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nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CANON LENSES POSITIONED AS QUALITY STANDARD AND LEADER IN
HD MOBILE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION
Canon chosen as lens of choice by virtually every HD mobile
unit built in 2003 including Dome Productions, Game Creek,
NCP, NEP, NMT, Turner Networks, and Western Mobile
LAS VEGAS (NAB 2004,
Booth # SU9649), April 12, 2004 - As High Definition sports
and entertainment production rapidly proliferates, Canon
lenses are behind the scenes and setting the standard for
quality in mobile production. Last year, Canon lenses were
chosen to outfit 12 of the 13 mobile HD trucks in development
nationwide. With products onboard 17 trucks in total and
more scheduled for 2004, Canon has become well established
as the leading force in HD production and the de facto standard
in the industry.
Fast-expanding truck fleets and an increased number of
sports and entertainment events being produced in HD on
a daily basis by major players such as ABC, CBS, ESPN, NBC,
Turner, VOOM, and YES Network, are testament to the growth
and wide acceptance of the HD format. Production companies
are ramping up to meet this demand and utilizing the latest
technology, including Canon's advanced HD lenses, to ensure
the highest quality.
"Sports and entertainment is some of the most-watched
programming on TV, so mobile production provides a lot of
people's first taste of HD," said Jerry Gepner, president
of NMT. "Canon has always provided not only an excellent
product but superior service. Another thing that we have
found, and NMT has been providing HD facilities since 1998,
during that time Canon has always taken the time to share
not just product information but core knowledge on HD with
us. That's important, because as the technology evolves,
everyone has to learn together."
NEP Supershooters has made Canon lenses a foundation for
years, including the transition to HD.
"The overwhelming majority of NEP's lenses are from
Canon," said George Hoover, senior vice president of
NEP. "Image quality, reliability, service and support
are all critical in selecting lenses for field work. Canon
rates a 10 in each of these categories."
Canon is also a cornerstone for the growing fleet at Western
Mobile Television Group.
"Canon HD lenses fit perfectly into our 11-truck Mobile
Group because they are totally compatible with SD lenses,"
said Philip Garvin, owner and president of Western Mobile.
"And Canon's great service and quality continues to
be the dominant factor for us."
Today, Canon lenses are traveling the country with nationally
known truck vendors such as Dome Productions, Game Creek,
NCP, NEP, NMT, Turner Networks, and Western Mobile. The
17-truck fleet represents the vast majority of HD trucks
that have been built or are being built, with the completed
trucks already carrying an array of over 150 Canon HD lenses
between them.
The outstanding service and support of Canon is another
key factor in moving mobile HD production to the next level.
"We've been using Canon lenses for 15 years, and we've
never seen a reason to change," said Mike Mundt, manager
of NCP. "The proof of a company is how they respond
when there's a need for service. If a lens gets beat up
and we have to send it back, how fast do they respond? Canon's
always been very responsive. The image quality has always
been tremendous, as well. Canon has always had dramatically
better stuff -- that's why we've stuck with them all these
years."
Each unit is exclusively Canon, giving viewers the best
look possible for top-priority sporting events, as well
as high-profile entertainment productions including the
76th Annual Academy Awards. With life-like imagery and industry-leading
innovation that includes the world's first triple-digit
zoom lens, the DIGI SUPER 100xs model, Canon glass has become
the definitive look of HDTV sports and entertainment.
With remote trucks emerging as the driving force for HDTV's
fast development, Canon imagery has now become synonymous
with HD production.
"Based on their experience, plus input from their
customers, major TV truck vendors know that Canon is the
lens of choice," says Gordon Tubbs, assistant director,
broadcast and communications division at Canon U.S.A., Inc,
a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). "The great
majority of vendors have voiced that they prefer Canon lenses
for the high quality optics and support, as well as the
image they want to convey for themselves: that they have
the best of the best."
Canon's DIGI SUPER 100xs, DIGI SUPER 86xs lens and DIGI
SUPER XJ75xs lens feature HD precision and heightened long-range
zoom capabilities that have made Canon a symbol of excellence
in sports and entertainment production. All of Canon's long
lenses are equipped with the same built-in Optical Image
Stabilizer, or Shift-IS system, that helped the 86xs transform
production content, allowing directors to capture dramatic,
high impact long shots and deliver them shake-free to the
viewing audience.
ENG/EFP HD lenses from Canon, such as the popular HJ21ex7.8B
IRSD lens and super-wide HJ11ex4.7B IRSD lens, as well as
studio lenses, also come equipped with the latest enhanced
Digital Drive controls. Taking advantage of advanced ergonomics
and personalization technology, Canon's Digital Drive brings
operators a highly useful group of functions. The main features
include Speed Preset, Shuttle Shot, Framing Preset, Zoom
Mode Select, improved maximum zoom, focus servo speed, and
a host of additional advanced features.
For more information, please call Canon broadcast and communications
division at
1-800-321-4388.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business,
and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed
as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and
is ranked #39 on the Business Week list of "Top 100
Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is
a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall
in the U.S. in 2003, with global revenues of $29.9 billion.
For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.
# # #
All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective
owners.
EDITORS Please note corporate contact information for this
division:
For more information, please call Canon broadcast and communications
division at 1-800-321-4388 or visit www.canonbroadcast.com.
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