|
Top Panasonic AG-HPX500 Camcorder Reviews
DVXuser has a well done first look at the
Panasonic AG-HPX500 with lots of images and good
explanations.
DV wrote a review on the
Panasonic AG-HPX500 and found it to have "excellent
performance" at a reasonable price.
camcorder summary:
The Panasonic AG-HPX500 is a new shoulder-mounted P2 HD
camcorder. It has four P2 card slots which means there are
no moving parts like tape or disc-based systems. Panasonic
is hoping that this camcorder will set a new benchmark with 2/3”
3-CCDs, DVCPRO HD, 4:2:2 sampling and independent frame
encoding, interchangeable lenses, and variable frame rates. It
records in 32 high definition and standard definition formats,
including 1080i and 720p in production-proven, 100 Mbps DVCPRO
HD.
Panasonic AG-HPX500 P2 HD News Release Summary:
LAS VEGAS, NV (April 15, 2007) – Panasonic introduced today the
AG-HPX500, a new shoulder-mounted P2 HD camcorder that teams the
full production-quality of 2/3” 3-CCDs, DVCPRO HD, 4:2:2
sampling and independent frame encoding with the versatility of
interchangeable lenses and the creativity of variable frame
rates.
Offering the highly popular features of the incredibly
successful AG-HVX200 P2 HD hand-held camcorder but with many new
enhancements, the 8.2-pound AG-HPX500 features progressive 2/3”
3-CCDs that provide a larger light receiving area resulting in
increased resolution and sensitivity, superb low-light
performance and wide dynamic range. The camcorder features a
high-performance digital signal processor (DSP) with 14-bit A/D
conversion and 19-bit inner processing that handles HD/SD format
conversion simultaneously – ensuring spectacular images in all
video formats for applications ranging from news acquisition,
independent filmmaking, corporate video, sports and much more.
“The full 2/3” production quality AG-HPX500 sets a new value
benchmark and will quickly distinguish itself as the workhorse
camera for the vast range of professional applications,” said
Robert Harris, Vice President, Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast.
“The camcorder’s P2 HD solid-state reliability, IT system
flexibility and workflow speed, combined with the DVCPRO HD
quality, is unparalleled in the pro video industry.”
The AG-HPX500 records in 32 high definition and standard
definition formats, including 1080i and 720p in
production-proven, 100 Mbps DVCPRO HD. The AG-HPX500 records on
removable P2 solid-state memory cards in 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p
and 24p; in 720/60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p; and in DVCPRO50,
DVCPRO and DV.
The Ultra Reliability and Fast IT Workflow of P2 HD
Offering solid-state reliability with no moving parts like tape
or disc-based systems and a faster IT workflow, the AG-HPX500
has four P2 card slots and can record up to 64 minutes in DVCPRO
HD,128 minutes in DVCPRO 50 and 256 minutes in DVCPRO on four
16GB P2 cards. The camera also supports Native Mode recording in
720p that can significantly increase record times. Other key
operational benefits provided by P2 HD technology includes
instant recording startup, clip thumbnail view for immediate
access to video content on all cards, and a host of recording
modes including continuous, card selector, hot swapping, loop,
pre-record (three seconds in HD and seven seconds in SD),
one-shot and interval.
The camera also features an SD memory card slot for saving or
loading scene files and user settings.
For basic P2 HD recording, clip previewing and simple editing,
the AG-HPX500 can be connected easily to a laptop via the USB
2.0 or IEEE 1394 interface. For higher performance in the field,
the AG-HPX500 can be combined with the AJ-HPM100 P2 Mobile for
flexible, jog-dial control previews, playlist editing and
writing, as well as for streaming HD/SDI/Analog/IEEE 1394
output. The camera’s HD-SDI output also allows for line
recording or copying using a variety of HD/SD digital VTRs.
Because the AG-HPX500 uses the same high-quality, full-frame
DVCPRO codec, it integrates seamlessly with DVCPRO VTR systems
and cameras like the VariCam for integrated P2 HD and tape
production.
The Creative Flexibility of Variable Frame Rates
Drawing on capabilities originally developed for the VariCam,
the AG-HPX500 features variable frame rates for undercranking
and overcranking to create fast- or slow-motion effects. In
720p, users can set frame rates in 24p, 30p or 25p in any of 11
steps between 12fps and 60fps (or 50fps). In addition, with the
camera’s advanced 1080/480 24pA mode, users have the option of
using 2:3:3:2 pull down, which allows most nonlinear editing
systems to extract 24 frames on ingest.
The camcorder is equipped with eight gamma modes to address a
wide range of shooting situations, including Cine-like Gamma to
create film-like recordings. Key interfaces include IEEE 1394,
USB 2.0, HD/SD-SDI, analog component and four audio XLR inputs.
Its four 48-kHz/16-bit digital audio channels are independently
controllable. The camera is also equipped with a variety of
shooting assist functions and presets.
The AG-HPX500 provides a Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC)
function that allows the camera to automatically compensate the
registration error that is caused mainly by lens chromatic
aberration, and minimize the circumjacent blur. Lenses that work
with the HPX500’s CAC function include Canon KJ10ex4.5B IRSD
PS12, KJ16ex7.7B IRSD PS12, KJ16ex7.7B KRSD PS12 and KJ21ex7.6B
IRSD PS12; and Fujinon XA17x7.6BERM-M58B and XA17x7.6BRM-M58B.
The AG-HPX500 will be available in May 2007 at a suggested list
price of $14,000 including a 5-year limited warranty program. A
variety of camera packages will be offered.
About P2 HD
P2 HD products offer solid-state 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 interoperability with leading NLE systems.
About Panasonic Broadcast
Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading
supplier of broadcast and professional video products and
systems. Panasonic Broadcast is a unit company of Panasonic
Corporation of North
America. The company is the North American headquarters of
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC) of Japan,
and the hub of its U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D
operations. For more information on Panasonic Broadcast
products, access the company’s web site at www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
Panasonic AG-HPX500 Best Prices
(When Available)
|
