Panasonic debuts AG-HPX302 P2 HD Camcorders

Last Updated on Friday, 27 March 2009 00:48 Written by Administrator Thursday, 26 March 2009 07:51

Panasonic debuts AG-HPX302 P2 HD Camcorders, World’s first affordable 10-BIT, 4:2:2 Camera

Innovative Interchangeable Lens, Shoulder-Mount Design Teams with Native 2.2-Megapixel Imagers, AVC-Intra Recording, and 17X lens; Available in Australia in March

Sydney, 12 February, 2009 – Panasonic has unveiled the world’s first affordable professional camcorder with 10-bit, 4:2:2, inpidual frame recording and native 2.2 megapixel imagers. Incorporating an innovative, low profile shoulder mounted design, the 1/3” AG-HPX302 P2 HD camcorder offer the flexibility of interchangeable lenses but come standard with a 17x HD Fujinon lens.

The AG-HPX302 will be available in Australia in March with the suggested list price to be announced closer to the release date.

The AG-HPX302 imager incorporates advanced 1/3” 2.2-megapixel 3-MOS technology to acquire full native resolution HD images. With a redesigned optical block and a high-precision prism bonding technology, these advanced 3-MOS imagers provide exceptional image quality while minimising any flare and chromatic aberration. A new 20-bit digital signal processor (DSP) also enhances the AG-HPX302’s image performance. And because the AG-HPX302 is part of the solid state P2HD family, it offers the security of a five-year warranty program (1 year + 4 additional years with registration), ultimate quality and flexibility in an affordable, full-size HD camcorder.

“Our customers have been asking us for a P2HD camcorder that is positioned between our small handheld models and our shoulder mount models for some time. The AG-HPX302 is that camcorder,” said Mathew Alexander, Product Manager, Panasonic Broadcast Australia.

“By combining the reliability and proven work flows of P2HD with full native 1920 x 1080 HD resolution and the ability to record at a quality level that no other camcorder in its price range can equal, the AG-HPX302 establishes a new benchmark for performance in its category. Professionals no longer need to accept the compromise of 8-bit, long GOP, 4:2:0 recording. The AG-HPX302 will give them master-quality, 10bit, 4:2:2 inpidual frame capture using Panasonic’s awardwinning* AVC-Intra codec. Video professionals will immediately realise that this camera is in a field of its own,” added Mr Alexander.

Delivering the impressive quality of 100Mbps AVC-Intra 100 and 50Mbps AVC-Intra 50, the AG-HPX302 also records inpidual frame images in 100Mbps DVCPRO HD and in standard definition in DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV, which provides faster workflow and less degradation in multigenerational rendering. The AVC-Intra 100 and 50 codecs let you record in a choice of HD video formats: 1080/50i, 1080/25P and 1080/25pN, and 720P with variable frames in 25P, 25pN and 50P. In DVCPRO HD, it records 1080/50i, 1080/25P, 720/50P, 720/25P and 720/25pN. In DVCPRO50/25 and DV, it records 576/50i and 576/50P.

The AG-HPX302’s interchangeable lens design gives video pros the flexibility to utilise a wide range of broadcast and production HD lenses. The camera is equipped with numerous popular features including Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) to maximise lens performance, built-in scan reverse for use with film lenses, a Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) function to help compensate for wide variations in lighting, a waveform and vector scope display, and two focus assist functions – a picture expanding function and a focus bar.

For added creative flexibility, the AG-HPX302 also has variable frame rate functions for creating fast and slow motion effects. In 720p mode, a user can choose between 20 variable frame steps between 12p and 50p. Because the AG-HPX302 records images at the frame rate set in the camera, users can preview the speed effect right on the spot, without using a frame rate converter.

The AG-HPX302 is equipped with two P2 card slots and if used with two new 64GB P2 cards, offers recording capacity that exceeds that of tape based camcorders. The AG-HPX302 offers all the benefits of a faster, file-based P2 HD workflow including recording features like instant recording startup, clip thumbnail view for immediate access to video content on all cards, and a host of time-saving recording modes including continuous recording, card slot selection, hot swapping, loop, pre-record (three seconds in HD and seven seconds in SD), one-shot and interval recording. The camera also features an SD memory card slot for saving or loading scene files and user settings, or proxy data (optional AJ-YAX800G Proxy board required).

The AG-HPX302 has advanced gamma functions offering six shooting scenarios, including the popular Cine-Like Gamma modes found on Panasonic’s popular VariCam camera, which gives recordings the characteristic warm tone of film recordings. A scene file dial on the side of the camera provides quick access to six pre-loaded settings; the dial can also be programmed with user-defined settings.

The camera’s interfaces include two SDI outputs (switchable between HD/SD-SDI output), video output (down-converted SD video only), IEEE 1394, USB 2.0 interface compatible with host mode, time code input/output (with built-in SMPTE time code generator/reader). Additional features include, Genlock input, 4-position ND optical filter controls, DC power input, color bar switch, three XLR audio jacks (one in the front, two on the rear), wireless microphone slot (2-channel UniSlot wireless receiver compatible) and programmable user buttons.

The AG-HPX302 can also be used as a studio camera. It is equipped with a remote control terminal (RCU) for use with the optional AJ-RC10G Remote Control Unit and compatible studio remote control systems. Later this year, Panasonic will release a customised studio configuration system for the AG-HPX302, which will include the AG-BS300 base station, AG-EC4 ECU control unit and AG-CA300 remote control camera adapter.

At approximately 5kg, the AG-HPX302’s lightweight, well-balanced design and ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to use. All operation switches, volume controls and card slots are on the left side for easier operation. The AG-HPX302 is equipped with a widescreen 409,000-pixel LCOS color viewfinder and a widescreen 921,000-pixel 3.2-inch LCD color monitor. Its power consumption is low at only 18 watts.

The AG-HPX302 will be available in March with the suggested list price to be announced closer to the release date. The studio configuration add-on package for the AG-HPX302 will be available later this year at equally affordable prices.

For more information on Panasonic Broadcast Australia’s products, visit www.panasonic-broadcast.com.au

RELEASED BY PANASONIC AUSTRALIA

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Media enquiries: Roslyn Richardson (Blackie McDonald)

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* In 2008, Panasonic won the much coveted Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA) award for engineering excellence for developing the AVC-Intra 100 codec. This codec is available on the AG-HPX302 camcorder.

About P2 HD

P2 HD all solid-state products offer high definition recording without the mechanical wear and environmental limitations of tape, hard disk, and optical disc based systems. P2 HD ensures the highest reliability, especially in challenging conditions of extreme temperature range, shock, and vibration. P2 HD products provide a significant reduction in maintenance costs, longer useful product life, and immediate access to recorded video (no need to digitize, ingest or create proxy video files) and metadata. P2 HD provides the reliability of solid-state production; the immediate connectivity to existing IT infrastructures; the speed, ease of use and portability of P2 cards; and the interoperability with leading NLE systems.

About Panasonic Broadcast Australia

Panasonic Broadcast Australia is a leading supplier of broadcast and professional video products and systems. For more information on Panasonic Broadcast Australia’s products, visit our web site at www.panasonic-broadcast.com.au.