PANASONIC INTRODUCES IEEE 1394-EQUIPPED DVCPRO CAMCORDER
* Outstanding Features Address Needs of Production and News Acquisition*
LAS VEGAS, NV (April 18, 2004) – Here at NAB 2004, Panasonic debuts the AJ-SDC615, a new DVCPRO camcorder that offers high-sensitivity 520,000 pixel 2/3" 3-CCDs and an IEEE 1394 interface for in-field direct transfer of digital component video to a laptop nonlinear editing system.
Switchable between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, the AJ-SDC615’s three 2/3” IT CCDs provide a high sensitivity of F13 at 2000 lux, and low-light shooting down to 0.1 lux (at +48dB). Its newly-developed 12-bit A/D DSP circuits provide improved picture quality, color reproduction and luminance gradation, and a 12-axis matrix color correction system allows very specific colors to be adjusted without affecting overall color tone.
“The AJ-SDC615 is a terrific choice for news, sports and corporate production work, and elegantly combines DVCPRO’s legendary digital recording fidelity and operational efficiencies with high-sensitivity 2/3” CCDs and an IEEE 1394 interface,” said Stuart English, Vice President, Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast.
The high-performance camera is equipped with a Super Gain function with a maximum gain of 48db for low-light level shooting. The AJ-SDC615 delivers a maximum record time of 66 minutes, and incorporates two channels of 48kHz/16-bit digital audio. At just 14.5 pounds fully equipped, the AJ-SDC615 is lightweight and well balanced. It also provides an electronic shutter (speeds from 1/100 to 1/2000 sec), and synchro-scan capability (1/60.3 to 1/250 sec.).
Other versatile shooting-assist functions include: a four-position optical filter wheel; four built-in user scene files and three user-customizable function buttons; a marker selector function (for displaying a 4:3 marker); Super-Iris for one-button backlighting; multi-functional zebra pattern/display adjustment; SD memory card for storage of operational settings; quick response standby mode; built-in time code generator/reader with genlock; and 48V phantom power for microphone inputs.
Other optional accessories include: Unislot™ wireless receiver; 26-pin camera systems support; low-cost remote control system; and a hand-held, easy-to-operate camera remote.
The AJ-SDC615 is available in October at a suggested list price of $14,800.

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.

* UniSlot is a trademark of Ikegami Tsusinskis Co., Ltd.