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3D TV: HDMI Consortium Releases HDMI 1.4a Specification

Savan Thongvanh — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:34:21 +0000

The HDMI Consortium recently released a new specification to support 3D TV for HD televisions. The consortium (made up of electronics companies Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips Consumer Electronics, International B.V., Silicon Image, Inc., Sony Corporation, Technicolor, S.A., and Toshiba Corporation) released the HDMI 1.4a specification to give some guidance to hardware vendors as to how displays could render 3d images.

“We published these latest enhancements to support the market need for broadcast 3D content,” said Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC. “When we launched 1.4 in June of 2009, we deferred the selection of mandatory 3D format(s) for broadcast content until the market direction was more clearly defined. The market has spoken and the HDMI Consortium has listened and responded to accommodate those market needs.”

The specification includes, as you would expect, hard core information about frequencies, resolutions, bits and bytes, pixel alignments, and other minutia for engineers.

Here are a few implications for consumers.

You need an HDTV, obviously. The lowest grade “Primary Format”, as it’s referred to in the spec, for 3d is 720p all the way up to 1080p.

You need a *new* HDTV, not so obvious. Part of the upgrade for 3D is the requirement for two color pixels for every one 2D color pixel. According to the spec there are three ways HDMI allows pixels to be arranged but any way you order it, it will require twice as many dots.

The most popular format implied by the 3D specs are, a you might guess, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. Although 4k is supported by the HDMI spec no mention of it was made in the extract.

HDMI 1.4 was released with features such as an integrated data channel (internet access), integrated bi-directional audio (in and out), 4k, a micro and automotive interface, and expanded color depth. 1.4a was release specifically to address implementation details of 3D.

You can download the spec at http://www.hdmi.org
See the full press release at http://www.hdmi.org/press/press_release.aspx?prid=120

EPA says Panasonic is officially it’s green buddy for 2010

Savan Thongvanh — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:22:55 +0000

EPA NAMES PANASONIC HOME & ENVIRONMENT COMPANY2010 ENERGY STAR® PARTNER OF THE YEAR

Panasonic earns award for protecting the environment through manufacturing energy-efficient products.

Secaucus, NJ (March 1, 2010) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Panasonic Home & Environment Company as a 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products and helping to educate consumers about those products. Panasonic’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 18, 2010. Panasonic Home & Environment Company (http://www.panasonic.com/ventfans), an ENERGY STAR partner since 2001, will be honored for its leadership in manufacturing products that earn the ENERGY STAR rating, the government-backed symbol of energy efficiency. With the highest efficacy (up to 10.1 cubic feet per minute/Watt) of any of the ventilation fan ENERGY STAR partners, Panasonic continues to exceed standards with its entire ventilation fan line where guidelines exist.

“Panasonic is honored to be named an ENERGY STAR partner for 2010 because it validates our efforts related to energy efficiency,” said Anita So, Marketing Manager, Panasonic Home & Environment Company. “The award not only acknowledges our energy-saving ventilation fans and their role in preserving indoor air quality cost-effectively, but it also recognizes our commitment to educating both industry professionals and consumers on the importance of sustainability.”

Last year alone Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $17 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles.

The 2010 Partner of the Year Awards are given to manufacturers and retailers that successfully promote and deliver ENERGY STAR qualified products, saving consumers money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

“Today, EPA is recognizing Panasonic for taking the lead in addressing climate change through their commitment to energy efficiency,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. “Panasonic is producing and promoting products that have earned the ENERGY STAR, showing customers that together, we can increase our nation’s energy efficiency and reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases.”

About Panasonic Home & Environment Company

Panasonic Home & Environment Company, a division of Panasonic Home & Health Company, which is a unit company of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and is the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. The company has a full line of ventilation fans featuring models for nearly every type of home-building need. All Panasonic ventilation fans are ENERGY STARÒ qualified where guidelines exist. Panasonic is a leader in developing and marketing the most comprehensive lineup of energy-efficient consumer electronics, information technology products, home appliances, and HVAC products, and continues to set the pace for consumer electronics manufacturers.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

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Editorial Contacts: Beth Crisafi, (212) 697-2600 bcrisafi@gibbs-soell.com

MeeJin Annan-Brady, (201) 392-6124 annan-bradym@us.panasonic.com

Maria Vargas, (202) 343-9178 vargas.maria@epa.gov

Source: Panasonic

Panasonic gives NBC 152 inch plasma for Olympic coverage

Savan Thongvanh — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:24:31 +0000

Panasonic announced today that part of it’s partnership with NBC would include giving NBC a 152-inch plasma display. According to Panasonic it’s the largest screen of it’s kind. The enormous screen will be used in the studio to enhance NBC’s coverage.

Follow the jump for more details on donation of the 152-inch monster

See what engadget had to say about the display at CES

Panasonic and ESPN leading in 3D Sports in 2010

Savan Thongvanh — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:08:02 +0000

Can’t make it to the Olympics in Vancouver or the World Cup? Don’t worry Panasonic and ESPN will get you there – in 3D.

Earlier this month Panasonic announced that they signed up the Olympic Speed Skating team Vancouver in 2010.

Bob Greenberg, Vice President of Corporate Brand Marketing for Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Speedskating is a fast, highly visual, and exciting sport that takes center stage in the world of sports during the Olympics. Panasonic is also on the verge of taking center stage in the next generation of home entertainment with the debut of our Full HD 3D Home Theater system. We are looking forward to capturing the high speed action of Speedskating in Full HD 3D video and showcasing the truly immersive, blur-free images that consumers will be able to enjoy when this amazing technology makes its debut next year.”

Hopefully we’ll see more and more 3D coverage, enough so that it can get pushed down to “entry level” big screens. As they’re just coming to market now it probably won’t be for another couple years but the more coverage the better! You can read more about Panasonic’s coverage at http://panasonic.net/olympic/

If ultra fit Olympic athletes wrapped in spandex aren’t your bag don’t forget that ESPN announced at CES that they’re going to have a whole 3D sports network in 2010, including the World Cup. Read more about ESPN’s coverage.