Matsushita and Panasonic parent Matsushita are to extend their flat-panel display development deal.

The two Japanese giants said today they will work together on “superthin” plasma panels for TVs and combine their efforts to make such screens more energy efficient.

Hitachi will also buy Matsushita-made glass panels and use them in the production of its plasma TVs from April 2009 onwards. That will costs its own production operation ¥40bn ($382.6m) in lost sales, but the company claimed that won’t impact its current earnings forecast.

The two said they would also work more closely on LCD TV development and production – something they already do through their jointly owned IPS Alpha Technology venture. But they did not go into details.

Both plasma and LCD plans are about increasing the ability of both firms to stay competitive in a world where plasma and LCD TV screens are falling in price and so many suppliers are punting products to consumers. Plasma makers are finding it particularly hard to keep up with the runaway success of LCD.

That’s why Fujitsu, the first company to introduce plasma screens, ditched the TV technology back in December 2007.

In March 2008, Pioneer said it was getting out of plasma production and would instead buy in panels from another supplier. The following month, it named Matsushita as that partner.

Sony, Canon, Kodak, Hitachi, Victor Company of Japan, KDDI, Kenwood, Panasonic, Nikon, Olympus, Pioneer, Samsung, Seiko Epson, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba today announced an agreement to form a consortium to develop specifications for interconnecting products using TransferJet a new interoperable wireless transfer technology that enables rapid transfer of high resolution video, music and images.

Sony Trasferjet

TransferJet wireless technology enables a high speed data transmission rate of 560Mbps, while eliminating the need for complex setup and operation. Directly touching two compliant electronic products together allows files to be transferred automatically, without the need for an access point. Continue Reading…

At Tuesday’s corporate strategy meeting, Hitachi announced it would continue to pursue with its money-losing HDTV panel manufacturing along with recovering HDD sales as core businesses. Company president Kazuo Furukawa maintains panel production will remain the company’s core business because demand is growing globally, as one of three reasons for the newfound focus.

Furukawa said there is great potential for flat-panel TV sales in Brazil, China, Russia, India and other emerging markets. Secondly, the electronics giant believes flat panels will merge broadcasts and communications.

Next month, Hitachi will launch its Wooonet networking service that will allow its TVs to communicate with computers. As customers demand thinner and more advanced HDTVs, Hitachi believes its products, including the recently introduced UltraThin line, will be highly coveted.

In the 2007 fiscal year, Hitachi lost about $1,062 million, the majority of which was attributed to poor HDTV sales. In related news, the company hopes to boost its overseas HDD sales from 42% last year to 50% in 2010.

During the speech, Furukawa also revealed Hitachi will focus on ‘green’ technology aimed at decreasing energy consumption and environmental friendliness. As part of this policy, the company will make 100,000 lithium-ion batteries annually for GM’s upcoming Volt starting in 2010. [Source: Techon]

In the 1.5″ family of displays, there are four sizes available, namely 32-inch, 37-inch, 42-inch and 47-inch. These range of screens come equipped with ventilation technology to the backlight, power supply and unique crystal frame.The 1.5″ line of plasma display boasts an attractive design, allowing consumers to swivel the display at 360 degrees. Viewers can see the display from the front, side angle or from the back. The stylish lines and unique aesthetics easily grab one’s attention. The detailing makes the 1.5-inch displays a true product of a luxurious lifestyle.

US citizens can purchase the 1.5-inch family UltraThin Display with a choice of two different series, Director’s Series Models and UltraVision – V Series Models. The other option is available is the size variations that ranges between 32″ to 47″.

Expected to release in the second quarter of this year, the 1.5″ family of Displays come with the price tag that ranges from $1,799 to $4,499.

Just last week, Reuters in Japan confirmed that Sony is to take a one-third stake in Sharp’s $3.5 billion LCD panel plant, which is set for completion by March 2010.

Before, that we reported that Pioneer has opted to stop making 42-inch LCD screens was to buy them instead from Panasonic maker Matsushita Electric Industrial or Hitachi.

This week, we have news of another alliance.

Samsung is currently finalising talks with Sony to jointly build a new LCD production line, a Samsung source told Reuters.

Sony may also cooperate on another, bigger line for liquid crystal display (LCD) panels used in flatscreen TVs, according to the source, who wanted to remain anonymous.

They would not say who would be the partner in this venture.

Continue Reading…