Airlines Take off with Panasonic Portable In-Flight Entertainment System; Panasonic Avionics Corporation's New IFE System Relies on SyncCast DRM Technology to Deliver Movies and Television Shows to Microsoft Windows Media-Enabled Portable Devices

Business Wire, July 5, 2006

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Panasonic Avionics Corporation, the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems, is providing airlines with a new way to entertain airline passengers. SyncCast, a leading provider of digital rights management (DRM) and content delivery solutions, will provide the technology necessary to securely distribute content onto Microsoft Windows Media-enabled portable devices.

Utilizing the latest digital media technology, this solution allows Panasonic to provide a leading in-flight entertainment system to airlines at a competitive price without the need for new equipment. Additionally, Panasonic's IFE system will offer passengers first-run films in a portable and easy-to-use video-on-demand format.

Currently, Panasonic holds 80 percent of the in-flight entertainment market and plans to sell the system to new and existing customers. Mexicana Airlines is the first to implement the system this year, but Panasonic also plans to roll out the service with over a half-dozen airlines before the end of the year.

"We believe this new entertainment technology will offer a new and flexible entertainment platform for our customers," said Greg Montevideo, general manager responsible for this new Panasonic product line.

SyncCast's technology is based on Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM). The solution allows Panasonic to obtain content from major studios in standard formats like MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 and transcode it into the Windows Media Video format, encrypted in Windows Media DRM to enable direct transfer of content to many devices simultaneously. The solution is also flexible enough to support multiple languages on a single video file.

"SyncCast's DRM technology provides the key security features necessary for our eXpress Portable Media Player to deliver the best media content," added Montevideo.

"SyncCast engineers solutions that help our clients overcome the digital delivery challenges they face," said Ezra Davidson, SyncCast's EVP of business development. "Leveraging our expertise with Windows Media technology and Windows Media DRM allows Panasonic the versatility needed to meet the demands of their customer and also offer the end user a compelling digital media experience."

"Consumers want to access entertainment wherever they go, and content providers need solutions to enable that access," said Jim Black, vice president of corporate strategy, AMD. "Personal media players based on low-power AMD embedded solutions incorporating Windows Media DRM help enable movie studios to provide airline passengers with the ability to enjoy the latest digital media with convenient, small-form-factor devices."

"The collaboration between Panasonic Avionics Corporation and SyncCast is another innovative showcase of the diverse capabilities of the Windows Media platform," said Chad Hodge, director of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft Corp. "By supporting the SyncCast DRM solution based on Windows Media technologies, Panasonic Avionics will add the flexibility to scale its product and provide consumers with premium video content, in-flight."

About SyncCast

SyncCast is a leading provider of digital media technology and content delivery solutions. SyncCast has over a decade of experience throughout the interactive digital media community with extensive experience in application development, system integration, hosting, managed services, connectivity and content distribution solutions. SyncCast is an expert in the development and integration of complex digital rights management solutions, placing specific emphasis in working with the entertainment and broadcast industries for the secure delivery of their digital media assets. For more information see www.synccast.com.

About Panasonic Avionics Corporation

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems. Headquartered in Bothell, Wash., Panasonic Avionics Corporation employs approximately 2,500 employees based in over 70 locations worldwide.

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America (PNA). Based in Secaucus, N.J., PNA is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE:MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales and service operations. Additional information on Panasonic Avionics Corporation is available at www.panasonic.aero. Additional information on Matsushita Electric and Panasonic is available at www.panasonic.com.

Panasonic Avionics Corporation Contact: David Bruner, 425-415-9052.

About AMD

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative microprocessor solutions for computing, communications and consumer electronics markets. Founded in 1969, AMD is dedicated to delivering superior computing solutions based on customer needs that empower users worldwide. For more information visit www.amd.com.

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