Panasonic Announces Availability and Pricing for DMP-B15, the World's First and Only...

Panasonic Announces Availability and Pricing for DMP-B15, the World's First
and Only Portable Blu-Ray Disc Player

BD Live and VIERA CAST(TM) Internet Accessibility Featured On Innovative
Blu-ray Player

SECAUCUS, N.J.June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic, a major developer
and contributor to the success of the Blu-ray Disc format, announced the
availability and pricing for the world's first portable Blu-ray player, the
Panasonic DMP-B15. Designed to provide the ultimate High Definition Blu-ray
experience for those on the go, the B15 features a high quality 8.9-inch WSVGA
LCD screen and includes Panasonic's VIERA CAST(TM) Internet accessibility and
BD Live functionality, as well as a SD Memory Card slot. The B15 will be
available in June and will have an SRP of $799.95.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090601/NY24576 )

The DMP-B15 includes all the technology found in its stand-alone counterparts,
the DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80 and the VHS-Blu-ray dual player DMP-BD70V. Image
quality is of the highest level, thanks to PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus
technology, developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory.

The PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus is a high quality image-processing
technology that precisely processes each pixel of the Blu-ray Disc(TM) video
signal in the vertical direction. It reproduces color data with twice the
accuracy of conventional systems, resulting in faithful and sharp colors.

"As a pioneer in the development of DVD and Blu-ray expertise, Panasonic has
always been at the forefront in developing cutting-edge, consumer friendly
technology. Panasonic was the first company to bring to market a portable DVD
player and stand- alone Blu-ray players to feature Bonus View and BD Live; and
with the B15 we continue that tradition of being first to market with unique
technology," said Richard Simone, Director, Entertainment Group, Panasonic
Consumer Electronics Company. "The B15 is a unique and versatile High
Definition player that gives the consumer the ultimate entertainment
experience, whether traveling or in the home as either an additional Blu-ray
player or the primary source for 1080p viewing. Because it also features the
VIERA CAST functionality, the B15 can transform any TV into an IPTV with the
capability to access select web sites. At a time when many families own
multiple TVs, the B15 provides a number of entertainment options, giving them
the ability to enjoy HD video in any room where there is an HDTV."

Like Panasonic's three stand-alone Blu-ray players, the DMP-B15 includes VIERA
CAST functionality. This distinctive application gives the consumer access to
select Web sites, including Amazon Video-on-Demand, a streaming video service
that gives the consumer access to more than 40,000 titles; YouTube(TM); Google
Picasa Web Album(TM); Bloomberg and a weather channel. The Amazon VOD will be
available in late June. VIERA CAST does not require an external set-top box,
nor is there a fee for the service. And, as additional web sites are added to
the service, they will automatically appear. Viera CAST and BD-Live features
require an Internet connection via the LAN port.

Ease of use is an important element in Panasonic's products and the DMP-B15,
with a 2.5 hour rechargeable battery, is designed with that in mind. In
addition to its use as a portable player, the consumer can connect it to an
HDTV via HDMI cable, and use it as a stand-alone Blu-ray Disc player. The
player can also be connected to an HD-Audio compatible AV receiver with a home
theater speaker system, enabling the consumer to enjoy movies with outstanding
surround sound. To accommodate the traveler, the DMP-B15 offers an optional
headrest mounting bracket for in-car use. Like all Panasonic Blu-ray players,
the B15 features an SD Memory Card slot that allows the consumer to view and
share digital photos, as well as HD video recorded on a SD card.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a
market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of
Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American
subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S.
marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to
practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect
our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about
Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company
information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

SOURCE Panasonic

Jeff Samuels, +1-201-392-4571, samuelsj@us.panasonic.com, or Chris De Maria,
+1-201-348-7182, demariac@us.panasonic.com, both of Panasonic; or Blayne
Murphy of Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9763, blayne.murphy@cohnwolfe.com, for
Panasonic