Panasonic showcased a variety of new offering at their NAB Show press event on Sunday, April 19. 

The company announced its delivery of the 10-bit, 4:2:2 AG-HPX300 professional HD camcorder, featuring independent frame AVC-Intra recording and variable frame rates. Incorporating a low-profile shoulder mounted design, the HPX300 offers the flexibility of interchangeable lens but comes standard with a Fujinon 17x HD lens.

The HPX300 incorporates advanced 1/3" 2.2-megapixel 3-MOS imagers to acquire full native resolution HD images. These 3-MOS imagers provide exceptional image quality while minimizing any noise or sacrificing dynamic range. A new 20-bit digital signal processor (DSP) enhances the HPX300's image performance.

Delivering the quality of AVC-Intra 100 and AVC-Intra 50, the HPX300 also records independent frame images in 100Mbps DVCPRO HD and in standard definition in DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV. The AVC-Intra 100 and 50 codecs allow recording in a choice of HD video formats: 1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97p and 1080/23.98p (native 24p/30p), and 720p with variable frames in 23.98pN, 29.97pN and 59.94p.  In DVCPRO HD, the camcorder records 1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97p, 1080/23.98p, 1080/23.98pA, 720/59.94p, 720/29.97P, 720/29.97pN and 720/23.98pN. In DVCPRO50/25 and DV, it records 480/59.94i, 480/29.97p, 480/23.98p and 480/23.98pA. The 1080p and 480p signals are recorded with 2:3 pull down (23.98p) or 2:3:3:2 advanced mode (23.98pA). The camera also supports 1080/23.98PsF output (via HD-SDI) for use in indie movie production. The output of the camera can be set for down-conversion or cross-conversion with letterbox, 4:3 crop or squeeze.

The HPX300's interchangeable lens design gives users the flexibility to utilize a wide range of broadcast and production HD lenses. The camera is equipped with Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) to maximize 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 monitor and vector scope display, and two focus assist functions: a picture expanding function and a focus bar.

For added creative flexibility, the HPX300 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 12 and 60. Equipped with two P2 card slots, the HPX300 offers recording capacity that exceeds that of tape-based camcorders. The HPX300 offers all the benefits of a faster, file-based P2 HD workflow including such recording features as 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 HPX300 has advanced gamma functions offering six shooting scenarios, including the popular Cine-Like Gamma modes found on Panasonic's VariCam, 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 HPX300 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 customized studio configuration system for the HPX300, which will include the AG-BS300 base station, AG-EC4 extension control unit (ECU) and AG-CA300 remote control camera adapter.

At eight pounds, the HPX300's lightweight, well-balanced design and ergonomic handle make it comfortable to use. All operation switches, volume controls and card slots are on the left side for easier operation. For easy HD viewing, the HPX300 is equipped with a widescreen 1,226,000-dot LCOS color viewfinder and a widescreen 921,000-dot 3.2" LCD color monitor. Its power consumption is low at only 18 watts.

The HPX300 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.

The HPX300 is available at a suggested list price of $10,700. The studio configuration add-on package for the HPX300 will be available later this year for less than $10,000. A firmware upgrade designed to enhance the performance of 3-MOS image sensor technology for the HPX300 will also be available free on www.panasonic.com/broadcast this summer.

Panasonic also unveiled the new AJ-CVF100G color viewfinder (seen mounted below), designed for its premium quality P2 HD and DVCPRO HD solid-state and tape-based production cameras. It incorporates LCOS display technology and such features as a built-in heater for operation in low temperatures.

The CVF100G is designed for operation with Panasonic's P2 VariCam series (AJ-HPX3700 and AJ-HPX2700), the AJ-HPX3000 and AJ-HPX2000 P2 HD camcorders, and the AJ-HDC27H VariCam and AJ-HDX900 DVCPRO HD camcorder.

Utilizing a 1"-diameter imager system, the CVF100G affords cinematographers color-accurate viewing, which minimizes the possibility of misdirected shots.  It can accommodate larger cine-like lenses. Prevalent in HD projectors and rear-projection televisions, LCOS technology offers the advantages of fast motion response, excellent resolution, and smooth pixel edges for a natural look and feel. Eliminating the color wheel used by other technologies, this LCOS viewfinder reduces eyestrain by delivering a complete RGB image to the shooter.

The CVF100G's built-in heating function improves response speeds at low temperatures. The shooting formats the viewfinder supports include 1080/23.98PsF, 24PsF, 25PsF, 29.97PsF, 30PsF, 50i, 59.94i, 60i and 720/50p, 59.94p and 60p.

The AJ-CVF100G will be available in the second quarter of 2009 at a suggested list price of $8,495.

Panasonic has also announced pricing for its new AG-HMR10 AVCCAM compact field recorder/player and the AG-HCK10 compact, multi-purpose 3-MOS HD camera head, both versatile additions to the company's AVCCAM line of professional solid-state high-definition products.

The AG-HMR10 handheld recorder and the AG-HCK10 compact camera head will be available later this year at suggested list prices of $2,650 and $2,100, respectively.

The HMR10 professional AVCCAM recorder provides the flexibility of low cost, SD memory card based recording and full 1080 and 720 resolution capture in a small, portable unit. The new AVCCAM recorder utilizes AVCHD (MPEG-4/AVC High-Profile) compression and is ideal for applications in video production, sports coaching, healthcare, law enforcement, remote operation/surveillance, and much more. Equipped with an HD-SDI input and output, the HMR10 AVCCAM recorder is also suitable for back-up recording from any HD-SDI-enabled camera or for use in studio or event production. The 1-pound unit features a lightweight, ergonomic design suited for handheld use (3.7" x 4.8" x 1.7") and also has four threaded holes for flexible mounting.

The HMR10 records full-HD 1920x1080 resolution images in three recording modes — the highest quality PH mode (average 21 Mbps/max. 24 Mbps), HA mode (approx.17 Mbps) and HG mode (approx.13 Mbps). The fourth recording mode, HE (approx. 6 Mbps), records at 1440x1080. The HMR10 records in HD formats including 1080/60i, 1080/50i, 720/60p and 720/50p. With input from the AG-HCK10 camera head, the HMR10 will also record 1080/30p, 1080/25p and 1080/24p.

With the HMR10, users can capitalize on the compact size, cost advantages, solid-state reliability and the widespread availability and low cost of SD and SDHC memory cards. Using just one 32GB SDHC memory card, a user can record three hours of full-resolution 1920x1080 video and audio in PH mode, four hours at HA mode and 5.3 hours at HG mode. In the HE mode, the camera can record up to 12 hours of 1440x1080 HD content — all on a single 32GB SDHC card.

In addition to HD-SDI input/output and an external mic input (stereo), the HMR10 comes standard with interface connections including the HDMI out and USB 2.0, and is compatible with TC/UB recording. Professional audio features include a built-in stereo speaker and headphone mini jack. Compact and lightweight, the handheld unit has a built-in 3.5" color LCD monitor that displays content in thumbnail images for quick viewing. (The HCK10 camera head can be remotely controlled while images are checked on the LCD monitor.) The HMR10 operates on battery or 7.3V DC power.

For editing or playback, professionals can instantly transfer content from the SD card to Mac or PC computers with an SD/SDHC card reader or by connecting the HMR10 recorder directly via its USB 2.0 interface.

The ultra-compact HCK10 camera head nicknamed POVCAM is equipped with three newly-developed 1/4" 2-megapixel HD-resolution 3-MOS imagers to deliver high-quality image quality. Weighing a little over a half pound, the HCK10 camera head is ultra-slim (2.1in x 2.2in x 4.8in) and features a 12x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) and Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS), a dynamic range expansion tool that simultaneously compresses highlight information and boosts shadow detail in real time. DRS, mic settings, iris, focus, zoom control and power are supplied from the HMR10 recorder.

Other features include a built-in microphone, 1/4" 20 socket for mounting and 43mm lens filter size.  Cables connecting the camera to the recorder will be available in lengths up to 10 meters and are removable at each end for added flexibility. A three-meter cable is standard.

AVCHD, an MPEG-4 /AVC Hi Profile-based format, provides a near doubling of bandwidth efficiency with improved video performance over the older MPEG-2 compression used in HDV formats. AVCHD is supported by wide range of editing options including Apple Final Cut Pro 6.0.5, Adobe Premier Pro CS4, Grass Valley EDIUS Pro 5 and EDIUS Neo 2. In addition, a free transcoder, available for download from the Panasonic Broadcast web site, will convert AVCHD files to DVCPRO HD P2 and down-converted DV files for use with most existing professional editing packages. 

Panasonic's AVCCAM series brings the benefits of solid-state recording to budget-conscious professionals with a range of products. In addition to the HMR10 and HCK10, the AVCCAM line includes the new compact AG-HMC40 (above), the very popular AG-HMC150 handheld, and the shoulder-mount AG-HMC70. AVCCAM products record stunning professional AVCHD video onto inexpensive, reusable SD/SDHC cards, like digital still photography, providing a fast and simple, file-based workflow with ultra-reliable performance.  AVCHD digital files can be transferred and stored on affordable, high-capacity hard disk drives (HDD) or optical storage media and transferred to future storage media as technology advances.

Finally, Panasonic announced the availability of its new AJ-HRW10 P2 Rapid Writer, a portable workflow tool that simplifies access to P2 content and incorporates the in-demand feature of RAID 1 mirroring support.

With slots for two 3.5" removable hard disk drives (HDDs) and a built-in AJ-PCD35 five-slot P2 memory drive, the P2 Rapid Writer can automatically transfer data from up to five P2 cards. With the touch of a button, it can copy material simultaneously to two separate RAID drives, putting this critical back-up function well within the grasp of even the least technical members of a production team.

The HRW10 features a 5" LCD touch screen with simple touch-screen operation and controls to preview content on disk or P2 cards. It provides clip preview (Play/Pause/FWD/REW) for confidence playback; clip sort and filter; P2 thumbnail display and P2 metadata display. The P2 Rapid Writer supports the master quality AVC-Intra (100/50) and DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV recording formats.

Other valuable features include a G-bit Ethernet port to move content rapidly across an IT network, and an internal speaker and headphone jack for audio playback. The P2 Rapid Writer requires 12V DC power. Battery operation is possible with a separate power supply.

The HRW10 P2 Rapid Writer is available now at a suggested list price of $9,995.