Tweet from your TV with Twitter now available on VIErA

Australians will be able to “tweet” from their TV following the announcement today of the availability of Twitter on selected Panasonic 2010 VIErA TVs .

You will now be able to use Twitter on 2010 VIErA Cast enabled VIErA TVs that are connected to a broadband connection. Users can access their existing Twitter account, with the ability to send Twitter updates or “tweets” to other Twitter users on PC’s, mobile phones and other Twitter-ready TVs. The Twitter service is available on VIErA D25 Series LED LCD TVs, S25 Series LCD TVs, and VIErA VT20 and V20 Series Neo Plasma TVs.

“The launch of Twitter is the latest in an increasingly wide range of exciting features available on VIErA TV’s. With Skype and now Twitter available on VIErA Cast, it’s now possible to use your TV to communicate with others via some of the most popular online communications services available.There’s over 2.5 million Twitter accounts in Australia today, and we’re excited to provide them the ability to use Twitter with ease from the comfort of their living room on their big screen VIErA TV.”

Glenn Zanoni, Product Marketing Manager, Panasonic Australia

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Panasonic 3D TV Reviews: Updated Regularly

Yahoo! News
Review: Panasonic Viera TH-P50VT20A 3D TV

Gadget Guy
Panasonic Viera TH-P50VT20A and DMP-BDT300 Blu-ray 3D player

Herald Sun
3D blitz hits the road

Current
Panasonic impresses with dedicated 3D plasma range

Connected Australia
If 3D, immersive and Panasonic

Gadget Guy
Four Panasonic 3D TVs by June; glasses $200 each

Cnet
2010 Best of CES winner is Panasonic’s 3D plasma TV

Jessica Watson: Hamilton Race Week – Wrap Up

Yesterday was the last day of SB3 racing where we finally had a good result finishing third in the final race of the week. We improved every day and just as we were starting to do well, we ran out of days. But it was great fun.

So today Mike, Sean and I (Matt stayed back to study!) headed out on four-time Sydney to Hobart line honours winner Wild Oats XI to sail against the super yachts.

The crew were a great bunch and Wild Oats is in totally another league to Pink Lady and anything I’m used to! Planing along at 17knots under kite between the islands in the Whitsundays isn’t something to complain about and it was a great way to finish my week off.

Thanks again to the team at Pansonic Lumix for the great support. Everyone enjoyed the week on Hamilton Island and we hope to do it all again next year!

Jess

See more of Jessica’s photos on Flickr

Niederlage für Kindsmörder Gäfgen

Darmstadt (dapd). Die Chancen des Kindsm?rders Magnus G?fgen auf einen neuen Prozess schwinden: Das Landgericht Darmstadt teilte am Freitag mit, dass sein Antrag auf Wiederaufnahme des Strafverfahrens zurückgewiesen wurde. Gegen diese Entscheidung habe G?fgens Anwalt bereits Beschwerde eingelegt, sagte ein Sprecher der Darmst?dter Staatsanwaltschaft auf Anfrage. Damit gingen die Akten nun an das Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt. Es sei m?glich, dass dort noch bis zum Jahresende eine Entscheidung getroffen werde.

G?fgen erhofft sich bei seinem Antrag Rückenwind von einer Entscheidung des Stra?burger Gerichtshofs für Menschenrechte: Die Richter hatten vor rund eineinhalb Jahren entschieden, dass die Folterdrohung w?hrend des Polizeiverh?rs nach der Festnahme des heute 36-J?hrigen einen Versto? gegen die Menschenrechtskonvention darstellt. Allerdings befand die Gro?e Kammer damals auch, dass G?fgen gleichwohl ein faires Strafverfahren hatte und der Prozess nicht neu aufgerollt werden muss.

Zu diesem Ergebnis kam jetzt auch das Darmst?dter Landgericht. Die Richter sehen keinen Grund für eine Wiederaufnahme des Prozesses. Das Frankfurter Landgericht hatte G?fgen 2003 wegen Mordes an dem elfj?hrigen Bankierssohn Jakob von Metzler zu lebenslanger Haft verurteilt und die besondere Schwere der Schuld festgestellt. Die Darmst?dter Richter hoben nun hervor, dass die Verurteilung ausschlie?lich auf seinem Gest?ndnis in der Hauptverhandlung beruhte. Seine Aussage gegenüber der Polizei habe das Gericht “ausdrücklich als unverwertbar angesehen”.

Zudem betonte das Gericht, dass sich seither keine neuen Tatsachen ergeben h?tten. Dem Landgericht Frankfurt sei damals das Vorgehen der Polizei nach G?fgens Festnahme bekannt gewesen.

G?fgen hatte 2002 Jakob von Metzler entführt und ermordet. Die Polizei w?hnte den Jungen noch am Leben und drohte G?fgen mit Gewalt, um das Versteck des Kindes zu erfahren. Der damalige Frankfurter Polizeivizepr?sident Wolfgang Daschner wurde wegen der Gewaltandrohung sp?ter zu einer Geldstrafe auf Bew?hrung verurteilt.

Seit seiner Verurteilung zu lebenslanger Haft klagt sich der studierte Jurist G?fgen durch alle Instanzen. Zuletzt hatte er Anfang August vom Frankfurter Landgericht eine Entsch?digung in H?he von 3.000 Euro plus Zinsen zugesprochen bekommen, die ihm das Land Hessen “wegen schwerer Verletzung der Menschenwürde” zahlen muss. Seine Klage auf Schmerzensgeld wurde jedoch zurückgewiesen.

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Lumix supports Jessica Watson for Hamilton Island Race Week

Panasonic are pleased to announce their continued support of around the world sailor Jessica Watson, who will further test her racing skills when she contests the SB3 sports boat class at the 27th staging of the Hamilton Island Race Week.

Hamilton Island Race Week is held in the middle of the magnificent Whitsunday Islands on the fringe of the Great Barrier Reef and is nothing short of a spectacular combination of scenery and competitive racing. More than 200 yachts are scheduled to compete in a variety of classes from the 21st – 28th August.
Jessica’s SB3 yacht, named Lumix by Panasonic, will be crewed by fellow solo sailors, Mike Perham, Matt Jones and Sean Lind, all experienced young sailors.

Jessica has previously sailed SB3’s and is looking forward to new challenge of competitive racing. “I’m looking forward to sailing with the boys. The racing will be very competitive, with every crew wanting to win in this strict one-design class. But I am in this for the experience, it should be a lot of fun,”

Panasonic first partnered with Jessica in her around the world attempt and see this new phase of Jessica’s journey as a continuation of a strong partnership. Jessica will be recording and sharing her race week exclusively with Panasonic’s social network fans on Facebook and Youtube. Daily footage will be captured on the DMC-FT2 rugged Lumix camera and the HDC-SD60-R camcorder.

“It’s great to have Lumix on board again and we will be taking plenty of pics and videos during the week. So everyone can watch these on Panasonic’s social sites.” Whilst Jessica’s crew is not expected to win the regatta, she certainly has the proven endurance and the super human will to beat the odds..

To keep up to date on Jessica’s Hamilton Island Race Week;
- Simply visit the Panasonic Australia blog at for all the latest details.
- Follow Panasonic Australia on Facebook or Twitter
- You can also see the Jessica Watson videos up on our YouTube Channel

Jack McCoy鈥檚 new film 鈥楢 Deeper Shade of Blue鈥?shot with a Panasonic P2 Camcorder

Legendary surf film producer shoots latest film predominantly on a Panasonic P2 Camcorder

Panasonic ambassador and legendary surf film producer Jack McCoy has made his latest film, ‘A Deeper Shade of Blue’, predominantly on a Panasonic P2 camcorder.

“In the other digital cameras he had the white of the wave would just blow out into highlights. With the P2 camera he could see the detail of the wave all the way through”
Mathew Alexander, Product Manager, Broadcast, Panasonic Australia

Official Trailer

Mathew Alexander (Product Manager, Broadcast, Panasonic Australia), has worked closely with Jack McCoy in his official capacity as Panasonic Ambassador. He describes the decision of Jack to us the P2 in making his latest film

“Jack was already working with KWN when I first met him and started working with him. He originally had shot most of his movies on 16mm film and some (Sony) tape based cameras. After studying our technology and because Jack is always looking for new and innovative ways to create his imagery he decided to give the Panasonic P2 a run.

Photo By Tim Mckenna

Even though the AG-HVX202EN camera that he first tried was about the same size as his other (Sony) tape based digital cameras the P2 high definition recording format and solid state card platform provided him with the flexibility to take it into the surf with him as well as a much higher recording quality. In Jacks words, he first noticed the difference when he recorded a wave folding over. In the other digital cameras he had the white of the wave would just blow out into highlights. With the P2 camera he could see the detail of the wave all the way through.

This is because both Jacks other digital camera and his AG-HVX202EN camera were high definition as far as the resolutions that they record (1080i/720p) but many compact digital HD cameras record in 4:2:0 colour space and highly compressed bit rates, typically 15Mbps to 25Mbps. P2 high definition cameras record with 4:2:2 colour space at a bit rate of 100Mbps so more information is able to be recorded. This is the reason that Jack noticed a difference with the waves as well as in other areas.

Photo By Tim Mckenna

The robustness of the P2 solid state card platform also allowed Jack to use his P2 camera in the surf without getting drop-outs or condensation problems that are commonly associated with tape based cameras. Sand, salt-water and wind all combine to make shooting surfing one of the hardest type of shooting on equipment. P2 held up amazing well.

The combination of high recording quality, robustness and portability/flexibility of P2 allowed Jack to extend his considerable creative skills into making his new movie as well as other projects. In the hands of someone of Jack experience and talent the P2 really shined. I encourage anyone that is avid surf-film viewer to make the time to buy/rent/see A Deeper Shade of Blue. I think the shots that I have seen so far are amazing so it will be worth a look鈥?

For more information on the movie and more trailers visit the official site here

For more information about Jack visit his official site here and for his tips and tricks on how to make movies with Panasonic camera’s check here

Double LUMIX success at the EISA Awards

We’re proud to announce that we have received EISA Awards for our popular LUMIX DMC-G2 and DMC-TZ10 cameras.

We’re really excited to announce that the LUMIX G2 has recieved the “European Multimedia Camera 2010-2011″ . The G2 is the world’s first touch-control digital interchangeable lens system camera* which achieves high picture quality and mobility with unprecedented operational ease. The LUMIX TZ10 has been awarded “European Travel Compact Camera 2010-2011″ for its outstanding versatility, made possible with the 25-300mm LEICA DC lens and a host of options that enhances the user’s enjoyment of the photographic experience.

“This award for the G2 demonstrates how much Panasonic has achieved in a short time with the G Series. This is such a fresh and innovative camera with features that are in touch with today’s users.Our TZ Series continues to go from strength to strength, with GPS the latest feature to add additional convenience for the LUMIX community, and versatile and creative shooting functions true to the LUMIX philosophy of making it simple to achieve pleasing results.”
Alistair Robins, Group Marketing Manager, LUMIX, Panasonic Australia


European Multimedia Camera 2010-2011: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G2



The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G2, the world’s first interchangeable lens system camera with touch-control shooting, made it onto EISA’s list of excellent products. As the EISA jury puts it: “One of the most exciting features of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is its vari-angle 3-inch (3:2) touch-screen monitor, from which one can both take control of shooting settings and activate the shutter by touching the subject on-screen. The camera’s excellent electronic viewfinder makes it easy and comfortable to frame and focus pictures even in strong light. The contrast-detection autofocus system is impressively fast, and picture quality is good in both still and video (AVCHD Lite) modes.”

European Travel Compact Camera 2010-2011: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ10


According to the EISA jury, “the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ10 represents a big step forward for the company’s TZ series. Beyond all the auto and user-selectable specialised scene options – with new Pinhole and Film Grain modes – the TZ10 offers the more traditional P/S/A/M shooting modes for greater control and increased creativity. As a travel camera, the inclusion of GPS and geo-tagging is very welcome, while the 12x 25-300mm Leica DC Vario-Elmar zoom lens offers focal lengths for every occasion. The feature set is completed with AVCHD Lite video recording. And, better still, it all fits very easily into your pocket.” Other key features of the ultra compact, award-winning camera from Panasonic include Intelligent Resolution Technology, 16x Intelligent Zoom and even a built-in GPS unit that stores location data on where a photograph was taken so that this information can be shared with friends and families.

For more posts about LUMIX cameras click here

To find out more about the EISA Awards visit here

(*For an interchangeable lens system camera as of March 7, 2010)

Jessica Watson: video diary, Hamilton Island – Day 2

After an ordinary first day of racing yesterday where we were near the tail of the field, we headed out to the start line this morning on day 2 hoping for some better luck. In this video, the guys are concentrating as we start plaining with the spinnaker up. A few seconds later the spinnaker pole (a pretty critical bit!) started bending wildly with a fracture in the middle, but luckily we were able to swap to another boat and ended up having a really fun days sailing with some great wind.

After a few ordinary tactical calls on day 1, followed by a bit more time on the water, we did a lot better score wise today.”

Check out Jessica’s video (above) which was shot on her Lumix FT2 Camera!

Jessica Watson at Hamilton Island Race Week – Day 1

Hamilton Island Race Week

After a hectic few weeks on the book tour, I’m now spending some time relaxing in the sun on Hamilton Island, which is on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, amongst Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands.

I’m up here to take part in Hamilton Island Race Week, sailing a SB3 (a 23 foot sports boat) with some friends – Mike, Matt and Sean. A big thanks to the team at Panasonic who have kindly sponsored us. We will be racing a LUMIX-branded boat and it should be a lot of fun.

Today is the first day of racing, although there is not much wind at the moment. It is due to pick up later today. We’re looking forward to seeing how we go out on the water against the other boats. So stay tuned to Panasonic’s social sites and I’ll keep you all informed of our progress over the next 4 days and post some pictures and videos from our LUMIX cameras!

See more of photos from Jessica on Flickr

Pflegemutter der ermordeten Anna zu lebenslanger Haft verurteilt

Bonn (dapd). Die Pflegemutter der in einer Badewanne get?teten Anna aus Bad Honnef ist wegen Mordes zu lebenslanger Haft verurteilt worden. Der Ehemann der 52-J?hrigen wurde am Donnerstag vom Landgericht Bonn wegen K?rperverletzung mit Todesfolge schuldig gesprochen. Er muss sechseinhalb Jahre in Haft. Die Pflegemutter habe das neunj?hrige M?dchen in der Badewanne mindestens drei Minuten unter Wasser gedrückt, sagte der Vorsitzende Richter, Josef Jan?en. Ihr Ehemann habe erst eingegriffen, als Anna bereits blau angelaufen gewesen sei.

Das Kind “war aber nicht mehr zu retten”, sagte Jan?en. Das M?dchen war wenig sp?ter im Krankenhaus gestorben. Vor ihrem Tod im Juli 2010 musste Anna monatelang brutale Misshandlungen über sich ergehen lassen. Der Anwalt der Pflegemutter kündigte an, in Revision zu gehen.

Die leibliche Mutter von Anna, die als Nebenkl?gerin aufgetreten war, reagierte erleichtert. “Die Strafe ist gerecht”, sagte sie nach der Urteilsverkündung. Sie wünsche sich nun einen Neuanfang. “Ich denke immer an Anna, jeden Tag”, sagte sie mit zittriger Stimme. Anna hatte die Familie wegen der Alkoholsucht der Mutter gewechselt.

Richter Jan?en sagte, die Pflegemutter Petra W. habe aus niederen Beweggründen gehandelt. “Anna hat aufbegehrt. Dies widersprach der Angeklagten”, sagte Jan?en. Sie habe die Kompetenz der Pflegemutter, eine gelernte Einzelhandelskauffrau aus Sachsen, infrage gestellt.

Jan?en schilderte die Pflegemutter in seiner Urteilsbegründung als eine dominante, kr?ftige Frau, der es um eine Selbstinszenierung gegangen sei. “Die Angeklagte war es, die den Ton angegeben hat”, sagte Jan?en. Ihr Mann Ralf W., ein gelernter Kfz-Mechaniker, sei unterwürfig gewesen – eine Art “Butler mit Ehering”.

Der 52-j?hrige Pflegevater hatte seine Taten vor dem Gericht gestanden und seine Ehefrau schwer belastet. Diese wiederum wies die Schuld noch nach der Urteilsverkündung von sich. Ihr Ehemann sei es gewesen, der Anna unter Wasser gedrückt habe, sagte ihr Anwalt.

Das Paar wurde von der Schwurgerichtskammer zudem der Misshandlung von Schutzbefohlenen schuldig gesprochen. In den Monaten vor ihrem Tod hatte das M?dchen ein wahres Martyrium durchlebt. Anna wurde systematisch gequ?lt, mit dem Kochl?ffel geschlagen, auf dem Balkon ausgesperrt, gefesselt und regelm??ig in der Badewanne untergetaucht.

Richter Jan?en warf Nachbarn und Beh?rden vor, nicht frühzeitig gehandelt zu haben. “Das laute Toben von Anna blieb nicht unbemerkt”, sagte er. “Es haben beim Jugendamt zweimal die Alarmglocken gel?utet.” Erst am Tag vor ihrem Tod sei Anna aus Verzweiflung und Angst vor weiteren Misshandlungen vom Balkon gesprungen. Mehrere Nachbarn h?tten das gesehen.

Bei dem Jugendamt und ?rzten habe sich die Pflegemutter immer wieder als “gute Tante” dargestellt und für die ?ngste und Verletzungen ihrer Pflegetochter Ausreden erfunden. So sei Anna in einem ?rztlichen Attest eine Selbstverletzungswut zugeschrieben worden.

Bereits w?hrend des Prozesses war das Jugendamt in Verruf geraten. Eine Mitarbeiterin der Beh?rde hatte nach dem Tod Akten manipuliert und zum Teil vernichtet, bevor sie diese an die Staatsanwaltschaft übergab. Wenige Tage sp?ter wurden die R?ume des Jugendamtes durchsucht und alle Akten des Falls beschlagnahmt.

Der im Januar begonnene Prozess war zwischenzeitlich unterbrochen worden. Die Staatsanwaltschaft hatte die Pflegeeltern zun?chst allein wegen Misshandlung in mindestens 55 F?llen und K?rperverletzung mit Todesfolge angeklagt. In den Verhandlungen hatte ein Gerichtsmediziner dann aber klar gemacht, dass Anna mindestens drei Minuten unter Wasser gedrückt wurde. Folgend forderte die Staatsanwaltschaft auch eine m?gliche Verurteilung wegen Mordes. Der Prozess wurde ausgesetzt und neu aufgerollt.

Die Staatsanwaltschaft hatte im Pl?doyer die H?chststrafe für die 52-J?hrige gefordert: eine lebenslange Haftstrafe wegen Mordes und Feststellung der besonderen Schwere der Schuld, für den Ehemann wurde eine neunj?hrige Haftstrafe wegen K?rperverletzung mit Todesfolge und Freiheitsberaubung beantragt.

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