Panasonic Receives International 3D Society’s Inaugural Charles Wheatstone Award

Panasonic Honored at International 3D Society: 2010 Technology Awards Ceremony for its Leadership in Full HD 3D TV Technology and Innovations

SECAUCUS, NJ – Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) received the International 3D Society’s first Wheatstone Award in recognition of the company’s leadership in advocating for Full HD 3D TV, its development of innovative 3D TV and video solutions, and the its history of educating consumers about the benefits of 3D TV. The award was presented to Panasonic during the International 3D Society’s Inaugural 3D Technology Lumiere™ Awards at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA.

The Wheatstone Award is named for inventor Charles Wheatstone, who invented the Stereoscope in 1838 and was also a respected educator about stereoscopic vision and imaging. The International 3D Society, of which Panasonic is a member, is a community of 3D professionals dedicated to providing education and advancement of the art and technologies of stereoscopic 3D.

In presenting to award to Shiro Kitajima, President of Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, Jim Chabin, President of the International 3D Society stated, “Panasonic has been a visionary advocate for 3D, from building a partnership with James Cameron for Avatar, to building consumer excitement worldwide.”

“Panasonic is proud to be honored in this way by the International 3D Society,” said Mr. Kitajima. “We are committed to working with the entertainment industry, with retailers and broadcasters to realize an end-to-end 3D TV world that extends from how the content producers capture 3D to how consumers see 3D TV at home.”

Panasonic Corporation has been a leader in the creation of end-to-end standards and technologies to enable consumers to experience immersive Full HD 3D TV. In September, Panasonic announced it will establish a new 3D Innovation Center in the U.S. The Panasonic 3D Innovation Center will focus on engaging with the entertainment and broadcast communities to enhance 3D production technologies and work flow and foster collaboration with industry partners to develop new applications for 3D technologies.

For more than 15 years, Panasonic has maintained an R&D facility, Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, in the Los Angeles area for the development of entertainment-related technologies and ongoing liaison with major studios for the development of the 3D Blu-ray Disc format. Last year, the company established its Advanced Authoring Center within Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory to work with Hollywood studios to develop the 3D Blu-ray Disc format. In January, Panasonic partnered with DIRECTV to debut three dedicated 3D channels, including DIRECTV’s new linear 3D channel, N3DTM powered by Panasonic, which is delivering the best 3D programs available. In September, together with DIRECTV, Panasonic allowed consumers around the nation to experience the USTA US Open Finals in 3D for the first time ever.

In March, Panasonic delivered its first Full HD 3D Home Entertainment System for sale at select Best Buy stores via Magnolia Home Theater. Panasonic also debuted a range of 3D video production products including the world’s first professional-quality, fully-integrated Full HD 3D camcorder offering SD Memory Card recording. And more recently, Panasonic announced its first consumer 3D camcorder, the HDC-SDT750, as well as its first 3D-capable digital interchangeable lens camera, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH2.

For more information on Panasonic’s Full HD 3D technology, visit www.panasonic.com/3D.



About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America markets a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) of Osaka, Japan, and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com. 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 Eco Ideas initiatives is available at http://panasonic.net/green_innovation. Additional company information for journalists is also available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.