The Next Big Thing: Panini HD Provides a High-Definition View of Collecting’s Future

LAS VEGAS -- Turns out the revolution will be televised. On Monday at the 2011 Industry Summit, Panini America CEO Mark Warsop provided a room packed with more than 150 sports collectibles retailers a sneak preview of collecting's next big thing: Panini HD, the industry's first video trading card.

LAS VEGAS — Turns out the revolution will be televised.

On Monday at the 2011 Industry Summit, Panini America CEO Mark Warsop provided a room packed with more than 150 sports collectibles retailers a sneak preview of collecting’s next big thing: Panini HD, the industry’s first video trading card.

Every Panini HD card produced will be a must-see piece of innovative technological wizardry, a scarce card equipped with an autograph and high-definition video footage of that very card being signed and hand-numbered by the player on it. Each card has the capability to hold up to several minutes of video footage that will also include exclusive player interviews and possibly game highlights.

“As you can imagine, there’s no better way of authenticating an autographed card than showing you the player signing that card, showing you the player numbering that card and that footage being featured on that specific card,” Warsop said. “I can’t think of any way that you can authenticate a hand-signed trading card any better than that.

“These will be super high-tech cards and they will be limited in number.”

They will also feature only the biggest superstars in the sports world, beginning with Panini-exclusive athletes such as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, John Wall . . . and a soon-to-be-announced new addition. (More details on that announcement are forthcoming.)

Although plans for exactly which products Panini HD will appear in are still being developed, Warsop did tell Summit attendees that the cards will be surprise additions. He also offered this nugget:

“We’re going to do this out of our marketing budget so the integrity of the product isn’t weakened in any way,” Warsop noted. “This will be an added bonus.”

To see what else Warsop had to say about upcoming innovations, watch this short, revealing video:

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24 Replies to “The Next Big Thing: Panini HD Provides a High-Definition View of Collecting’s Future”

  1. Pingback: Anonymous
  2. Dude…! I was actually thinking that this would be the next major step in trading cards. Y’know, Harry Potter-style. I’m stoked to see how these eventually become incorporated into the industry in the future!

  3. All. Over. These.

    I only see NBA names mentioned right now so let me ask, no BEG, specifically for hockey enthusiasts to get some made of their guys.

    You said only the biggest superstars in the sports world?

    I know one little Panini fan who would go bonkers if made one of a certain Los Angeles Kings player that wears # 11……………a player that is on the cusp of superstardom on a franchise that is a shoo-in as a perennial NHL Powerhouse.

    Love this idea, hope it comes to fruition for my son’s guy. 😉

  4. Wow… incredible. I’m very interested to know how scarce these will be. I mean, geeze.. a video card. This is absolutely spectactular, and I can only hope to pull one. Great stuff so far, and this is week-long event? What else could be more exciting? One question though.. how will these be powered? If battery powered, please tell me the owner will be able to replace them so we enjoy watching our favorite player sign these for years, not just a month or two.

    1. The cards will come equipped with a mini USB port for recharging. Essentially, they’re timeless. Please reserve judgment until you see these things. They are spectacular.

  5. I think this is just gone too far. I collect cards for years and I love new cards but at some point it has to stop, cards are supposed to be cards not tv. It just crossed the line for me.

    Does you guys have think about envirronemental consequences ? Those cards will be, one day, toss away just like we did toss away our old 90’s cards. With all the electronics componants like the battery, the HD screen ect, will they do damages ? A paper card will end up by degrading themshelf but those cards ?

  6. just another reason that proves Panini is leading the competition when it comes Trading Cards. Even though it is an electronic item, FINALLY something different! Great work, I’ll be watching eBay like a hawk once they get released and some folks bust them and end up listing them for sale. lol

  7. Not sure that Panini could have done any more for dealers… or collectors, with their announcements at The Industry Summit. Just what the industry needed. Our full view here: “Your Next Rookie Card May Have an Autograph… and So Much More. ” http://bit.ly/e1383i

  8. Why not cards with a USB connector so they can be played on a computer? I would really go for cards with a highlight reel or something embedded in a flash chip with a retractable usb plug.

  9. So why not just go to youtube to watch videos? Seriously this is definitely not for me. Some may love the idea and that is fine but I want hockey cards not hockey e-readers.

  10. I admit this is pretty cool. I wonder why they haven’t thought of doing Augmented Reality NBA cards yet. I bet they would be cheaper to manufacture than these HD Video trading cards and are as equally cool

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