HD video equipment was also used during the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games, but only on a limited scale, accounting for about 40 percent of the production. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be recorded and broadcast entirely with HD systems, a first in the history of the Olympic Games.

Panasonic's digital broadcasting technologies, which have been used as the official recording format in eight Olympiads, starting with the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, will continue their contribution to recording video of the Olympic Games in the HD era. Panasonic is expected to provide 250 recorders, 100 camcorders, and 1,500 monitors for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games related businesses.

"Video has played a vital role in the development of the Olympic Movement," said Tadao Shimozuru, director of professional AV systems business unit, Systems Business Group, Panasonic AVC Networks Company. "Panasonic has been contributing to the recording of Olympic Games as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner since Calgary 1988. TV broadcasts of the events are watched by some four billion people around the world. Our mission is to keep contributing to the success of the Olympic Games. In the HD age, Panasonic will provide both experience and the latest HD equipment, such as the P2HD AJ-HPX2100 and 3000 series, for use during the Olympic Games, starting in Beijing. We will support the presentation of the Olympic Games in HD."

"The Beijing 2008 will be the first Olympic Games in which everything will be broadcast from the venues in high definition," said Manolo Romero, Beijing Olympic Broadcasting's CEO. "Approximately 20-25 percent of residential TV sets are either high definition or 16:9 wide screen, which means that we will televise in the highest technical standard available, but many people around the world will see it in the format of 4:3 television sets. For those people who have the upgraded sets, they will enjoy a great viewing advantage."

The DVCPRO P2 HD series has been recognized for its high energy efficiency. The use of the tapeless P2 card helps each broadcast station cut CO2 emissions by 1.5 tons. The technology’s non-mechanical structure without a drive translates into a further CO2 reduction of 0.5 tons, for a total reduction of 2 tons. The highly environmentally friendly performance of this series will help achieve the goal of making Beijing 2008 the "environmentally conscious Olympic Games."

Panasonic Support to Olympics since 1988

Panasonic has supported the Olympic Movement — which is aimed at promoting world peace through sports — as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Video and Audio Equipment category for more than 20 years since The Olympic Partner (TOP) Programme was instituted at the Calgary Olympic Winter Games in 1988. Panasonic recently renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for a further eight years to 2016.

For more information, visit: http://panasonic.net/olympic/.