Panasonic’s Skype camera for the company’s VIERA HDTVs has crossed over from Japan and arrived in the US. Activated today on select VIERA CAST enabled Panasonic 2010 HDTVs, the Skype functionality allows for voice and video calls to be made direct from the TV itself, including SkypeOut and SkypeIn support and voicemail.
The Skype functionality is available on Panasonic’s VIERA VT25, VT20, G25, and G20 Series sets; however you won’t be able to plug in any old generic USB webcam. Instead you’ll need the Panasonic TY-CC10W, a $169.95 peripheral that comes complete with four unidirectional microphones, an echo canceling system and audio processing, together with a wide-angle lens to capture everyone who’s sat on the sofa with you.
We’re not particularly impressed by the proprietary camera, but 1280 x 720 resolution 22fps video chats direct from your HDTV are pretty impressive. The camera is on sale now.
