Panasonic Corporation announced that it will start shipping its 65-inch Interactive Plasma Display (TH-65PB1) at the end of June 2012.
For more information visit: www.panasonic.com
Unedited press release follows:
Panasonic to Release 65-inch Interactive Plasma Display
Osaka, Japan – Panasonic Corporation announced today it will start shipment of its 65-inch “Interactive Plasma Display” (TH-65PB1), incorporated with electronic pen functions, in Japan, the U.S., and Europe at the end of June, followed by other parts of the globe for the use of professionals. Panasonic also plans to commercialize an 85-inch model, the size of a standard whiteboard, and the world’s largest*1 103-inch model by the end of this year. The TH-65PB1 and an 85-inch prototype will be exhibited at the Educational IT Solutions EXPO*2 to be held from May 16 in Tokyo.
The Interactive Plasma Display offers excellent visibility and operability, capitalizing on the full extent of the advantages of self-emitting plasma panel displays, including a large screen, rich color expression, wide viewing angle, and high-speed response. The TH-65PB1 is suitable not only for interactive display applications but also for use as a meeting room monitor.
Further drawing on the PDP’s self-emitting characteristics, Panasonic has developed a new electronic pen system that allows high-speed drawing and smooth and highly accurate writing. Up to four pens*3 can be used simultaneously.
The TH-65B1 can be installed vertically or horizontally. When installed vertically, it can display a whole page of digital textbooks on the screen at once. Other possible applications include dividing the screen into two areas, with the upper section showing images and the lower section used as an electronic whiteboard. The new interactive plasma display, supporting wireless connections*4, can also be used as a presentation monitor for meetings or lectures to display electronic data stored in information terminals such as personal computers without the need for cables.
Panasonic will promote this product as an interactive display that helps deliver effective and innovative presentations in a wide variety of scenes, such as business negotiations or meetings as well as classrooms.
Projector-based electronic whiteboards have been mainstream in the interactive whiteboard market. However, the demand for direct-view displays that have excellent display performance and installation flexibility has been rising rapidly worldwide, mainly in the corporate and educational markets. The global demand for such products is expected to be approximately 1.5 million units in the fiscal year to March 2013 and about 3.5 million units in the year to March 2016*5. Panasonic will meet the diverse range of demand in the global market by developing new products that utilize the characteristics of large-screen PDP devices.
[Main features]
1. Interactivity
(1)High-speed drawing/simultaneous multiple drawing
Panasonic has developed the electronic pen system that makes use of PDP’s high-speed light-emission from pixels themselves. A special drive system is incorporated into the PDP. This drive system detects and displays the pen position at 60 times per second with respect to each pixel in full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080: 2.07 million pixels). As a result, the location of the pen tip coincides with the drawing point, which enables smooth and natural writing, and fine lines and characters can be displayed clearly. The system recognizes up to four electronic pens*3 individually that allow lines, pictures, or characters to be written in different colors and thicknesses. As the system detects locations only touched by electronic pens on the panel, users can write freely without worrying about their clothing touching the panel.
(2)User-friendly electronic pen and multifunction drawing software
The newly-developed electronic pens are designed with weight balance for easy gripping and feature multifunction buttons on it. The buttons allows users to perform basic operations without using the tool bar on the panel, including displaying the drawing menu and mouse operations, so that multiple drawings can be handled smoothly. In addition, the drawing software that includes a variety of drawing and presentation tools will help effective presentations.
2. Large screen and high image quality
The Panasonic Interactive Plasma Display will faithfully reproduce a range of content including movies and still images with high image quality, delivering high contrast, rich gradation and superior color reproducibility that are unique to PDPs. The wide viewing angle allows viewers sitting at an angle to the screen to watch high-quality images equivalent to those seen from directly in front of the screen in meeting rooms or classrooms.
3. Wireless connections*4
As the new interactive display can be connected wirelessly with PC and other information terminals to show data stored in such devices, it allows for flexible seating layout and enables everyone in the room to participate in the presentation.
(1) Display of moving and still images in multiple PCs
– “Multi Live mode: The information in up to 16 personal computers can be displayed simultaneously. This allows for seeing the data each participant has on hand.
– “Multiple Transmission mode: The information in a personal computer can be transmitted to up to eight displays. This allows for sharing the same information on each display simultaneously during a lecture in a large hall, requiring no complicated wiring.
(2) Display of content in iOS devices on large screen
– After downloading a special application (free) from Apple Inc.’s App Store*6, users can show JPEG, PDF, or web content stored in iOS devices, such as tablets and smartphones, on the large screen.
4. Expandability and convenience with SLOT2.0 function slot
The new interactive display is equipped with the SLOT 2.0 function slot, which is well received by professional display users. The slot offers flexibility in building a system catered to the needs of each customer, allowing to mount HDMI and DVI terminal boards and digital tuner boards (sold separately).
Application proposal
*1: As a flat-panel interactive display as of May 15, 2012, according to Panasonic’s study.
*2: The 3rd Educational IT Solutions Expo (EDIX) from May 16 to 18, 2012 at Tokyo Big Sight
*3: Will be supported in September 2012 (until then, the maximum will be three pens)
*4: Panasonic wireless module (ET-WM200), sold separately, is required.
*5: Based on Panasonic’s estimate
*6: App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries.
TH-65PB1 – Panasonic Interactive Plasma Display
(can be used for both vertical and horizontal installations)
Two electronic pens and a drawing software DVD-ROM are bundled.
The movable stand shown above (TY-ST65PF1) is sold separately.
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products in three business fields, consumer, components & devices, and solutions. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.85 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2012. Panasonic’s stock is listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) Stock Exchanges. The company has the vision of becoming the No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry by the 100th year of its founding in 2018.