Panasonic exhibits prototype of World’s first Next Generation Blu-Ray Disc Player at CES 2015

Panasonic Corporation announced today that it has developed the world's first Blu-ray Disc TM playback technology supporting the latest technologies such as 4K and High Dynamic Range, which are expected to be adopted in the next generation Blu-ray Disc standards² (ULTRA HD BLU-RAY TM). A prototype player is on display at the 2015 International CES in Las Vegas, NV, United States, from January 6-9.

This prototype integrates video processing and optical disc drive technologies that Panasonic has refined over many years, making it capable of reproducing 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixel) /60p ³ /10-bit ⁴ high resolution video, and supporting the latest technologies such as High Dynamic Range⁵ that marks a major leap in the brightness peak from the previous 100 nit⁶ to 1,000-10,000 nit to improve the power of expression; wide color gamut standard BT.2020⁷, which greatly increases color reproduction; high-efficiency video compression technology HEVC (H.265)/ Blu-ray Disc playback at a high bit rate of 100Mbps⁸.

This marks a major advance in picture quality over current Blu-ray Disc players, and paves the way towards allowing consumers to enjoy the crisp, true-to-life quality of amazing 4K Ultra HD content in their own homes.

Since the announcement of the Blu-ray Disc standards in 2002, Panasonic has consistently taken the lead in standardization. In 2004 it released the world's first 50GB Blu-ray Disc recorder capable of double-sided recording, and in 2006 the world's first recorder capable of playing BD-Video, as well as being the first in the world to develop more - the technology to play back full HD 3D image data recorded to the Blu-ray Disc in 2008.

With these and other achievements, Panasonic has constantly led the industry in developing Blu-ray devices.

Panasonic is now further redoubling its R&D efforts to bring its customers products that deliver amazing experiences and emotional impact. Panasonic will also participate in the newly-formed UHD Alliance⁹ to contribute to the progress of whole 4K (UHD) industry.