Panasonic's High Definition Equipment to be Used as Video Shooting and Recording System for Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Panasonic's High Definition Equipment to be Used as Video Shooting and Recording System for Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

First Full HD Broadcast of Olympic Winter Games

Following Success In Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Panasonic's DVCPRO HD Series And P2 HD Series Will Capture Olympic Highlights In Vancouver

LAS VEGAS, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic announced today that Olympic Broadcasting Services Vancouver (OBSV), the Host Broadcaster, will use the P2 HD series with solid-state memory cards for video recording equipment to support the broadcast of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. As in the Beijing Games, Panasonic's "DVCPRO HD" will be used as the recording format.

All international video delivered from the International Broadcast Center (IBC) -- which will reside within the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Center in February 2010 -- to the rights-holding broadcasters around the world, will be produced and distributed in 1080i High-Definition (HD) format. Following the HD standard of excellence set by Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 will be the first Winter Olympic Games captured with HD (1080i) equipment.

Panasonic's digital technologies, which have been used as the official recording format in nine Olympiads, starting with the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, will capture High-Definition video with superb sound quality for distribution by broadcasters to TV viewers worldwide during the Vancouver Winter Games as well.

"Since Barcelona 1992, Panasonic has been contributing to the video capture and recording of the Olympic Games as an official broadcast equipment supplier with its state-of-the-art technology," said Tadao Shimozuru, Director of Professional AV Systems Business Unit, Systems Business Group, in Panasonic Corp.'s AVC Networks Company. "In the HD age, Panasonic will provide tapeless and High Definition video equipment during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, including the P2 HD series camcorders and related equipment incorporating the latest video codec 'AVC-Intra,' in addition to the proven 'DVCPRO HD' format. The P2 HD series employs reusable, solid-state memory based on a no-moving-parts design, which has significantly reduced the need for replacing parts, unlike conventional tape-based and disc systems. In this sense, they can be considered products that do not produce waste, including boxes of used video tapes. We are convinced that our broadcast equipment will contribute to the environment-oriented Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games."

"As in Beijing 2008, during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, everything will be broadcast from the venues in High Definition," said Manolo Romero, OBSV's CEO. "We are confident that for Vancouver 2010 we will be able to capitalize on the experience we gained in Beijing 2008 by providing reliable and efficient, high-quality video broadcast to TV viewers around the globe."

Panasonic's advanced HD imaging technologies will make it possible for TV broadcast viewers around the world to share the excitement of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games through the company's latest flat panel VIERA HDTVs and Home Theater Systems. HD video can also be recorded with Panasonic's DIGA Blu-ray Disc recorder (where available) so that the excitement of the events can be reproduced any time.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 9.07 trillion yen (US$90.7 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.

Panasonic is proud to support the Olympic Movement, which is aimed at promoting world peace through sports, as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category for more than 20 years since The Olympic Partner (TOP) Program commenced with the Calgary Olympic Winter Games in 1988. Under the slogan of "Sharing the Passion," Panasonic will contribute to the success of the Olympic Games through its technology and video expertise. Panasonic renewed its partnership until 2016 with the International Olympic Committee.

Source: Panasonic

CONTACT: Chris De Maria, +1-201-348-7182, demariac@us.panasonic.com, or
Jim Reilly, +1-201-392-6067, reillyj@us.panasonic.com, both of Panasonic

Web Site: http://panasonic.net/

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