At a press event in New York City yesterday, Panasonic unveiled a host of new products, including its first 58-inch PDP-TV, which will be released in September. But the innovation that caught our eye was a technology Panasonic calls EZ-Sync. While this is a proprietary two-way communication protocol requiring consumers to have all-Panasonic equipment, the ability to simplify the interface and actually use one remote is compelling. We think ease of use and interoperability is the next big frontier in living room electronics, and Panasonic has placed an impressive stick in the ground with EZ-Sync.

Chris Chinnock
Sr. Analyst and Sr. Editor
of Insight Media

EZ-Sync HDAVI technology is not based upon the emerging DLNA standard, but instead uses the HDMI interface. This allows for uncompressed video and audio transmission on a single cable and allows for two-way control and communication. Panasonic has added its interface layer on top, which requires other components to also be EZ-Sync enabled to take advantage of the technology.

But the benefits appear to be real. In a demo at the event, we were able to load a DVD into a new EZ-Sync DVD recorder/player and press the "one-button play" button on the remote. When connected to an EZ-Sync receiver and an EZ-Sync PDP-TV, a series of events began to unfold.

First, the DVD player looked for other EZ-Sync enabled devices connected via HDMI cables. When it found the receiver, it turned the power on, selected the right input source for the DVD player and adjusted the sound level based on the source. Next, it found the PDP-TV, turned it on, and told the TV to accept the video signal on the right input source. It even disabled the built-in speakers on the PDP set so the home theater speakers would be used. All of this happened by pressing one button on the remote.

For many of us, this simple task requires 6-7 steps and the use of several remotes. Such simplicity is exactly what the market is demanding. Panasonic should have a hit with this product, but there is a hitch. What about the main source of video content - the set top box or satellite receiver? Panasonic announced a deal with Comcast at the last CES to supply 250K set top boxes that will include the EZ-Sync capability, but Panasonic has no information on when this might roll out, so probably not soon. That leaves unresolved how other cable companies will deal with this, not to mention the satellite companies.

The other feature that is attractive about Panasonic’s concept is the use of HDMI cabling to interconnect all of the components in the entertainment system. "Our market research and user comments showed that many customers perceived the idea of setting up home-theater components as daunting," said Jim Kiczek, national marketing manager, Panasonic Home Audio Division. No kidding. Using HDMI cables exclusively to connect components does simplify the connection task, but naturally requires all components to have HDMI ports, a problem today as not that many components have them.

To address this, Panasonic plans to introduce a number of products equipped with HDMI ports and EZ-Sync. These include six new DIGA DVD, DVD/hard drive, and DVD/VCR combo recorders, one home theater receiver (SA-XR57) and all of it PDP-TVs that incorporate HDMI connectors.

So, Panasonic is making a good first step in helping with installation and ease-of-use challenges that face almost every consumer today. But the use of proprietary, "walled garden" systems is not the best overall solution for consumers who will want interoperability among products from different vendors. Panasonic has fired the first salvo; let’s see what the reaction is from its competitors.