AG-HPX371 P2 HD, new shoulder camcorder from Panasonic

It offers advanced sensor and AVC-Intra quality recording with 4:2:2 10-bit sampling and three 1/3” MOS sensors with native 1920 x 1080 resolution. The new HPX371 camera image sensor is based on the technology ULT (Ultra Luminance Technology) to achieve a sensitivity of F11, even higher than that of other cameras with half-inch sensors. It supports international HD and SD standards, being able to choose between several recording formats: DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50, DVCPROHD and AVC-Intra 50 and 100.

In advance of NAB, Panasonic today announced the immediate availability of the new AG-HPX371 P2HD camera, an affordable second-generation interchangeable lens camera with AVC-Intra recording with 10-bit color depth, 4:2:2 sampling. progressive and 1920 x 1080 resolution.

In order to produce a native Full HD camcorder in a compact and lightweight body, Panasonic has opted for a new image capture device, based on three 1/3” MOS sensors with native 1920 x 1080 resolution. The new image from the HPX371 camera is based on ULT (Ultra Luminance Technology) technology to achieve a sensitivity of F11, even higher than that of other cameras with ½” sensors. This sensitivity is achieved thanks to the use of a 20-bit signal processor, and the use of high sensitivity photodiodes and low noise transistors, both based on low noise analog processing technology. The same sensitivity levels that characterize interlaced mode are now also possible in progressive mode, thanks to progressive advanced processing (PAP) technology.

Christian Sokcevic, General Manager of Sales and Marketing at Panasonic Broadcast, said: “With a newly developed ULT sensor and recording in 4:2:2 format at 10 bits, the HPX371 is unique in its category to ensure reliable production and with professional quality. “Unlike its competition, the HPX371 is a fully integrated solution that does not require additional hardware to improve its performance.”

“The market has progressively recognized that the AVC-Intra 100M codec is the best option for recording with full resolution 1920 x 1080 and 4:2:2 sampling at 10 bits, overcoming the limitations of 8-bit recording, with long GOP and 4:2:0 sampling. With the HPX371, professionals can capture and record at levels of quality that no other camera in its price range can match. In addition to the possibility of equipping it with studio configuration, the camera offers extraordinary versatility and quality for a wide range of productions and applications,” continues Christian Sokcevic.

pN recording

The HPX371 camera offers pN (native progressive) recording mode, in which you can record at a frame rate below or above 25p, thus creating fast motion or slow motion effects respectively offering up to 20 different speeds, between 12 and 50fps. The variable frame rate is associated with the 720p recording mode.

The HPX371 supports international HD and SD standards, making a workflow completely flexible by allowing you to choose between several recording formats: DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50, DVCPROHD and AVC-Intra 50 and 100.

Panasonic has incorporated exclusive capture functions into this camera, such as Flash Band Compensation (FBC), Dynamic Range Extension (DRS) and Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC).

The HPX371 incorporates a Fujinon 17x HD lens as standard, and can accept other types of lenses through a 1/3” to 2/3” lens adapter, allowing the user to use the HPX371 with higher format optics (2 /3" or even 35mm. Panasonic has incorporated exclusive capture functions into this camera, such as Flash Band Compensation (FBC), Dynamic Range Extension (DRS) and Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC). Among the proposals The HPX371 includes the possibility of recording the entire session in a single clip (One-Clip-Rec), which records up to 99 consecutive cuts as a single clip, greatly facilitating non-linear editing, and precise software for detection and compensation. flash band.

Equipped with two P2 card slots, the HPX371 can record on two 64Gb cards for up to 128 minutes with the AVC-Intra 100 codec, 256 minutes with AVC-Intra 50. The HPX371 offers all the benefits of the P2 HD workflow, faster and file-based, with recording features such as instant start, clip viewing for immediate access to video content on all cards and a multitude of recording time-saving modes, including continuous recording, card selection, hot card swapping, loops, pre-recording (three seconds in HD and seven seconds in SD), single shot and interval recording. The camera also features an SD card slot that allows you to save or load scene files and user settings, as well as record proxy data (requires AJ-YAX800G Proxy Video Encoder Card) for easy transmission of raw footage over wired networks. or wireless.

The HPX371 has advanced gamma functions offering seven scene recording modes, including the Cine-Like Gamma modes found on Panasonic's popular P2 HD VariCams, which give recordings the characteristic warm tone of cinema. Each scene function offers quick access to six preset settings that can also be programmed by the user.

Connectivity

The camera includes two SDI output connections (interchangeable between HD/SD-SDI), video output (only video converted to SD), IEEE 1394, USB 2.0 interface compatible with server mode, time code output and input (includes generator and SMPTE temporary code reader). In addition to the HD-SDI output, an internal converter allows you to produce high-quality SD video.

As standard, the HPX371 camera has two HD-SDI outputs (HD/SD switchable), with down-converter capability, and offers a composite video output, which is active in both SD and HD. Likewise, it has a USB2.0 port and an IEEE1394 interface with a 6-pin connector. With multi-camera recording in mind, the HPX371 offers TC input and output, and genlock input.

The AG-HPX371 camera is compatible with Panasonic's low-cost studio system, which offers complete camera control, base unit power and return signals, using just two BNC coaxial cables and one power supply. Camera control is carried out from the AG-EC4 or AJ-RC10 unit. In addition to the control unit, the Panasonic studio system consists of a camera adapter (AG-CA300) and a base station (AG-BS300).

Weighing 3.6 kilos, the HPX371 offers a balanced shoulder chamber design with a low center of gravity. All function buttons, volume controls and card slots are on the left side for ease of use. For easier HD viewing, the camera is equipped with a 1,226,000-dot LCOS color viewfinder and a 3.2-inch, 921,000-dot color monitor. Its electrical consumption is only 19 watts.

The HPX371 is available at a price of around 9,990 euros and will have a five-year warranty program (1 year + 4 additional years when registering the product). Additionally, between April and June 30, 2010, users who purchase and register the new HPX371 on the web from Panasonic will receive the new P2 Drive AJ-PCD2 single card reader and a 32Gb P2 card AJ-P2E032XG free of charge.

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