Panasonic at InfoComm 2025: Quietly Confident and Higher Ed Ready

There’s a particular confidence that comes from knowing exactly who you are and what you do well. At InfoComm 2025, Panasonic brought that energy in full — no gimmicks, no stunts, just thoughtful, reliable AV technology that speaks for itself. And when we stopped by their booth for a conversation with Darryl Krall, it became clear that higher ed is very much part of their long game.

Darryl may have been nursing a post-Thursday-night voice, but the message was crystal clear: Panasonic isn’t focused on making the most noise — they’re focused on delivering the most value.

“I know that this Infocom has probably been one of our favorites in the sense of just all the activity, all the engagement. Everybody who is here is really engaged.”

The booth was busy but calm and purposeful. Conversations were deeper than usual, with an emphasis on integration, interoperability, and consistency.

For higher ed AV teams, that’s music to the ears.

Reliability First, Features That Matter

If there’s one thread that ties together Panasonic’s product strategy, it’s reliability. Whether you’re talking about their projectors, PTZ cameras, or displays, the goal is always the same: make it work the first time, and keep it working without surprises.

At InfoComm, Panasonic’s booth highlighted:

• Their industry-leading projector lineup, including laser models that are becoming staples in large lecture halls and multipurpose rooms.
• The AW-UE160 PTZ camera, which continues to be a favorite in hybrid classrooms and lecture capture environments.
• New software-based control platforms that make it easier to manage multiple devices from a centralized interface — something AV teams with lean staffing deeply appreciate.

Panasonic isn’t chasing buzzwords for the sake of it. Instead, they’re building tools that support the long-term serviceability and ecosystem cohesion schools need to run efficient, scalable AV environments.

“We still make great projectors, of course. We still make great displays. But we’re adding that extra icing on the cake for the system.”

One Platform, Many Touchpoints

A recurring theme in our interview was platform unification — and Panasonic seems to be walking the walk. Their latest camera systems and projectors are designed to work in harmony, with common interfaces and unified control options.

The goal is to avoid complexity and fragmentation. Schools are looking for a trusted ecosystem they can use across all spaces.

That includes:

• Cross-compatibility with Crestron, Extron, and Q-SYS environments
• IP-based video workflows that cut down on cabling and complexity
• Support for hybrid learning platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Panopto

The takeaway? If you’re trying to reduce friction in your AV stack, Panasonic is positioning itself as the low-drama partner you’ll want to work with.

“A big push for us has been the Intel SDM card slot… not only does Panasonic make the SDM boards, but we also have over twenty other manufacturers who are making whatever flavor you want.”

Laser Projectors with Legs

One area where Panasonic continues to shine is large venue projection. Their laser projectors have become a trusted backbone in many colleges, especially when it comes to performance in high ambient light and tight install timelines.

At InfoComm, the updates weren’t flashy — and that’s kind of the point. Panasonic’s focus is on increasing lifespan, simplifying maintenance, and tightening integration with control systems.

Schools are increasingly standardizing on Panasonic for this reason: install it once, calibrate it quickly, and don’t worry about it again for a decade.

“You can add one of our projectors like a vmz… we’re showing a vmz seven st which is a short throw seven thousand and eight thousand lumen projector which looks incredible.”

PTZs That Know the Room

Another highlight was Panasonic’s continued dominance in the PTZ camera market, especially for lecture capture. The AW-UE160 has become a go-to for many higher ed AV pros thanks to its:

• 4K resolution and wide dynamic range
• Smooth, accurate tracking
• Seamless integration with existing recording systems

And with more classrooms going hybrid or asynchronous, Panasonic’s camera solutions hit the sweet spot of high quality and low maintenance.

Panasonic’s control software — which now includes more AI-based automation — allows for minimal-touch deployment in even the trickiest of rooms. That’s a major win for teams managing 30 or 40 classrooms at once.

Listening to Higher Ed (and Following Through)

What stood out in our conversation with Darryl wasn’t just the product line — it was the posture. Panasonic isn’t just selling to higher ed; they’re listening to it, investing in it, and designing around the real-world constraints that campus tech teams face.

Rather than delivering demos and walking away, they’re taking what they hear and using it to inform product roadmaps and engineering priorities.

Panasonic’s teams have even joined school meetings to better understand deployment challenges and user interface needs. That kind of engagement isn’t flashy — but it’s exactly the sort of long-haul thinking that builds loyalty in higher ed.

“We’ve got a lot of case studies for higher education and just really a great place to be. And as we continue to bring in new solutions and systems, you can find out all that information there as well.”

The Booth Energy: Calm, Confident, and Collaborative

While some booths were blaring music and running contests, Panasonic’s vibe was different — and in the best way. It felt like a place to talk shop, not get pitched.

Visitors from colleges and universities weren’t just stopping by to scan a badge — they were sticking around to ask questions, troubleshoot ideas, and plan for the future.

The tone this year felt more grounded. People knew what they needed — and were asking smarter questions.

“We have Igloo in our booth again this year, which is always fun… having some great responses with that.”

That’s a great sign for vendors who are ready to meet those questions with substance.

Looking Ahead

Panasonic may not always make the loudest splash at InfoComm, but that’s not their style — and for many higher ed AV teams, that’s exactly what makes them a trusted partner.

They’re delivering products that integrate cleanly, perform consistently, and last for years. They’re showing up to campus meetings, not just trade shows. And they’re investing in the back-end tools that help small teams manage big ecosystems.

“Just come to a HETMA event and we’ll be here.”