Panasonic

Panasonic improves Toughbook

By Kyle Sherer

11:28 July 17, 2008 PDT

Panasonic’s Toughbook has been given a substantial boost in capability. The desktop replacement CF-52 and field-use CF-74 have been given new Intel Centrino 2 processors, expanded graphics capabilities, 160GB of hard drive space, and 802.11 Draft N Wi-Fi connectivity. The rugged Toughbooks are resistant to shocks, spills, dust, and vibration. Read More

Panasonic launches new Blu-ray/DVD range

By Darren Quick

23:31 June 25, 2008 PDT

The DMR-BW500i can record up to 72 hours of Full High Definition 1080p recording onto the built in 500GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or 6 hours 40 min on a 50GB double layer Blu-ray Disc. In addition to video, it can record 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound broadcasts and Blu-ray movies are played in studio-master quality at a frame rate of 24 frames per second. Read More

Robot climbs 1640-foot cliff at Grand Canyon

By Darren Quick

21:34 May 25, 2008 PDT

May 26, 2008 Panasonic have sent a 17-centimeter tall, 130-gram robot up a 1738 foot (530m) length of rope suspended next to a 1640 foot (500m) cliff at the Grand Canyon. The PR stunt was designed to showcase the endurance of the Evolta AA alkaline battery, which the Guinness Book of World Records recently recognized as the longest-lasting of its kind. Powered by two Evoltas, the robot reached the top after 6 hours and 45 minutes. Read More

Panasonic upgrades its rugged Toughbook 19 Tablet PC

By Darren Quick

02:03 March 29, 2008 PDT

March 29, 2008 Panasonic has introduced upgrades to its Toughbook 19 rugged convertible tablet computer. The next generation Toughbook 19F convertible tablet PC joins Panasonic’s flagship Toughbook 30F clamshell notebook with its incorporation of the Core 2 Duo processor and expanded memory capabilities, (1GB SDRAM standard, upgradeable up to 4GB). The 5.1 lb Toughbook 19 also offers an optional integrated 2MP camera for use in inspection and incident documentation applications for which the convertible tablet has become widely deployed in military, government and commercial applications. Read More

Panasonic to release 32GB SDHC Memory Card

By Noel McKeegan

19:36 February 12, 2008 PST

February 13, 2008 The options for consumers looking to boost storage capacity for their increasingly sophisticated Camcorders just keep getting better. In the latest development, Panasonic has announced it will release a 32 Gigabyte SD High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card with Class 6 speed specification in April 2008. Read More

Panasonic's gargantuan 150-inch plasma display

By Noel McKeegan

23:48 January 7, 2008 PST

January 8, 2008 The size of nine 50" plasma screens combined, the world’s largest advanced high definition (HD) plasma display panel has been unveiled by Panasonic at the 2008 International CES. The prototype 150-inch PDP features an 8.84 million pixel resolution (2,160 x 4,096), an effective viewing area of 11 ft (3.31 m) wide x 6 1/4 ft (1.87 m) high 103-inch PDP and boasts true-to-life color reproduction and quick response with the same brightness as the then record breaking 103-inch PDP shown at the same event a year ago. The 150" plasma is one of several prototypes in the PDP field being presented by the company at the CES. These include a 42-inch panel with "double efficiency technology" that halves energy consumption compared with previous Panasonic panels and a one-inch super-thin 50-inch PDP. Read More

Panasonic’s new “business-rugged” Toughbook notebooks

By Noel McKeegan

22:19 November 14, 2007 PST

November 15, 2007 Panasonic has added three "business-rugged" notebook computers their Toughbook suite. The new trio is drop-and spill-resistant with strong magnesium alloy cases and chassis, shock-mounted hard drives and LCDs, and internal flexible connectors for additional protection. Read More

Panasonic’s HPX3000G 1080P HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder

By Noel McKeegan

03:05 November 5, 2007 PST

November 5, 2007 Panasonic’s one-piece, shoulder-mounted AJ-HPX3000G is a five-slot P2 HD high-end production camcorder capable of producing full-quality 1920x1080 high-definition images. With the accompanying release of a new 32 GB P2 card, this means that more than five hours of continuous recording are possible without the need to transfer content onto a hard drive. Read More

Panasonic reveals Blu-ray recorder with 1-Terabyte hard drive

By Loz Blain

03:42 October 3, 2007 PDT

October 3, 2007 Panasonic has released a Blu-ray disc recorder with a stonking 1-terabyte hard drive built in. That’s a mind-warping 381 hours of full HD video. Read More

Panasonic’s launches Digital SLR DMC-L10 Camera

By Mike Hanlon

12:45 August 31, 2007 PDT

August 31, 2007 Panasonic today unveiled its second digital single-lens reflex camera (SLR) the DMC-L10. The DMC-L10 features an advanced 2.5-inch free angle Live View LCD which can rotate 270 degrees, enabling versatile shooting options, and making it easy and convenient to shoot from high or low angles. There’s also a 10.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor, the company’s Venus Engine III image processor, face detection technology, dust reduction using a Supersonic Wave Filter system and the camera uses the open format of Four Thirds lens mount system. Most importantly, it’s a significant step for Panasonic, so we’ve added the company’s launch powerpoint presentation to the image library in its entirety. Read More

Canon's HG10 High definition HDD camcorder

By Kyle Sherer

15:15 August 7, 2007 PDT

August 8, 2007 Canon’s new HG10 Hard Disk Drive Camcorder is the latest to use the Advanced Video Codec High Definition format which was introduced by Sony and Panasonic in 2006 and offers greater compression than HDV and MiniDV. The hard disk drive HG10 records up to 15 hours of HD footage and features a 10x HD Video lens, an HD CMOS image sensor, Canon’s proprietary DIGIC DV II Image Processor, SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and Instant Auto Focus. Read More

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ18: 8.1 megapixel, 18x optical zoom for US$400

By Kyle Sherer

21:37 August 6, 2007 PDT

August 7, 2007 Ten years ago the release of the first digital camera to have one-megapixel resolution under US$1000 was cause for celebration. In two years time, manufacturers had comfortably doubled that resolution and by 2001, it had doubled again... and the trend continues unabated into 2007 with the latest 8.1 megapixel release from Panasonic - the LUMIX DMC-FZ18. Though not matching Fujifilm's recent 12-megapixel F50fd in resolution, the DMC-FZ18 boasts 18x optical zoom – six times the average zoom of one year ago - and has a raft of other features including face detection and image stabilization. Read More

Panasonic's HVX: pro-level HD digital video camera under $6000

By Loz Blain

June 28, 2007 Panasonic's AG-HVX200 digital video camera exploded onto the pro-sumer scene 12 months ago, cramming the features and high definition picture quality of a $100,000 movie camera into a US$5,995 package with some key advantages of its own. A truly ground-breaking product, the HVX featured variable frame rates between 24 and 60 frames per second for true slow motion, 4 channel audio, multiple resolutions and formats, and a solid-state P2 flash memory system to replace tape and disc recording and revolutionize the editing process. Enthusiastically received by TV producers, film schools and independent filmmakers worldwide, HVX units have also been snapped up by Oscar-brandishing directors like Peter Jackson, James Cameron and Francis Ford Coppola. Gizmag takes a look at what makes this camera so special, and some accessories that take the Panasonic HVX well into pro video territory. Read More

Panasonic semi-rugged Desktop Replacement Toughbook with embedded 3G wireless

By Mike Hanlon

June 5, 2007 In an important product announcement, Panasonic has extended its Toughbook mobile computer range to include a semi-rugged, wireless-ready desktop replacement notebook, the Toughbook 52. Built on the new Santa Rosa chipset from Intel, the Toughbook 52 offers all the processing power of a desktop replacement notebook in a form factor engineered from the ground up for mobility and making sure your window to the world remains in pristine order thanks to embedded 3G access. The 15.4 inch widescreen laptop can withstand drops of up to 2.5 feet on all six sides, has a spill-resistant keyboard, six hours of battery life and a removable hard drive which can handle a drop of three feet. The MIL-SPEC-certified notebook incorporates magnesium alloy cases, flexible internal connectors and shock-mounted hard drives and LCDs. Read More

Panasonic’s 160GB audio player dock

By Mike Hanlon

September 4, 2006 Japanese giant Panasonic (AKA Matsushita) has come up with yet another variation on the theme of seamlessly connecting the home stereo system with the portable audio player, specifically, it’s own D-snap. The SX850D-dock minicomponent audio system combines an SD card slot, 160GB hard drive, and a CD drive, so it’s possible to copy audio CDs to SDHC cards, record them direct to the hard drive, or connect it to your home network and load files from your PC. As it contains an on-board Gracenote database with auto recognition and track, artist and album info, users will never have to enter album information manually. Available later this week in Japan, the 160 GB SX850D-dock will cost JPY80,000 (US$690), while a lesser 80GB SX450 model will sell for JPY39,000 (US$340). Read More

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

By Mike Hanlon

June 16, 2006 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. Read More

Panasonic to sell 103-inch plasma display

By Mike Hanlon

April 23, 2006 Worldwide demand for plasma TV screens is expected to top 25 million units in 2010 – plasma displays are just that much bigger for the price. Accordingly, we have a market shaping up as a wonderful contest between the world’s largest plasma manufacturers. Prior to 2006, LG and Samsung had both displayed 102 inch not-for sale plasmas, but in January at CES, Panasonic unveiled a 103 inch and claimed the heavyweight championship. Now, Panasonic has decided to put the 103-inch screen into production. Yes folks, you’ll actually be able to buy one before the end of the year though no price has been mentioned just yet. We think this will signal a declaration of war in the very large display market as the highly competitive Korean companies LG and Samsung love to play “mine’s bigger than yours” and can be expected to focus attention on the area. Read More

Panasonic to unveil new Toughbook ''Road Warrior'' Notebook at CTIA Wireless 2006

By Mike Hanlon

March 29, 2006 Panasonic will unveil the latest in its line of semi-rugged Toughbook notebook computers at CTIA WIRELESS 2006 next week in Las Vegas. The durable Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 uses Intel’s Core Duo Processor T2400 ina special form factor to create a reliable wireless computing solution with a magnesium alloy case, integrated handle, spill-resistant keyboard, daylight-readable screen and battery life of approximately seven hours – a computer designed to let work happen wherever it needs to. New security features, including an optional finger print scanner and a Trusted Platform Module security chip, help protect sensitive information. Read More

Panasonic debuts new Toughbook Wireless Display

By Mike Hanlon

February 15, 2006 Increased adoption of wireless technologies by healthcare organizations requires a wide variety of device types, depending on the clinical or business application. Yet, according to Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney in a May, 2005 report ("Healthcare Device Category Selection Guide"), there "is a product void in the 1-kilogram weight range." This void, between traditional PDAs, which offer limited functionality, and standard clamshell or tablet PCs, which can be too heavy or cumbersome for regular bedside use, is to now be addressed by Panasonic’s Toughbook Wireless Display, which designed to offer an optimal combination of size, weight and functionality for point of care applications. Panasonic announced the new computing device specifically designed to support e-health initiatives, improve clinical care and enhance business performance at the 2006 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition in San Diego yesterday. Read More

World's largest plasma display: Panasonic 103-inch 1080p

By Mike Hanlon

January 5, 2006 Panasonic will begin showing a super-large-size prototype 103-inch plasma display panel (PDP) at its booth at the 2006 International CES later today. The 103-inch PDP has 1080p (progressive) HDTV resolution and can deliver more than two million pixels (1,920 x 1,080) of performance – not surprisingly, it’s world’s largest plasma display, edging narrowly ahead of the 102-inch Samsung shown at CES last year. Given Samsung’s penchant for having the largest and mostest of everything, we suspect it won’t take long for the Korean giant to leapfrog back into the lead, but for now the record goes to Japan and Panasonic (and ultimately to Matsushita, Panasonic’s parent company). Read More

Panasonic begins pilot production of 50-GIGABYTE Blu-ray Discs

By Mike Hanlon

December 27, 2005 Last week it was the prospect of 5 terabyte drives, but the buzz of the Gizmag Christmas party was the news that Panasonic has modified its existing pilot production line for single-layer Blu-ray Discs, called BD-ROM, so that it is able to replicate dual-layer BD-ROM discs with 50 gigabytes (GB) of storage capacity. The 5 TB drives are still five years away, but the new pilot replication line is happening NOW at the Panasonic Disc Manufacturing Corporation of America, located in Torrance, California and is sure to be one of the talking points of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next week (January 5-8, 2006). Single-layer Blu-ray Discs have 25 GB of storage capacity for holding video and other data, while current DVD discs have 8.5 GB of storage at most. Read More

Panasonic Toughbook travels to the 'Roof Of The World'

By Mike Hanlon

June 20, 2005 It’s often joked that you never really appreciate a computer until it goes down on you, which is precisely why the market for ruggedised computers exists. As we find more ways to depend on the computer, it’s inevitable that stories of computers withstanding incredible punishment will surface and such is the case with a recent Everest ascent by the ultra-ruggedised Panasonic Toughbook CF-18. On May 31, 2005, Australian Rex Pemberton reached the summit of Mt Everest and at 21years, became the youngest Australian to stand on top of the World’s tallest mountain. Rex’s Toughbook was his constant companion for the months leading up to the successful ascent, and was used for over two months on the mountain to type his daily diary, read e-mails from home, store digital photos and video footage taken on the climb, and to make notes for a book and documentary on the expedition. With the Toughbook connected to a satellite phone, the diary was e-mailed back to Australia for uploading to his web site. Read More

Product Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ5

By Mike Hanlon

April 18, 2005 The digital camera market continues to grow at an astonishing rate and the major competitors continuing to shoehorn new features into new cameras at an ever more affordable price – one example of just how far we have come in such a short period of time is the Panasonic FZ5, a camera we recently spent some time with. The 5.0-megapixel FZ5 LUMIX has a 12 times zoom lens – that’s equivalent to a zoom lens on a traditional camera having a ranbge from 36mm to 432mm. As it is TINY, and weighs 320 games with battery and memory card included, Panasonic has also included an Optical Image Stabilizer to compensate for handshake. The result is a camera that’s more than good enough for professional quality imagery – at a street price under US$450. Read More

Palm-sized recorder opens Panasonic D-snap range

By Mike Hanlon

Wednesday August 27, 2003: The first in a Panasonic's new generation of pocket-sized AV products branded "D-snap", the SV-AV20 SD is 4-in-1 Multi AV device that combines a digital video recorder, a digital still camera, a digital audio player, and a voice recorder in a palm-sized package weighing just over 90 grams. Read More