Amazon Video on demand on Panasonic´s 2009 Viera Cast-enabled Blu-ray Disc Players

Panasonic introduced Amazon Video On Demand on Viera Cast -enabled Plasma HDTVs in April 2009.

For 2009, Panasonic’s Viera Cast feature has been extended to all of its Blu-ray Disc player models including the DMP-BD60, BD70V, BD80 and the B15 – the world’s first and only portable Blu-ray Disc player.An internet connection is required to access Viera Cast.

“Having our Viera Cast feature on our line of 2009 Panasonic Blu-ray players means you can now access the best of the web, directly from your living room ,” said Richard Simone, Panasonic’s Entertainment Group Director. “The introduction of Amazon Video On Demand to our Viera Cast offerings gives every owner of a 2009 Panasonic Blu-ray player access to a vast collection of movies and TV shows, including HD quality new releases, on virtually any digital television. And you can take it on the road with you too with Panasonic’s Viera Cast -enabled, B15 portable Blu-ray Disc player.”

In addition to Amazon Video On Demand, Viera Cast will continue to provide access to YouTube, Picasa Web Albums, Bloomberg News and weather information. With Viera Cast, consumers will have automatic access to additional sites as they are added to the service.

Viera Cast was widely acknowledged last year for its distinctive internet application, allowing the consumer to view targeted sites on a large HDTV, rather than a small computer screen. Viera Cast has a built-in Ethernet interface – no external box or PC is required. Viera Cast is accessed via a single button on the Blu-ray Disc player remote control and there is no fee to use the Viera Cast functionality.  

“The addition in April 2009 of Amazon Video On Demand’s premium service to Panasonic Viera Cast -enabled HDTVs really took the entertainment experience to a whole new level for consumers,” said Merwan Mereby, Panasonic’s Vice President of New Business Development. “As promised in April, Panasonic is now pleased to deliver Amazon Video On Demand service to owners of our award-winning 2009 line of Viera Cast -enabled Blu-ray Disc players as well.  Combined with the extensive, consumer-generated content Viera Cast already offers via YouTube and Google Picasa, this is yet another step in the ever-growing value of Viera Cast for owners of Panasonic HDTVs and Blu-ray players.”

“Panasonic and Amazon Video On Demand have built a great customer experience that easily allows customers to shop, purchase or rent from our library of over 45,000 movies & TV shows with no subscription fees,” said Bill Carr, Amazon Vice President Music and Video. “Using Panasonic’s line of Viera Cast -enabled Blu-ray Players, even more customers can now instantly experience Amazon’s compelling HD-quality new release movies and TV shows from their living room.”