[May 06, 2008]

Panasonic Introduces Third Generation Blu-ray Disc Player and Announces Pricing

(Marketwire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) SECAUCUS, NJ, May 6 / MARKET WIRE/ --

Panasonic Corporation of North America, the
principal U.S. subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
(NYSE: MC), announces the introduction of the anticipated DMP-BD50,
Panasonic's third generation Blu-ray disc player -- the ultimate playback
source for high definition 1080p content. Blu-ray media offers a wide range
of functions that foster the transition to HD -- including 1080p image
quality, lossless Dolby? TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio(TM) and versatile
Picture-in-Picture applications. The BD50 adds the new BD-Live function,
which uses the internet to further enhance the consumer's entertainment
experience and employs VIERA Link,(TM) a technology that allows the
consumer to operate VIERA Link equipped home theater components with a
single remote. The DMP-BD50 will be available this spring and will have an
SRP of $699.95.

BD-Live opens up a myriad of interactive possibilities for the consumer. In
the future, BD-Live will allow users to connect the DMP-BD50 to the
Internet to download such data as images and subtitles, and to join in
multi-player interactive games that are linked to bonus movie content
contained on Blu-ray discs.

For optimum image quality the DMP-BD50 features the PHL Reference Chroma
processor and P4HD i/p conversion processor, which combine to create
Uniphier?, a precise digital video processor that produces sharp, crisp,
natural colors that are extremely faithful to the original movie. Uniphier
reflects the advance encoding and authoring technologies developed by
Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory.

The true to the original source images are complemented by an exceptionally
pure, accurate sound achieved through Audio Re-master and integrated
decoders for the lossless Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats.
Furthermore, the DMP-BD50 can be combined with a 7.1 channel amplifier and
speakers for full 7.1 channel surround sound.

Networking is an essential product of the DMP-BD50. The included SD Memory
Card slot allows for easy transferring of images from an HD camcorder or
digital still camera via an SD Memory card. By inserting the SD card into
the BD50, images can be viewed on a large screen HD flat panel television

with AVCHD format video images or JPEG stills in full 1920 x 1080
resolution. In addition, the DMP-BD50 has been awarded the Energy Star
certification.

"Panasonic was the first to bring a Blu-ray player with Bonus View (Final
Standard Profile 1.1) to market and now with the DMP-BD50 we are again
leading the industry with the inclusion of BD-Live," said Paul Sabo,
Panasonic, National Marketing Manager Entertainment Group. "The beauty of
the Blu-ray player is that we can now see movies the way the film maker
intended, in glorious HD video and audio. The consumer can now combine the
new generation DMP-BD50 with a VIERA flat screen televison to create a true
living in high definition experience."

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 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the
hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D
operations. Panasonic's exclusive Panasonic Plasma Concierge customer
support program (888-972-6276) is administered through its Virginia-based
Call Center, recognized as a Certified "Center of Excellence" by the Center
for Customer-Driven Quality(TM) at Purdue University. Information about
Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company
information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

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