Panasonic’s Next Generation Broadcast System DVCPRO P2 Series Receives Worldwide Endorsement by TV Stations and Broadcast Groups

Nine stations adopt and 12 stations jointly develop production system using Panasonic’s solid-state memory-based P2 technology

LAS VEGAS, Nev (April 18, 2004) - Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (NYSE: MC), best known for its Panasonic - brand products, today announced that nine broadcasters in four countries have adopted Panasonic’s DVCPRO Professional Plug-in (P2) Series, the solid state memory-based professional video product. This is the first adoption of DVCPRO P2 Series by TV stations and broadcast groups. P2 products will be launched in the market worldwide starting this April. Many TV stations and broadcast groups recognize the P2 series as promising advanced products. Twelve broadcasters, in six countries, have agreed to collaborate on the development of a TV broadcast production system based on Panasonic’s DVCPRO P2 technology. Panasonic expects to deliver 2,000 units in 2004, including a trial introduction.

Through cooperation with other manufacturers, Panasonic plans to introduce the DVCPRO P2 series worldwide and enhance digital networking in the next generation broadcast equipment.

Broadcasters which will adopt the P2 series include:
USA: NY1, Media General, Scripps, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Liberty
Brazil: TV Bandeirantes
France: RFO (Réseau France Outremer)
China: Harbin TV, Daqing TV Station

Joint-development partners include:
USA: CBS, FOX, RAYCOM Media,
UK: BBC, ITN, Reuters
Germany: ZDF, MDR
France: TF1
Spain: Sogecable
China: China Central Television (CCTV), Beijing TV

The Panasonic DVCPRO P2 series is a next generation IT news gathering system that uses the P2 card as recording media. Based on Panasonic’s SD Memory Card technology, P2 cards have high capacity and high-speed data transfer rates. Not only does it maintain true format compatibility with current DVCPRO equipment, the DVCPRO P2 series offers IT-oriented solutions with P2 card - compatible standard PC card slots. P2 cards have no moving parts, which means they offer the toughness and reliability required in the news gathering environment, including vibration or repetitive shocks. Panasonic is releasing five models of the DVCPRO P2 series, 4GB and 2GB memory cards, camera recorders, recorders and card drives starting in April 2004. The P2 series will be exhibited at NAB2004, the world's largest electronic media show, to be held in Las Vegas from April 19th to 22nd.