Panasonic Announces 1080p/24 frame Film Production System

Montreux, Switzerland -- Panasonic Broadcast announced at the 1999 Montreux TV Symposium and Technology Exhibition its intention to introduce a film production system based on 1080p (progressive scan) and at a picture rate of 24 frames per second. It is anticipated that the system will be introduced before the end of 2001.

The system will include a master 1080p/24 frame D-5-HD based VTR, which will have the capability of recording 8 independent, uncompressed sound tracks. A new range of 1080p/24 frame HDTV cameras and also a new generation of monitors will also be launched. Panasonic’s Universal Format Converter will accompany this product to allow HD film masters to be made available on HDTV and SDTV standards.

This will allow 1080p/24 masters to be converted to: 575i/50, 1080i/50, 480i/60, 480p/60, 720p/60, 1080p/60. Masahiko Kajitani, Executive Vice President of AVC Company, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. said “We are well aware of the increasing interest in Hollywood for an HD VTR system which is based on 1080p scanning and at a picture rate of 24 frames per second. Our system will allow Hollywood and other film production centres throughout the world to master films on their preferred HD standard. This is an important development programme and following on several major HD introductions at NAB’99 by Panasonic Broadcast demonstrates our commitment to be an industry leader in all sectors of high definition production.”