The HPX2000s replaced tape-based digital cameras, which were aging out after close to 10 years of service. “Once we moved to P2, the difference in the quality of video was night and day,” said Cardinals’ Video Director Rob Brakel. “Image quality has improved 1000%, as has our workflow.”

The Cardinals use the HPX2000s in conjunction with the DVSport GameDay editing and data analysis software package, and exchange game videos over the NFL’s file-based CGE Exchange network. 

During practices and games, one HPX2000 shoots from the 50-yard line, and the second is placed in the end zone behind the goal. Both camcorders are fixed on tripods and are equipped with Fujinon XA17x7.6BRM ENG-style HD lenses.

Brakel said he typically equips each five-slot HPX2000 with three 16 or 32GB P2 cards. “During the middle of a practice, we’ll take out two cards and upload each play into the DVSport system,” he said. “By the time the coaches are off the field, practice is up and running on the DVSport computers.”

The team maintains nine meeting rooms with more than 20 viewing stations for the Cardinals’ 16 coaches and six scouts.

"We've teamed our DVSport systems with P2 camcorders to great success throughout the NFL and NCAA," said Brian Lowe, president, DVSport. "The integration is such that customers can ingest video at 5X real time, and edit and play back immediately. Partnering P2 acquisition with DVSport software allows a new, all-digital workflow, removes tape from the equation, saves valuable time, and has improved the overall quality of the video."

 During game play, Brakel utilizes the HPX2000s’ IEEE 1394 output to record to a hard drive on a laptop, recording simultaneously on P2 cards as back-up and switching out the cards at half-time. He keeps the HPG20 on hand as a safety recorder. “We love the ability to shoot to the laptop: it’s helped us tremendously in terms of efficiency,” he noted.

“Because the HPG20’s HD/SD-SDI input terminal gives us the flexibility of recording from such a wide range of video sources, during a game we could record from our  opponent’s source if we encountered a problem,” Brakel said, “or conversely, we can make the P2 Portable available to our opponent, a situation we’ve already run into this season.”

“We always activate the HPX2000s’ five-second pre-roll during a game in case we miss a quick snap or late start,” he continued. “At away games, we export the entire game from the game-day laptop to each one of the coaches’ laptops so they can watch the footage and break it down on the flight home. It’s instant gratification for them.”

“Transitioning to the HPX2000s has dramatically minimized how much gear with have to carry around,” Brakel said. “The quality of the product is awesome, and our coaches have really taken note of it.”

About the AJ-HPX2000

The AJ-HPX2000 P2 HD shoulder-mount camcorder integrates native HD progressive 2/3" 3-CCD performance with the ultra-high reliability and speed of P2 solid-state recording. As one of the most flexible, full production-quality cameras available, the AJ-HPX2000 records pristine high-quality images in over 30 HD and SD formats ranging from 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i and 576i. With the AVC-Intra codec option board (AJ-YBX200G), the AJ-HPX2000 can deliver 10-bit, 4:2:2 master-quality video for outstanding video production and news acquisition. For more information on the HPX2000, visit www.panasonic.com/P2HD.

About Panasonic Broadcast

Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading supplier of broadcast and professional video products and systems.  Panasonic Broadcast is a Unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.  For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, visit www.panasonic.com/broadcast.

About DVSport, Inc

DVSport, Inc. is a software company based in Pittsburgh, PA specializing in digital video acquisition, analysis, and play-back software designed specifically for coaches, scouts, players, and officials in the sports market.  With over 1,000+ systems deployed, DVSport has a strong customer base that spans the professional and intercollegiate sports markets. Additionally, DVSport is the leader in providing instant replay solutions the NCAA football markets and Canadian Football League. Over the last eight years, DVSport has led the way in developing innovative digital video solutions at all levels of competition. DVSport customers use their sport specific custom-designed software products on a daily basis to scout, analyze, review, and teach.  For more information on what DVSport can do for your sport, visit www.dvsport.com.

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