Panasonic’s i-Pro security cameras provide professional surveillance at the Vancouver Olympic games

Set in the diverse landscape of the west coast of Canada, Vancouver plays host to the XXI Olympic Winter Games in 2010. The Olympic Games have been a successful global sporting event since 1896 when the first ever Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. The Olympic Winter Games were not far behind as the Games started in Chamonix in 1924 covering sports from speed skating to ice hockey.

Panasonic's relationship started with the 1984 Olympic Games when the company provided the professional sound system and large screen video displays for the Los Angeles main stadium. This relationship has since progressed extensively and Panasonic became a member of The Olympic Partners (TOP) programme in 1987. TOP is a group of worldwide marketing partners who provide financial support as well as products and services which are vital to the staging of the Olympic Games. Panasonic's exclusive product category is audio and video equipment, AV recording media, AV security equipment and car multimedia. Panasonic also has marketing rights to digital cameras.

During the run up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, Panasonic has provided equipment such as 86 WS - LA3 RAMSA speakers for the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, a 42m2 Astrovision large-screen display during the Richmond Winter festival and a 79m2 Astrovision display screen for the IBU world cup biathlon at Whistler Olympic Park. These products were used for test events and count down events demonstrating Panasonic's support to the celebrated event.

Home to such sports as figure skating, short track speed skating and speed skating, the Pacific Coliseum located in Hastings Park is one of the largest venues for Vancouver 2010. With a capacity of 14,200 people, this venue will attract huge crowds of spectators to some of the most popular events. Located 840 meters above sea level in stunning snow-capped surroundings, the Whistler Olympic Park has a capacity of 12,000 in each of the three stadiums. It is the first time that the biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic Combined and ski jumping has ever been played at the same venue in Olympic Games history. The Richmond Olympic Oval can hold up to 7,600 spectators and is the venue for the speed skating competition for next years Winter Games. This specifically built stadium was completed December 2008 and after the Winter Games has taken place will become an International Centre of Excellence for Sports and Wellness.

Panasonic provided several i-Pro network CCTV cameras for use throughout the Olympic venues

Panasonic will supply the Vancouver 2010 venues with Astrovision and Professional Plasma Display equipment, AV security equipment, infra-red wireless system systems and RAMSA sound systems. RAMSA (Research for Advanced Music Sound and Acoustics) is a range of revolutionary products aimed to enhance audio spaces. One of the main benefits of RAMSA is the ability to tailor make the sound system to the venue which allows for the best sound quality possible. The infra-red wireless microphone incorporates the progressive infra-red technology eliminating interception, so when the wireless microphones are used individually they do not conflict with each other and causes of interference, therefore enhancing the quality of sound. A total of 12 systems are being used to enhance communication between workforces.

Astrovision is a fully integrated LED large screen solution intended to provide easily viewable displays at large events and attractions. Panasonic's Astrovision is recognised as reproducing one of the highest colour images with 1 billion colours, full 10-bit colour gradation and its proprietary image-enhancing technology, the LED's can withstand wide variations in temperature which guarantees uninterrupted coverage, even in the freezing conditions. Approximately 2500 plasma televisions will be supplied to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games including the famous 103" Professional Plasma Display. Panasonic's leading plasma technology produces exceptional quality images and the equipment supports the essential transmission to millions of viewers around the world. Panasonic Professional Plasmas are versatile & flexible which is essential for such a world renowned event on such a large scale. The display combines high-quality colour performance with a variety of connection options, resulting in a tailored ‘all-in-one' solution.

Panasonic have also provided i-Pro network CCTV cameras throughout the Olympic venues. The i-Pro series is a range professional IP security products providing high quality across the complete system enhancing efficiency and reliability. The WV-NW484S model, used mostly throughout, is a vandal resistant static IP dome camera featuring super dynamic technology which delivers 128x dynamic range natural contrast image correction. The vandal resistant property of the camera is achieved through a toughened polycarbonate hemisphere and heavy duty steel casing. The camera is IP66 rated which allows it to be used extreme weather conditions such as those exposed in the Winter Games. The camera also features auto back focus for easy set up, MPEG-4 and JPEG dual stream output for simultaneous live monitoring and high resolution recording. The day and night function allows the camera to automatically adjust to the light conditions. Other cameras which are featured are the external WV-NW964 and internal  WV-NS954 IP PTZ dome cameras.

Panasonic also provided RAMSA speakers for the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships

The images captured by the WV-NW484S are recorded onto a WJ-ND400 network disk recorder (NDR). This NDR is able to record up to 64 cameras in real time and includes a large storage capacity allowing images to be retained for longer. It is a stable platform with embedded hardware which increases the reliability and performance of the system. The software helps support the viewing and recording of the images by enhancing the user experience by incorporating site maps, joystick control and multi screen viewing. Other features include alarm pop-up notification alerting the operator of any intruders or activity that wouldn't have otherwise been noticed and also control of the NDR. These products together create an all round AV security systems solution for one of the world's most prestigious sporting competitions.

The eco-friendly theme of the event is supported by Panasonic's products. Panasonic's world wide Eco Ideas strategies main ideas are: prevention of global warming, effective utilisation of resources and management of chemical substances. The environmental performance of Panasonic's AV security equipment, including the i-Pro series is steadily improving. IP cameras, compared to Analogue cameras have reduced C02 emissions by 42%*, likewise NDRs have a reduced C02 emissions by 33%* compared with the DVRs (Digital Video Recorders). Panasonic have also eliminated both lead and mercury from plasma displays and are releasing a new NeoPDP (plasma display panel) which for the same level of luminance, consumes up to less than half the power of models manufactured only 2 years ago.

In 2007 Panasonic renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) until the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Panasonic is proud to have this relationship with the Olympic Games and is looking forward to providing support for the future Olympic Games.

* Reductions in CO2 emissions have been calculated based on the comparison of greenhouse gas emissions (kg-CO2) (defined as the CO2 emissions of the materials used, transportation of products and power consumption during product use) of the WJ-NP304 Network Camera and the WJ-ND200 Network Disc Recorder against those of older models. The older models of such products are surveillance cameras from 2000 and digital disk recorders from 2004.