SECAUCUS, N.J., May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic, a
worldwide leader in High Definition technology and built-in TV web
entertainment, and Skype, today announced the activation of
Skype™ on your VIERA® on 2010 Panasonic VIERA CAST™ enabled
HDTVs as well as the availability of Panasonic's Skype-enabled
communication camera (TY-CC10W). The collaboration with Skype, a
leading provider of Internet communications software, was announced
in January at the International Consumer Electronics Show.
The addition of Skype to Panasonic's VIERA CAST IPTV(1)
offerings allows owners of 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled Panasonic VIERA
Plasma HDTVs (VT25, VT20, G25, and G20 Series) to make voice and
video calls to family and friends(2) from the their living rooms
directly through their Panasonic VIERA HDTV using Panasonic's
Skype-enabled camera(3) (TY-CC10W) which is sold separately (SRP
$169.95).
"Adding Skype to Panasonic's VIERA CAST IPTV offerings takes the
role of the television to whole new level for consumers," said
Henry Hauser, Vice President,
Panasonic Display Group. "Panasonic's VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs have
truly become the hub of communication and connectivity in the
consumer household enabling users to talk live via video to their
family and friends right from the comfort of their couch."
"Panasonic prides itself on listening to our customers and when
talking to them about enhancements to our VIERA CAST offerings,
Skype was prominently mentioned," said Hauser. "Panasonic is
extremely pleased to work with Skype to deliver this unique,
high-value feature to VIERA owners."
"A family can now simply turn on their TV set, gather together
on the couch, and talk to loved ones face-to-face. It's easy to use
and is now available for the masses thanks to a strategic
collaboration between Skype and Panasonic," said Jonathan Christensen, general manager of Skype
Platform. "Launching TVs that are Skype-enabled with Panasonic is a
big milestone for us, and part of our strategy to deliver Skype
beyond desktop and laptop computers."
The launch of Skype on your VIERA on 2010 Panasonic VIERA
CAST-enabled HDTVs will also be supported as part of Panasonic's
new VIERA HDTV advertising campaign. The Skype on your VIERA
television ad is expected to air beginning in early June on local
Network TV, national Cable TV and DirecTV. For a sneak peek
at the ad, please visit
http://www.youtube.com/panasonicusvideos.
Skype on your VIERA® delivers many familiar Skype
features including:
- Free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls
- Calls to landline or mobile phone at Skype's low rates
- The option to receive inbound calls via a user's online Skype
number
- Skype voicemail (set-up required)
- Being invited to participate in voice conference calls with up
to 24 other parties
With more than 560 million registered users, Skype is well known
for providing free voice and video calling for people on Skype
around the world. Calling on Skype now accounts for 12 percent of
the world's international calling minutes according to
TeleGeography.
Skype on your VIERA, in addition to providing a larger
screen, gives the user the benefit of high definition video at up
to 1280x720 resolution at a maximum frame rate of 22 fps. Skype
on your VIERA also features VIERA CAST's easy-to-use GUI that
is operable from the TV's remote.
The Panasonic TY-CC10W Skype-enabled camera is the only camera
that enables access to Skype on your VIERA video calling
features. The camera features four unidirectional microphones, echo
canceling system, and audio processing for collecting voices in the
living room environment. The camera also features beam-forming
technology to record clear audio over typical TV viewing distances
of 3-4 meters. The TY-CC10W delivers a wide viewing angle, making
it possible for more people to take advantage of the Skype
application. The camera plugs in to VIERA CAST-enabled 2010
Panasonic VIERA HDTVs via a USB port. To further increase the
versatility of the camera it can either be placed in the center on
top of the VIERA HDTV or the camera's stand can be used to place it
on a table or wherever the user would like to place the device.
VIERA CAST, Panasonic's proprietary IPTV functionality, enhanced
the user experience for 2010 by adding USB connectivity, allowing
for the addition of a wireless LAN adaptor, keyboard and USB
memory. With the continuation of such favorite entertainment
sites as Amazon Video-on-Demand™, YouTube™, Google's Picasa™ Web
Album, Bloomberg and a weather service, VIERA CAST for 2010, in
addition to the inclusion of Skype on your VIERA service,
provides the consumer with access to such targeted sites as
Netflix™, Pandora, Twitter and Fox Sports. VIERA CAST requires no
external box or PC. VIERA CAST is accessed via a single button on
the television remote control and there is no fee to use the VIERA
CAST functionality (some VIERA CAST services such as VOD have a
separate fee structure).
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.
About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations.
Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video
and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other
Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make
low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your
computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
(1) Access to a broadband Internet connection is required.
Panasonic's TV webcam (TY-CC10) is required for Skype video
functionality and sold separately.
(2) Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone
service and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype, associated
trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype
Limited.
(3) Only Panasonic's proprietary Skype-enabled communication
camera (TY-CC10W) can be used to access Skype on your VIERA
video calling features.
SOURCE Panasonic