Panasonic Announces First DVD-Audio Players Plus New DVD-Video And Widescreen DTV Models
Looking to capture a leadership position in digital audio and video categories, Panasonic announced two prototype DVD-Audio players that Panasonic plans to introduce this fall, by which time copyright and anti-piracy issues are expected to be resolved. Both players will play DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, CD-Audio and Video CD and will carry street prices in the $1,000 range. A Panasonic model will be geared for video enthusiasts, while a step-up Technics model with advanced audio features will be targeted for the audio end of the market. Panasonic expects the players to be ready for in-store demos in late summer, when it will begin running ads to generate consumer interest in the product. Panasonic also has announced a progressive-scan DVD-Video player, which will be introduced when outstanding copy-protection issues are resolved, plus seven new home DVD models at $399-$699, including a five-disc changer at a $549 suggested retail and a Karaoke model at a $699 suggested retail. The company will continue to carry its current Divx featured player at a $499 suggested retail. Also Panasonic will introduce a 27-inch TV/VCR/DVD combo unit due out this August at about a $1,000 street price. It will include a four-head Hi-Fi VCR but will not record DVD videos onto VHS tape. In Digital TV, Panasonic introduced three widescreen 16:9 (1.78:1) models, starting with a replacement for its 56W (56-inch) projection set (announced prior to the recent National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention that displays the 720p ATSC format in addition to 480p and 1080i. It will sell for the $5,999.95 price of the prior model when it ships in September. Panasonic will also ship in June its 34W (34-inch) widescreen 16:9 SuperFlat direct-view HDTV-ready monitor at a $5,999.95 suggested retail price. It will be followed early next year with a version offering built-in ATSC decoding and a SDTV-capable 42W (42-inch) (480p) plasma display panel at a $15,999.95 suggested retail price. For more information, visit www.panasoniconlineusa.com.