Panasonic Ships the First DVCPRO VTR to Offer DV-Format Recording and DVCAM Playback.

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 2001) -- Panasonic Broadcast & TelevisionSystems Company has announced the availability of the highly-versatileAJ-D455 DVCPRO studio editing VTR, the first DVCPRO model to also offerDV-format recording.

The AJ-D455 records in DVCPRO, standard DV and mini-DV formats, andplays back DVCPRO, DV and DVCAM formats, thereby meeting today’sdemanding applications from IEEE-1394 based desktop editing tofast-paced tape-to-tape news editing. In both record and playback, acassette detection function automatically selects the proper mode forthe type of cassette loaded.

Offering outstanding reliability and exceptional image quality,Panasonic’s Emmy Award-winning DVCPRO format is theindustry’s standard for high-quality digital acquisition,editing, recording and archiving. It is the most rapidly adoptedprofessional video format in history, with more than 800 U.S.television stations utilizing DVCPRO equipment daily.

“The AJ-D455 is the definitive workhorse VTR, deliveringunprecedented production versatility to videographers who requireintra-format IEEE-1394 editing capabilities, and delivers broadcastersthe flexibility of expediting DV based footage from stringers orviewers,” said Dave Oren, Product Marketing Manager, PanasonicBroadcast.

The AJ-D455 provides continuous recording and playback of up to 184minutes in DVCPRO and 276 minutes in the DV format, permitting therecording of long-length programming on a single tape cassette foradded convenience in production and transmission.

The VTR is equipped with level-adjustable AES/EBU digital audioin/out and offers optional boards for Serial Digital Interface (SDI)and IEEE 1394 digital in/out. The AJ-D455 also offers data conversionbetween DVCPRO and DV/DVCAM format IEEE-1394 protocols, providing aseamless approach to multi-format IEEE-1394 based nonlinearediting.

The unit features a built-in SMPTE time code generator and reader,and a 9-pin serial remote (RS-422A) terminal, which permits the VTR tobe used with an external editing controller for frame accurate (±0frame) editing. The AJ-D455’s control track contains color-frameinformation for perfectly color-framed edits. With analog input/output,SDI digital interface (optional) and versatile control interfacing viaRS-422A and RS-232C remote, the AJ-D455 addresses demandingapplications in both nonlinear and linear editing.

The AJ-D455 offers Digital Still and Digital Slow Motion playback atup to ±0.43X normal speed, forward or reverse searching at16/32/60x normal speed, with the search image in full color, as well asjog operation via an external controller.

In DVCPRO format mode, the AJ-D455 features two 16-bit/48-kHzsampled digital audio channels for audio that surpasses CD quality. Anaudio cue track allows a user to hear the recoded audio at high searchspeeds, and Control Track provides intelligent tape handling.

Users can adjust audio recording levels for both analog and digitalinputs (AES/EBU, SDI or IEEE-1394). Each audio channel can be adjustedwhile viewing the level meter display. Using the optional encoderremote, users can adjust digital output images the same way as analogsignals, greatly improving performance with digital interfaces.

The AJ-D455 provides outstanding system versatility, with analogcomponent/composite/S-video and audio input/outputs for connection toexisting analog systems. With its compact 4U size, the DVCPRO VTR fitsa 19-inch rack. A channel condition indicator lets the operator viewactual conditions, and an on-screen menu display permits a user toeasily change many initial system settings. An AJ-CS455 mini-DVcassette adaptor, which permits mini-DV recording, is provided as astandard accessory.

The AJ-D455 is available at a suggested list price of $8,350.FTP andSDTI protocols.

Panasonic Broadcast is a unit company of Matsushita ElectricCorporation of America, the principal North America subsidiary ofMatsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC), one of the world'sleading producers of electronic and electric products for consumer,business and industrial use.

For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, access thecompany’s web site at www.panasonic.com/broadcast