Panasonic to Showcase 3D at Winter Games

11.20.2009

Speedskating was among the many events covered with Panasonic P2 gear at the 2006 Torino Games.

Panasonic announced this week that it will sponsor a corporate pavilion at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver showcasing 3D technology.

The company, which is the official supplier of professional video gear to the Games, will set up its 700 square-meter Panasonic Full HD 3D Theater at Vancouver’s official live site throughout the Games. Sports and entertainment stereoscopic full HD 3D images will be shown in movie-theater like quality in the pavilion. Available video will include visuals of Panasonic’s Full HD 3D technology, home theatre set and soundbites. The company did not indicate whether any of its material would be from the Vancouver Games, however it has shown 3D footage of the Beijing Olympics in recent trade show demonstrations.

Panasonic said Vancouver marks its largest ever equipment supply for the Winter Games, the first ever all-HD Winter Olympics. In addition, HD video will also be used for the first time for the LED Large Screen Display Systems in the competition venues and BC Place Stadium where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place. At the Stadium in downtown Vancouver, Panasonic will install three LED video screens with a total display area of 243 square meters (approximately 1.4x the size used in the Torino 2007y Main Stadium).

Panasonic said it will supply over 800 pieces of broadcasting equipment, including 600 monitors, 16 switchers and 50 P2HD cameras and 150 P2HD/DVCPRO HD recorders to the venues. The 2010 Winter Games is the ninth Olympic Games in which Panasonic digital technology has been used as the recording format.

The company will also provide high-quality picture and high-sensitivity surveillance camera systems for the indoor and outdoor Olympics facilities, surrounding areas and highways as well as, for the first time, an H.264-based HD Conference System to link the two Athletes Villages in Vancouver and Whistler.