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Panasonic Will Restructure in Wake of $9.2 Billion Quarterly Loss

Mon Feb 06, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Panasonic, Sales Figures (all tags)

Part of the loss is fallout from this year's earthquake in Japan, but steep sales decreases caused the rest.

Panasonic may make some impressive TVs but there's one thing they're not making - a profit. The company is down $9.2 billion in the last business quarter, though there are some factors that make that number seem bigger than it is.

One of those factors is the Great East Japan Earthquake, which affected Panasonic and essentially all other manufacturers located in Japan. On top of that, the flooding in Thailand hurt not only the global economy but Panasonic plants as well.

Of course, these tragedies can't account for all of Panasonic's losses this quarter. Sales in all sunk by 14%. The component of Panasonic that takes care of TVs lost 16% in sales due to declines in flat panels and mobile phones. The decrease would have been higher were it not for favorable PC sales.

Source: Engadget

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Panasonic Reveals Six New Blu-ray Players - Four of Which are 3D Capable

Fri Jan 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Panasonic, Blu-ray Players, 3D Blu-ray Players, CES 2012 (all tags)

The 3D players can convert streaming content from Netflix, YouTube and more to 3D.

While some of the biggest news from CES has been the launch of new TV technologies, Blu-ray players aren't to be forgotten. Panasonic has six that they'll be releasing in 2012, a few of which offer some potentially exciting features.

All four of Panasonic's new 3D Blu-ray players are capable of smartphone control, 24p output for VOD movies, a new processor and the ability to convert 2D content to 3D. That includes DVDs, Blu-rays and anything on Viera Connect aside from Skype, which means 3D Netflix is possible. Three out of the four players also give you a 192kHz/32bit Audio DAC.

Panasonic's whole line of new players get some nice new features, like the ability to play back FLAC files. They also feature what they call "Digital Tube Sound" which helps to simulate the warmth of an actual tube amplifier.

Source: Panasonic

Panasonic Will be Streaming Directly From CES

Mon Jan 09, 2012 at 04:45 PM ET
Tags: Panasonic, CES 2012 (all tags)

You can tune in to their press conference as well as Q&As with experts and celebrities.

The Consumer Electronics show will bring you some of the biggest announcements of the year in the home theater market, and while there will certainly be plenty of coverage and live blogging, the second-hand experience just doesn't compare to actually being there.

Panasonic is giving you a chance to experience the event on their live stream, getting you up-to-date information and getting you up close to the action. They'll have experts on hand to answer your questions and celebrities like John Glen who directed five different Bond films and Michael Apted who helmed 'The World is Not Enough.'

It all starts at 3:00pm PST on Monday, January 9th for a live stream of Panasonic's press conference. On the 10th and 11th you can watch eight hours of live CES coverage including a director's panel historically only open to the press.

Source: Panasonic

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'Avatar' 3D Blu-ray May Be Panasonic Exclusive Until 2012

Tue Dec 14, 2010 at 01:50 PM ET
Tags: Avatar, Panasonic (all tags)

The bundle deal runs until February of 2012, exclusivity is the big question.

"Just wait 'til after Christmas, they'll have to release it then." That's the advice commonly doled out to people considering a new TV purchase to grab a copy of the biggest 3D movie ever, or trying to get their James Cameron fix by doling out a few hundred bucks on eBay. As it turns out, those advisors may be dead wrong. Die hard fans may decide they want to pick it up sooner.

According to the site AVZombie - down at the moment because of excessive traffic - Panasonic has the rights to the 'Avatar' bundle until February of 2012. That's a considerably longer window of opportunity than anyone had anticipated.

There's no official word on whether the deal is actually exclusive until 2012, and we're certainly hoping that's not the case. Whether you're a fan of 'Avatar' or not, a year and a half exclusivity window is a precedent we don't want to see set.

In the meantime, if you choose the right shipping, you can still get the bundle at a considerable discount.

Source: AV Zombie (via Engadget)

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Avatar - 3D (Blu-ray)

'Avatar - 3D' Blu-ray Panasonic Exclusive in December

Wed Oct 27, 2010 at 07:00 PM ET
Tags: Panasonic, Disc Announcements (all tags)

Those who have or are planning to purchase any Panasonic Viera Full HD 3D TV will be heading to Pandora in the third dimension!

Beginning December 1, James Cameron's 'Avatar - 3D' will be available as part of a Panasonic 3D Ultimate Pack (which includes the Blu-ray 3D and two pairs of Panasonic 3D eyeglasses) as a bonus with the purchase of any Panasonic Viera Full HD 3D TV!

Anyone who purchases a qualifying TV prior to December 1 will still be able to receive the movie through the Viera 3D TV Loyalty Program by mailing in a copy of the receipt with the disc request form which will be available at Panasonic.com starting December 1.

Here's the advertisement from the Panasonic rep (and thanks to Stephen P. for sending in the tip!):


You can find the latest specs for 'Avatar - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under December 1.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Avatar - 3D (Blu-ray)

3-D Glasses Incompatible? Wear Them Upside Down!

Thu May 06, 2010 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: 3D, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing, Samsung, Panasonic (all tags)

Samsung and Panasonic's 3-D glasses are compatible after all, but there's a catch.

That's right, the big 3-D glasses incompatibility problem has been solved. Well, in the case of Samsung and Panasonic anyway. The fix isn't the most elegant, and it'll make you look even sillier than you already did with the glasses on.

It's simple though, you've got to give it that. If you're using Samsung glasses on a Panasonic set, or vice versa, simply wear them upside down.

The interesting thing is that the manufacturers weren't taken by surprise on this one. Samsung R&D chief Simon Lee confirmed it, but said that it won't be necessary for long. "I think that it's likely," said Lee, "that the different manufacturers will come together, possibly as early as next year, to agree on a common standard for Active Shutter glasses"

Source: Home Cinema Choice

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3-D Glasses Incompatible? Wear Them Upside Down!

Thu May 06, 2010 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: 3D, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing, Samsung, Panasonic (all tags)

Samsung and Panasonic's 3-D glasses are compatible after all, but there's a catch.

That's right, the big 3-D glasses incompatibility problem has been solved. Well, in the case of Samsung and Panasonic anyway. The fix isn't the most elegant, and it'll make you look even sillier than you already did with the glasses on.

It's simple though, you've got to give it that. If you're using Samsung glasses on a Panasonic set, or vice versa, simply wear them upside down.

The interesting thing is that the manufacturers weren't taken by surprise on this one. Samsung R&D chief Simon Lee confirmed it, but said that it won't be necessary for long. "I think that it's likely," said Lee, "that the different manufacturers will come together, possibly as early as next year, to agree on a common standard for Active Shutter glasses"

Source: Home Cinema Choice

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Panasonic Adds MKV Support to 3-D Blu-ray Players

Wed May 05, 2010 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Panasonic, 3D, Industry Trends (all tags)

The DMP-BDT300 is the first of the 3-D BD player crop to earn DivX Plus HD certification.

There's something great about a company that does something so helpful for their consumers. Panasonic has just announced that the DMP-BDT300, and all of the other Blu-ray players they'll be releasing this year, will support DivX Plus HD.

DivX Plus HD combines H.264 video and AAC audio for a high quality picture and 5.1 channel audio, and it comes packed in an MKV file format. It's about the best you're going to find for high definition video in a digital format.

Since Panasonic's new line of players all boast DivX Plus HD certification, you can play AVI, DIVX and MKV files with no problem. All that HD content you've been downloading will be fully compatible with all of Panasonic 3-D players.

Source: Panasonic

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Panasonic Adds MKV Support to 3-D Blu-ray Players

Wed May 05, 2010 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Panasonic, 3D, Industry Trends (all tags)

The DMP-BDT300 is the first of the 3-D BD player crop to earn DivX Plus HD certification.

There's something great about a company that does something so helpful for their consumers. Panasonic has just announced that the DMP-BDT300, and all of the other Blu-ray players they'll be releasing this year, will support DivX Plus HD.

DivX Plus HD combines H.264 video and AAC audio for a high quality picture and 5.1 channel audio, and it comes packed in an MKV file format. It's about the best you're going to find for high definition video in a digital format.

Since Panasonic's new line of players all boast DivX Plus HD certification, you can play AVI, DIVX and MKV files with no problem. All that HD content you've been downloading will be fully compatible with all of Panasonic 3-D players.

Source: Panasonic

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Panasonic Reveals 3D Plasma Pricing and Release Dates

Tue Apr 27, 2010 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: 3D, Panasonic, High-Def Retailing, Industry Trends (all tags)

50 and 54 inch sets will be hitting shelves on May 3rd, but if you want something bigger, you'll have to wait until June.

The release of the VIERA VT25 line of 3D plasmas is only a week away, as long as you don't mind sticking with a 50 or 54 inch set. Panasonic's new TVs will sell for $2,599 and $2,999 respectively. They've got plenty of cool tech built in and they come with a pair of 3D glasses. Each additional pair of glasses runs $149.

"The arrival of our VIERA VT25 Series truly defines the phenomenal capabilities of Panasonic’s Full HD 3D technology," said Henry Hauser, VP of Panasonic Display Group. "Full HD 3D imagery is delivered in stunning realism and clarity to create a truly immersive viewing experience."

Panasonic's larger plasma sets are slated for a June release, though a specific date hasn't yet been given. Just like the sets coming in May, these sets include Skype capability, built in WiFi, and a THX certified picture. The 58inch TC-P58VT25 will run $3,399 while 65 inches runs $4,299.

Source: Panasonic

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