access the bulk of control options this camera makes available. It also makes use of joystick control for selection of options.

That’s right, another device that looks like a tasty candy bar. This is Panasonic’s D-Snap SV-SD870N, and it’s a bit slick looking with the display giving it a 2 tone design. It’s a digital player that offers over 100 hours of audiophile quality audio play using noise canceling technology.

It supports most audio formats and you can even record directly to a 2gigabyte SD card. Panasonic will start to ship the SV-SD870N in 5 colors starting April 18th in Japan.

Have you had enough digital camera announcements yet? Sorry - got another one for you. This time around we have a compact shooter called the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 and pricing is set at around $200.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 offers up 8.1 megapixels and a a f2.8 Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with 3x optical zoom. Panasonic has also outfitted this camera with a new image processing engine, a 2.5-inch LCD screen which automatically adjusts its brightness level and your choice of five body colors.

Panasonic expects the DMC-FS3 in stores in February. For more details check after the jump.

Panasonic announced the DMC-TZ5 as another Lumix camera heading for shelves soon with very similar features to the DMC-FX35 model including a wide-angle lens and high-def video recording. The TZ5 loses a little in megapixels compared the FX35 with 9.1, but gains in just about everything else.

The DMC TZ5 Lumix has a 10x optical zoom, generous 3-inch LCD display and a 28mm wide-angle lens that can get almost twice as much panorama compared to typical lens. It also features Panasonic’s big 5 Intellegent Auto features for automatic adjustments for exposure, scene selection, image stabilization, facial detection of as many as 15 faces and ISO Control to adjust shutter speed for moving images. This model can also record video with 1280 x 720 HD resolution at 30 frames per second with an HD out component cable port.

Panasonic is expecting to have the TZ5 available by the end of March with a retail price of just under $350. More detailed release information below:

Panasonic unveiled today some new Lumix LZ-Series compact digital cameras which are point and shoot models with a decent set of features. These are the DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8, priced at around $250 and $180 respectively.

Both LZ-Series models feature Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR lenses and wide-angle shooting — 30mm on the LZ10 and 32mm on the LZ8. Manual controls are available for use, there’s 5x optical zoom and battery life is provided via AA batteries.

Panasonic says the DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 will both be available in February. More details after the jump.

Panasonic is answering the call for HD home videos with a couple of new hi-def camcorders, one of which being the new HDC-SD5. The HD5 uses Panasonic’s original 3CCD HD-camcorder that records video at a 1920×1080 resolution along with an advanced O.I.S. system to help keep your shots from having the shakes, even when you do. The HDC-SD5 also makes use of a lens from the well-known Leica Camera using 12 lens elements in eight groups with a low-dispersion glass to help keep crisp, defined colors in the video.

Media is recorded onto SD/SDHC …