Panasonic Compact Stereo Receives CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Award

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic announced today that its SC-HC55 slim, compact stereo has received an International CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Award in the audio components category.

Panasonic's SC-HC55 is a slim, compact stereo system featuring a remarkable Bluetooth function for iPod®* connectivity and Bluetooth Re-Master technology to deliver superb sound quality from iPodTouch®/iPad™/iPhone®. The Hands Free function allows a conversation on the iPhone to be conducted using the system's speakers and built-in microphone, while it is docked.

The SC-HC55 boasts wireless music streaming and Internet radio control.  Music lovers and talk radio enthusiasts can enjoy the hundreds of stations offered by Internet Radio and use the system's convenient features to search for stations and program their favorites by simply installing the vTuner** application onto an iPhone or iPodTouch.

The SC-HC55 is equipped with advanced proprietary audio reproduction technologies to produce a level of sound performance to meet the needs of discerning music lovers. Digital connection of an iPod/iPhone allows the compact stereo to process music signals in their original form, thus delivering sound that is faithful to the original.

Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and journalists to honor outstanding design and engineering in consumer electronics products across 35 categories.

Sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, producer of International CES, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, the Innovations Design and Engineering Awards have been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976.

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

Panasonic's SC-HC55 compact stereo will be displayed at the 2011 International CES, which runs January 6-9, 2011 in Las Vegas. It will be showcased in the Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The SC-HC55 is scheduled to be available in April 2011.  

*"Made for iPod" and "Made for iPhone" mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod or iPhone respectively and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards.  Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod or iPhone may affect wireless performance. iPhone, iPod, iPod classic, iPod nano and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc.

**vTuner for Panasonic app must be purchased from iTunes.

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.  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 products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

SOURCE Panasonic