Panasonic Gets It

[sj001]

http://www.hollywoodinhidef.com/blog_detail.php?id=161

Sony gets all the attention for Blu-ray and so many other innovations, but Panasonic has increasingly been demonstrating its own innovation in regards to the marketing of Blu-ray and hi-def in general.
That has never been more in evidence than at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where Panasonic dominated everything from the opening keynote session to the convention exhibit floor and much of the signage and sponsorship placements everywhere in between.

The company even generated the biggest media coverage splash by literally rolling out a whopping 150-inch (13-foot) plasma TV at the opening keynote session that landed on the front page of many newspaper business sections and TV programs.

While much of this could be dismissed as hype and marketing dollars at work, it goes much deeper. Panasonic has arguably been even more aggressive than Sony and every other CE company at promoting Blu-ray for the past year. The company partnered with Disney on the successful mall tour that has been extended this year, was the first to introduce a fully compliant Blu-ray player a couple months ago, and has placed ads seemingly everywhere. Panasonic Hollywood Labs through vp Eisuke Tsuyuzaki is working aggressively with multiple studios to create the most robust Blu-ray Disc presentations and interactive features, including the upcoming Web-connected "Alien vs Predator Vs You" online multi-player game for Fox's summer release of "Alien Vs. Predator."

Panasonic is one of the leading sponsors of the upcoming Olympics in Beijing and has developed many major partnerships with filmmakers and media companies.

But even more importantly, Panasonic's promotion of Blu-ray is clearly and smartly integrated seamlessly into the company's overall hi-def strategy. That is perhaps the most critical part of the whole thing for the benefit of the entire industry.
Blu-ray must become a vital component of the emerging hi-def environment for consumers.

Panasonic president Toshihiro Sakamoto's opening keynote at CES on Monday, similar to Panasonic's media presentation on Sunday that drew long lines of anxious reporters, brilliantly interweaved each new showcased product into the other:

* New Viera plasma TVs: best enjoyed with the full 1080p images from Blu-ray
* New 32GB SD memory card: insert in the SD slot of Blu-ray player
* HD camcorders: playback video via the SD card slot in Blu-ray player (or directly into plasma TVs)
* Wireless Connectivity: uncompressed full HD transmission from Blu-ray player to plasma TV
* Viera Link: control all AV operations and equipment, including Blu-ray, with a single remote
* In-car entertainment system: based on Blu-ray
* Computer drives: Blu-ray playback/recording

There was more, but you get the idea.
In fact, Panasonic's marketing and advertising tagline is "Ideas for Life."
For most consumers, Blu-ray will need to be seen as part of a new hi-def lifestyle choice, not just a slight upgrade from their DVD player.

Panasonic appears to be taking the lead in making that happen.

[JohnGalt]

Isn't Panasonic a Matsushita brand? And doesn't Matsushita own the single largest chunk of BR IP?

[tiger roach]

Panasonic has a great product lineup these days. We love our Panny plasma.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

Isn't Panasonic a Matsushita brand? And doesn't Matsushita own the single largest chunk of BR IP?

Yep, they are owned by Matsushita. Not quite sure if they have the largest share or not... I believe so.

[sonicbox]

Must we spew marketing BS? Idea for life. Ugh.

[jsb_hburg]

Best Buy has a good deal on Panasonic plasmas that are on sale and bundled with a free Panny BD30 Blu-ray player and 10 free BDs (5 of which are instant at the store).

And yes, I pulled the trigger on this deal

[Sigmar_X]

I was torn when purchasing my tv. But after owning it for a few months though, I have yet to regret purchasing my Panny. The quality is amazing, and the unit itself looks great.

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by sj001

Yep, they are owned by Matsushita. Not quite sure if they have the largest share or not... I believe so.

They do indeed.

[Mayor Quimby]

Got the 42" panny plasma (77U) and as fantastic as it is (it rocks!!!), it's so good I wish I had gone for the 50". Really. Especially with BD's like Planet Earth. Oh well, at least there's SOME upside for me left.

[makingmusic476]

I'd probably have to say that Panasonic is my favorite electronics manufacturer, right after Sony. Then com Samsung and Sharp tied for third.

Of course, in the end it all comes down to the product, but that's the main reason they're currently in that order.

[BStecke]

A little off topic, but does Panasonic have any affiliation with Denon? The reason I ask is that both Panasonic and Denon DVD players would both say "Welcome to DVD World" upon startup . . . seemed too hokey that two companies would choose that saying. But, my Denon DVD-1600 was a fantastic DVD player.

[PeechCobblerPie]

panasonic has really surprised me lately. Honestly, I would never have boughten anything from them as close as 6 months ago, but theyve stepped it up a lot and I'd definitely considered their tv's later on when I purchase a new TV

[PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD]

Originally Posted by PeechCobblerPie

panasonic has really surprised me lately. Honestly, I would never have boughten anything from them as close as 6 months ago, but theyve stepped it up a lot and I'd definitely considered their tv's later on when I purchase a new TV

Panasonic is the olderst Japanese CE company. Matsushita start in the early 1910's way longer than SONY (1940's) In fact, Panny and SONY are the biggest rivals in Japan's CE industry. It like TOYOTA vs NISSAN there. In fact, They used to market under "NATIONAL" name is Japan but now its all Panasonic now to stop all the confusing. Its just they are not markting as aggrasive in the USA as SONY dose. Thats why alot people is not very familiar their products or the brand name. GO PANNY!

[DetroitSportsFan]

I'm actually pulling the trigger on 2 Panasonic plasmas tomorrow.

TH-58PZ700U and TH-42PZ700U.

Awesome TVs.

[PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD]

Check out their new 2008 lineup. Their new plasma are awesome . I wish I can wait a little longer but oh well.. I am glad I got the PANNY tho

[pro-bassoonist]

To those not aware of it: Panasonic are the biggest player in the Blu team. Not Sony. Obviously, Sony gets all the hate.

Dr.A

[PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

To those not aware of it: Panasonic are the biggest player in the Blu team. Not Sony. Obviously, Sony gets all the hate.

Dr.A

Its funny how Panaonic and SONY were go agains each other in the BETA VS VHS war.

BETA=SONY
VHS=Panasonic, Victor company (JCV)

now they are on the same team Go BLU!

[hoser]

IIRC, Panasonic has more BD technology patents than Sony.

The truth is Panasonic's BD models (BD10, BD10k, BD30) have been the best performance/features players out for the last 16 months.
And the most stable/reliable players to boot (in either HDM camp).

Everyone talks about Sony this and Sony that....while Panasonic has been quietly turning out some great BD products.

[Kai200X]

I'm very happy that Panasonic support and push Blu-ray. One day maybe I will buy a stand alone Panasonic BD player

[PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD]

Originally Posted by hoser

IIRC, Panasonic has more BD technology patents than Sony.

The truth is Panasonic's BD models (BD10, BD10k, BD30) have been the best performance/features players out for the last 16 months.
And the most stable/reliable players to boot (in either HDM camp).

Everyone talks about Sony this and Sony that....while Panasonic has been quietly turning out some great BD products.

Its all about market hypes. I would rather prefer a compnay all quite and doing what they suppose to do is bring the best products available to the customers

Thats why every HD-DEAD fanboyz blame on SONY, HATE on SONY and swear would not buy any SONY in the future. Sometimes the more attention u got get u in trouble the most and it turn out the alot damage came from the company that rarely be on the news. Panny has been a great BLU team player all alone and quitely doing all the dirty works and help secure the win for blu.