PANASONIC ANNOUNCES AJ-SD965 TWO-HOUR DVCPRO50 STUDIO VTR WITH BUILT-IN COLOR LCD MONITOR
* New XL Cassette Extends 50Mbps Record Time to 2 Hours *
LAS VEGAS, NV (April 18, 2004) -- Panasonic introduces the AJ-SD965 high-performance 50Mbps DVCPRO50 studio VTR with built-in color LCD monitor here at NAB 2004.
The AJ-SD965 utilizes the newly-developed DVCPRO XL cassette, which allows two hours of recording in 4:2:2, 50Mbps DVCPRO50 with four-channel digital audio, and four hours in 4:1:1, 25Mbps DVCPRO with two-channel digital audio.
Selectable between 525/625 operation, the AJ-SD965 addresses a broad range of applications in television and video production. When teamed with Panasonic’s AJ-SDX900 dual-mode DVCPRO Cinema‘ 24p/30p/60i camcorder, this combination provides a high-quality yet affordable production system spanning all market segments.
The compact 4RU-size VTR features seamless playback of DVCPRO50, DVCPRO, DVCAM and DV format recordings (cassette adaptor required for mini-DV format cassette playback). For easy integration of 50Mbps digital component video into nonlinear editing systems, an optional IEEE 1394 digital interface board, the AJ-YAD955G, is offered.
The AJ-SD965 offers an extremely fast and gentle tape handling mechanism, with tape cassette load-in time of three seconds and servo lock time of less than 1/4 second. Audio functionality includes independent four-channel audio control, audio volume control, digital audio monitoring during jog, audio jog for DV and DVCAM tapes, and audio cue from DVCPRO/DVCPRO50 tapes. The unit offers variable slow motion playback of clean, noiseless images at -0.43X to +0.43X, +0.5X, and +0.75X in both DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO.
With illuminated jog/shuttle search dial, the AJ-SD965 performs frame-accurate, tape-to-tape editing with extensive capabilities including auto, assemble, insert and manual editing, as well as preview, review and trim capabilities. The VTR also offers UMID data recording/playback, which allows ancillary data to be integrated into the serial digital data stream.
Its new built-in 3.5” monitor and tiltable front control panel add convenience in recording and for on-air broadcasting. The tiltable design makes the control panel much easier to view and use, and the high-resolution LCD screen allows the user to monitor images and facilitates setting functions while viewing on-screen menus.
The AJ-SD965 is equipped with standard SDI and AES/EBU inputs/outputs, as well as standard analog video outputs, analog audio inputs/outputs, and RS-422A and RS-232C remote terminals. Analog video input is available with the optional AJ-YA931G (525) or AJ-YA932G (625) boards. The VTR fits into standard 19” racks for easy installation in studios, news vans and mobile production vehicles.
The AJ-SD965 will be available in third quarter 2004.

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.