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nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CANON BROADCAST LENSES TO CAPTURE ACTION OF THE OLYMPIC
GAMES IN ATHENS
Optics Leader Exclusive Supplier of Lenses to NBC for All
Olympic Games Through 2008
LAS VEGAS (NAB2004,
Booth # SU9649), April 13, 2004 — The anticipated
return of the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece will have
viewers from around the world tuned in for each spectacular
moment. Whether the event is swimming or pole-vaulting,
lighting the torch or awarding a gold medal, Canon broadcast
lenses will be used exclusively by NBC Olympics to capture
each moment, as it unfolds. Canon U.S.A. will also be providing
on-site technical support throughout the duration of the
Games. The 2004 Olympic Games represent the fifth consecutive
all-Canon Olympics for NBC, a tradition of superb optics
and dependability that will continue through 2008.
"We're relying very heavily on Canon technology, which
has always performed flawlessly for us," said David
Mazza, senior vice president of engineering, NBC Olympics.
"NBC Olympics puts a tremendous amount of effort into
connecting our viewers to the athletes through storytelling,
and much of it begins in the front element of a Canon lens."
NBC's HDTV and SDTV coverage of the XXVIII Olympiad in
Athens, from August 13-29, will be its most ambitious yet,
more than tripling the total amount of coverage from the
2000 Sydney Games and providing 24-hour, around-the-clock
coverage for the first time in history. The network will
be using Canon HD and SD-ready lenses such as the groundbreaking
DIGISUPER 100xs, DIGISUPER 86xs and DIGISUPER 75xs long
lenses, plus e-IFxs ENG/EFP lenses including the Canon HJ22ex7.6B
model, and the wide-angle J11ex4.5B model.
"We're very excited about breaking the triple-digit
barrier for the first time with the Canon 100xs," added
Mazza. "It will bring the viewers even closer to the
athletes and competition. Plus, where there is HD programming
from Athens, the optical quality the Canon lenses will be
that much more critical."
Despite the daunting workload, which will have NBC broadcasting
more than three times the amount of programming as they
did during the Sydney Olympic Games, Canon's deep experience
with Olympic coverage gives Mazza an added measure of confidence.
"We have the ease of knowing that no matter what is
being captured, Canon's lenses will provide only the highest
quality optics required to record each significant moment,"
noted Mazza. "Canon knows what we need to get our jobs
done. They are very in tune with how we work, and having
the support structure of a great technology partner like
Canon makes everything easier for us."
"There's a tremendous amount of history here, and
being back in the birthplace of the Games will result in
some very powerful images," concluded David Mazza.
"That's all the more reason to know you have a reliable
product out there in the field. Canon broadcast lenses have
always come through."
See the full line of Canon products throughout NAB2004
at Booth #SU9649, Las Vegas Convention Center.
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 BusinessWeek 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, and other marks, 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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