Panasonic VIERA HDTV Skype Functionality Arrives in US

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We gave you an initial heads up back in April concerning Skype functionality coming to Panasonic’s VIERA HDTVs and now, if you’re US based and was looking forward to accessing Skype, and their 560+ million registered users, via your HDTV, and you happen to own a VIERA CAST enabled TV (specific models detailed below), then you’ll be pleased to know that you should be good to go as of now.

“Adding Skype to Panasonic’s VIERA CAST IPTV offerings takes the role of the television to whole new level for consumers,” said Henry Hauser, Vice President, Panasonic Display Group. ”Panasonic’s VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs have truly become the hub of communication and connectivity in the consumer household enabling users to talk live via video to their family and friends right from the comfort of their couch.”

The new Skype functionality, which is enabled on Panasonic’s VIERA VT25, VIERA VT20, VIERA G25, and VIERA G20 HDTV units, offers all the functionality regular Skype users would expect such as free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls, voice conference calls with up to 24 other parties, calls to landline or mobile phone at Skype’s low rates and Skype voicemail (set-up required).

But, if you’re particularly interested in video calling and are looking to hook up an existing, generic webcam you’ll doubtless be less than pleased to know that you cannot just hook up any old webcam as Panasonic have ensured that you have to fork out for their newly released Panasonic TY-CC10W webcam (pictured above) – which has been design specifically for use with the aforementioned HDTVs. And, of course, you can factor in additional outlay here, specifically to the tune of some $170. Still, for that price you’re getting four unidirectional microphones with echo cancelling and audio processing technology and a wide angle lens (which should cater for those looking to get the whole family involved) which delivers 1280 x 720 resolution video at 22 frames per second.

“A family can now simply turn on their TV set, gather together on the couch, and talk to loved ones face-to-face. It’s easy to use and is now available for the masses thanks to a strategic collaboration between Skype and Panasonic,” said Jonathan Christensen, general manager of Skype Platform. “Launching TVs that are Skype-enabled with Panasonic is a big milestone for us, and part of our strategy to deliver Skype beyond desktop and laptop computers.”