Panasonic, the leading global manufacturer of consumer electronics, is unveiling a range of products targeted at the broadcast and communications industry at the 14th Middle East International Cable, Satellite, Broadcast and Communications Exhibition (Cabsat).

The three-day event began yesterday (March 4) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. Panasonic is located in Zabeel Hall, stand ZA-21, along with its sole UAE agent, Al Futtaim Panatech.

Panasonic’s product launch at Cabsat 2008 will include the AK-HC3500, a high-end 3CCD high-definition camera that features enhanced processing and colour reproduction functions for full production-grade video capture; the AJ-HPX3000, a five-slot P2 HD camcorder capable of producing full-raster 1920 x 1080 high definition images, the highest HD recording quality in a one-piece camcorder; and AG-HMC70, the industry’s first AVCHD shoulder-mount camcorder, said an official spokesman.
 
“As a manufacturer of high quality products catering to the global broadcast and communications industry, it is imperative for Panasonic to have a major presence at CABSAT, which is one of the biggest events for this industry in the region. We are looking forward to leverage the exhibition’s broad appeal to successfully launch our new range of camcorders, which we believe will generate substantial interest during the event,” said general manager, Panasonic Marketing Middle East, Yasuo Yamasaki.

Panasonic’s AK-HC3500 is equipped with a host of picture enhancing technologies that provide outstanding image performance necessary for high-end production. Advanced gamma functions such as gamma correction varies in real time to match the contrast in the image, and a new cine gamma system captures the warm tones of film.

The camera also offers a skin-tone detail function that allows user to easily adjust sharpness when focusing on people in various environments.

The AJ-HPX3000 is a shoulder-mount camcorder that can produce near D-5 HD recording quality, in addition to offering industry-standard DVCPRO50/ HD content compatibility for high-end productions including episodic television, filmmaking and commercial production.

Equipped with five P2 card slots and flip-out, 3.5-inch color LCD monitor, this P2 HD camcorder combines high performance with the functionality of highly-reliable, solid-state P2 technology including no moving parts like tape or disc-based systems, immediate access to recorded digital content and an overall faster IT-based workflow.

Panasonic’s AG-HMC70 series provides institutional customers, event videographers, and web content producers full high definition quality, professional audio and video connectivity, and the fast production workflow offered by tapeless SD card recording. Used to capture important events or send live widescreen video to a projector or flat screen display, the HMC70 is as easy to use as a digital still camera.

The HMC70 utilizes the AVCHD High Profile video codec, which offers similar image quality to HDV 1080i but uses about half the bandwidth.

This means longer recording times and half the storage requirement. Since the HMC70 uses standard SD cards, unlike tape, recording capacity will increase with higher capacity reusable cards, offers random access without fast forward or rewinding, and content is immediately available to editing systems without the ingest delay and additional cost of a playback deck.

The HMC70 is the latest product in Panasonic’s professional AVCHD camcorder line. AVCHD is a new industry-standard camera recording format, introduced by Panasonic and Sony, and now supported by over 30 different manufacturers.
 
Cabsat 2008 is hosting more than 650 companies from 50 countries sharing industry specific knowledge and expertise while showcasing latest technologies. In addition, the show will have visitors from Egypt, Lebanon, Sy