Daily Marauder

CES Buzz: Panasonic Keynote

Panasonic AVC President Toshihiro Sakamoto took the stage last night to announce what comes next for Panasonic.

Here come the Cliff Notes:

• World’s largest plasma released at 150” (the previous record holder was also a Panasonic at 103”)

• In partnership with Comcast, portable DVR released. Users can record a show on the portable DVR set-top box, disconnect the unit, and then watch on the go.

• Home Base: Wireless transmission of HD 1080p video without compression or data deterioration using “beam steering technology.” While on stage, Michelle (in the photo above) records video on a Panasonic HD camcorder while Sakamoto ceremoniously cuts the wires from the back of the television. When the camcorder is placed on top of the home base, the video is wirelessly transmitted to the television and played back in seconds. Wireless world? Done and done. I’m awkward as it is. The less wires I have in my proximity to trip over, the better for my limbs.
• True 2 Way: OCAP began the revolution and True 2 Way continues the revolution. Wanna throw your set-top box out the window? No worries. With this technology, you don’t NEED a set-top box. The set-top box technology is integrated in the TV itself. I see an Office Space moment coming on. Damn, it’s good to be a gangster.
• Viera Cast: Users can browse and watch YouTube videos and Google Picasa photos directly from their Panasonic TV.

Google is teaming up with Panasonic to develop television sets that display Internet content. The TVs, set to roll out this spring, will allow users to watch videos from YouTube, Google's video-sharing site, and view Picasa Web Albums, a free online photo-sharing service from Google. (http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUST20271420080108  1/7)   Panasonic unveiled an 150-inch plasma TV to Monday's International CES attendees, which the company claims is the world's largest. According to the company, the new set features four times the resolution of current HD displays, while trimming power consumption in half. (The Boston Globe/Associated Press 1/7, San Francisco Chronicle 1/7)

BROADCAST/CABLE

The Hollywood writers strike is claiming its first awards show casualty: NBC won’t air the Golden Globes. “We are all very disappointed that our traditional awards ceremony will not take place this year,” says Jorge Camara, head of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/offical-golden-globes-announcement-big-show-cancelled-replaced-by-live-announcements-newscast  1/7)

The Writers Guild of America is entering an independent agreement with Tom Cruise’s United Artists that will allow union members to work with the studio while the strike continues against other companies. The deal is unique to United Artists and doesn’t involve MGM, a UA shareholder. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=ag.ecsTrUECc 1/8)   

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert returned to Comedy Central on Monday night without their scribes due to the writers’ strike. “We would like to express our ambivalence,” say Stewart and Colbert, “but without our writers we are unable to express something as nuanced as ambivalence.” (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aw7qigO.XU3Y  1/8)

CBS says it will begin airing the first season of hit show “Dexter” from its Showtime cable network. The deal marks the first time a full season of a premium cable drama series will air on network television. “Dexter” will be edited for broadcast TV. (http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080107/FREE/758991616/1084  1/8)

ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA

Comcast unveiled Fancast today during Brian Robert’s keynote at CES, a TV-and-movie search site that the company hopes will become a top entertainment destination. After a year of development, the site is far enough along to become the electronic programming guide that TVGuide.com only wishes it could be. (http://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/news/2008/01/comcast_fancast  1/8, http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/08/comcast-launches-fancast-part-tv-guide-part-hulu  1/8)

Fancast HomePage

Fancast’s Six Degrees

Viacom’s MTV Networks is entering deals to make its videos available on online video services and Comcast’s broadband site, as the company aims to increase its presence on the Web. MTV is signing deals with services including Dailymotion, GoFish, iMeem, and MeeVee. (http://www.reuters.com/article/CMPSRV/idUSN0844831520080108  1/8)

TiVo subscribers will soon be able to select video from the Web for playback on televisions through its digital video recording service. Customers will be able to subscribe to video content from RSS feeds, ranging from network news to “indie” content from web shows like “Ask a Ninja.” (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2245821,00.asp  1/7)

Sony Pictures Television plans to provide 5-minute versions of several of its most popular television shows for viewing on YouTube. The “minisodes” of programs such as “Married With Children” and “Newsradio” are expected to help expand their brands to the online universe. (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/sony-provide-content-youtube/story.aspx?guid=%7BE5FAD55B-6445-4857-A631-C338D5CDD5A2%7D  1/7) 

Sony BMG is taking baby steps toward unlocking its DRM copy-protection by offering a modest selection of music for downloading and requiring consumers to go to a retail store to register for the service first. Starting Jan. 15 in the U.S. and a bit later in Canada, Sony BMG will make 37 albums available for downloading in the MP3 format to those who pay $12.99 to obtain a card with a secret code that users must enter online. (Yahoo!/InfoWorld 1/7)

Facebook’s tie-up with ABC News is credited for helping fuel a surge in television viewing of the New Hampshire debate held over the weekend. Facebook’s  U.S. Politics Application allowed users to participate in debate groups and express reactions to candidates’ performances. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/08/facebook.television  1/8) 

After years in which paid downloads saw little traction, Hollywood is focused on ad-supported streaming in ‘08. “People online want to watch for free,” says Fox digital media chief Dan Fawcett. “Downloading to own seems to be losing out. People like to watch on an impulse.” (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978614.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1  1/7)

MySpace is drawing young people away from television, according to a survey commissioned by the News Corp.-owned site. MySpace’s 18- to 24-year-old users say they would rather spend 15 minutes visiting social-networking sites than watching TV or reading, among other activities. (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e925b9bc-bcad-11dc-bcf9-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1  1/7)

TECHNOLOGY

Intel Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini used a variety of programs to display his company’s prowess while delivering Monday’s keynote address at the International Consumer Electronics show. Otellini reiterated many of Bill Gates’ earlier industry predictions, focusing on how smart networks and consumer electronics would help drive the next generation of the Internet. (Forbes 1/8)

The major consumer-electronics companies, including Sony, Samsung, and Philip Electronics have decided that in 2008 their devices have to look good as well as sound good. At 2008 International CES, they are showing off products with features that emphasize elegance and style — like ultrathin TVs or gadgets with matching color schemes — in a self-proclaimed marriage of fashion and function. (Associated Press/ClipSyndicate 1/8, Yahoo!/Investor’s Business Daily 1/7)