Panasonic announced the delivery of its new AJ-P2C016RG 16GB P2 card that doubles the storage capacity and recording time of its previous P2 solid-state memory card. Available at a suggested list price of US$900, the reusable 16GB P2 card now offers P2 camcorders recording capacity comparable to, and often exceeding, tape and disc-based systems.

A five slot AJ-HPX2000 camcorder can record 200 minutes of native 720/24pN (native, no redundant pulldown) on US$4500 of media. Record time for a 2 slot AG-HVX200 increases 32 minutes on US$1800 worth of media. The four slot AG-HPX500, also released today, can record up to 160 minutes of 720/24pN. Record times for 30 fps or any of the 1080i formats would be considerably less.

The enhanced capacity 16GB P2 Card is compatible with all AG-HPX500 recorders and with

Unfortunately, not all P2-capable camcorders can use the new cards. AG-HVX200 camcorders with a serial number beginning with E7xxx0001. The 16GB P2 Card is also compatible with AJ-PCD20 drive beginning with the serial number E7xxx0001. Other P2 HD and P2 camcorders and products can be upgraded via a free, downloadable firmware upgrade. Visit Panasonic Broadcast's website for more details.

Panasonic also announced that its 32GB P2 card would be available by year-end at a price of $1,800, effectively quadrupling the storage capacity of its previous P2 card.