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Panasonic offers up SC-BT200 and SC-BT300 7.1 Blu-ray HTIB systems

by Darren Murph posted Jan 28th 2009 at 6:38AM


Somehow, in the midst of the mayhem that was CES, we managed to gloss over a pair of swank HTIB systems from Panasonic. Sure, the DVD-based SC-PT770 and SC-PT670 units are all fine and dandy, but it's the Blu-ray-packin' SC-BT200 and SC-BT300 that really have our attention. Each bundle includes a 7.1-channel audio system with "wireless ready" rear speakers, an integrated iPod dock and a BD deck with the ability to connect to the internet and suck down BD-Live content. The only notable difference between the two sets seems to be the overall power ratings, with the BT300 cranking out 1,250 watts and the BT200 doling out "just" 1,000 watts. Both packages should be available this Spring for undisclosed prices.

Retailers give thumbs-up to newest line of Blu-ray decks

by Darren Murph posted Jan 22nd 2009 at 8:08AM


We've got to say -- we agree with the "retailers" here. According to a new report on VideoBusiness, the Blu-ray players unveiled at CES 2009 are being smiled upon by those that'll have to move 'em. Panasonic's Profile 2.0 DMP-B15 portable Blu-ray player was seen as one of the more attractive units, with airport-based InMotion Entertainment deciding that it would carry this very unit as its first BD deck in order to appeal to travelers. As expected, reactions were somewhat mixed on Panny's DMP-BD70V VHS / Blu-ray player, though it is anticipated that a small niche of consumers will eat it up. All in all, the entire '09 lineup was seen as a nice step forward from decks we've seen in the past -- our only question is do you agree? Which BD unit from the show had you most interested?

Hands-on with Panasonic's new Blu-ray decks

by Steven Kim posted Jan 10th 2009 at 8:53PM Featured Story

Hands-on with Panasonic's Blu-ray decks
We've heard about Panasonic's new Blu-ray players a couple of times now, but we put our mitts on them today. The DMP-BD60 and DMP-BD80 on the low and high side of the line, respectively, are solid players and also add in the VIERA Cast capability we heard about, but we'll be honest -- we really came to see the DMP-BD70V. This omnivorous deck will gobble up your old VHS tapes, DVDs and Blu-ray discs and upscale them to 1080p glory.

Gallery: Hands-on with Panasonic's Blu-ray players

WirelessHD hands on & recklessly-interfering

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 8th 2009 at 9:02PM Featured Story


After some demo time with WirelessHD and Chairman / President John Marshall, it appears 2009 will finally be the year cable-free TV connections roll out in a big way. Expect products to launch towards the end of Q2, according to the Gefen rep on hand, their adapter will go into production towards the end of Q1 and hit shelves for about $700, while WirelessHD tech could add as much/little as 10% to the cost of a new TV like the demo units from LG and Panasonic. How well does it work for the money? Pretty well, with no untoward effects on the picture, and easily switching from source to source automatically. Walking between the display and source didn't cause a problem but even millisecond-switching 60Ghz hardware was no match for being picked up and fumbled around by a photo snapping Engadget editor. Check out pics featuring Gefen (fear not, the final models will have RS-232), LG & Panasonic prototypes plus OEM hardware we're likely to see soon in one form or another.

Gallery: Wireless HD hands-on

  • Panasonic WirelessHD source

Panasonic officially premieres Z1 wireless HDTV

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 10:52AM


We may be years out from a commercially available 0.33-inch thick NeoPDP screen, but we aren't far from seeing a 1-inch think NeoPDP. We caught wind of this puppy at Panny's presser, but now we've got the official verbiage to back it up. The flagship 1080p plasma incorporates SiBEAM's WirelessHD technology, VIERA Cast support and a 54-inch panel. Other specs for the TC-P54Z1 include a 40,000:1 contrast ratio, a THX certification label and a 600Hz sub-field drive. We're pretty bummed that Panasonic hasn't disclosed the price and release date, but did you really expect anything different? Got to keep the hype building, right?

Amazon Video On Demand content comes to Panasonic TVs

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 9:39AM


Hooking up with digital content distributors is definitely the thing to do here at CES, and you ought to know that Panasonic isn't leaving Vegas without a partner of its own. In between announcing snazzy new HDTVs and a litany of camcorders, the company has proudly announced a partnership with Amazon that will bring Amazon Video on Demand material to VIERA Cast TVs. The service is expected to launch early this year, and quite honestly, we're hoping that this isn't the only release of this kind. For Panasonic's sake.

Comcast and Panasonic collaborate to bring HDMI-CEC to set-top-boxes

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 8:30AM


Comcast and Panasonic have already expressed their adoration for each other, and now they're proving that the relationship is more than just a fling here at CES. While details are somewhat scant at the moment, the two are working together to integrate HDMI-CEC into cable set-top-boxes. In theory, the partnership will allow tru2way STBs to sync up nicely with non-tru2way-capable HDTVs, giving a single remote control over both devices (or more, if more components are hooked up). Per usual, there's no telling when this love-fest will lead to anything substantial, but at least we know things are headed in the right direction.

Panasonic makes it official: Profile 2.0 DMP-B15 portable Blu-ray player

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 6:17AM

Hard to say just how well this thing will or won't sell, but honestly, we see the value here being the portability and not necessarily the inbuilt display. The DMP-B15 portable Blu-ray player is fully Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) compliant and features an 8.9-inch WSVGA screen, VIERA Cast support, an HDMI output and an SD card. It'll ship this May for an undisclosed price -- so, do you (or your child) plan on picking one up?

Four speaker Panasonic wireless sound system creates virtual 7.1 experience

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 4:05AM

Forget making your existing multi-channel system wireless; why not just get a whole new one that's built from the ground-up to operate sans wires. The system consists of four wireless speaker poles with inbuilt subwoofers (or so they say...), which send audio over a 2.4GHz wave. Supposedly, you'll get a 7.1-channel experience from the setup, but you won't be able to confirm or deny that allegation till it ships this Spring.

Panasonic expands VIERA HDTV lineup at CES 2009

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 2:36AM


We already gave you some face time with Panasonic's latest and greatest VIERA televisions, so now we're passing along the official word on the new S1, G1 and X1 sets. Panny's growing its VIERA range from five LCD models in 2008 to twelve in 2009, and the families pretty much cover the range of desired sizes. There's far too much detail to cover in this space, but the details you're lusting after are just a click away.

Panasonic intros a pair of new DVD theater in a box solutions

by Steven Kim posted Jan 8th 2009 at 1:42AM

Panasonic SC-PT770 DVD theater in a box
Even though Panasonic likes to rave about HD, it knows that DVD home theater in a box (HTIB) systems are very popular still, and has introduced the SC-PT770 and SC-PT670 to address the market desire. Sticking true to the company's goals of integration and ease of use, iPod integration is baked in, and the SC-PT770 ups the ante by bundling in the SH-FX70 Wireless Kit for Rear Speakers. On the eco-friendly front, the front and center channel drivers are fashioned out of bamboo, which will offset the 1,000-Watt amplification at least a little bit on your karmic scale.

Panasonic officially outs the iPod-lovin' VIERA X1 HDTV

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 1:32AM

Panny wasn't about to let JVC unleash a new range of iPod-friendly HDTVs without hitting back with a few of its own, so that explains the four new HDTV / iPod entertainment systems. The 19-inch TC-L19X1, 26-inch TC-L26X1, 31.5-inch TC-L32X1 and the 37-inch TC-L37X1 all come bundled with a universal iPod dock that does exactly what you think it would: bring iPod-based media onto your TV while charging your PMP. Pricing and availability? Take a wild, wild guess.

Three new Blu-ray players from Panasonic: BD60, BD80 and BD70V

by Darren Murph posted Jan 7th 2009 at 7:03PM


Panasonic didn't spend much time on its new trio of Blu-ray players, but we caught a quick snap just to give you a heads-up of what's coming down the pike. The BD60 will support YouTube / Amazon Video on Demand content, while the BD80 will include BD-Live (Profile 2.0) support and the BD70V will simply go down as the "ultimate multi-format player." Or something like that.

Panasonic gets official with four PZ850 VIERA IPTV plasma HDTVs

by Darren Murph posted Jan 7th 2009 at 6:30PM


We've long since known about the 50-, 58- and 65-inch versions of Panasonic's internet enabled PZ850 VIERA plasmas, but the company is finally getting official with the whole line today -- which, as it so happens, includes a 46-incher for those looking for a smaller big screen. Hailed as the industry's first IP-enabled televisions, the plasma foursome includes 1080p panels, a Pro Settings Menu, native contrast ratio of 30,000:1, SD card slot, RS-232C socket, four HDMI ports and a PC input. Sadly, no pricing or release information was given in the release hosted after the break, but Panny shouldn't be holding out on us too much longer.

Continue reading Panasonic gets official with four PZ850 VIERA IPTV plasma HDTVs

Panasonic introduces wireless, 1-inch thick TC-P54Z1 VIERA plasma

by Darren Murph posted Jan 7th 2009 at 6:28PM Breaking News


Here at the Panasonic press conference at CES 2009, the company finally woke us up with a stunningly thin 1-inch thick plasma: the all new Z1, or the TC-P54Z1 VIERA, in particular. Little is being said about the panel for now, though we are told that it'll be wireless (via an undisclosed standard) right out of the box.




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