Panasonic launches the world's first smallest MPEG2 SD video camera in credit card size

Using SD memory cards as a storage media, the D-snap series is a line of advanced mobile AV products that offers a new lifestyle concept under the slogan ' Snap-View-Fun'.

'The D-snap series, based on SD memory card has received overwhelming response in the Middle East market. Witnessed with the launch of SV-AV20 where the products were sold out from all the outlets in a matter of days following the promotion of D-snap in Tomb Raider 2 movie. We expect this concept of D-snap series of product to become a popular hit among our younger target audience', said Atsushi Hinoki, General Manager, Advertising & PR, Panasonic Marketing Middle East FZE.

The SD Memory Card is a revolutionary storage medium that is transforming the world of consumer electronics. Offering ultra-portability, high-speed data transmission, and huge storage capacity, the SD Memory Card enables consumers to put their favourite music, motion video, digital photos and other data onto a tiny card and take their digital files virtually anywhere. Panasonic has recently introduced a wide range of sleek, trendy SD-enabled products, as part of the D-snap series, that include digital still cameras, digital camcorders, voice-recorders and music players that are stylish and easy to use.

'We have further enhanced the functionality of the SD memory cards by developing a 1GB card that boasts of a transfer rate of 20 MB per second, twice as fast as the current SD cards', added Hinoki. Panasonic intends to extend the use of the postage stamp-sized SD card by introducing compact, fashionable and mobile AV products that further appeal to the younger generation'

The SV-AV100 is currently the world's smallest and lightest video camera and the first of it's kind to enable recording in MPEG2 format, using SD Memory Cards. This ultra-compact 'credit-card size' video camera can be switched between MPEG2, which is the same format as DVD Video format and MPEG4 for video email. The camera is fitted with an optical 10x zoom with high-quality lens technology to deliver high picture quality.

The video camera's 2.5 inch free-angle LCD monitor can be swivelled for comfortable playback viewing to facilitate shooting from a variety of angles including taking self-shots. It can record still JPEG pictures and has a handy feature for casual 'memo-style' snapshots. The SV-AV100 can also be connected to a TV for large-screen viewing enjoyment of video recordings and offers playlist playback, thumbnail display editing capability and accidental overwrite protection. *

'Panasonic's new product range is aimed at the fashion-conscious youth-centred market, by providing a new style of communication based on convenient, casual enjoyment of images and music. We have recently introduced the world's slimmest, Multi Camera device, the SV-AS10 that also functions as a Motion JPEG video camera, music player and voice recorder. Its slim 9.9mm body can easily into a pocket for everyday-anywhere-any-time snapshot convenience. The AS10 enables also users to shoot Motion JPEG video with sound, making its ideal for capturing live sports matches and events' added Hinoki.

The AS10 offers user-friendly and fun to-use features like the Jog Ball that makes finding and displaying photos easy and effortless. At the touch of a button, the image can be turned 180 degrees so a person facing the camera can see it, and the lens can be turned to take photos of oneself with friends. The jog ball can also magnify a selected portion of playback using the Target zoom function.

Proving its high flexibility, the AS10 enables users to convert pictures to black and white or sepia tone, without a PC. Images can be stored on DVD or Hard disk, without the use of a cable. The camera can also be used to capture night landscapes, by using the night mode and built-in flash.

As a music player, it handles Windows Media Player (WMA), MP3 and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) music data formats and offers long continuous playback capability of up to about 10 hours using the supplied battery. The multi-camera also has built-in speakers and stereo earphones with remote control, which enables users to operate the camera shutter and music playback by remote control.

The AS10's SD-Jukebox version 4.0 software, enables users to transfer music from a CD or from Internet downloads, by using a PC. Also included is the SD Viewer version 2.1 software for convenient management of images on memory cards. The multi-camera also has a voice function for voice recordings.

Panasonic will be participating in Dubai Gitex 2003, along with its UAE sole distributor Panatech Engineering and Oman National Electronics, part of the Al Futtaim Group.