Panasonic “E” Series P2 Cards

Panasonic’s “E” Series P2 Cards which were schedlued to be released in May 2009 are still not shipping. Panasonic Japan now says aprox arrival in the USA is August. The price point is less than half of the cost of the standard P2 Cards but according to Panasonic, quality will absolutely not be compromised.

Barry Green, moderator at DVXUSER.com, with the inside scoop from Panasonic says, “I have been assured that the reliability is absolutely identical. Panasonic’s entire marketing campaing, their whole message, is on “reliability”. The only change is in the lifespan of the memory cells, and even then it’s not a change, it’s an additional option: because the “A” series cards are still available for those who need them.”

Panasonic announced a new line of P2 solid-state memory cards designed to significantly reduce the cost of the P2 file based workflow. Available starting this May, the new E-Series includes 16GB (model AJ-P2E016X), 32GB (model AJ-P2E032X) and 64GB (model AJ-P2E064X) P2 memory cards, which provide superior quality recording for an average of five years of normal operation.

Recognized as the industry’s leading solid-state recording solution, Panasonic’s P2 solid-state memory cards ensure highly reliable, video, audio, and metadata recording in any environment, especially in challenging conditions of extreme temperature range, shock, and vibration.

Incorporating a newly-developed technology, E-Series P2 cards transfer recorded content at even higher speeds (up to 1.2Gbps) than current longer life models. Built with an aluminum die cast casing, P2 cards provide superior durability compared to plastic-based memory cards.

The new E-Series P2 cards are designed to provide highly reliable content recording over a number of years. When recorded once daily, at full capacity (100%), the cards are reusable for up to five years; when used at half capacity (50%), the cards will continue to record for up to 10 years. A notification is given (in the camcorder’s LCD/viewfinder or the card reader’s display) as the card approaches the end of its life cycle. Details of the card’s capacity and life can also be displayed and tracked on a computer via the P2 formatter software (available for download on www.panasonic.com/broadcast).

P2 cards allow professional users to benefit from a fast, easy, file-based workflow and exceptional reliability. Since P2 acquisition requires no media consumption like tape or optical disc, it results in tremendous savings in media costs. The P2 card can be connected instantly to laptop and desktop PCs and is supported by major non-linear editing systems. For connection to laptops with ExpressCard slots or desktop computers, professionals can utilize compatible third party PC card-to-ExpressCard adapters (Duel Systems DuelAdapter) or the Panasonic’s AJ-PCD35 P2 solid-state memory card drive.

Panasonic’s complete press release lives here