Panasonic launches High Definition web-based service to offer the world's finest art and photography

Panasonic Direct is making available the world's finest high definition art and photography for use on Panasonic HDTVs through its newest web-based service, the Panasonic HD Image Gallery, it was announced yesterday. The Panasonic HD Image Gallery features an extensive library of downloadable HD image collections powered by GalleryPlayer. The content available includes masterpieces from Monet, DaVinci, and Andy Warhol to photographic imagery from National Geographic, Time Life, and 30 other leading content partners.

"We're excited to offer our customers the benefit of enjoying true HD imagery on their Panasonic Plasma TV," said Merwan Mereby, Vice President of Panasonic's e-Business Group. "Today's high definition televisions are more than just a TV, they are design statements. The ability to enhance the home environment with a choice of great works of art is an additional value Panasonic can now offer to the consumer."

The Panasonic HD Image Gallery incorporates "Smart Display" technology which automatically adjusts every image to look crisp and to perfectly fit the user's display -- regardless of the display's aspect ratio and screen resolution.

"We share a common vision for enhancing the home environment by bringing the world's finest HD imagery to Panasonic HDTV owners. Both Panasonic and GalleryPlayer worked hard to bring this new web-based service to market, and we're very pleased with the result," said Bruce Worrall, GalleryPlayer's Chief Operating Officer.

"The success of Panasonic's Masterpiece Plasma Series which enabled consumers to mount custom picture frames on select Panasonic Plasmas convinced us that the market was ready to experience HD art and photography on their HDTV. GalleryPlayer has both the HD image technology and content relationships to help us make it happen," added Mereby.