Panasonic Japan announced the VW-BN2 [JP] today, an external DVD burner that supports video recorded in the AVCHD format. The device allows you to burn your AVCHD video files directly from the camera (via USB 2.0) onto DVD. You can also use it to convert HD video quality into standard quality videos.

The maximum burning speed is 8x for DVD±R, 4x for DVD±R DL, 6x for DVD-RW, 8x for DVD+RW and 3x for DVD-RAM. The device is sized at 139×138.8×18mm and weighs 395g.

Panasonic plans to start selling the burner in Japan for $290 from December 25. No word yet on international sales plans.

First the dish washing robot, then an assist cart robot: It was a big day for Panasonic’s robot division. This cart robo, a one-seater, is specifically designed for use in hospitals and nursing homes where it’s supposed to move medical equipment and things like wheelchairs.

Panasonic claims the robo vehicle will even help staff move around hospital beds, as it can carry equipment weighing 200kg. Japan has the oldest society in the world (over 20% of the population are older than 65), and the company said it plans to invest more resources into the health and welfare robot sector in the next years.

The assist cart robo for hospitals is to be commercialized as early as spring next year. Panasonic plans to sell a version for use in other places for about $1,000 in or after 2012.

Via Kaden Watch [JP]

We have reported about a number of household robots from Japan in the past. Those machines covered areas like preparing sushi or pancakes, cleaning the house or the toilet. Last December, we reported about a kitchen robot that’s able to do your dishes without breaking them. And today, Panasonic showcased an updated version of that very robot in Tokyo.

Equipped with sensitive arms (that have a number of pressure and contact sensors), the robot can pick dishes out of a sink, rinse them and then automatically load them in a dishwasher. The robot works so accurately that the dished won’t even get scratched, Panasonic claims.

And this robot is just the start. Panasonic says they want to achieve sales worth $1.1 billion with robots (industrial models included) by 2015. The company waits for the Japanese government to come up with safety standards laws specifically laid out for home-use robots (the laws are expected to be ready by 2012). Once that happens, Panasonic plans to develop and commercialize more household robots as quickly as possible.

Via Kaden Watch [JP]

Patent Result says Panasonic topped the list because of some valuable patents in the semiconductor and word processing software fields. The research firm gives points to all companies it scrutinizes, measuring the value of patents filed by the number of objections from competing companies, for example. It also took into account the duration of patents held by each company into consideration.

Panasonic claimed the top spot with 986,917 points, with Toshiba following at No. 2 (483,749 points) and Canon with 461,348 points. Hitachi is fourth (439,777 points), Seiko Epson is fifth (428,347 points), Sharp is sixth (414,359 points) and Sony is tenth (308,660 points). The only company not operating  in the electronics sector is Toyota at rank eight (368,196 points).

If solar power is to sissy for you, maybe you’d be interested in the Panasonic Fuel Cell Cogeneration System, which “generates electricity and hot water simultaneously at home”?

The so-called Fukitorimushi (”wipe-up bug” in Japanese), a cleaning robot of a very special kind, has been around for quite a while now. But what was showcased recently during a tech exhibition in Tokyo was the newest version. And the thing is still creepy as hell.

What you see is basically a robotic pillow that can move around in closed rooms like an inchworm and cleans the floors by making use of the world’s first nano-level superfine polyester fiber it’s mainly made of. The cloth can absorb oil and pick up ultra-fine dust particles.

When the Fukitorimushi finds a dirty spot, it lights up red, starts rubbing the dirt away and moves on. It’s able to find its way back to the charging station by itself, too.

The Fukitorimushi was designed by Panasonic, and Japan-based chemicals company Teijin provided the nano technology. The question is now who would want such a robo pillow move around in the living-room.

Have a look at the video below to see how the thing works:

Kids, do you remember those big, clunky things in the living room we older people called tube TVs? They are dying off. One of the world’s biggest TV manufacturers, Panasonic, announced yesterday [JP] it will stop producing those TVs after 55 years.

The Japanese company started making those devices back in 1954 and actually ceased domestic production as early as April 2005. Beijing Matsushita Color CRT, a joint venture Panasonic started in China, continued selling tube-TVs after then, mainly serving markets in China and Southeast Asia.

But Panasonic says now even customers in emerging economies want flat-panel TVs. The company will sell off its 50% share in said joint venture to its Chinese partner and solely focus on manufacturing flat-panel TVs from now on.

Japan’s biggest business publication, the Nikkei, is reporting that Panasonic is thinking about using lithium ion batterries used in notebooks to power electric cars. Obviously, the big idea is to bring down the overall costs of these vehicles (and make some money for the company, too).

Panasonic aims at replacing the dozens of lithium ion batteries usually required to power an electric car with thousands of cylindrical batteries originally designed for notebooks, resulting in positive cost effects.

In concrete terms, Panasonic wants to push down costs the power systems for (mid-size) electric cars as a whole from the current average of $33,000 to $11,000. The company isn’t first to try this: Tesla’s Roadster from March 2008 also uses batteries originally designed for home electronics.

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]

The so-called N8 and S8 are the models Panasonic will market in Japan as “winter season computers”. The S8 has an internal super-multi drive, but otherwise the main specs are identical for both Toughbooks: Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 processor (2.53GHz), 250GB HDD, 12.1-inch WXGA LCD, 2GB RAM (max: 4GB RAM), Wi-Fi, WiMax, one SD slot, one HDMI interface and three USB 2.0 ports.

The S8 and N8 will go on sale in Japan on October 22 (prices: $2,400 for the S8 and $2,300 for the N8). No word yet on international sales plans from Panasonic.

Panasonic has been toying with the idea of bringing 3D TVs to our homes for quite a while now, and today the company announced they will be showcasing a 50-inch full HD plasma TV [press release in English] that’s capable of producing high-quality 3D pictures. End consumers will have the chance to test the TV out during next week’s CEATEC 2009.

Panasonic says the TV is the result of tests they did with a 103-inch 3D TV prototype presented last year (it’s pictured above). The company also says it went for 50 inches because it expects this size to be the standard for TV screens in homes. You’ll need to get a Blu-ray player and discs that support the 3D format though. And shutter glasses are a must.

The 3D TVs from Panasonic will hit stores in the US, Europe and Japan as early as next year.

The official trailer for Avatar, James Cameron’s new (and supposedly groundbreaking) Sci-Fi movie, came out just last month, and now Panasonic is showing a TV spot promoting their Viera TVs and the movie on Japanese television. The commercial, which is currently in heavy rotation on TV over here, shows some very brief new scenes from Avatar (which is due out in both the US and Japan on December 18).

In case you wonder, the girl you see in the commercial is Japanese actress Koyuki who played Tom Cruise’s love interest in Last Samurai and who I regularly see grocery shopping in the supermarket in my neighborhood. She doesn’t have a role in Avatar though.

Here’s the TV spot (30 seconds):

Panasonic has developed a new face recognition system that’s pretty impressive. Their technology not only makes it possible to detect (and clearly display) faces in dark or overly bright settings but also if the person in question is behind glass and the face is covered with reflections.

The system is based on an LED modulated light source for near-infrared light. When capturing light from the sun (or other sources), only the near-infrared illumination reflected back from a person’s face is processed. LED modulated light isn’t affected by sunlight, meaning the technology can help detect faces in darkness and bright settings alike.

The picture above shows a fence reflected on a car’s windshield on the top, and the same situation when using Panasonic’s face recognition system below. The company says their system delivers monochrome pictures with QVGA resolution.

Persons sitting in cars, for example, can be detected as long as the car isn’t traveling faster than 50kph. The system recognizes faces of persons located up to 10m away.

Panasonic plans to start commercializing their technology as early as next spring.

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]

Panasonic has developed a Transformer-like electronic bed that converts to a wheelchair while the person is in it. Is that a TV, too? It looks like there’s a TV mounted into the top of the frame. Yes, it is a TV.

But not just any TV. The screen also doubles as an X10-like interface to control lights and appliances, and it can be used to keep an eye on security camera footage too.

The wheelchair is also smart, featuring built-in collision detection and obstacle avoidance algorithms to keep the occupant safe while navigating.

The aptly-named “Robotic Bed” is still in the prototype phase, but it’ll be demonstrated at a health care expo in Japan at the end of the month.

[via CNET]

Panasonic Japan announced a total of three new Blu-ray-based set-top boxes today [JP], the first devices in the industry featuring a digital CATV tuner. All of the models (TZ-BDW900M/pictured, TZ-BDW900F and TZ-BDW900P) have a 500GB HDD on board, too.

Other specs include VIERA TV link, DLNA support, i.Link, an HDMI slot, an SD memory card slot, an Ethernet port, and a YouTube function. Panasonic says the 500GB HDD is enough to store up to 90 hours of HD TV material, but only the TZ-BDW900P supports downloads from acTVila [JP], a Japanese web video provider.

The set-top boxes will go on sale in Japan in December. Panasonic hasn’t revealed any pricing details yet.

I’ve been excited about four-thirds cameras for a while now. They seem like a great idea – DSLR power in a point-and-shoot package. However, after the Olympus E-P1 I’m worried that manufacturers are treating these cameras as beta hardware and the real models won’t be stable for a few years. That said, I’m still interested in the format and I’ll be impressed once Canon and Nikon get in on the act.

This model was fairly standard. There’s no viewfinder – a big minus – but it has a 12-megapixel sensor and seems to take some nice shots. The size is just right and it has plenty of standard functions like scene modes and full manual control if you need it. I’m anxious to get my hands on one of these and give it a good drubbing.

Also I just noticed what was on the screen on one of these shots. Unintentional, I assure you.

I present to you the Digital Hearth.

This hot mess of standards and devices shows us just why CE companies are so clueless. Somewhere, someone is proud of that slide. They got everything, including the CEO’s dog, into there with inches to spare.

Essentially CE has always been trying to go the Apple route. They want a closed ecosystem. They want brand loyalty. They’ve wanted this for years, obviously, but now, thanks to the plethora of standards out there, they want it amazingly badly right now. If you want your camera to work with your TV which will work with your Blu-Ray player – and you want to get networked info on all those devices – you’re going to enter a world of slight but glaring incompatibilities and frustration. CE companies want you to buy Sony or buy Panasonic or buy Coby. They don’t want you to add any outliers to this digital hearth. Oh well. I did see a big robot.

We saw this thing a little while ago and now it is real. The Panasonic DMC-GF1 is a micro four-thirds camera with 12-megapixel sensor, 1080p video recording, and nice image quality.

After seeing the lackluster EP1 I am worried the M4/3 world might be too hard to handle, even for DSLR lovers. However, I’m willing to give this old girl a try.

PANASONIC INTRODUCES ITS LATEST LUMIX G SERIES DIGITAL CAMERA – THE LUMIX DMC-GF1
The LUMIX GF1, the world’s smallest and lightest system digital camera with built-in flash*, packs powerful DSLR and HD video capabilities into a sleek and easy-to-use compact body

Secaucus, NJ (September 2, 2009) – Today, Panasonic announced the new LUMIX DMC-GF1, the latest addition to the award-winning LUMIX G Series, which debuts as the world’s smallest and lightest system digital camera with a built-in flash*. The LUMIX DMC-GF1 distinguishes itself from previous models with its elegant, compact design reminiscent of classic film cameras, yet builds on Panasonic’s success with the revolutionary LUMIX G Series of digital interchangeable lens system cameras based on the Micro Four Thirds system standard.

With its compact size, user-friendly design and ability to record High Definition (HD) video and take professional-quality photos, the LUMIX GF1 continues to redefine digital photography standards. “Panasonic changed the digital camera industry with the world’s first Micro Four Thirds digital camera, the LUMIX G1 – a compact “DSLR-like” digital camera that produces exceptional image quality. Then, as we continued to raise the innovation bar, Panasonic launched the LUMIX GH1, adding full High Definition 1080p video recording with continuous auto focus,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “The new LUMIX GF1 continues the evolution and is the perfect addition to our LUMIX G Series, as its sophisticated, small body makes it easier and more convenient to carry. The GF1 is ideal for point-and-shoot consumers looking to step-up to DSLR-quality or for current DSLR users who want greater convenience without compromising performance quality or creative flexibility.”

With its lightweight body, the LUMIX GF1 provides experienced photographers with the ideal digital camera to carry with them at all times. Like its predecessors in the LUMIX G Series, the LUMIX GF1 eliminates the pentaprism found in traditional interchangeable lens cameras. Thus, this mirror-free structure allows Panasonic to dramatically reduce both size and weight. Though small in size, the LUMIX GF1 does not compromise in advanced features.

The LUMIX GF1 thoroughly optimizes the advantages of a system camera to ensure high performance, whether capturing photos or HD video. The LUMIX DMC-GF1 can record 1280 x 720 High Definition video in AVCHD Lite, a format that enables longer recording times. With a dedicated video record button, capturing video is convenient and easy. The LUMIX GF1 can also record HD Motion JPEG in 1280 x 720 and other video recording formats include: QVGA, VGA and WVGA. The LUMIX GF1 has a unique Movie Program Mode that allows consumers to adjust the depth-of-field while shooting in HD video, so background and foreground can be blurred to give creative effects – something typically only possible with expensive professional camcorders.

The LUMIX DMC-GF1 includes the new My Color mode, which includes seven preset effects – Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, Silhouette and Custom – all which let users manually set the color, brightness and saturation levels. With the Live View function, users can see how these settings will effect the photo before they shoot, making it easier to capture the exact mood or atmosphere desired. For even more elaborate effects, users can choose from a total of nine Film modes, and set the contrast, sharpness and saturation levels for each. A custom function lets users store their favorite settings in memory. Furthermore, the exposure meter can be displayed in other shooting modes and the correlation between shutter speed and aperture is shown, with a color-coded warning that alerts users when the settings are not in the proper range.

For those users not quite comfortable with extensive manual and creative controls, the LUMIX GF1 provides a user-friendly setting that can address a beginner’s comfort level, while helping them evolve their photography skills. For instance, Panasonic’s new Scene mode, Peripheral Defocus, lets users take a photo where the foreground is in focus and background is blurred – or vice versa. This popular effect can be intimidating for a beginner, but in the Peripheral Defocus mode, by simply selecting the objects to be blurred and focused using the camera’s keypad, it is simple for photographers of any level.

Also, helping to make the LUMIX GF1 more approachable, Panasonic’s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, a system of technologies that engage automatically – no setting changes needed – allows for intuitive use when shooting still or video images. While shooting video, iA activates Panasonic’s O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), which helps reduce video-blurring due to handshake. In addition, Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it so it always turns out beautifully. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. For still photos, the iA system encompasses: Face Recognition (up to six faces can be registered); Auto Focus (AF) Tracking; Mega O.I.S.; Intelligent ISO; Intelligent Exposure; and Intelligent Scene Selector.

The LUMIX GF1 also comes fully-equipped with a built-in flash and a large, 3.0-inch Intelligent LCD with a wide viewing angle and a 460,000-dot resolution. The Intelligent LCD offers automatic backlight control, which when combined with its high-resolution, helps improve visibility in all light environments – from sunny outdoors to low-light interior settings.

New for the LUMIX G Series, the LUMIX GF1 is compatible with an optional Live View Finder (DMW-LVF1), which provides the full-time live view function boasting 100% field of view regardless of the attached lens. To further expand the LUMIX G Series system, Panasonic Micro Four Thirds digital cameras can be used with Four Thirds System interchangeable lenses via an optional mount adaptor DMW-MA1 and with the prestigious Leica M/R lenses using Panasonic’s DMW-MA2M DMW-MA3R. These adapters give the user access to the unlimited number of lens properties.

The LUMIX GF1’s sensor technology offers the best of both worlds – the superior image quality of a CCD sensor, and the low-power consumption of a CMOS sensor. Advanced technology makes it possible to read four channels of data simultaneously, helping the LUMIX GF1 deliver 60 frames-per-second full-time Live View images, while maintaining fine detail and rich gradation. The LUMIX GF1’s Venus Engine HD records stunning high-resolution 12-megapixel images using its advanced Live MOS Sensor. This sophisticated LSI circuit separates chromatic noise from luminance noise and applies the optimal noise reduction to each, helping to capture clear and beautiful images even when shooting at high ISO levels.

The contrast AF system adopted in the LUMIX GF1 is not only accurate, but also very quick – approximately 0.3 seconds with the LUMIX G H-FS014045 lens. Users can choose from a wide-range of AF modes, including multiple-area AF with up to 23 focus areas; 1-area AF with a selectable focus area; Face Detection; and AF Tracking. The LUMIX GF1 also has a Quick AF function that begins focusing as soon as the user aims the camera – without pressing the shutter button halfway.

As with all Panasonic LUMIX G Series digital cameras, the LUMIX GF1 is equipped with a highly-effective Dust Reduction system. Thus, if dust gets inside the camera (when changing lenses), Panasonic’s Dust Reduction system addresses this problem by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor which vertically vibrates around 50,000 times per second, thus repelling the dust.

The content captured on the LUMIX GF1 can easily be viewed on a Panasonic VIERA® HDTV by simply inserting the SD/SDCH Memory Card into the VIERA’s SD/SDHC Memory Card slot or into a Panasonic DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player. Alternatively, an optional mini HDMI cable can be used to output still and motion images recorded with the LUMIX DMC-GF1 directly to the TV for easy VIERA Link™ operation, with control of playback functions, such as slideshows, managed from the VIERA HDTV’s remote control.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF1 will be available in early October 2009 with the option of two kits – both with a suggested retail price (SRP) of $899.95. One kit option includes the newly-announced LUMIX G 20mm/F1.7 ASPH, a compact and lightweight “pancake” lens, while the other kit features the LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. The optional Live View Finder DMW-LVF1 has an SRP of $199.95; while the DMW-MA2M and DMW-MA3R both have an SRP of $249.95. All new accessories will also be available in early October. For more information about Panasonic and its LUMIX G System cameras and accessories, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

*As of September 2, 2009
•Panasonic in-house comparison. The speed may vary depending on the specifications of PC and the number of images stored in the PC and other condition.
•AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD cannot be played on a device that does not support the AVCHD standard. •Some video recording functions may not be available depending on the lens that is mounted.
•When setting quality to HD, WVGA or VGA, Panasonic recommends using a high-speed card with “10MB/s” or greater displayed on the package.
•Continuous recording exceeding 2GB is not possible when recording motion JPEG. Remaining time for continuous recording is displayed on the screen. •AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.
•Turn Face Recognition item ON and register the person with full-face portrait on the shooting menu in advance. Refer to back page for detail.
•Some functions in iA mode may not be available depending on the lens that is mounted.
• Lenses that are not compatible with the contrast AF function can be used with manual focusing.
•There are some limitations to other functions depending on the lens to attach.

via AOL

Back in April, Panasonic was the first company that announced a Blu-ray player for installation in cars, and today [JP], the CY-BB1000D – and the even cooler “Strada CN-HX3000D” navigation system – finally got a price tag and a release date. But first the specs and some pictures.

CY-BB1000D Blu-ray player (pictured above)

• world’s first in-dash Blu-ray drive
• HDMI port
• AVCHD and AVREC support
• SD card support

Strada CN-HX3000D navigation system

• “world’s first navigation system of its kind” (Panasonic)
• GPS and Bluetooth
• 80GB HDD
• CD/DVD drive
• 7-inch WXGA screen with amazing 1,280×720 resolution
• Yahoo Japan Maps and Google Maps support
• 50W×4ch amplifier
• iPod/iPhone 3G connector
• One-Seg digital TV tuner
• HDMI port
• CY-BB1000D connectivity

Both devices go on sale in Japan on September 10. And quality has its price: Expect to pay $1,000 for the Blu-ray drive and $3,800 for the navigation system.

Red One, Canon 5D Mk II, and Panasonic Lumix GH1 Footage Comparison from marty meyer on Vimeo.

A videographer, Marty Meyer, shot a short video using the Red One, the Canon 5D Mark II, and the Panasonic GH1. The resulting music-/test-/sad girl in the rain-video is quite nice even if you can’t really tell the difference among the three cameras.

However, I do like watching ladies walk around in black dresses.

via PDNPulse

OK, Panasonic’s Evolta batteries are quite powerful, alright. A robot in a mini car powered by nothing more than two AA Evolta batteries completed five and a half laps on the famous Le Mans 24 Hours circuit in France. This means the little guy ran a distance of 23.7km before finally running out of juice.

Panasonic also made sure the accomplishment made its way into the Guinness Book of World Records as “the longest distance covered by a battery-operated remote-controlled model car”. The Evolta robot is 30cm long, 20cm wide and 20cm high. He was guided around the course by a vehicle that emitted infra-red light in front of him (see above).

The event [JP] took place on August 5.