Panasonic Now Shipping 16GB P2 Cards

June 13, 2007 – Panasonic is now shipping 16GB P2 cards. The AJ-P2C016RG storage cards, which retail for $900 (MSRP), double the highest capacity of current offerings. With two 16GB cards in the AG-HVX200 camcorder, users would be able record 32 minutes of uninterrupted DVCPRO HD footage.

 

The 16GB P2 card is, in essence, four SD cards fused into a single package, working at a higher transfer speed. Panasonic has been pushing P2 cards for several years now as the tapeless media of choice for broadcast, competing with Sony’s XDCAM. P2 cards, which are applicable in a growing number of pro-level camcorders, were slow to catch on due to high initial cost. Panasonic has worked to counter that argument by citing its speed, reusability, and weather-resistance.

 

When outfitted with a full array of 16GB P2 cards, the five-slot AJ-HPX2000 ($27,000 MSRP) is capable of capturing 200 minutes of 720/24pN DVCPRO HD or 80 minutes of 1080i/720p in DVCPRO HD. The more prosumer-friendly AG-HVX200, which can be found for a little over $5000 in stores, has two P2 card slots. This allows for 32 minutes of DVCPRO HD, 64 minutes of DVCPOR 50, and 128 minutes of DVCPRO capture time. However, the new 16GB cards are only compatible with HVX200 models that have a serial number beginning with E7xxx0001. Other models and products can receive a free firmware upgrade at the Panasonic Broadcast site.

 

Panasonic also stated in the press release that the long-awaited 32MB P2 cards will be available by the end of this year at a cost of $1800. The 16GB P2 cards are available now.