Panasonic announced today exclusive agreements with two of Hollywood's premiere film studios, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Universal Studios Home Entertainment, to offer the Blu-ray 3D versions of Fox's Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Universal's Coraline, two of the industry's most successful theatrical 3D titles, with its critically-acclaimed and award winning VIERA Full HD 3D TVs.
Consumers who purchase a Panasonic VIERA VT25 Full HD 3D Plasma TV between May 16 and July 10, 2010 will be able to receive the two Blu-ray 3D titles via mail-in coupon. Complete details on the offer are available on the Panasonic web site at www.panasonic.com/promos/3d-blu-ray-movie-offer.asp.
Both the Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Blu-ray 3D version and the Coraline Blu-ray 3D version were authored by the Compression and Authoring Center of Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory. To assure the highest possible image and color quality, both Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Universal Studios Home Entertainment involved the film-makers in the process of encoding the titles for 3D. Thanks to this close collaboration, both Blu-ray 3D titles deliver dazzling color and image that is true to the original theatrical release.
Panasonic's VIERA VT25 Series Plasma Full HD 3D TVs, which include one pair of Panasonic 3D Active Shutter Lens Eyewear (TY-EW3D10U) will be available at retailers nationwide in early May in 50-inch class (49.9 inches diagonal / SRP $2,599.95) and 54-inch class (54.1 inches diagonal / SRP $2,999.95) sizes with 58-inch class (58.0 inches diagonal / SRP $3,399.95) and 65-inch class (64.7 inches diagonal / SRP $4,299.95) sizes to follow in June. Complete technical specifications for the VT25 Series are available at www.panasonic.com.
"Panasonic is very proud of its long-standing relationships within the Hollywood community and our work together to lead the charge into the 3D era," said Henry Hauser, Vice President, Panasonic Display Group. "A little more than a year ago at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, Panasonic promised to bring the immersive entertainment experience of Full HD 3D for the home to market in 2010. Working with valued partners like Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Universal Studios Home Entertainment, we are not only bringing Full HD 3D Home Theater Systems to consumer homes now, but we're also providing VIERA purchasers with critically acclaimed content so that they can begin enjoying the immersive world of Full HD 3D immediately."
"There may be a couple of times that are considered game changers in the industry and this is that moment for home entertainment. Over the last year we have seen 3D invigorate the theatrical experience and it will do the same for the living room. We are thrilled to collaborate with Panasonic with Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs as our debut title in the Blu-ray 3D format," said Mary Daily, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. "Blu-ray offers the premiere high definition viewing experience for the home, and Blu-ray 3D uses the advanced quality to bring the premiere 3D experience to your home."
"We are happy to partner with Panasonic on this exceptional opportunity to bring the 3D hi-def experience into homes," said Robert Read, Vice President, HD Marketing and Franchise Management. "Coraline's rich tapestry of visually stunning stop-motion animation is an ideal choice to introduce consumers to the unmatched potential of Blu-ray 3D and is sure to help stoke interest and demand for what is hands down the most dynamic and robust home-viewing experience available in high definition."
Panasonic's range of Full HD 3D VIERA Plasma HDTVs, when coupled with Panasonic's 3D Blu-ray Disc players (DMP- BDT300 and DMP-BDT350) bring a new era of immersive visual entertainment into consumers' homes, by creating a 3D experience that easily rivals the best that can be seen in cinemas. By delivering a full 1080p-resolution image to each eye, Panasonic's Full HD 3D technology offers consumers the highest possible visual experience. To enjoy Full HD 3D programming, users wear stylish and lightweight active-shutter eyewear. The sets are also Full HD TVs that display pristine 1080p content in two dimensions (2D) for conventional HD viewing. The VIERA VT25 Series was awarded the prestigious "Best of Show" honor at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show. The BDT350 received the Consumer Electronics Association's prized Innovations Award for its innovative application of Full HD 3D technology.
For more information on Panasonic's Full HD 3D technology, visit www.panasonic.com/3D.
