The Panasonic Authoring Center Roppongi (PACR) has provided DVD authoring (video editing and programming) services since 2001. By drawing on Panasonic's video editing technologies combined with know-how accumulated by responding to the diverse requests of Japanese content providers such as movie companies and other digital video suppliers, PACR began Blu-ray authoring services in August 2006, well ahead of others in the industry in Japan.
An advanced image compression technology that faithfully reproduces the distinctive and attractive characteristics of original films is essential for Blu-ray authoring. For this, PACR has adopted the MPEG4-AVC High Profile image compression technology developed exclusively for Blu-ray by the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory (PHL). PHL is based in Hollywood, the heart of the movie industry. PACR staff members are well versed in the industry's leading technologies and expertise, which allows them to respond to the sophisticated video needs of Japanese professionals and to promote diverse title production with high-quality images.
With the aim of creating the content that will strike a chord in the hearts of viewers, PACR provides integrated services for not only video encoding (image compression) but also for the production of materials such as menu screens, subtitles, jacket and label pictures, as well as replication (mass production of BD-ROMs) using cutting-edge systems. The content, techniques and quality of these services are highly acclaimed.
PACR presently produces discs of not only movies and videos but also promotional content in high-quality HD. It also offers prompt BD-R/RE disc production. By maximizing the video expertise of the Panasonic Group, PACR will keep delivering the stunning high-definition images that Panasonic is known for, together with various forms of added value.
The birthplace of commercial Japanese-language BD media.
Left: Takao Yanagisawa, PACR director
Right: Yasuo Kano, leader of the ROM Authoring Team
Engineers listen carefully to customer requests and propose the disc specifications that best match the image source.
The source materials such as video, audio, subtitles and menu screens are received. Subtitles, menu screens, etc., can also be produced upon request.
Using the most advanced equipment, experienced professionals perform encoding and authoring.
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The MPEG4-AVC High Profile encoding process |  An MPEG4-AVC High Profile encoder |
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The production process for interactive menu screens |
Emulation or quality check processes are conducted in a preview room equipped with a surround sound system and the latest large-screen plasma displays or projection systems.Various BD player brands are used to verify compatibility.
After the master data is produced, the BD-ROM Manufacturing Department starts mass producing the BD-ROM discs. Here, single-layer and dual-layer BD-ROM discs are manufactured using a unique spin coating method developed by Panasonic.
