Panasonic and Comcast to Collaborate on Bringing HDMI-CEC to Set-Top Boxes

Panasonic and Comcast to Collaborate on Bringing HDMI-CEC to Set-Top Boxes

Ongoing Collaboration Between Industry Leaders Continues To Develop Ease-of-Use Solutions for Cable Subscribers, Including the Arrival of the First tru2way HDTVs at Retail

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On the heels of the successful retail launch of the first tru2wayTM -ready VIERA(R) HDTV, Panasonic, the market and technology leader in HDTV, and Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA; CMCSK), the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, today announced that they are collaborating to bring HDMI-CEC technology to the latest generation of digital cable set-top boxes.

HDMI-CEC is the technology underlying Panasonic's VIERA LinkTM technology, which enables single remote operation of Panasonic VIERA HDTVs and connected home entertainment components, such as Blu-ray Disc Players and Home Theater Systems. Panasonic and Comcast are working to integrate HDMI-CEC technology with tru2way enabled set-top boxes that will enable non-tru2way HDTVs and other consumer electronics devices to interact with the set-top boxes via the use of a single TV remote control and a single user interface. Integrating the HDMI-CEC protocol with Comcast's on-screen program guide will allow set-top boxes to automatically configure connected home theater devices for optimal viewing and audio experiences and will enable intelligent interactive features, including auto input select and auto power on/off of all components. HDMI-CEC is already standard in all 2009 Panasonic VIERA HDTVs and select Comcast set-top boxes. The companies are currently working with CableLabs(R) on the standardization to adopt HDMI-CEC for next generation digital set-top boxes.

"Panasonic and Comcast are both committed to enhancing the user experience by enabling consumers to control all of the functions of their home entertainment systems with a single remote and user interface," said Dr. Paul Liao, Chief Technology Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "This collaboration also highlights Panasonic's strong focus on delivering consumer-friendly solutions and the value that our VIERA Link technology brings to the consumer electronics industry."

Mark Hess, Senior Vice President of Video Product Development, Comcast Cable said, "When the consumer electronics and cable industry work together, the consumer is the real winner. We're pleased to continue our collaborative work with Panasonic to develop products that will seamlessly connect consumers' home entertainment experiences with all of the features and services they want and expect from cable."

Panasonic and Comcast have led the development of tru2way technology and related products, which are based upon specifications developed by CableLabs(R). Making good on a promise made at CES 2008, Panasonic and Comcast announced the arrival at retail of the first-ever tru2way HDTV -- the Panasonic VIERA TH-42PZ80Q and TH-50PZ80Q 1080p Plasma HDTVs -- and the activation of tru2way head ends in Chicago and Denver in October 2008. Additional cities are expected to go live in the coming months.

About Panasonic

Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America markets a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE:PC) , and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) (NASDAQ:CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 24.4 million cable customers, 14.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 6.1 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten Comcast SportsNet networks and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

About CableLabs

Founded in 1988 by cable operating companies, Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabs(R)) is a non-profit research and development consortium that is dedicated to pursuing new cable telecommunications technologies and to helping its cable operator members integrate those technical advancements into their business objectives.

TM tru2way, CableLabs and OpenCable are trademarks of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: jamie.hodin@cohnwolfe.com
http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom

Source: Panasonic

CONTACT: Chris De Maria of Panasonic, +1-201-348-7182,
demariac@us.panasonic.com, or Jenni Moyer of Comcast, +1-215-286-3311,
jenni_moyer@comcast.com, or Jeff Samuels of Panasonic, +1-201-392-4571,
samuelsj@us.panasonic.com

Web Site: http://www.panasonic.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment