Panasonic AG-HVX205A P2HD Camcorder
The Panasonic AG-HVX200A is a P2-based camera that
answers the demands of nearly any professional HDTV photographer. The
camcorder builds on the overwhelming success of the original AG-HVX200,
with the addition of some much sought-after revisions. The most
important new feature being an updated sensor; the sensor yields higher
sensitivity, creating less noise in low-light situations With it's
compact and feature-rich frame, the camera will never disappoint. The
unit is compatible with DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO25 and consumer DV
recording standards.
Key Features
• The Beast Just Got Meaner...
The AG-HVX200A ups the ante from its predecessor, improving overall
image quality in a variety of situations. Most notably signal-to-noise
ratio has been improved, creating an incredibly clean image.
Additionally, better low-light performance combined with decreased
levels of smear.
• P2 Flash Memory Recording Storage
The AG-HVX200 is the first camcorder featuring the P2 (professional
plug-in) card. It was developed as a recording memory for professional
systems. Because the core P2 products use no drive mechanisms they
provide superior resistance to impact, vibration and temperature change.
There are currently a choice among 4GB and 8GB P2 cards. A 4GB card
will record 4 minutes of the highest quality HDTV video, 10 minutes of
720p/24 frame video or up to 16 minutes of standard definition DVCPRO25
or consumer DV video.
• Superior Quality Lens
Developed specifically for HD recording, the 13x zoom lens system
features a 82-mm diameter filter along with 15 lens elements in 11
groups, including three aspherical lenses. The Leica Dicomar lens
incorporates advanced Leica optical technology. The use of
low-dispersion glass reduces color aberration and increases resolution,
while a multi-coating process minimizes flare and ghosting. This results
in sharp, crisp, beautifully rendered images with delicate nuances and
exceptional shading.
• Optical Image Stabilizer
Panasonic's advanced Optical Image Stabilizer dramatically reduces
the blurring caused by hand-shake. Optical processing with an automatic
correction function helps assure consistently clear and sharp images.
• Super Sensitive CCDs
Each pixel has a large light-receiving area, giving this advanced
1/3- inch progressive CCD the kind of high sensitivity not available in
previous compact HD cameras. This advanced CCD combines with a newly
developed 14-bit digital signal processor (DSP) in combination with a
very sophisticated offset spatial technology achieves a balance of high
resolution and high S/N ratio that rivals HD broadcasting cameras.
• Advanced Digital Signal Processor
The AG-HVX200's advanced digital signal processor for 1080/60p video
signals uses 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit inner processing to
attain unprecedented accuracy. While the camera does not record
1080/60p, it is from this capture that all other signals are made. The
DSP performs a variety of adjustments, including eight types of gamma
settings, for each of the R, G and B channels. It also converts the
signals to HD or SD format. With a performance equivalent to the
processors used in many higher-end HD cameras, this DSP helps the
AG-HVX200 deliver beautiful images in all video formats.
• DVCPRO HD Codec
Using the DVCPRO HD codec recording system, the AG-HVX200 records HD
video with outstanding image and audio quality onto a P2 card in file
format. This codec, thanks to a low compression ratio at a video bit
rate of 100 Mbps (1080/59.94i, 720/59.94p) and the easy-to-edit
intraframe compression system, is suitable for recording fast-moving
subjects with no motion artifacts other than motion blur. The 4:2:2
sampling rate minimizes jaggies at chroma edges and is advantageous in
image and compositing. Sound quality is excellent too, thanks to DVCPRO
HD's uncompressed 16-bit, 4-channel digital audio recording capability.
• VariCam Functions
The AG-HVX200 inherits many of the functions of the popular VariCam
which enhanced the production of movies and television programs. It has
variable frame rate features that respond to fast and slow action. Its
true 24p/30p progressive video, cine-like gamma curves, and cine-like
color matrix capture images and scenes with much the same look and feel
as footage from a film camera. All controls and system interfaces are
designed to meet professional needs.
• 8 Gamma Modes
Drawing on technologies developed for the VariCam, Panasonic has
equipped the AG-HVX200 with advanced gamma functions that address eight
different shooting scenarios. Included are the Cine-Like Gamma, which
gives recordings the characteristic warm tone of film recordings, and a
cooler, harder-edge News Gamma that's designed especially for news
gathering.
• Professional Camera Functions
The AG-HVX200 camcorder offers several functions that would most
commonly be found on cameras costing many times its price. It has a
cam-driven manual zoom ring, focus ring and aperture dial. It gives
access to up to four channels of uncompressed digital audio. It retains a
FireWire connection (IEEE 1394) and USB PC interface. The camera also
has 2 XLR audio inputs with the Phantom Power option.
• Super Reliable Work Flow Process
The P2 card is a new solid state recording media that Panasonic
developed to bridge the gap between information technology and
professional video. About the same size as a PC card, the P2 card stores
large amounts of video and audio data in MXF-format files. This solid
state memory is free of tape related problems such as drop-outs. It
provides superior resistance to impact, vibration, and temperature
changes. And it is impossible to over-write important data. Unlike tape
there is no need to fast-forward or rewind to reach selected points of
video. The user selects a thumbnail image and the video clip can be
viewed right away. Similarly once the record button is pressed recording
starts immediately.