Japanese public broadcaster NHK has officially adopted the Panasonic DVCPRO HD format for use within the organization and will take delivery of 201 camera-recorders and VTRs in August.
The new units (124 AJ-HDX900 camera-recorders and 77 AJ-HD1400 recorders) will be used for NHK local high-definition production. The introduction of DVCPRO technology is part of NHK's plans for moving away from analog broadcasting, which is slated to end in 2011.
NHK established a competitive procurement program and the Panasonic DVCPRO HD products were selected for several reasons, including the ability to record in 11 HD formats and with a wide range of interfaces to enable ease of editing with existing nonlinear equipment.
Panasonic first placed the DVCPRO series of high-definition equipment on the market in 2000 and the company has shipped more than 10,000 units to date.
