Thomson announces joint technology agreement with Panasonic, endorses SD

In support of high-speed digital news production tools, reduced maintenance costs and in response to broadcasters' increased demand for IT-based network and PC compatible solutions, Thomson announced at IBC2003 that it endorses the solid-state SD memory initiative announced by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. (parent of Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems) earlier this year.

The Panasonic P2 card will be integrated into several Thomson Grass Valley products, including the M-Series iVDR devices.

During an IBC press conference, the two companies outlined plans to accelerate delivery of products and end-to-end workflows that leverage solid-state memory through a joint development effort.

Solid-state technology, also known as Flash memory, has become a leading standard for compact, portable, high-capacity storage, and is now being successfully adapted for broadcast use in applications that require recorded media and demand rugged portability, durability and the need for a more efficient workflow.

Already, several major networks and station groups in the United States are underscoring their support for this innovative, flexible memory technology.

"Thomson's announcement of their plans to design SD memory technology into their current and future digital news products is a positive step toward an open system approach for this technology,” said Dave Folsom, vice president of technology for Raycom Media, which owns or operates 40 U.S. television stations.

As part of the multifaceted joint agreement, Thomson will integrate the Panasonic P2 card, its solid-state SD memory technology into its current generation Grass Valley digital news production products and M-Series iVDR devices.

According to Thomson, the solid-state SD memory card technology from Panasonic offers immediate access to data, compatibility with the DV standard on which many of today's digital news equipment is based, virtually eliminates maintenance costs and offers scalable future migration to HD.

According to Thomson, the solid-state SD memory card technology from Panasonic offers immediate access to data, compatibility with the DV standard on which many of today's digital news equipment products are based, virtually eliminates maintenance costs and offers scalable future migration to HD.

Through their strategic agreement, Thomson and Panasonic are taking the initiative to provide the worldwide broadcast industry compatible P2 series, solid-state memory-based products and workflows by collaborating on a complete end-to-end workflow that leverages all of the advantages of the SD memory technology.

Ultimately, this next-generation workflow will make digital news acquisition and production as easy as removing a P2 card from a camera/recorder, inserting it into an iVDR for storage and playout or immediately sliding it into the Grass Valley NewsEdit nonlinear editing system for digital news production.