RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana) has placed orders for its first Panasonic AG-HVX200E camcorders and AG-HPG10E portable player/recorders to replace legacy shooting and field editing systems for national and regional news production. The purchase is part of a multi-year framework agreement that opens a new relationship between RAI and Panasonic Professional & Broadcast IT Systems Business Unit Europe (PBITS).

"Panasonic P2 technology will allow us to improve our workflow in the field, thanks to the unique performance of the P2 solid state media and the compact dimensions of the P2 camcorders," said Roberto Cecatto, deputy director of RAI TV's production department. "We can also introduce a progressive migration within our production centres and regional offices thanks to the support for DV tapes - something that is not possible with other products. Panasonic's complete solution was the only one capable of meeting the particular needs of our news production environment, and providing us with a clear path to HDTV, even when integrated with other formats."

Tadao Shimozuru, director of the Professional A/V Systems Business Unit at Panasonic in Japan, said: "The transition to new recording media is a very big step for any broadcaster, and Panasonic, with its unique P2 format, provides a perfect solution for RAI's requirements. Panasonic P2 is an innovative technology that delivers high-quality video, flexibility across multiple formats, and easy upgrading to accommodate future growth. Besides ensuring outstanding quality, P2 will enable RAI to realise dramatically reduced production costs and ensure reliability, cutting consumable as well as maintenance costs."

PBITS director Jaume Rey added: "The P2 cards are very easy to use and will allow RAI to shoot in various formats and modes on the same camcorder. Furthermore, our five-year warranty programme, in conjunction with five-day turnaround time, gives RAI the assurance that for the next five years, no additional cost will be necessary."

The installed base of P2 recording systems has grown rapidly in Europe and RAI now joins the group of major European broadcasters that have already committed to the Panasonic P2 System. TF1 in France, Canal 4 and CNN Plus in Spain, RTBF in Belgium, and Reuters have all recently followed BSkyB, the BBC, WDR and ZDF, YLE, Teleacras, SIC, and Russia's Channel One in adopting the technology. Panasonic's P2 technology experienced record growth in 2007, far outstripping the industry average and reaching 85% share of the solid-state market.

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