Panasonic Reveals Wireless High Definition Audio-Visual Connectivity at 2008 International...

Panasonic Reveals Wireless High Definition Audio-Visual Connectivity at 2008
International CES
The World's First Wireless Transmission System Based on WirelessHD Standard
Realizes Greater Layout Flexibility

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic today announced that
it has developed the world-first wireless High Definition (HD) Audio/Video
transmission system based on the "WirelessHD(TM)" standard, in partnership
with SiBEAM, Inc. (SiBEAM) of the United States. The system enables HD video
transmission in uncompressed format between a television and other AV
equipment like a Blu-ray Disc player without quality deterioration. Panasonic
will debut this system at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show
(CES) which will be held from January 7-10, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Panasonic's lineup of featured products and technologies will be on display at
booth #9405.
Unlike conventional wireless transmission technologies, this system uses a
60 GHz-band millimeter wave radio to provide robust transmission connectivity,
since uncompressed HD video requires a large bandwidth. The WirelessHD system
consists of a Plasma television with a receiver and a movable rack housing
video sources with a transmitter such as a Blu-ray Disc player and HD digital
camcorder. Without the clutter of connecting cables, users can enjoy greater
freedom in positioning and design of their home theater. For example, a user
can hang an HD Plasma on their wall while keeping their Blu-ray Disc player
apart from the Plasma, without worrying about running cables or other wires
between the products.
SiBEAM's beam steering technology enables this system to maintain stable
connectivity when there is an obstacle, such as a person, between the wireless
transmitter and receiver. When the system detects an obstacle interrupting the
beam, it immediately finds another path to maintain a stable link and provide
uninterrupted signal transmission. Therefore, users can enjoy their wireless
High Definition Plasma viewing without having to worry about signal
interference just as with conventional cable-connected systems.
Panasonic's newly announced VIERA Link feature is available with this
system. VIERA Link is an audio/video operation system developed and promoted
by Panasonic that uses a single remote to operate an entire home entertainment
system connected via High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI(TM)) cable.
About Panasonic
Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America markets a
broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business
and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC) of Japan, and the hub of
Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.
Information about Panasonic and its products is available at
www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available
at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
Overview of WirelessHD Consortium and Standard
WirelessHD standard is specified by the WirelessHD Consortium, comprising
Intel Corporation, LG Electronics Inc., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,
Ltd (Panasonic), NEC Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, SiBEAM, Inc.,
Sony Corporation and Toshiba Corporation. A data throughput of 4 Gbps is
achieved within 10 m range indoor and uncompressed HD audio/video/data can be
transmitted. For more information on WirelessHD, please visit
www.wirelesshd.org
WirelessHD and WirelessHD logo are trademarks licensed by WirelessHD, LLC.
SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America

Jeff Samuels, +1-201-392-4571, samuelsj@us.panasonic.com, or Chris DeMaria,
+1-201-348-7182, demariac@us.panasonic.com, both of Panasonic; or Adam Paige
of Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9833, adam_paige@cohnwolfe.com, for Panasonic