Presently, recording a 3D image is somewhat of a chore, requiring the connection of at least two 2D cameras — and what artiste can be bothered with that? Panasonic’s working on an answer with the industry’s first dedicated 3D HD camera. In prototype now, the camera uses two lenses to records separate channels of video on Panasonic’s proprietary P2 card, one for each eye. The result is an easier process for filmmakers, thus encouraging more 3D movie production. Smart move for Panasonic, as it’s working hard on the consumer side as well. You may recall that at CES, the company revealed that its 3D plasma home theater is coming to the US and Japan. Now all they need is for the concept itself to take off. [via Press Release and Engadget HD]

If you’ve been dreaming about Panasonic‘s ultra-thin Z1 plasma screen, then dream no more. The television has finally gotten a price and a release date. The 1-inch screen will be available in June for an MSRP of $6000. The 54-inch screen has a 40,000:1 static and 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and has a SD card slot so you can play back your pictures on the television by just putting in your memory card. The TV also has Panasonic’s VIERA cast function that allows you to stream things directly to the television such as Amazon’s video-on-demand service. Plasma has been to some extent a dying technology. Would you consider buying this one at the $6k price tag? [via CrunchGear]

Don’t be fooled by the extra letter between the “G” and the “1″ in Panasonic’s compact interchangeable lens digicam; the 12.1-megapixel GH1 is pretty similar to its predecessor, which launched only a few months ago, but includes HD video. In addition to recording 24 frames per second in high definition, the GH1 can film SD video at 60 frames per second. To accompany this new feature, the GH1 includes an interchangable long-zoom 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH lens with MEGA optical image stabilization, specifically designed for shooting HD movies. Existing features from the G1 include Micro Four Thirds technology, intelligent Auto mode and a Live View Finder system for previewing the effects of camera settings. There’s no mention of pricing, availability or whether we’ll now see a price drop in the $800 G1. [via Akihabara News]

Though rough and tumble on the outside, the Toughbook 52 just got in touch with its feminine side with a little tactile interaction. Panasonic will be putting an optional 13.3-inch touchscreen on the laptop, in place of the standard 15.4 widescreen. For outdoor use, the screen features 1000 nit brightness and anti-glare/anti-reflective technology. A built-in stylus holder, over-keyboard lighting with 4 brightness levels, longer battery life and additional memory capabilities are further upgrades. Touchscreen version of the 52 will run $2549. [Electonista]

Panasonic has put the world’s first portable Blu-ray player into production. The player has an 8.9-inch screen, internet connectivity for BD Live, YouTube, and the like and can be connected to your television set so you can watch your Blu-ray discs on the big screen. While the screen size on the device isn’t exactly huge, it will be great to take on the plane and when you’re traveling. With the DVD market switching to Blu-ray it was only a matter of time before we started seeing these hit the market. No word on when we’ll actually see this baby hit store shelves on how much the player will cost. [via BoingBoing]

We’ve already got word from CES of an impressive 3D gaming headset, and now Panasonic is announcing a 3D Plasma Home Theater system for the US market after debuting it in Japan last year. The 3D FHD system uses active shutter glasses, like the ones NVidia uses in its new gaming setup, combined with a 103-inch plasma TV and Blu-Ray player. While passive 3D glasses simply block unintended images in each lens (as with the red and blue lenses that filter out the opposite color), active shutter lenses rapidly alternate the display between each eye in sync with the image on the screen. The result, as you can expect, is better 3D. For now, Panasonic is keeping mum on the 3D FHD’s price. [via PC Magazine]

Not to be outdone by LG and Samsung, Panasonic stepped into the slim HDTV arms race with an offering that’s just one third of an inch thick. There are basically  no details on this aside from its skinniness and the fact that it’s a plasma as opposed to the LCD TVs boasted by Panasonic’s competitors. At some point, you’ve got to wonder how many of these are for real and how many were just drawn up on the fly once the oneupmanship began. They make for great photos, though. [via DVICE]

With the emergence of Tivo, Directv’s and Dish Network’s DVR service, it’s easy to see why companies such as Panasonic are really stepping up their game to compete with these them. Panasonic just unveiled their new crop of DVRs at CES in Las Vegas. The spec list speaks for itself: Dual Digital TV Tuners, a Blu-Ray Burner, and DLNA support that can be used to record content from a PC or PS3. With specs like these and storage space that ranges from 320 GB to 1TB, these new DVRs might just be what Doctor House ordered to put a dent into the dominance of Tivo and Directv.  [via akihabranews]

It’s been a long time since I haven’t been that excited with an Internet phone. Thanks to Panasonic’s KX-TS710, I’m getting there– as it can perform as a speakerphone, a normal handset and also as a high quality PC speaker.  Available in black and silver, the cool and compact TS710 is powered via USB, offers comfortable, private and secure Internet calling and should work nicely on Windows XP, Vista or Mac OS X v10.3.9 Panther. Want one? It goes for $55 on 101Phones. [via AcquireMag]