Panasonic, which was the first to bring Freesat HDTVs to market last year, is now set to be the first to deliver to the high street this summer a full HDTV with both Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners.

The new set, the TX-P42G20B which has a 42in plasma screen, also carries networking features.

These will allow viewers to look at and interact with internet content, are Skype-ready, while a new video-on-demand service supplied by Acetrax will allow viewers to rent or buy Blockbuster moves directly streamed to the TV.

The G20 series is part of Panasonic’s new line-up of Viera plasma TVs featuring NeoPDP technology to improve basic image quality. The sets are THX certified meaning, Panasonic pointed out, that they meet the industry’s most rigorous performance standards.

They are supplied with two USB ports and are Wi-Fi friendly by using an optional dongle.