NAB Event News
Combining VariCam and P2, Panasonic Unveils Sport-Centric AJHPX 2700
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Apr 13, 2008 - 4:50:49 PM

By Carolyn Braff

Panasonic is unveiling a gamut of new cameras, switchers and other cutting-edge technology solutions at NAB 2008, but for sports fans, the AJHPX 2700 camera is the top of the line. The 2700 utilizes P2 technology with VariCam framerate flexibility to create a camera uniquely crafted to answer the questions poised by sports production.

“The 2700 combines the best of P2 HD with the best of VariCam,” explains Joe Facchini, director of product marketing for Panasonic. “Because of the variable framerate, its versatility makes it perfect for sports. The 2700 is a little bit more production-oriented and more feature-laden, so I think it lends itself better toward the sports market. It’s a VariCam with a P2 back, that’s really the key.”

The camera features highly-extended recording time, which opens up new possibilities for sports broadcasting.

“The extended recording time is amazing,” Facchini says. “We’re talking hours, not minutes, which minimizes the need to switch out media during long-term events.”

P2 users can once again expect Panasonic to keep its annual promise of doubling its P2 solid state recording capacity. The company will release a 64-GB P2 solid-state memory card this fall, doubling the storage capacity currently available from the 32 GB P2-card. The 64-GB card can store more than four hours of DVCPRO footage.

Panasonic’s theme for NAB 2008 is the beauty of P2 HD, which is less opinion than fact when viewing the video demonstrations at Panasonic’s NAB booth.

“P2 is everywhere and used in a wide variety of applications,” explains John Baisley, president of Panasonic Broadcast and Systems Company.

This summer, the entire world will get a taste of beautiful P2 HD. Panasonic has announced that P2 will be the official recording format for the Beijing Olympic broadcasting organization for this summer’s Olympic Games, the first Games to be broadcast entirely in HD.

Panasonic also announced two new strategic partnerships, welcoming Hitachi and Autodesk to its growing list of P2 partner companies. Panasonic now counts 29 companies among its P2 partners, ranging from Adobe to Thomson.