Panasonic Blu-ray Disc™ Player Receive CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Award

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic today announced that it has been named an International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards Best of Innovations winner for the Panasonic DMP-BDT320 Blu-ray Disc player in the Video Components category and named an Honoree in the Eco-Design and Sustainable Technologies category.  Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products across 32 product categories.

The Panasonic BDT320 Blu-ray Disc player was engineered with both the user's ease-of-use and the environment in mind.  A top-of-the-line 3D Blu-ray Disc player, the Panasonic BDT320 features a new sleek design that, at 1.06", is slim enough to fit into even the tightest of spaces.  The slot-in drive allows users to easily insert discs and features a safety which does not permit the insertion of more than one disc at a time so users don't have to worry about jamming up the Blu-ray Disc player. 

Continuing the legacy of Panasonic's advanced image processing technologies, the Panasonic BDT320 provides high-level picture quality for a more enjoyable entertainment experience.  Contributing to the high-quality picture, Panasonic's UniPhier LSI chip offers high-performance motion processing and the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus reproduces clear, vivid colors that are faithful to the original film.  Additionally, the vertical color reference process has been increased by 1.5 times as compared to previous models to express fine details and nuances in movie scenes with Adaptive Chrome Processing. 

Wi-Fi is built directly into the player allowing for easy navigation of VIERA Connect which expands the number of apps available to consumers and improves on the Panasonic BDT320's functionality, giving users the ability to stream movies from CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, VUDU™, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video.  The use of VIERA Connect also allows users to turn any HDTV into a Skype™*-enabled TV.  A devoted Skype button on the Blu-ray Disc player's remote makes interacting with family and friends as easy as pressing a button. 

In keeping with a commitment to the environment, the Panasonic BDT320 was designed to be half the size of previous models, decreasing the amount of materials used in production and packaging and allowing for easier transport.  Operating at just 8.9 watts, the Blu-ray Disc player is also ENERGY STAR certified and also features the Smart Sensor for Eco-Quick which makes it possible to start playback extremely fast, reducing wasted electricity and allowing for user convenience. 

"Panasonic is honored to be recognized in the esteemed CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards as a Best of Innovations winner, not once but twice, for the BDT320 Blu-ray Disc Player," said Alex Fried, Panasonic Senior Product Manager.  "Proving that good things can come in small packages, the BDT320 is the world's slimmest Blu-ray Disc player that is packed with innovative technology to reproduce stunning 3D picture and high-quality sound.  The player's connectivity also lets users to go beyond watching a movie to experience a world of interactive entertainment." 

The prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards are sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, the producer of the International CES, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, and have been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976. The Best of Innovations honor is awarded to the products with the highest judges' scores and will be featured in the Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase at the 2012 International CES.

Panasonic's DMP-BDT320 will be displayed at the 2012 International CES (Panasonic booth #C9405), which runs January 10-13, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Innovations entries are judged based on the following criteria:

• Engineering qualities, based on technical specs and materials used
• Aesthetic and design qualities
• The product's intended use/function and user value
• Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive
• How the design and innovation of the product compares to other products in the marketplace

Products chosen as Innovations honorees reflect innovative design and engineering of the entries. Examples may include the first time various technologies are combined in a single product or dramatic enhancements to previous product designs.

Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering honoree products are featured on www.CESweb.org/Innovations, which lists product categories, as well as each product name, manufacturer information, designer, description, photo and URL.

* Skype requires a compatible HD Web camera

About Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America, 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, offers a wide-range of consumer solutions in the U.S. and Canada.  The Company's portfolio of innovative consumer products ranges from VIERA Full HD 3D Televisions, Blu-ray players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Wellness and Personal Care products and more. 

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. Panasonic was the only Consumer Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking. Follow Panasonic on Twitter @panasonicdirect, and additional company information for media is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

SOURCE Panasonic