AVATAR 3D Blu-ray Disc™ Highlights Exclusive Panasonic Bundle Package With VIERA® Full HD 3D Plasma TV Purchase

SECAUCUS, N.J., Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, a worldwide leader in Full HD 3D technology, announced today that the Blu-ray 3D Disc™ version of the critically-acclaimed movie AVATAR by director James Cameron will be available exclusively with the purchase of 2010 Panasonic VIERA 3D Full HD TVs through participating retailers nationwide beginning today.

Purchase a VIERA 3D TV, Take Home a 3D System – Available at participating dealers, the Panasonic 3D Full HD Ultimate Pack (SRP $399.95) promotion features the Blu-ray 3D version of James Cameron's AVATAR and two pairs of rechargeable Panasonic 3D Eyewear with the purchase of a Panasonic VIERA® VT Series or GT Series Full HD 3D Plasma TV.  Participating dealers will also be offering a Panasonic System Solution Bundle promotion through January 1, 2011 which offers a Panasonic DMP-BDT100 3D Blu-ray Disc Player (SRP $249.95) or a $249.95 instant rebate toward the purchase of a Panasonic SC-BTT350 3D Home Theater In-A-Box (SRP $499.95) with the purchase of a Panasonic VIERA VT or GT Series Full HD 3D TV.

Both the 3D Ultimate Pack and System Solution Bundle promotions run simultaneously offering consumers a unique opportunity to take home AVATAR on Blu-ray 3D Disc, two pairs of Panasonic 3D Eyewear and a Panasonic 3D Blu-ray Disc Player as a bonus for purchasing a 2010 Panasonic VIERA Full HD 3D Plasma TV.

Panasonic Customer Loyalty Program -- Panasonic is also offering current owners of 2010 VIERA Full HD 3D Plasma TVs (VT25 Series, GT25 Series, TC-P50VT20, and TC-46PGT24) who purchased their TVs between March 10, 2010 and November 30, 2010 an opportunity to receive a complimentary copy of AVATAR on Blu-ray 3D Disc™ via a mail-in request program.  Complete details on the 3D Ultimate Pack, System Solution, and the Customer Loyalty Program are available at www.panasonic.com/avatar.

"As a leader in Full HD 3D technology, Panasonic is proud to be the exclusive source for the debut of the blockbuster movie AVATAR on Blu-ray 3D Disc," said Shiro Kitajima, president of Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.  "Panasonic's line of VIERA® Full HD 3D Plasma TVs and Blu-ray 3D Disc Players are the best way to enjoy this stunning movie in crisp, clear Full HD 3D the way the movie's creators intended it to be seen.  With that in mind, Panasonic has created a series of bundle promotions designed to give consumers the opportunity to bring the immersive world of 3D and AVATAR in 3D into their homes for the holidays.  We also wanted to recognize the early adopters who are so critical to new technologies with our Customer Loyalty Program so they too could enjoy AVATAR on Blu-ray 3D Disc with our compliments."

"James Cameron advanced a new chapter of filmmaking with AVATAR, and Blu-ray effectively captured the detail, emotion and nuance of his vision," said Mike Dunn, President Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. "Now the stage is set to launch the immersive 3D experience for the home that's only possible with Blu-ray 3D and has to be experienced with AVATAR. We are pleased to announce this exclusive arrangement with our partners at Panasonic, especially as they have a long history of involvement with AVATAR from its development, during the theatrical release, the Blu-ray launch and now with AVATAR on Blu-ray 3D."

Unwrap 3D Tour -- To support the new bundle promotions, Panasonic also launched today a two-week, 14-city mall tour designed to give consumers a chance to experience the immersive world of Full HD 3D Home Entertainment at major malls across the nation.

The Unwrap 3D Tour will give consumers an opportunity to experience for themselves Panasonic's award-winning line of Full HD 3D VIERA® VT25 and GT25 Series Plasma TVs, 3D Blu-ray Disc™ players, rechargeable 3D Active Shutter Eyewear, and 3D digital imaging products including Panasonic's first consumer 3D camcorder and the world's first digital camera with an interchangeable 3D lens – the LUMIX GH2.  The display will also feature an amazing array of 3D content including a look at scenes from AVATAR on 3D Blu-ray Disc, exciting 3D programming from DIRECTV's suite of linear 3D TV channels, including the n3D™ Powered by Panasonic channel, and PC-based 3D video gaming from nVIDIA; all of which will be displayed in crisp, clear Full HD 3D on Panasonic VIERA® Full HD 3D Plasma TVs.

The first leg of the Panasonic Unwrap 3D Tour kicks off today through December 5 with interactive mall displays simultaneously in seven malls in seven major metro areas -- New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.  The second leg of the tour runs from December 8-12 with simultaneous displays in seven additional malls located in major metro areas -- Boston, Washington DC, Miami, Minneapolis, Houston, Phoenix, and Seattle.  A listing of specific mall locations, dates and hours of operation can be found at www.panasonic.com/unwrap3d.

About Panasonic 3D Technology:

Panasonic's Full HD 3D VIERA® Plasma TVs(1) include five screens sizes – 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally), 46-inch (46.0" measured diagonally), 50-inch class (49.9" measured diagonally), 54-inch class (54.1 inches diagonal), 58-inch class (58.0 inches diagonal) and 65-inch class (64.7 inches diagonal).  In addition, Panasonic also offers three professional Full HD 3D Plasma monitors in 85-inch class (85.3 diagonal inches), 103-inch class (102.5 diagonal inches) and a soon-to-be-released 152-inch class (152 diagonal inches) – the world's largest Plasma screen.  All Panasonic VIERA and professional Full HD 3D TV models are also Full HD TVs that display pristine 1080p content in two dimensions (2D) for conventional HD viewing.

Panasonic's range of Full HD 3D VIERA Plasma HDTVs (VT and GT Series), when coupled with Panasonic's Blu-ray 3D Disc™ players (DMP-BDT100, DMP- BDT300, DMP-BDT350) bring a new era of immersive visual entertainment into consumers' homes, by creating a 3D experience that easily rivals the best that can be seen in cinemas.  

In addition, this year Panasonic and DIRECTV ushered in a new age in the rapid growth of 3D entertainment for the home with the launch of n3D™ powered by Panasonic – a DIRECTV channel dedicated exclusively to 3D programming. n3D powered by Panasonic is now available at no additional cost to millions of DIRECTV HD customers and features a range of sports and entertainment programming exclusively in 3D.  Panasonic is the exclusive presenting sponsor of DIRECTV's n3D channel, one of three 3D TV channels from DIRECTV that deliver movies, sports and entertainment content from some of the world's most renowned 3D producers.

In July 2010, Panasonic took the 3D era to a new level for consumers with the unveiling of the Panasonic HDC-SDT750, Panasonic's first consumer 3D camcorder, which includes a 3D conversion lens that enables the camcorder to shoot powerful and true-to-life 3D video content and play it back on 3D-capable HDTVs(2) and the LUMIX GH2 digital still camera with an interchangeable 3D lens for capturing still photos in immersive 3D.

Panasonic was awarded the 2010 Charles Wheatstone Award by the International 3D Society for its leadership in educating consumers and professionals about 3D technology and driving the development of 3D technology around the world.  For more information on Panasonic's Full HD 3D technology, visit www.panasonic.com/3D.

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.  Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com and its Full HD 3D site at www.panasonic.com/3D.

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.

Notes:

(1) Current 3D content will be limited and may include certain Blu-ray Disc titles and satellite programming. Additional equipment and/or subscription fees may apply. 3D Blu-ray Disc player (sold separately) is required to play and view 3D Blu-ray Disc content and Active Shutter 3D Eyewear (sold separately) is required to view all 3D content.  One pair is included with purchase of a VIERA VT20 or VT25 Series Full HD 3D TV.  Additional pairs sold separately.

(2) A TV that is capable of side-by-side method 3D playback, 3D Eyewear, and HDMI cable connection are required to play the recorded 3D images.

SOURCE Panasonic