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Panasonic Demonstrates World's First Interactive, OCAP-Based Cable System

Posted on: Thursday, 8 January 2004, 06:00 CST

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic is once again showing its leadership in technological innovation, demonstrating the world's first end-to-end system for OCAP (Open Cable Application Platform), the nation's next-generation, interactive digital cable television standard. Panasonic undertook the development of this new standard in collaboration with Comcast Cable, Time Warner Cable, Motorola, and Concurrent Computer Corp., and is exhibiting prototypes at the 2004 International CES, now through January 11.

By working with two of the leading cable companies and two of the leading suppliers to the cable industry, Panasonic is aggressively pursuing new opportunities in technology and services. "We're on the fast track to develop OCAP compliant systems, which will allow us to produce TVs that will support all of cable's interactive services without the use of a set-top box," said Dr. Paul Liao, President of Panasonic Technologies Company. "Consumers will be able to buy digital cable-ready TVs -- and with the use of a CableCARD(TM), they will be able to receive digital services no matter which cable system in the country they subscribe to."

Regardless of who the cable operator is or the service area, with an OCAP- compliant receiver, a user can receive a variety of interactive services, like advanced two-way programming such as VOD (Video on Demand), EPG (Electronic Program Guide), home banking, and interactive games, along with other e-commerce applications. OCAP is a standard that will be common to all cable systems that utilize it: an application that works with one cable provider in one area can also work with another cable operator in another area. All the consumer will have to do is take the CableCARD(TM) provided by their cable operator and plug it into his or her OCAP-compliant DTV set or set-top box.

"As a first step toward cooperation in the two-way world, I am pleased that Panasonic is joining Comcast to display and promote two-way interactive digital TVs at CES," said Mark Coblitz, senior vice president, strategic planning, Comcast. "Panasonic will be the first to support a new standard -- Open Cable Application Platform or 'OCAP' -- and will be demonstrating a working sample of a two-way end-to-end OCAP system-set-top box on the show floor. I hope this is just the first of many such cooperative relationships between CE manufacturers and cable operators, and I encourage the CE industry to seize these opportunities."

"Time Warner Cable is committed to OCAP and the benefits that it will bring to our subscribers and the cable industry," said Mike LaJoie, executive vice president of advanced technology for Time Warner Cable. "The working relationship we've developed with Panasonic to bring this new technology to the marketplace is a positive step in expediting the adoption of CableCARDs by consumers."

The demonstrations on display during CES, with interactive applications on actual end-to-end systems from Comcast Cable and Time Warner Cable, illustrate the behavior and portability of the OCAP system, with a MediaCipher(R) CableCARD(TM) from Motorola, Time Warner's Electronic Program Guide, and Comcast's video on demand service, which was developed by Concurrent. The OCAP set-top box used in both demonstrations was developed by Panasonic.

Panasonic plans to start field trials of OCAP-compliant devices in 2004. The goal is to launch OCAP-ready digital set-top boxes as a first step in order to promote the rollout of the OCAP technology.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, Division of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, markets a broad line of digital and other consumer electronics products. Based in Secaucus, N.J., Matsushita Electric Corporation of America is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Additional information on Matsushita Electric Corporation of America and Panasonic is available at http://www.panasonic.com/. Additional company information for journalists is available at http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

About Comcast

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Cable (http://www.comcast.com/) is a division of Comcast Corporation , a developer, manager and operator of broadband cable networks and provider of programming content. Operating in 17 of the United States' 20 largest metropolitan areas, Comcast is one of the leading communications, media and entertainment companies in the world. Providing basic cable, Digital Cable, high-speed Internet and telephone services, Comcast is the company to look to first for the communications products and services that connect people to what's important in their lives. The company's 55,000 employees, in six divisions, serve more than 21 million customers.

About Time Warner Cable

Time Warner Cable owns and manages cable systems serving 10.9 million subscribers in 27 states, which include some of the most technologically advanced, best-clustered cable systems in the country with more than 75% of the Company's customers in systems of 300,000 subscribers or more. Utilizing a fully upgraded advanced cable network and a steadfast commitment to providing consumers with choice, value and world-class customer service, Time Warner Cable is an industry leader in delivering advanced products and services such as video on demand, high definition television, high-speed data, wireless home networking and digital video recorders. Time Warner Cable is a company of Time Warner Inc.

About Motorola

Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in wireless, automotive and broadband communications. Sales in 2002 were $27.3 billion. Motorola is a global corporate citizen dedicated to ethical business practices and pioneering important innovations that make things smarter and life better, honored traditions that began when the company was founded 75 years ago this year. For more information, please visit http://www.motorola.com/.

About Concurrent

Concurrent Computer Corporation is a worldwide leader in providing digital VOD systems to the broadband industry and real-time computer systems for industry and government. Concurrent's VOD systems are utilized within the broadband cable, DSL, and IP-based markets. Within the digital cable market, Concurrent is a recognized leader, currently serving nine major cable operators in 67 markets with over 4.5 million digital subscribers. Concurrent's proven technology provides a flexible, comprehensive, robust solution for HFC, DSL, and IP-based networks. The company's powerful and scalable VOD systems are based on open standards and are integrated with the leading broadband technologies. Concurrent is also a leading provider of high- performance, real-time computer systems, solutions, and software that focus on hardware-in-the-loop and man-in-the-loop simulation, data acquisition, and industrial control systems for commercial and government markets. Concurrent has over 37 years of experience in real-time technology and provides its best of breed solutions through offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. For more information, please visit http://www.ccur.com/.

Panasonic

CONTACT: Bill Pritchard, +1-201-348-7182, pritchardw@us.panasonic.com,or Will Safer, +1-201-392-6124, saferw@us.panasonic.com, both of Panasonic

Web site: http://www.panasonic.com/http://www.comcast.com/http://www.motorola.com/http://www.ccur.com/

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