FOR-A's proprietary media management system conforms to the AVC-Intra codec, enabling the system to ingest full-spec HD video data (1920x1080 pixels, 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling) captured by a Panasonic AJ-HPX3000 P2HD camcorder, and manage it as meta data, so that searching and previewing of captured video data is possible with a terminal workstation compatible with the AVC-Intra codec. The system can also be linked with an AVC-Intra-compatible non-linear editing system and a video titler, via a network, to provide shared storage for media materials or function as an archive system. Compatible codecs include AVC-Intra, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, and DVCPRO. FOR-A is planning to release the product in 2008.

With this collaboration, the companies will be able to work together toward proposing a total system using a set of AVC-Intra-compatible P2HD cameras, and addressing editing, archiving, and delivery.

Data can be captured into P2 cards using Panasonic P2HD Series camcorders, such as the AJ-HPX3000 and the AJ-HPX2100. The captured data can then be transferred at high speed through FOR-A's ingesting terminal into network storage, via the P2 Drive AJ-PCD20. External input signals from HD-SDI or motion graphics used on a video titler can be handled by the AVC-Intra codec's P2 content file formats. At the ingesting terminal, users can search and preview materials using attached meta data on the P2 content file formats.

The storage is a set of multiple non-linear editing systems connected via a network, enabling users to share materials (P2 contents file: P2-MXF), ongoing project data, and complete package data. It provides work efficiency, allowing users to utilize existing video assets.

The two companies will be providing solutions that match the professional needs of the tapeless HD video production era, using P2HD-compatible systems to cut down the time and cost of total production, while working closer together on handling of P2 content files and AVC-Intra.

Reference Material

About the P2 Card
Developed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. for professional broadcasting and production use, the P2 card is a rapid-access, high-capacity solid-state memory card featuring the SD memory card technology.

Similar to the SD memory card, the P2 card is resistant to shock, vibration, and harsh environments (temperature and humidity). It has proven to be far more reliable than any conventional VTR, hard disk, or optical disc system while enabling the high capacity necessary to store high bit rate, broadcast-quality digital HD video, as well as to accomplish high transfer speeds of up to 640 Mbps (theoretical value at the interface) - four times as fast as the CLASS 6 SD card.

The interface of the P2 card complies with the Type-II PC card specification. The card can be used in the PC card slot of a notebook computer. Unlike conventional PC cards, the P2 card has a better-enforced connector section to ensure professional ruggedness, an individual identification number and barcode assigned for each, and a write-protect switch.

About P2/P2HD Series
P2 Series, Panasonic's solid-state memory broadcasting and professional video recording system, features the P2 cards, ensuring high reliability during coverage, as well as to enable total media cost reduction due to the card's reusability, and drastic reduction of maintenance costs due to the units' no-moving-part design. With fast data transfer and no need to digitize, as with conventional systems, the P2 Series vastly reduces production time for a dramatic improvement in workflow efficiency.

The Material eXchange Format (MXF) employed by the P2 Series is an open file format made available to Panasonic's partner companies. In terms of nonlinear editing and network servers, Panasonic continues its "open mind" policy of placing importance on compatibility with products from other manufacturers. In the process of developing the P2 Series, Panasonic actively sought an open exchange of information with other companies. The compatibility of the P2 with other manufacturers' equipment continues to grow, with further expansion expected in the foreseeable future.

The P2 Series was released in 2004, and now the P2HD Series for HD recording is marketed worldwide.

Broadcasting stations throughout the world are rapidly shifting to HD and a tapeless production environment, and the demand for replacing the conventional tape-based system is increasing. Therefore, the P2 series was introduced, leading the industry as a fully-featured solid-state memory video recording system. As of today, more than 60,000 P2/P2HD units have been shipped worldwide. The number of broadcasting stations employing the P2/P2HD Series is also increasing, and has grown to 610 organizations worldwide (as of the end of August, 2007).