Panasonic and Skype announce the activation of Skype on your VIERA on 2010 Panasonic VIERA CAST enabled HDTVs as well as the availability of Panasonic's Skype-enabled communication camera (TY-CC10W). The collaboration with Skype, a leading provider of Internet communications software, was announced in January at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

The addition of Skype to Panasonic's VIERA CAST IPTV offerings allows owners of 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled Panasonic VIERA Plasma HDTVs (VT25, VT20, G25, and G20 Series) to make voice and video calls to family and friends from the their living rooms directly through their Panasonic VIERA HDTV using Panasonic's Skype-enabled camera which is sold separately (SRP $169.95).

The launch of Skype on your VIERA on 2010 Panasonic VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs will also be supported as part of Panasonic's new VIERA HDTV advertising campaign. The Skype on your VIERA television ad is expected to air beginning in early June on local Network TV, national Cable TV and DirecTV.

Skype on your VIERA delivers many familiar Skype features including:

• Free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls
• Calls to landline or mobile phone at Skype's low rates
• The option to receive inbound calls via a user's online Skype number
• Skype voicemail (set-up required)
• Being invited to participate in voice conference calls with up to 24 other parties

With more than 560 million registered users, Skype is well known for providing free voice and video calling for people on Skype around the world. Calling on Skype now accounts for 12 percent of the world's international calling minutes according to TeleGeography.

Skype on your VIERA, in addition to providing a larger screen, gives the user the benefit of high definition video at up to 1280x720 resolution at a maximum frame rate of 22 fps. Skype on your VIERA also features VIERA CAST's easy-to-use GUI that is operable from the TV's remote.

The Panasonic TY-CC10W Skype-enabled camera is the only camera that enables access to Skype on your VIERA video calling features. The camera features four unidirectional microphones, echo canceling system, and audio processing for collecting voices in the living room environment. The camera also features beam-forming technology to record clear audio over typical TV viewing distances of 3-4 meters. The TY-CC10W delivers a wide viewing angle, making it possible for more people to take advantage of the Skype application. The camera plugs in to VIERA CAST-enabled 2010 Panasonic VIERA HDTVs via a USB port. To further increase the versatility of the camera it can either be placed in the center on top of the VIERA HDTV or the camera's stand can be used to place it on a table or wherever the user would like to place the device.