NFL Europe League Selects Panasonic DVCPRO to Equip Teams With Advanced Digital Video Equipment.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2000

Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company announced today that the NFL Europe League (New York, NY) has purchased 67 pieces of DVCPRO and DVCPRO50 equipment, valued at over $700,000, to equip its teams with digital video equipment for training and game analysis applications.

The NFL Europe League, which begins its ninth season on April 21, 2001, has its headquarters in the U.S. to coordinate operations with its parent organization, the National Football League (NFL). The NFL Europe League consists of six teams - Amsterdam Admirals, Barcelona Dragons, Berlin Thunder, Frankfurt Galaxy, Rhein Fire and Scottish Claymores -- with each team playing a 10-week schedule. The top two teams meet in the World Bowl in Amsterdam on June 30th, 2001. The NFL Europe League helps develop the skills of young players so they can compete for positions in the NFL. Currently, 157 players with NFL Europe experience, including NFL stars such as St. Louis Rams' quarterback Kurt Warner and Washington Redskins' quarterback Brad Johnson, are on NFL team rosters.

The 67-piece DVCPRO purchase by NFL Europe includes 12 AJ-D700A 1/2" FIT 3-CCD camcorders, 31 AJ-D940 DVCPRO50 slow-motion players, 24 AJ-D90 DVCPRO50 dockable VTRs as well as 31 PT-L501U SVGA LCD projectors, six BT-S915 9" 16:9/4:3 monitors, six AG-A850 multi-event edit controllers and accessories.

The six NFL Europe teams will use the AJ-D700A camcorders to acquire game and practice footage. The AJ-D940s will be utilized for slow-motion video playback at coaches' viewing stations, and the AJ-D90 will perform recording and dubbing tasks. The 8.4-pound, ultra-bright PT-L501U projectors will display game and practice footage.

"We are delighted to work with Panasonic," said John Beake, Vice President, NFL Player Development, and Managing Director, NFL Europe League Football Operations. "Our coaches and video directors are very excited to implement this cutting-edge technology and equipment into their operations."

Warren Allgyer, President, Panasonic Broadcast, said, "Our compact, lightweight DVCPRO camcorders and VTRs are ruggedly built for the fast pace and frequent travel of professional football. We are delighted that the six NFL Europe teams have joined the growing list of professional sports teams to select the DVCPRO format for their training needs."

Panasonic's Emmy Award-winning DVCPRO format is the industry's standard for digital acquisition and recording, and the most rapidly adopted professional video format in history. Currently, nine NFL teams are utilizing Panasonic DVCPRO50 or DVCPRO to meet their demanding video requirements.

From 480 interlace to HDTV, DVCPRO has ENG, EFP and studio production tools within a single extensible format - from 25Mbps DVCPRO to 50Mbps DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO50 Progressive to DVCPRO HD high definition.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading supplier of broadcast, professional digital video and presentation products and systems. Panasonic Broadcast is a division company of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, the principal North America subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC), one of the world's leading producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, access the company's web site at www.panasonic.com/broadcast.