COMPACT AJ-SD93 “UNIVERSAL SDTV” FEEDER DECK OFFERS BUILT-IN IEEE 1394 INTERFACE

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 18, 2004) – Panasonic has introduced here at NAB 2004 the AJ-SD93, a new, low-cost multi-format digital VTR suitable for standard definition IEEE 1394-based editing applications. Designed to offer a significant step up in robustness and quality compared to existing DV and DVCAM-based products, the AJ-SD93 is the first VTR below $10,000 list price to facilitate 4:2:2 quality video transfers at 50Mbps over IEEE 1394 to nonlinear editing systems. With optional analog and SDI inputs and outputs, the AJ-SD93 is a flexible, easy-to-use and affordable production tool. The AJ-SD93 can record on medium or large DVCPRO cassettes with a maximum record time of 184 minutes (92 minutes in DVCPRO50). It can playback DVCPRO50, DVCPRO, DV and DVCAM tapes. Designed for desktop and mobile applications with a side handle for easy carrying, the AJ-SD93 has a space-saving 3RU half-rack size, permitting side-by-side installation of the VTR and Waveform/Vectorscope or compact monitor in a single 3RU rack. Operating with 50Mbps DVCPRO50 material over SDI, the multi-format deck complements existing high-performance standard definition nonlinear editing systems. With Apple’s Final Cut Pro 4.0, the AJ-SD93 can operate with a native DV50 stream over IEEE 1394. The AJ-SD93 is also compatible with leading nonlinear editing systems operating at 25Mbps DV, DVCAM or DVCPRO. Options include an SDI option (AJ-YA94G) that provides for the input/output of serial digital signals, and an analog option (AJ-YA93P) that provides a full complement of BNC and XLR inputs and outputs. The AJ-YA93P also offers external timecode and reference video input, and 9-pin remote (RS-422) control. Other key features include: four-channel audio volume knobs (for recording and playback); Programmable function to assign often-used menu items (up to three); an on-screen display set-up menu; video monitor and audio monitor outputs; separate record/playback audio controls; multi voltage operation (100 to 240 VAC) and a front-panel search stick for video search and to set menus. The AJ-SD93 will be available in August at a suggested list price of $6,995. The AJ-YA94G and AJ-YA93P options, available at the same time, have suggested list prices of $2,000 and $1,500, respectively. About Panasonic Broadcast Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading supplier of broadcast, professional video and presentation products and systems. Panasonic Broadcast is a unit company of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, the principal North America subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC), one of the world's leading producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, access the company’s web site at www.panasonic.com/broadcast.