One of the questions we've been pestering Panasonic with for ages is when Viera Connect -- formerly Viera Cast -- would get iPlayer. The answer, it seems, is straight away.
Most of Panasonic's 2011 TV range isn't available to buy yet, but we're currently reviewing the 37-inch TX-L37E30B, which comes with the Viera Connect portal (and a remote labelled with Viera Cast, for some reason). As part of our testing, we connected the TV to our network, fired up the online service and were stunned to see a BBC iPlayer logo, bold and proud in the top right corner.
We leapt straight into the app, and we have to say, we were impressed. The interface is consistent with the BBC's look and feel, which isn't a surprise considering the corporation is very strict about the design of third-party programs. It's fluid and fast too, which isn't always the case with these TV applications.
Clicking on a programme brings up the information box, which isn't unusual. What is slightly different is the option that allows you to switch to the HD version of the show, where available. Brilliantly, we found the picture quality is second to none in terms of streaming video. In fact, apart from a slight judder, which is barely noticeable, we'd struggle to tell the difference between the quality of the iPlayer feed and standard-definition Freeview images (which admittedly aren't the best).
This is certainly a massive boost for Panasonic's service, which we've accused of being a bit rubbish in the past, for not having much in the way of premium video content. Viera Connect also includes access to Acetrax too, which allows you to buy movies to watch on your TV but keep nice and safe, tucked away in the cloud.
It's not clear yet if iPlayer will come to older Viera Cast devices. We'll endeavour to find out, and we'll post an update if we can.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters
Comments 16
Add your comment
Anonymous 18 March, 2011 15:43
Viera Cast is totally useless. The widget are slow and clunky and I think Panasonic should allow updates from vera cast to viera connection. I do hope that iplayer is adopted on older viera cast if the 2010 models dont get updates.
spudy12 20 March, 2011 17:16
Would love to know if its coming to the older Panasonic tvs! I have a 2010 version and the Viera Cast is crap!
Would be great if the iplayer came to the older versions as the freesat channel version is also crap and doesn't seem to work consistently on panosinic tv's (don't know if this is just me but in both my houses with the same tv its so temperamental!)
Geordie71 11 April, 2011 19:21
No iPlayer on my TX-P32G20 or TX-L32G20 although I found and loaded an update for viera cast. Like other users, i regard the current oferign as clunky and lacking content so I don't go there. I am back to wrestling with why the TV will play some but not all wmv files from my media server. I suspect its actually a sharing/security issue not a file format issue!
anonymous 1 May, 2011 22:50
I have a Panasonic DMR-BW780 Bluray recorder with HD Freeview. I agree with previous contributors Viera Cast is a bit of a let-down, to say the least..
Viera Connect with BBC iPlayer would be a welcome upgrade, so please Panasonic please do the right thing by your loyal customers (I also a 37" Viera plasma TV) and give us Viera Connect!
Anonymous 15 May, 2011 21:18
The freesat version of the iplayer is excellent - everything is nice and big and easily viewable from a distance. This version would be very uncomfortable to view from a distance. Lets hope that they update Viera Cast to have the same features as Viera Connect, with the app market etc.
Anonymous 12 July, 2011 18:20
I have just bought a Panasonic TV with Viera Cast (and paid £80 for the wireless adapter). I will never buy another Panasonic TV if Viera Connect is not available on it. Talk about leaving customers in the lurch!
Tiggi 21 July, 2011 11:56
I phoned Panasonic Customer Communications today and was told 'no plan at present' for BBC iPlayer on Viera Cast. I asked for a yes/no as to whether this will be made available in the future. The advisor went and spoke to a senior, and I was told the answer is no. So there you have it folks: if you have Viera Cast, you're stuffed. I'm not pleased and will be writing to them. I suggest others do the same:
Customer Communications Centre
Panasonic UK Ltd,
Panasonic House
Willoughby Road,
Bracknell,
Berkshire
RG12 8FP
Geordie71 28 July, 2011 07:54
Thanks Tiggi. I have sent my letter of complaint. I am so angry, this is the end of Panasonic for me.
Geordie71 12 August, 2011 09:23
Further Update. A very nice lady from Panasonic called to discuss my letter of complaint. Panasonic have signed a deal with Freesat and deliver their i-Player service that way. So if you didn't buy Freesat and Viera Connect then tough. There are no plans to upgarde old Viera Cast software to get i-Player over the internet. The more I think about this, the more odd it sounds. Why deliver i-Player (an Internet service) over a satellite, and why sell people an internet attachable TV that has such limited internet services. Did I just dream all this?
anonymous 9 October, 2011 23:51
Viera cast is such a waste of time. I can't believe Panasonic are happy to let people fork out good money for a tv which instantly leaves the 5 years behind the competition. Don't buy Panasonic.
Tiggi 10 November, 2011 18:03
Ok so here's the latest. 2010 TVs DO update to Viera Connect, but no iPlayer. Panasonic are saying this is due to a licensing restriction by the BBC on the 2010 models.
anonymous 25 November, 2011 12:51
is there any news yet on updating the software on the 2010 Panasonic tvs to be able to get BBC iplayer and other catch up services online? Many thanks
Geordie71 25 November, 2011 19:29
Hi Tiggi,
Thanks for the update. Is there anything worthwhile about getting the update to Viera Connect.? I will check it out in the next day or so but I fear more scrolling about in a thoroughly useless set of internet "channels". I still think I'm dreaming all this. I have a network ready TV that can't get anything but junk off the internet - and I paid money for it!
anonymous 25 November, 2011 20:35
My Panasonic viera is 12 month old and sold as fully Internet ready, and get this, the line from Panasonic is future proof Internet tv......what crap....let's cut the old story, Panasonic,Sony,Philips ate the best, you get what you pay for.......looks like te myth is broken, over to Samsung and iplayer and spare pennies
anonymous 3 January, 2012 23:02
@Geordie 71, I'm not even bothering to buy the dongle without BBC iPlayer. I just borrow my parents one for a periodic check to see if anything's changed! I think there's FB and YouTube and some other dross but that's about it. I'm not happy as when I bought the TV the store told me that the content would constantly update, and I told them the main thing I was interested in was iPlayer!
Lanzaga 17 February, 2012 14:53
I upgraded the software on my panasonic TX-L32S20BA tv from the 2010 model version to the latest as suggested on the Panasonic website. This was supposed to change Viera Cast to Viera Connect. I hoped to then be able to get i-player, but the change in software appeared to make little difference - just two big Viera rectangles to the left of the programme guide.