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Panasonic Develops World's First^*1 Single-Chip Signal Processing LSI for Blu-ray Disc Players

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Osaka, Japan - Panasonic, the leading brand by which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, has developed the world's first Blu-ray Disc (BD) player-specific single-chip signal processing LSI (product number: MN2WS006), in response to the latest BD standards^*2. This LSI combines a front end to read the signal from the BD, and a back end to convert this into AV data. Samples of this LSI will begin shipping in June 2008.

By using this product, Panasonic will be able to realize smaller sizes and lower power consumption in BD players compatible with the latest BD standards^*2.

This product features the following characteristics.

1. Complete support for the latest BD standards^*2, and functions including dual-screen simultaneous video playback, high-quality audio playback, and network compatibility achieved on a single chip
2. Creation of a single chip for the signal processing system, through use of cutting-edge microprocessing, allows for 50% reduction in mounting surface area and 25% reduction in power consumption, compared to current Panasonic products
3. Application of the new-generation UniPhier^®*3 platform developed originally by Panasonic enables customers to achieve higher-quality software improvement with shorter interval

This product has been created using the following technologies. (**: compared to current Panasonic products)

1. Multi-standard video decoding technology to enable video playback for BD, DVD, and CD media, and standards including MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 and VC-1; high-quality audio playback compatible with lossless coding; and dual-screen simultaneous video playback including high definition video, and a high-performance and high-speed graphics engine technology which enables not only 2D graphic processing but also 3D graphic processing or curved surface drawing
2. Unified memory architecture technology reducing about 45% of major semiconductor parts** (including external memories) together with integration of LSIs into a single chip using 45-nanometer process technology
3. New-generation UniPhier^®*3 platform technology making it possible to reuse the 75% of software assets of BD recorder, and enabling us to improve our development efficiency by three times** as a result of concentrated development for function improvement only

Up to now, in order to construct BD players with conventional BD LSI, separate front end and back end LSI were required, in addition to seven external memory chips. Since the BD market is now expected to grow rapidly, it was necessary to rationalize the signal processing components in order to realize better functionality and appeal to the hot-selling zone of LSIs.

Sample shipment start: June 2008 Sample price: (negotiable according to quantity)

About Panasonic

Best known for its Panasonic brand name, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of JPY 9,068.9billion (approx. USD 90.52billion, exchange rate USD 1=JPY 100.19 as of March 31, 2008). The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka,
Nagoya and New York (NYSE:MC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.