(WIESBADEN, Germany--June 27, 2008) RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana) has placed orders for its first Panasonic AG-HVX200E camcorders and AG-HPG10E portable player/recorders to replace legacy shooting and field editing systems for national and regional news production.
The purchase is part of a multi-year framework agreement that opens a new relationship between RAI and Panasonic Professional & Broadcast IT Systems Business Unit Europe (PBITS).
"Panasonic P2 technology will allow us to improve our workflow in the field, thanks to the unique performance of the P2 solid state media and the compact dimensions of the P2 camcorders," said Roberto Cecatto, deputy director of RAI TV's production department. "We can also introduce a progressive migration within our production centres and regional offices thanks to the support for DV tapes ý something that is not possible with other products. Panasonic's complete solution was the only one capable of meeting the particular needs of our news production environment, and providing us with a clear path to HDTV, even when integrated with other formats."
"The transition to new recording media is a very big step for any broadcaster, and Panasonic, with its unique P2 format, provides a perfect solution for RAI's requirements," said Mr. Tadao Shimozuru, director of the Professional A/V Systems Business Unit at Panasonic in Japan. "Panasonic P2 is an innovative technology that delivers high-quality video, flexibility across multiple formats, and easy upgrading to accommodate future growth. Besides ensuring outstanding quality, P2 will enable RAI to realise dramatically reduced production costs and ensure reliability, cutting consumable as well as maintenance costs."
"The P2 cards are very easy to use and will allow RAI to shoot in various formats and modes on the same camcorder. Furthermore, our five-year warranty programme, in conjunction with five-day turnaround time, gives RAI the assurance that for the next five years, no additional cost will be necessary," added PBITS Director Jaume Rey.
The installed base of P2 recording systems has grown rapidly in Europe and RAI now joins the group of major European broadcasters that have already committed to the Panasonic P2 System. TF1 in France, Canal 4 and CNN Plus in Spain, RTBF in Belgium, and Reuters have all recently followed BSkyB, the BBC, WDR and ZDF, YLE, Teleacras, SIC, and Russia's Channel One in adopting the technology. Panasonic's P2 technology experienced record growth in 2007, far outstripping the industry average and reaching 85 percent share of the solid-state market.
More information is available at
http://www.panasonic-broadcast.com.
About RAI
RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana) is the exclusive company of the Public Broadcasting Service in Italy with television and radio programming on satellite and digital terrestrial platforms. It is one of the largest communications companies in Europe. Founded in 1924, RAI is structured into six areas: TV editorial, new media publishing and digital terrestrial, broadcasting editorial, commercial, transmission, and staff. Editorial areas develop and implement programs for television and radio, satellite and digital terrestrial platforms, and new media. In recent years, RAI has established dedicated companies in order to protect specific market sectors in a more immediate and effective way, like Sipra, Rai Trade, Rai Way, Rai Cinema, Rai Corporation, Rai Sat, Rai Net, and Rai Click.
About Panasonic
Best known by its Panasonic brand name, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 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 JPY 9,068.9 billion (approx. USD 90.52 billion, exchange rate USD 1=JPY 100.19) for the year ended March 31, 2008. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE:MC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit
http://www.panasonic.net.
About PBITS
Panasonic's Professional Broadcast and IT Systems Business Unit is part of Panasonic Audio Visual and Computer Systems Europe (PAVCSE), a division of Panasonic Marketing Europe GmbH. The company is a leader in the development of video formats and core products for broadcast and professional AV, including camera-recorders, video recorders, monitors, and mixers. Panasonic's P2 systems provide the reliability of solid-state production with immediate connectivity to existing IT infrastructures, allowing for completely tapeless workflows.
http://panasonic-broadcast.com.
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