Three weeks have already gone by since CEATEC JAPAN 2007. And it is said that this year was themost exciting year in its history. It had the participation of a record-high number of exhibitors – 895 companies. And it has also set another record with respect to visitors. Being blessed with great weather, the exhibition saw 205,859 visitors over the 5 days this year. Especially, on the October 5 (Friday), the fourth day of the exhibition, it received 52,194 visitors, a record-high for visitors received daily. (This is like a full baseball stadium!) Every one, a job well done!

As I write this entry, I can smell the wonderful scent of orange osmanthus floating through the window. That week of excitement at Makuhari Messe seems like it was a dream. And every year, I realize that "it's already autumn" when I smell this scent. As the temperatures will begin to drop rapidly, take care not to catch a cold.

So back to our topic. What was also interesting about CEATEC is the progress of the "MPEG-4 AVC/H.264." With the advancement of full high definition TVs, this new recording format which will enable you to record high definition footage over a long period of time, drew much attention. Panasonic's products such as the "VIERA," camcorders, and recorders are compatible with this new format, but other manufacturers also boasted their product's compatibility. It is apparent that each company has their own speculation about this format, but it seems that the next generation recording format is set to be "MPEG-4 AVC/H.264."

And another interesting topic besides the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 was the "further flattening/thinning of TV screens." Nevertheless, Panasonic's exhibition this year concentrated on qualitative change (ease of use) communicating how you can "connect and use the TV" rather than on the physical aspects such as how thin the screens are. If you think about how the TV may play a central role in digital convergence, it, in a way, is a natural proposition. In any case I am already looking forward to what it will show us next year.

Although it was a short period, thank you for reading my entries. The report on CEATEC JAPAN 2007 will end with this entry. But, I will also be in charge of the 2008 International CES, the largest consumer electronics show in the world. It will be a first for me to write entries from abroad. I'm sure it will feel completely different, so please look forward to my entries, and I hope to have your continued support for the Cyber Showcase Blog.

They had been uploaded, but I hadn't been able to introduce them yet, so I apologize for the delay. Three digest video reports are now available. Moving images are indeed formidable. Just looking at it, you can get a great overview of the Panasonic booth and the main corners and the stage presentations. If you watch the video reports and then read the blog, you will have a better idea what it was like.

Digest (1) – Exhibition theme and corporate stage presentations This is a digest video report of Panasonic's exhibition theme, "Living in High Definition – A television that you watch, connect, and use", the corporate stage presentations and the Olympic partnership.

Digest (2) – Full High Definition Big Bang and "Link to VIERA!" The "Full High Definition Big Bang" is brought to life by the evolution of various full high definition products. And these products can be connected to the "VIERA" with the "Link to VIERA!" The video report describes the new enjoyment all of this offers.

Digest (3) – Technology and the Environment This introduces Panasonic's various technologies, such as the digital consumer electronics integrated platform, "UniPhier" as well as its commitment to the environment.

17:00 – CEATEC JAPAN 2007 has just ended.

The week felt long but short at the same time. The CEATEC JAPAN 2007 has now ended. As it is one of the largest exhibitions in Asia, it received many visitors. The venue this year had become even bigger, and we will have to wait for the official figures to be announced by the organizers, but according to the daily figures we have been receiving from the secretariat, we might surpass last year's record. The Panasonic booth seems to be enveloped in a sense of relief. I tried my best, too, to write as many entries as I can and to let you know what the Panasonic booth was like, but I hope you enjoyed it. My entries will end for now, but video reports will become available later, so don't forget to check them out.

Well, I have to begin packing up. I will say good bye to the secret back room and get back to my day-to-day business (I feel a bit down when I think about all the work I have to catch up with). Thank you for joining me this week. I really appreciate your support. I will write a report looking back on the week once I get settled.

Good bye until we meet again on the Cyber Showcase Blog.

The Full High Definition Big Bang is a message repeatedly communicated at the Panasonic booth in CEATEC JAPAN 2007.

The Big Bang, as all of you know, is a popular theory used to explain how the universe was formed. But do you know what comes after the Big Bang? It is convergence. After a big explosion, things head towards a gradual convergence, and that is when many things are born. It is said that the Earth and mankind were too born from convergence. The theme for CEATEC JAPAN 2007 is "Experience the Frontlines of Digital Convergence." It was an exhibition that showcased new businesses and industries born from the digital revolution.

Now, let's get back to the Full High Definition Big Bang. If numerous full high definition compatible equipment are introduced to the living at once, you will need to converge them. Perhaps this convergence is offered by the "VIERA Link." Full high definition audio-visual equipment connected around the "VIERA" creates new value, and a new premium lifestyle – this is indeed "Living in High Definition."

Chapter 2 of "Living in High Definition." Perhaps what will turn this page is "the evolution of the TV from a television that you watch to a television that you use." My two cents as I gaze at the Panasonic booth as CEATEC JAPAN 2007 is about to come to an end.

With the digital audio player, you can take a large music collection everywhere you go. It has already become a must-have item in our daily lives. But I am sure that there are people who want to listen to music with a great set of speakers rather than just on headphones. What I would like to recommend to such people is the combination of the digital audio player, "D-snap," and the mini stereo system, "D-dock."

You can relay music in your "D-snap" onto the "D-dock" using Bluetooth(R), and listen to the songs with a powerful set of speakers. You can also use the controls on the "D-snap" to play and stop the songs, just like a remote control.

The new "D-snap" comes with Bluetooth(R) connectivity, so it can be used with other products, such as the car navigation system. In the past, you would usually transmit music from your digital audio player using, for example, an FM transmitter. But with a Bluetooth(R) compatible car navigation system, you don't need special devices to transmit music on the "D-snap."

Moreover, it offers connectivity with mobile phones. The music you've downloaded onto your mobile phones - you may not listen to it much if you leave your mobile phone in your bag. But with a Bluetooth(R) compatible mobile phones, you can use it to wirelessly transmit music from the phone to the "D-snap" to enjoy your music. And it is also possible to transmit the audio transmission of one-segment broadcasting (mobile TV).

Wireless music link using Bluetooth(R). There is the SD memory card, but Panasonic proposes another way to enjoying music.

You can play music in your "D-snap" on the "D-dock" and use your "D-snap" as　a remote.

Wireless music link made possible by Bluetooth(R).

One-segment (one-seg) reception for mobile phones, as it is called in Japan, is commonly known as mobile TV elsewhere. Those of you who have given it a try would agree that there are many areas where you can't get reception. One of the benefits offered by one-seg broadcast is that even if the reception is weak, you can enjoy a relatively clean picture than with analog broadcasts. But when reception falls below a certain level, you can't watch it at all. Many of you may have experienced that the reception gets cut off if you go through a tunnel, or move about in a room. Although the benefit of one-seg is that you can watch it while you're on the move, sometimes you find that if you want to watch a program, you have to sit still.

The reason why Panasonic's mobile phones can establish a stable one-seg reception is the "combined diversity reception." What this means is that the broadcast signals received by 2 antennas are combined (or in other words the signal with a better reception will be selected), to display the image under stable conditions. This is a revolutionary idea, which can combine weak signals to produce a stable image even when the reception environment is bad. The 2 antennas are: the common whip type that you pull out and the internal antenna lining the foundations of the phone. It's amazing that they thought of equipping these small mobile phones with 2 antennas.

For people who place importance on one-seg reception, the key to whether you regret your mobile phone selection may lie in the "combined diversity reception."

The demonstration explained how with the single antenna/signal there might be some noise block and the picture may not be stable. But the diversity method is always stable.

Plasma has undergone more evolutions than just full high definition image quality. That is longevity. Plasma TV's life-span was said to be approximately 60,000 hours until now, but it has extended to approximately 100,000 hours! So before we knew it, it had extend by about 40,000 hours. Flat screen TVs have now been officially listed as a product falling under the Home Appliance Recycling Law, so we must pay a fee to recycle it. That is why the longevity of TVs will be an important aspect from now on.

As it has been listed as a product that falls under the law, we would like to take note of the recycling of product materials, which is the main purport of the Home Appliance Recycling Law. The plasma panel used for the "VIERA" is the first lead-free plasma panel in the world. Lead is very useful in processing glass, and it has been widely used from the past. Crystal glass also uses lead to obtain is beauty. Therefore, it must have been a very big decision to decide not to use lead for glass. It is an idea befitting of Panasonic, a manufacturer that also develops materials. I was also reminded that Panasonic has been one of the first companies to rid its products of other toxic substances such as mercury. Panasonic can do this because it undertakes every aspect of production from devices to product completion. Companies in the future will have to address manufacturing with a high environmental awareness in order to survive.

Not only higher, better resolution, but connectivity for easy operation, and the environment. Pioneer thinking is reflected in Panasonic's manufacturing. Panasonic's Full High Definition Big Bang may also encompass such an approach to manufacturing.

I talked about how I purchased a new car in my previous entry, but I had to acquiesce to my wife's long time request for a rear-view monitor. It has been very handy in parallel parking in very tight spots. But I am writing this entry because have just heard that there is a prototype of an even better product. This is the camera system that can give you a complete view of your car.

With this system, you get an aerial view of the car from the driver's seat. So where is the camera? Does it use a GPS and use a satellite camera? That's too sci-fi I think. Actually, there are cameras on all 4 sides of the car, front, back, left and right, and the system creates the aerial image by combining images from all 4 sources. A photograph of the car is combined with these images, moving in synch to the movement of the car, so the position of the car is quite clear.

With this camera system, the driver practically has no blind spot, so even people who aren't so great at parking in the garage or parallel parking can drive smoothly. And the sensors will detect and notify any approaching objects that aren't shown on the display as well. This car system truly watches your back, so to speak, when you are driving.

It looks like an aerial image of your car.

It combines images from 4 cameras.

As you can probably see from the photograph, the notebook PC "Let's note" (known as "Toughbook" overseas) is very resilient. The staff stood on the "Let's note" to show us how strong it is (children, don't try this at home.)

The new "Let's note"series were introduced on September 27, and all models will have full-surface spill-resistant keyboards, may be dropped from a height of 76cm, and has a tough body that can withstand 100kg. Full-surface pill-resistant keyboards – I like the sound of that. I always have a bottle of mineral water besides me as I work on my computer, so there can't be a more alluring function than that.

There are many notebook PCs that are light and thin, but the "Let's note" is really good at tickling the minds of highly mobile people who can't do without computers. I can see why there are many people on the bullet train who use them. I also have one too.

A robust and rugged build that can withstand the weight of 1 adult male (for your information, the person in the photograph weighs 72kg.)

The secret to the robust build of "Let's note." A lot of attention has been paid to detail as well.

There is an area where you can experience the "intelligent Auto" function in the "LUMIX" corner, so I went and tried it out. In this corner you will find a landscape of a mountain in the background, with cutouts of flowers and people that alternately come out of the floor. If you point the "LUMIX" at the landscape, it will recognize it as "scenery" and if you capture the cutout of people in the frame, it will recognize it as a "portrait." And if you put your camera up close to the flowers, it will change itself into "macro" mode. So all you have to do is press the shutter. You can see for yourself that with the "intelligent Auto" you don't have to set different scene modes for various environments and subjects.

And what surprised me even more was how fast it focuses. When there are no subjects in front of the camera, it focuses on the landscape in the background, but when the cutout of people appears, a frames for face recognition appears, focusing quickly while recognizing all the faces (and this happens even before you press the shutter!) Sometimes, when you take a photograph in front of a beautiful landscape, like when you're on a trip, you find that the camera has focused on the background, and the people in front look a bit blurry. But with the "intelligent Auto," the camera will focus on the people's faces with precision – it really is intelligent.

In any case, with the "intelligent Auto," you can lightheartedly and pleasantly take beautiful photographs. What's good about a digital camera is that "you can take as many pictures as you like without worrying about bad ones," but the "intelligent Auto" will surely decrease the probability of you taking bad pictures. It seems like a very reliable camera recommendable to beginners, intermediate photographers, well, everyone in fact.

The set where you can experience "intelligent Auto" for yourself. The cutouts of a person have popped up. If you point the camera towards it, the face recognition frames will come up on the screen.

The cutout of flowers. If you put your camera up close to it, it will automatically change to "macro" mode. This is very convenient!

The SDHC memory card has been standardized to realize incredible capacities and high speed transfers in order to meet the needs associated with using high resolution digital cameras and full high definition camcorders. The 16GB SDHC memory card was just introduced in IFA held in September, but at CEATEC JAPAN, such capacity has once again significantly increased. This time it has 32GB of storage capacity. 32GB… can you believe it? The SD memory cards began from 8MB and 16MB, and now it has approximately 4,000 times the original capacity. What is more, the writing speed has increased as well. So you can feel confident about handling full high definition size data with the SD memory card. Even in full high definition (HE mode), you can shoot footage for 5 hours and 20 minutes. And because the SD memory card doesn't have a mechanical drive mechanism, it is tough against temperature change, shock, and dust. It certainly is a storage medium well suited for camcorders and digital cameras.

Many digital SLR camera users may have one because they want to take pictures as RAW data. The size of the RAW data, which lets you capture images received by the CCD without any internal processing, is often so big that even if you have a memory card with a large capacity, it gets full fairly quickly. My friend often tells me that he uses up the storage capacity of the memory card very quickly, so he carries around an external HDD with him. I am sure that he will stop complaining if he had 32GB of storage capacity.

In the demonstration, we were able to watch high definition footage stored on the 32GB SD memory card. The properties of the SD memory card displayed on the PC screen without a doubt said, "32GB."

One of the key technologies that supports the full high definition big bang is the plasma panel. At CEATEC JAPAN 2007, Panasonic announced that it will be handling mother glass from which 12 panels (for the 42-inch screen) can be cut out at the 5th factory in Amagasaki, Japan, scheduled to begin operation in May, 2009. At IFA held in September, Panasonic announced that it can create 10 panels from each sheet of mother glass, so they must have developed even better technology to achieve higher efficiencies. You may ask, "is making a big sheet of glass that hard?", but in fact, it is. The bigger the glass, the bigger the possibility of flexure, so it is quite difficult to handle. Panasonic must have put in a lot of effort to reexamine the production processes and facilities to be able to manage bigger sheets of glass and achieve production stability at the same time. Perhaps there is a fierce battle in development beneath the surface in the highly competitive flat-screen TV market.

Anyway, Panasonic has covered all the bases to compete in the global market with such a great production system. It wil begin its full high definition big bang will begin from the Amagasaki factories!

The display describes that 12 panels for the 42-inch screen may be produced from one sheet of mother glass, but actually varying sizes (from 37-inch to 103-inch) of plasma display panels are produced.

Perhaps it’s a bit of an odd title, but it is quite important when talking about LSI. Has your laptop ever got so hot, even too hot to touch, while, for example, editing footage? This is because the LSI in your PC has been put under a lot of stress, thereby generating intense heat. This is especially noticeable when working on images.

The same thing happens with digital consumer electronics that handle images, such as TVs, Blu-ray/DVD recorders, and camcorders. As they have adapted to full high definition, the load they are put under is getting greater, and the issue with heat is becoming more and more important. When things generate heat it means that they are consuming more power.

In order to resolve this problem, Panasonic began mass production of system LSIs with 45-nm (nanometer) process in June. The words, system LSI and 45-nm process may not really do much to describe how great it is. In short, this technology drastically reduces power consumption and chip dimensions. The AV codec compatible with compression specification of image data such as MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 has been combined with the system LSI, giving rise to the "Blu-ray DIGA" and "High Definition DIGA" introduced at this year's CEATEC JAPAN.

The system LSI has been referred to as the next generation UniPhier - Panasonic's integrated platform for digital consumer electronics. The digital consumer electronics develops extremely fast. And it would be impossible to keep up if the development is conducted per product. As an integrated platform, UniPhier is being used widely across products such as the "VIERA," SD memory card compatible full high definition camcorders, and mobile phones, greatly improving development efficiencies and structural design quality.

Panasonic's development not only involves finished products but also the various technologies embedded in them such as the system LSI. This must be a key advantage Panasonic has that allows it to continue to globally introduce various products that are described as being the world's smallest or the world's first.

The 45-nm system LSI is made in Japan. The wafer for 45-nm process can be seen in the back, and the UniPhier in front.

The high-speed image processing technology enables it to simultaneous display full high definition images and computer games.

Recently, I said good bye to my car I had for 12 years and purchased a new one. I realized how convenient cars nowadays are with car navigation systems and ETC. But at CEATEC JAPAN 2007, I found a new and advanced ETC - the next generation ETC, the "DSRC Multi Service System (prototype)."

Why next generation? Because it can send larger quantities of data than the traditional ETCs. You can use this mechanism for various applications, i.e. you can not only pay for highway tolls, but also for parking, or drive through services. Moreover, if you are within the wirelessly networked area, it can also be used to receive audio-visual content. For example, if the highways become wirelessly networked, the drivers could be notified about traffic, accidents, or obstructions using audio-visual content. So in the future, ETC may become a must-have item rather than just a convenient highway toll payment system.

The "DSRC Multi Service System" is not merely an ETC instrument to be placed on a car. It may play a part in various other aspects such as billing systems, networks, security, and regional social systems. Panasonic, which offers a wide range of end to end technologies, from devices, products, to system solutions, seems to also be steadily making preparations in the field of car electronics with a vision of what society in the next generation may be like. Perhaps we can describe it as a behind-the-scenes force that will support car-life comfort in the years to come.

These days, you couldn't really imagine having a phone without voicemail. But we might witness an era where you "record images from a door phone." This is because the connectivity of the door phone with the "Blu-ray DIGA" was introduced here at the CEATEC JAPAN.

If you connect the master terminal of the door phone to the "Blu-ray DIGA" and "High Definition DIGA," which debuted a few days ago, with a LAN cable, you can record footage of the people who called on you in your absence. If you have had a visitor, an indicator on the display window of the "DIGA" blinks to let you know that there is video recording. So, if you see it blinking when you get home, just turn the "DIGA" on and it will play the footage from the door phone back. It is like a video version of voicemail, isn't it?

To connect the "Blu-ray DIGA" and "High Definition DIGA" to the master terminal of the door phone with LAN, the PLC adapter for door phones is best suited because this way you don't need any construction work to install it and it also it looks neat.

I remember feeling nervous when leaving a voicemail when it first came about, but from now on, I may get nervous in front of the door phone if I happen to visit someone while they are away.

Before, when I was living in an apartment, I had signed up with a CATV service, so I could connect to the LAN in the living room, but because I mainly used my PC in the room next door, I decided to set up a wireless LAN network. I remember how I had come home with very light steps with a brand new wireless LAN router. But, much to my dismay, because my walls were concrete, the signal was very weak, and I couldn't send and receive data at the speed I desired. So in the end I had a blue LAN cable running across the corridor.

If only I had a HD-PLC adapter back then. Using the existent power sockets as a point of entry for the network is a very good idea. You can't think of a room without power sockets. And what is more, a prototype of the HD-PLC with wireless LAN capabilities was on display. The network will be established from room to room using the power lines, but within the room you can use the wireless LAN. Truly the product I needed back then … It is too bad, as I have already moved out of that apartment.

People seem to have a healthier appetite in autumn. Despite worrying about my weight, I often find myself eating too much. How about you? Do you pretend to not notice when you put on a little weight or do you work out and work it off? I often pretend to not notice.

A prototype of a product that is great for someone like me was on display. The Secure Life Home System "Lifinity" lets you monitor the safety and energy savings in your home, but it is now compatible with a healthcare system. For example, if someone like me, who is concerned about metabolic syndrome, is to set a target over the next 3 months, I will receive advice on the TV about what kind of exercise I should do every day.

All you have to do now is use the network compatible activity calculator, which calculates how much exercise you need every day, and take daily measurements. The activity calculator is connected to the network and it will tell you how much exercise you lack. It is great that you can "see" how much exercise you have done. If you have not exercised enough, you can supplement that with the "network compatible Core Trainer JOBA." My friend says that you can easily exercise by just sitting on the Core Trainer while you watch TV.

The TV and the network will monitor your activity level, and it can be done very easily. It doesn't look like I can pretend to not notice for much longer.

"VIERA," "Core Trainer," and the "Lifinity." A new idea is born from using the network.

You place this on your hip like a pedometer. It will calculate the amount of exercise you get throughout the day.

The HD-PLC adapter has been described in many entries of the Cyber Showcase Blog. But do you know how big/small the adapters are? It is actually quite compact – it fits in the palm of my hand. Because it is somewhat hard to see what its actual size is in the photographs found in catalogues and on the web, I went and took a photograph of it.

It fits in the palm of my hand so it doesn't require much space.

And at CEATEC JAPAN this year, a new plug-in type was on display. Because it doesn't have a cord, you can plug it straight into the wall. And because it has 4 ports, you can use it to connect to numerous networking equipment at the same time. There is also the table tap which will allow you to use the single consent for other electronic equipment, too. So I realized that now various types of HD-PLCs are available to suit the needs of the rooms.

Hub-like 4 port plug-in type HD-PLC.

Table tap type HD-PLC. It is a bit extraordinary to think that you can extend the power cable and the LAN at the same time. Moreover, because it is embedded with a high performance noise filter, you can plug both the AC adapter for the PC and the mobile phone charger in together, even though usually plugging these 2 in the same table tap is not recommended.

The number of AV products that can be connected to a network has increased rapidly. Even at CEATEC JAPAN, there are TVs, recorders, mini stereo systems, door phones, etc. etc. Home appliances may become networked, too. But you can't realistically run a LAN cable to every room. So when an even wider range of products in various rooms at home becomes networked, the HD-PLC, which uses the power socket in the wall as the entry point for the LAN, may be our natural choice.

There is a HD-PLC booth in Hall 3 where companies that are affiliated with HD-PLC are co-exhibiting. There are many "HD-PLC" products there, so if you're interested, please go take a look. Click here to learn more about HD-PLC.

As you can see in the photograph, at CEATEC JAPAN 2007 they have allocated a large space for the much talked about "Link to VIERA!". I clearly remember that it was about 8 years ago when I was amazed and touched by the convenience of the ability to make a reservation to record a program via Electronic Program Guide (EPG). That is when I became conscious about connecting TV to AV equipment. Back then, the EPG use infrared signals, the same signals used by TVs and their remote controls, to make a recording reservation on the VCR. And the function became a must-have with the arrival of the DVD recorder. I am sure there are many people out there who feel as though they can't record their programs without the EPG. And some of you may be surprised to learn that the EPG was originally a function for the TV. Perhaps Panasonic had thought that TVs will play a central role in such connectivity from back then.

"Link to VIERA!" has carried on such thinking from the past, and has been designed to enable operation of various equipment with just one remote control. For example, let's take the Rack Theater. Although it's a theater system, you can change the volume level with the remote control of the "VIERA." I also have my TV connected to a small theater system, but I rarely use it now because I have to turn on the amp, then switch the remote to change the volume. If I could operate everything with the remote control of the "VIERA" like the Rack Theater, I am sure I would use it more often.

When people talk about the "Link to VIERA!" they most frequently mention the ability to operate other equipment with one remote, but did you know that it is very easy to connect, too? The secret is the HDMI cable and the SD memory card. How many cables do you think you need to connect the "High Definition DIGA" and the Rack Theater to the "VIERA"? Only 3! According to the catalogue, you needed 9 cables, (or in terms of terminals 15) before. Please remember what the backside of your TV looks like. There are so many cables, you don't even want to think about it.

And another thing. How many times a year do you connect your camcorder to the TV? May be the reason why you don't watch the footage you've shot is because it's tedious to connect the cables? And even if you do connect them together, it is really a pain to operate the small buttons on the camcorder. With the "VIERA" and the SD memory card compatible full high definition camcorder, you can simply insert the SD memory card into the TV. And you can just use the remote control of the "VIERA" to watch your footage.

Using AV equipment beautifully and conveniently. Perhaps we can say that "Link to VIERA!" is the first step in creating, with the TV at the nucleus, a stress free environment.

The "Link to VIERA!" corner, where more and more products that can be connected to the "VIERA" are introduced. Will there be more next year?

I found a little peculiar technology on exhibition, so let me tell you about it. It is called the "Voice & Script Synchronizer." What you need to use this function is an audio source and subtitles (text). The audio and subtitles become synchronized if you input the 2 into the synchronizer. So, it is just like in karaoke, when the text and audio source are displayed in synch.

But please do not think, "Oh, it is just like a karaoke system." Traditionally, subtitles for karaoke were created manually by using a dedicated authoring tool. But with the "Voice & Script Synchronizer," you can now automate what used to be a manual process. So with this you can easily generate timing information for each word if it is, for example English, and for each part of speech for Japanese.

For example, if you want to use it to study another language, you can select a part of the text you want to listen to again, and it will replay the selected part of the text. And even with recitation of Buddhist sutras, which often are hard to follow, the synchronizer will easily display the appropriate text. You can also use it with multiple languages.

A technology that turns something you "hear" into something you "see." With the right ideas, you are sure to find many ways of using it. Why not think of some ways in you can use this technology?

What was placed on the pan scales was the SD memory card compatible full high definition camcorder. The scales were used to appeal its light weight – it is even lighter than a 350-ml can of juice. The SD memory card compatible full high definition camcorder is one of the products I am personally very interested in.

The copy on the ads here in Japan is "full high definition fits in the palm of a mother's hands." So I went to see for myself how small the SD memory card compatible full high definition camcorders are, but they are really small. What I really liked was the "HDC-SD7" placed on the scales. It is so small it looks like it would fit in your pocket. I really liked the sharp design too. Last month I went my child's piano concert and a sports festival had been planned for last week (it was postponed due to rain). The small size and the light weight of the "HDC-SD7" is truly enviable. Being able to record full high definition footage on this small thing is only made possible with the SD memory card. (By the way, I own a mini DV digital camera).

If the body is too light, sometimes the footage you have recorded is so blurry due to hand shaking that when you replay the footage, you almost feel sick. But the SD memory card compatible high definition camcorder comes equipped with the next generation optical image stabilizer (Advanced O.I.S.) that prevents blurry images caused by shaky hands, so I don't think we have to worry about that.

Since I have introduced the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 of the "DIGA," let me introduce the AVCHD of the camcorder as well. Although the name of the format has changed, perhaps the only difference is whether it is copyright protected or not. So, you can record up to 90 minutes onto a 4GB SD memory card. Of course it is very compatible with the new "Blu-ray DIGA" and the "High Definition DIGA." If you insert the SD memory card, you can easily store the content you have just recorded onto a DVD or a Blu-ray Disc. Being able to store memories in exceptional quality – the children nowadays are truly privileged don't you think?

SD7 only weight about 350g with its battery and an SD memory card.

Have you noticed that the photographs for this blog have been taken with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This is so that people can watch the photographs from the exhibition on the plasma TV later (the resolution of the photographs on the blog have been edited from the high definition resolution to a lower one). Its fascinating because when you watch the photographs on the large screen, you will begin to see things you didn't notice before.

Of course you can watch photographs taken with the compact digital cameras, too, but I really recommend those of you who have a digital SLR camera to watch your beautiful pictures on the large screen full high definition plasma TV. It feels great if you look at the photographs in such a great size, a size usually unprintable, because you feel like your photographs have become a poster.

With photographs taken with a silver salt camera you probably only blew it up to 272 x 294mm or 225 x 170mm. And you would only print a few in those sizes. But if you combine the L10 with the full high definition "VIERA," you can blow up as many pictures as you like to fit the large screen and enjoy them with your friends and family. And all you have to do is insert the SD memory card into the SD card slot of the "VIERA."

The prototype high zoom lens, the LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-150mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH, "L-RS014150," exhibited at this year's Photo Imaging Expo (P.I.E.) was officially introduced to the market.

It key selling point is the high zoom that offers a 28~300mm viewing angle with a 35mm conversion. At the P.I.E. it was displayed in a showcase so people could not pick it up to see for themselves, but this time, it was available for testing. Although it has a high zoom, it is quite compact. It seems like a very versatile zoom lens that can be used for many applications (well, for me, this lens will do it all). Of course it comes equipped with the MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer (MEGA O.I.S.). The model available for demonstration was combine with the L10. And the lens focused quite quickly even at maximum zoom, so it left quite a favorable impression on me.

The MEGA O.I.S. applied to this lens is also used for the compact type "LUMIX" and the SD memory card compatible full high definition camcorders. With high resolution high definition footage, even a slight blur is detectable, so this function will become even more indispensable in the future.

As it complies with the "four-thirds system," you can enjoy the high resolution of the Leica lens even if you have a four-thirds system compatible digital SLRs, such as the L1 or L10.

I have been informed that the digital SLR cameras are selling quite well. It seems that people who are no longer satisfied with compact digital cameras are purchasing them. The widespread of digital cameras changed the storage medium from film to solid-state. But one of the reasons that has contributed to the wide support digital cameras have received is perhaps the LCD monitor. Of course you can feel reassured by being able to check the photograph immediately after you have taken it, but what drove such rapid widespread of digital cameras may be the convenience it offers of being able to take photographs you want by checking on the large monitor.

The digital SLR camera "LUMIX L10" was just unveiled. The L1 that was introduced last year drew much attention for having the full-time live view function, which allows you to check the image captured by the Live MOS sensor real-time on the LCD, and for offering a viewing angle close to 100%. This year, in order to make even better use of the benefits offered by the live view function, the monitor has evolved to become a free angle LCD that can be moved about with great freedom.

At CEATEC JAPAN 2007, Panasonic has created a unique display so that they can demonstrate this function. This is the flower garden I described in my previous entry. The flower garden is being used to demonstrate the "free angle LCD & live view" function.

I imagined what this function may be like, but when I actually tried it out, it was more convenient than I had imagined. I can now take pictures at a low angle, even though before, I would have had to either squat or lie down, and the high angle function would be useful in taking photographs for this blog.

Many people come to exhibitions. No matter where you go, there are times when things or people are in your way and you can't take the photograph you want, especially things or people on stage. With the L10, you can hold the camera up above people's heads and take photographs while looking at the monitor so if I had one, I am sure I could take better pictures. (Yes, I am blaming the camera for my poor photography skills. (haha))

As I mentioned earlier, the new "Blu-ray DIGA" and the "High Definition DIGA" was introduced yesterday, so I quickly went to check out its resolution.

What I personally had an interest in was the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 resolution. I use my recorder at home to record all the programs I want to watch on the HDD, and then I watch them when I have time (sports is a different matter). The recorder I use is a fairly old model, therefore the HDD does not have much storage capacity. So I often have to settle for a lower image quality. That is why the new "DIGA" with its capacity to record many hours in full high definition is very appealing to me. And what is more, the top model of all the models newly released has 1TB of HDD capacity, so I am looking into the new "DIGA" with the replacement of my old model in mind.

My "DIGA" is from back when it did not come with a digital terrestrial tuner, so at the moment, I have mine connected to the external digital high definition tuner and store content not in high definition resolution but in LP mode. The image quality is (obviously) completely different.

Putting my story aside, let's compare the high definition resolution. High definition recording with the "DIGA" up till now had been in DR mode, which records the content in the resolution received via digital high definition broadcast (in MPEG-2 at approximately 24Mbps with BS digital high definition broadcast and 17 Mbps with digital terrestrial broadcasting). The DR mode and the HE mode (5.7 Mbps) which is the lowest resolution mode of the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 was comparatively exhibited, but to my eyes the beautiful resolution looked quite similar. Apart from the HE mode, there is also a higher resolution mode, the HG mode (12.9 Mbps) and the HX mode (8.6 Mbps), but it is so great, I wondered to myself, "Do you really need a greater mode than these?"

Really, I feel like the Full High Definition Big Bang may begin in my home, starting with the "DIGA." (But how will I persuade my wife? Perhaps its best to just show her the image quality…).

Panasonic has introduced full high definition models of the 42-inch plasma and the 37-inch LCD TVs, and nowadays, if a flat screen TV is not full high definition compatible, it is often described as not offering high resolution, but is the image quality of TVs determined solely by the resolution (pixel count)?

I had thought that there was more to it than just resolution, and I discovered an exhibition at this year's CEATEC that answered this question. That is the moving image response comparison.

Needless to say, most of the images you watch on TV are moving images. But resolution (pixel count) is originally a measurement for still images. So, resolution has its limitations in expressing the beauty of TVs. With any flat screen TVs, the moving image response functions well when displaying still and slow motion. But when it comes to fast moving images, there are many flat screen TVs that cannot make full use of the moving image response due to the combination of various elements.

Having learned this, I remember that there are times when I am working that I feel the urge to watch a soccer match, so I end up watching the broadcast on TV. But afterwards my eyes are quite tired. We are told that the LCD displays of some PCs also have a pixel count of 1920 x 1080. But because LCD monitors for PCs are, by nature, mainly intended to serve as monitors to create documents or for still images, its performance was insufficient for watching fast moving images such as soccer.

Because each of the pixels of the plasma display panels self illuminate, it responds quickly, and can better make use of the high resolution of the panels when watching moving images. Large screens are becoming even more popular. Pixel count is of course important, but the decision-making element is how beautifully it displays moving images. It would be a more comprehensible decision-making criterion if all TVs displayed their moving image response.

Here are the Panasonic booth companions from the CEATEC JAPAN 2007. They will welcome you with radiant smiles every day so please feel free to ask them any questions you may have.

"Sharing the Passion" is Panasonic's slogan for the Olympic Games. Panasonic wishes to "share the passion of the Olympic Games with people all over the world at the venues and in their homes." Panasonic has supported the Olympic Games as the Official Worldwide Olympic Partner from Calgary 1988 to Beijing 2008.

Through its sponsorship, Panasonic will also support the Olympic Games with its technologies such as the "DVCPRO P2HD," a broadcasting system selected as the official high definition recording format for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The "P2HD" is also on display at CEATEC JAPAN 2007. Next to it is the exhibition corner for the SD memory card compatible full high definition camcorder. A very convincing exhibition that shows us how such broadcasting equipment technologies are also employed in the camcorders we use. And a display of broadcasting equipment we usually do not have a chance to see alongside "VIERA" and "DIGA" is illustrative of Panasonic's End to End business - from broadcasting to enjoyment at home.

For your information, the video report of the Panasonic booth, which will be made available at a later time, is also being shot with a P2 system. Making use of the mobility unique to a solid-state storage media, the crew has brought in a notebook PC to the "secret back room" and is busily editing the footage. So please look forward to the video report.

I went to watch the corporate stage presentation. A grand presentation system has been set up and many people crowded around the stage. Dancers dressed in sporty clothes portraying the image of the Olympic Games appeared on stage. And 6 103-inch plasma displays put on a great performance. After this a male and female MC appeared on stage to start the rest of the presentation.

The first theme is the Olympic Games. Panasonic supports the Olympic Games from End to End, from audio-visual equipment, broadcasting, to the enjoyment of the games at home. At the games with respect to recording and editing images with the "DVCPRO P2HD," which has innovated the workflow of image production onsite with the solid-state storage media. And the main star at home is of course the full high definition plasma TV.

Then the male MC spoke about watching, shooting, and storing in full high definition - the "Full High Definition Big Bang." Panasonic has unveiled numerous full high definition compatible products such as the "Blu-ray DIGA" and the "High Definition DIGA" announced today. Watching footage on the large screen, taking vivid digital photographs and video, and storing them forever in high resolution - the evolution of all of these activities into the realm of full high definition is assimilated to the "Big Bang."

They also spoke about expanding the link. Connecting various equipment around the plasma TV and using them more conveniently. "Link to VIERA!" is a proposal unique to Panasonic, who manufactures not only audio-visual equipment, but also cables and SD memory cards. In this presentation, the Panasonic attractively describes how "Link to VIERA!" may be expanded to, for example, the field of entertainment with the full high definition video on demand service, "acTVila Video Full"; the field of security with the door phone or the Secure Life Home System, "Lifinity"; and the field of health care.

Thinking back, the world of dreams described as the digital network only a decade ago, is already becoming a reality. I feel a bit nostalgic when I think about the copies I wrote for ads. Having said that, the concept of full high definition was not widespread back then.

The plasma TV is at the forefront of this full high definition evolution. At the ending of the stage presentation, the MCs announced that Panasonic will be building its 5th plasma panel factory in Amagasaki, Japan which will be one of the largest in the world. With such a great production structure, Panasonic will certainly be able to support the rapidly progressing full high definition evolution.

All there is left now is whether my personal finances can keep up with this Full High Definition Big Bang. This may be the major point of dispute in my home at least.

Let me give you a photographic overview of the Panasonic booth.

Right besides the stage there is a great line-up of "VIERA" on display. A magnificent sight.

The "Link to VIERA!" corner demonstrates the joy and convenience reinforced by the connectivity with the "VIERA."

In the "LUMIX" corner, you can experience the "intelligent Auto" mode and the "free angle LCD & live view" of the new digital SLR L10.

This corner introduces Panasonic's advanced and unique technologies with a focus on the new generation "UniPhier."

Mobile corner with exhibitions on Panasonic's Bluetooth connectivity equipment, network cameras, and digital terrestrial turners.

This corner exhibits plasma display panel technologies Panasonic prides. You can experience the sophisticated performance befitting of large screen TVs.

Endless flow of people at the car navigation "Strada" corner. There are interesting exhibitions of prototypes here.

The Panasonic booth at CEATEC JAPAN 2007 had a big surprise in store. This was the new "Blu-ray DIGA" and the "High Definition DIGA." It has been a year since the "Blu-ray DIGA" was unveiled last year, and so I thought that a new product announcement was due soon, but I did not think that Panasonic would stage it at the CEATEC JAPAN 2007. A total of 6 models, 3 models of the "Blu-ray DIGA" and 3 models of "High Definition DIGA," were introduced.

The key feature of the products introduced this year is the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compatibility. These products enable recording of high definition broadcast in high definition over a long period of time. The longest recording time is approximately 4 times the traditional DR mode.

Moreover, footage recorded with the SD memory card compatible full high definition camcorder may be recorded onto a Blu-ray Disc or a DVD by simply inserting the SD memory card into the SD card slot. It is a great piece of equipment to have for fathers who recorded their children at sports events.

The "Blu-ray DIGA" announced today are:

DMR-BW900 (HDD Capacity 1TB)

DMR-BW800 (HDD Capacity 500GB)

DMR-BW700 (HDD Capacity 250GB)

And the "High Definition DIGA" models are:

DMR-XW300 (HDD Capacity 500GB)

DMR-XW100 (HDD Capacity 250GB)

DMR-XW200V (HDD Capacity 250GB/also VHS compatible)

All models will become available on November 1 (open prices). If you want to learn more about the products, please click here.

High definition recording is finally becoming more easily accessible. I am contemplating purchasing one at the end of the year so I am going to check on its resolution and other performance. I will write about it later so please look forward to my entry!

Many members of the press came to the press conference held during the premium time on the first day of CEATEC.

The 6 models introduced.

"Living in High Definition" is a key phrase those of you who read this blog may already be quite familiar with. This is the exhibition theme Panasonic has been using globally.

In order to reinforce the sub-theme accompanying the above phrase - "A television that you watch, connect, and use" - Panasonic has introduced a series of full high definition products starting with the "VIERA" from July to September.

These new products will be at the Panasonic booth at CEATEC JAPAN 2007. So it is a great opportunity to actually come and see the products out for yourself. I, too, will go check out the various features (such as the resolution and usability) of the products I am interested in for myself so that I can tell you about it.

Having said that, I am a bit worried about becoming wrought with materialistic desire.

Oh, it seems there is going to be a new product announcement at the CEATEC JAPAN 2007 venue. I am going to rush over there to listen to the announcement and learn about the new product.

2007年のCEATEC JAPAN 2007 has just begun. The morning of the opening day has been set aside as premium time for the press and invitee guests. Doors open to the general public in the afternoon.

Being one of the largest exhibitions in Asia, many people are already here even though the exhibition as just begun and despite the unfortunate cloudy skies. With all these people and many more to come, I may run into problems taking photographs for my entries. I better go save myself a spot.

Writing from the Panasonic booth at a little past 5:00 p.m. I would like to say that things are completely ready, but they have just become a bit more composed. Preparations for tomorrow will still continue. I cannot help but be impressed with all the staff – those building the various exhibitions, thoroughly checking the demonstrations, and companions practicing their presentations.

Tomorrow, this booth will be in impeccable shape welcoming the visitors. Please look forward to how different it will look tomorrow. Now, I am going to go watch the rehearsal of the corporate stage presentation.

A bicycle enabling the staff to move about the vast venue efficiently has made an appearance.

When you walk through a booth that is still under preparation, you always run into things you have no idea what it would be for. What I encountered this time is a flower garden and pan scales.

This flower garden, I wonder what it is going to become. And the pan scales, what will they be used to measure? At the moment, I have no idea. What do you think they are for? I hope to unsolved these mysteries and write about them later.

The flower garden has been created at our feet on the ground and for some reason it has been structured such that we can't take a photograph from above (it has been hidden by a black cover).

What size and weight can fit onto these scales?

There are fewer cardboard boxes, and the atmosphere in the Panasonic booth seems to have calmed down a bit.

There are more exhibitors taking part in CEATEC JAPAN this year, so the digital network stage has extended to an adjacent hall located beyond the road. The Panasonic booth is located in the new extended area, in Hall 9, so be careful not to get lost. (I did.)

Panasonic secured one of the largest booth spaces in CEATEC JAPAN 2007 measuring 900 square meters. It stands out quite a bit at the venue (Hall 9). You can't miss the booth if you come in from the entrance for pre-registered visitors and come down the escalators.

The exhibition of the "VIERA," which may be described as being the face of the booth is complete (I will describe this in detail later, but it is quite impressive!) The brand signage is lit too. Majority of the major exhibitions are about to be complete, so I will go and look for interesting stories to write about tomorrow.

"VIERA" has completely surrounded the Roppongi Hills once again this year. This began on September 21st (Fri) and will continue until October 14th (Sun). Advertisements have been placed all over Roppongi Hills in some 380 locations, one of the largest-ever undertaking. Popular actresses in Japan - "Koyuki" and "Haruka Ayase" who play sisters in the ads - have been employed as image characters of the "VIERA" ads. And these "VIERA" ads featuring them have completely taken over Roppongi Hills, transforming it into, we could call it the "VIERA Hills."

There are multitudes of outdoor "VIERA" ads in Roppongi Hills

And there are many many "VIERA" ads indoors as well.

This year's Roppongi Hills-jack is more elaborately staged than ever before. The biggest advertising space is the outer wall of Metro Hat, where you will find escalators descending down into the building. You will see a gigantic ad of the "Human VIERA" featuring Koyuki on its walls. It measures, believe it or not, 18 meters high x 30 meters wide!

Huge advertising displayed around the outer wall of the Metro Hat.

There is also a huge advertising inside the Metro Hat. Its theme is "Link to VIERA!", which describes the simple and easy operation of AV equipment with just one TV remote control. You will see the unique presentation above your head while you make your way down on the escalator - as soon as the projected image of the SD card is inserted into the "VIERA," the screen, which was blank until then, starts to display photographs and video.

"VIERA's" screen and images from the projector, which you can see in pink in the photograph above.

Also, "Link to VIERA!" Try it for Yourself event will be held in Roppongi Hills from October 8th (Mon/National Holiday) to 14th (Sun). If you miss the opportunity to experience "Link to VIERA!" at CEATEC JAPAN, you may want to see for yourself at Roppongi Hills. The special stage for this event may be found on the 2nd floor of West Walk (right in front of the United Arrows shop).

"Living in High Definition" has served as the core theme for the Panasonic booth at various exhibitions. It first appeared last year at CEATEC JAPAN, and then at 2007 International CES in Las Vegas, CHITEC 2007 in Beijing (the 10th China Beijing International High-Tech Expo), IFA 2007 in Berlin, and GITEX 2007 in Dubai… it has traveled around the world communicating the magnificence of high definition.

My viewpoint as to what Panasonic has encompassed in this phrase, "Living in High Definition," is "expression of a premium lifestyle, the joys of life brought to fruition by high definition technologies." "Living in High Definition" celebrates its first anniversary at this year's CEATEC JAPAN. Over the year, not only TV, but also a great variety of high definition products (Blu-ray Disc, high definition camcorder, high definition "DIGA," "LUMIX," etc…) have been transformed in remarkable ways. The "Link" function that enables these products to work in unison also have developed significantly.

We will most certainly be able to witness an evolved "Living in High Definition" at the Panasonic booth at CEATEC JAPAN 2007. I hope to tell you about the "premium lifestyle" Panasonic presents for the next generation in my entries.

CEATEC JAPAN 2007 will finally begin tomorrow so, I am here in Makuhari Messe. I hope you will stick around until October 6.

I am writing my entry from the working room called the "secret back room" by many of the writers for the Cyber Showcase Blog. The room this year is a very comfortable one, with great security; the room comes equipped with coin lockers. It is my second time to be onsite as a writer, so I am getting more used to setting up the room. People who have been to the exhibitions overseas say that this is quite a blessed working room.

CEATEC JAPAN is truly amazing. Manufacturers that play a part in Japanese economy all put their backs into and take part in this exhibition, so the vitality onsite is very different. (The hotels in the vicinity of the messe are completely fully booked, too. Perhaps this is a positive economic effect the exhibition has…)

I walked around the hall a bit, but because it is over crowded with cardboard boxes still, I can't really say what is what. I will write upload my second entry when things settle down a bit.

The theme for CEATEC JAPAN 2007 is "Experience the Frontlines of Digital Convergence." According to the CEATEC JAPAN 2007 overview released by the CEATEC JAPAN Organizing Committee, digital convergence may be described as the following. "With the rapid development of digital technologies has come profound change in the fields of imaging, information and communications equipment and systems… the expansion of information technology (IT) infrastructures has led to new convergence in areas such as broadcasting, communications and the Internet… combining to create new businesses, markets and industries."

At CEATEC JAPAN 2007, we can witness the great surge of such new industries and markets from the frontlines, and experience them as new business styles and lifestyles.

The history of CEATEC JAPAN itself can be described as digital convergence. The key constituents used to be a comprehensive electronics exhibition known as the "Electronics Show" and another major exhibition on information and communication technologies, the "COM JAPAN." "CEATEC JAPAN" was formed in 2000 through the integration of the 2 exhibitions. So it is truly a crossover realized by digital technologies. It is quite easy to understand why the organizers say proudly that it is "an integrated exhibition for the IT age presenting not only the data people needed, but also all the information they wanted. The show was highly evaluated by visitors in fields from researchers in IT-related fields and representatives of manufacturing companies to the consumers who use IT products."

Speaking of the frontlines of digital convergence, we must keep Panasonic in mind. It creates products in almost every field from information and communication technologies, home appliances, personal computers to mobile phones. This year's CEATEC JAPAN will for certain also serve as a platform for Panasonic to exhibit its comprehensive technologies. I am very excited to see what Panasonic will present and what it will surprise us with.

If you have time, why not come and see for yourself? If you register in advance, you get a waiver of the 1,000 yen admission fee. Click here to register.

The second series of the "LUMIX" digital SLR camera, the "DMC-L10" was officially introduced in Japan today, on September 25. The camera and the lens kit, the "LUMIX DMC-L10K" will be available from October 26 and the body "LUMIX DMC-L10" will be available from November 22. Both are open priced.

What is amazing is the "free-angle LCD & live view"! You can move the LCD finder about freely as though you were shooting on a camcorder. With this, you can now take high or low angle shots, which were unthinkable with digital SLR cameras of the past. I think we can say that this function represents the characteristics unique to a digital SLR camera developed by a manufacturer of home electronics!

It also has the "face detection AF/AE" function, which is a function common to the compact digital cameras. I believe there are many people who purchase their first digital SLR camera to take pictures of their children, so "face detection" is a great function to have.

CEATEC will be the first opportunity for us to learn about it in detail after the press announcement. I will go check it out for myself, so please look forward to my entry.

The preview exhibition promotes the flexible shooting style it offers.

The camera and the lens kit, "LUMIX DMC-L10K."

CEATEC JAPAN 2007 will begin momentarily. And leading up to the exhibition, information such as the exhibition theme and booth overview has been uploaded on Panasonic's exhibition information website.

This year's theme for the Panasonic booth for CEATEC JAPAN 2007 is "Living in High Definition". Panasonic will introduce a full high definition network created around the "VIERA."

If you click on the count down banner on the upper left corner of this page, you can jump to the website with information about the exhibition. Please check it out before you make your way to the exhibition.

And those of you who can't make it this year, please also take a look as once the exhibition begins, more information on the main stage show, booth map, and video reports will be made available.

Hello everyone, it has been a while. This is hiro

This year's big event, CEATEC JAPAN 2007, will finally kick off. It will be held for 5 days, from October 2nd to 6th. CEATEC JAPAN is one of the international exhibitions that works in tandem with partners worldwide, such as IFA in Europe and CES in the US. Last year it received 199,680 visitors.

I have attended CEATEC JAPAN since when it was still called "Electronics Show." I remember running around gathering catalogs with my business card holder in hand (because many booths will ask for a business card in exchange for a catalog.)

CEATEC JAPAN is truly very intense. And time sure does fly when you are looking at the new products you are interested. Until now, my day at CEATEC JAPAN would end with about 3 large paper bags full of, you could say, trophies of war. I would carry my trophies (such as catalogs) to the temporarily delivery services desk as the venue is about to close. I hear the music "Auld Lang Syne" in the air telling me that the day has ended and companions see off (or kick out?) the visitors.

But this time, I have a very important task - 5 full days of reporting from the venue about the Panasonic booth. I am so excited but a bit anxious about being able to experience CEATEC JAPAN anew from a different point of view. Please look forward to how my perspective about CEATEC JAPAN, which I am quite familiar with, may change.

I almost forgot to mention that during CEATEC JAPAN 2007 the HCR (Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition) will be taking place at the Tokyo Big Sight from October 3rd (Wed) to 5th. There are some exhibitions there that I am quite interested in, but I will leave it to another fellow writer, utsunomiya-san to tell you about it. I will concentrate on CEATEC JAPAN 2007. utsunomiya-san is a writer but also a home helper, so she has a unique point of view drawing from her experiences. She will be able to tell us things in her entries we might otherwise easily miss. utsunomiya-san, let's work together to make this blog even more exciting!