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 San
Francisco Bay Area
Video
Camera Rental:
Panasonic
AG-HVX200 SD/HD Video Camera
Here's Panasonic's answer to the Sony HVR-Z1U camcorder.
The HVX200 shoots SD (both interlaced and 24p like the DVX100A)
straight to tape and variable frame-rate HD (720p and 1080p) to
the P2 memory cards. It could be the best entry into true HD capture
for the independent filmmaker.
| Camera
with batteries/AC
$200 / day
Package
includes :
Batteries/AC
Two 8GB P2 cards .....$250 / day
Two 16GB P2 cards ...$300 / day
Available
Accessories:
16GB P2 cards
8GB P2 cards
4GB P2 cards
Marshall, Libec, Cartoni, or Sachtler tripods |
Here are the specs from Panasonic:
• 1080/60i, 1080/24p, 1080/30p, 720/60p, 720/24p, 720/30p,
480/60i, 480/24p, 480/30p
• Variable frame rates in 720p mode: 12, 18, 20, 22, 24,
26, 30, 32, 36, 48, 60fps
• DVCPRO HD/50/25 and DV recording
• 1/3" 16:9 native progressive 3-CCD imager
• 16:9/4:3 switchable for DVCPRO 50/25 and DV recording,
16:9 native for DVCPRO HD
• Wide angle Leica Dicomar high definition lens with optical
image stabilizer (motorized/manual mode switchable)
• ND filters
• 82mm filter diameter
• Cam-driven manual zoom
• 13X zoom range: focal length = 4.2 to 55mm (35mm equivalent:
32.5 to 422.5)
• CineGammaTM and NewsGamma software
• Two P2 card slots
• Mini-DV tape transport for DV recording
• 3.5" LCD display
• 48kHz 16-bit 4-channel PCM audio (2 XLRs)
• HD Component (D4) output
• Composite input/output
• S-Video input/output
• Standard IEEE 1394 interface
• USB 2.0
Since there are a lot of questions about this camera, here are
some of the frequently asked questions -- from the Panasonic site
and from our own research:
How is DVCPRO HD different than other HD formats?
There are several HD formats in the industry, namely D-5 HD, HDCAM,
HDV and others that can be classified as either an intermediate
codec, like one that may be used in the editing domain. DVCPRO
HD’s main characteristics are 100 Mbps, frame independent
resolution (intraframe recording), 4:2:2 color sampling, and the
use of metal particle tape or solid-state memory P2 cards.
Do I need a fast drive RAID to capture and edit DVCPRO
HD?
No, DVCPRO HD runs at 100 Mbps which means that you can capture
and edit on regular Firewire drives. Since firewire can handle
400 Mbps, then you have plenty of bandwidth to edit your project.
What kinds of files does the HVX200 create on the P2
cards?
The recorded clips on the P2 cards will be in the MXF format which
can be imported directly into Final Cut Pro HD 5.0.4 (you need
to have the 5.0.4 patch installed for this to work).
What are the benefits of solid-state technology?
Because solid-state recording does away with the parts that are
found on traditional tape mechanisms, it has a quiet operation;
is virtually maintenance-free; and can be used in extreme and
harsh environments.
What signals does the HVX200 record?
This camera handles standard-definition in 3 modes: DV and DVCPRO
(which are 25 Mbps) and DVCPRO50, which as the name implies, is
50 Mbps, which is also 4:2:2 and has been compared favorably with
DigiBeta. It also handles DVCPRO HD high definition at 100 Mbps
in 1080i or 720p, recording onto P2 cards.
Does the HVX200 record still images?
The HVX200 can do a single frame capture in the intervalometer
section of the camera. If you use an NLE application, you will
be able to select that frame on the timeline and export it as
a single still frame.
Does the HVX200 support NTSC and PAL signals?
There will be two versions of this camera; one to support the
NTSC market, and one to support the PAL market.
What frame rates does the HVX200 support?
In 720p mode this camera handles: 12, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30,
32, 36, 48, 60 fps.
Why do I need these varying frame rates?
The various frame rates provide another creative option for capturing
your footage. Recording at a higher frame rate, much like "overcranking"
a film camera, allows for extremely smooth slow motion playback.
Recording at lower frame rates, much like "undercranking"
a film camera, allows for a clean fast-motion playback without
any software tweaking or rendering.
How does the HVX200 record 24P?
It shoots every frame as a progressive frame, so it is true 24P
(more accurately known as 23.98 fps). In most recording modes,
duplicate frames are added in a 2:3 or a 2:3:3:2 pull-down cadence
and the progressive frames are divided into two fields in order
to conform to existing interlace 29.97 formats. The 2:3 mode follows
all of the conventions of film to tape transfer, so that the recorded
material can be treated as a film transfer or in the 2:3:3:2 mode
it can be extracted for 24 frame editing. In the 720p "Native
Capture" mode only flagged frames are captured with 23.98
time code; these files are directly compatible with a 720p 24-frame
timeline, and require only 40% of the storage capacity of 720p
60 fps or 1080i HD recording.
What type of lens does the HVX200 have?
It has a wide-angle Leica Dicomar high definition lens with optical
image stabilizer (which can be turned off). It has a 13X zoom
range, or rather 4.2mm to 55mm in focal length; widest aperture
is F1.6.
What size is the 3-CCD imager?
The imagers are 1/3" CCD, 16:9 native aspect ratio. These
are scanned and captured at 1080/60p, and the signal is then converted
to 1080i, cross converted to 720p or down converted to 480p/480i,
or cross converted for the many modes on this camera. This assures
the highest quality of recording.
Is the HVX200 16:9 or 4:3?
The HVX200 has 16:9 native imagers, and it is capable of recording
4:3 video in any of the standard definition modes.
What are the size and resolution of the LCD display?
The size is 3.5" and the resolution is 210,000 pixels. There
are two focus assist modes available; one will zoom in on the
center of the picture and give a 2X zoom of that image, so that
focusing can be checked even during record. There is also a peaking
circuit to aid in determining proper focus.
What resolution is the viewfinder?
235,000 pixels. It has the same focusing assist functions as the
3.5" LCD.
Does the HVX200 have manual or automatic focus?
Both manual and automatic focus are available. You can also adjust
focus manually while the auto focus is working.
Does the HVX200 have manual or motorized zoom?
Like the DVX100, the HVX200 has both manual and motorized zoom
options. Unlike many "prosumer" camcorders, the HVX200
has a mechanical zoom movement rather than an optically coupled
system, snap zooms are a real possibility.
What is the zoom range of the HVX200?
13X, 4.2 to 55mm (35mm equivalent: 32.5 to 423)
What video inputs and outputs does the HVX200 have?
It pretty much covers the range of needed inputs and outputs,
as it has HD Analog Component, 1080i, 720p, cross-converted 720p-1080i,
480i (D4) output, Composite input/output, S-Video input/output,
Standard IEEE 1394 interface and USB 2.0.
How many channels of audio does the HVX200 support?
It supports 4 channels of PCM 48K 16-Bit audio via 2 XLR connections
in DVCPRO HD, and DVCPRO50; 2 channels in DVCPRO and DV. DV tape
can also record 32K 12-Bit signals for 2 channels live and 2 for
dubbing later.
Does the HVX200 have IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface?
Yes, both streaming and file transfer.
Does the HVX200 have USB 2.0 connectivity?
Yes, for file transfer.
What are CineGamma and NewsGamma?
In addition to regular video gamma controls, Panasonic developed
these two gamma sets specifically to help with film-look and news
production. CineGamma is derived from the one found on the VariCam®,
which helps emulate the latitude of film. NewsGamma helps to preserve
important image data by suppressing over-saturation in highlight
areas during sudden changes in contrast, which may happen as news
in progress is being captured.
What shutter speeds does the HVX200 support?
Regular shutter speed.
60i/60p mode: 1/60 (OFF), 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000,
1/2000 sec.
30p mode: 1/30, 1/50 (OFF), 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500,1/1000 sec.
24p/24pA mode: 1/24, 1/50 (OFF), 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000
sec.
Does the HVX200 support Synchro-Scan Shutter?
Progressive mode off: 1/60.3…1/250.0
Progressive mode 30p: 1/30.1 …1/48.0 …1/250.0
Progressive mode 24p/24pA: 1/24.1 …1/48.0 …1/250.0
What are the gain settings of the HVX200?
0/+3/+6/+9/+12/+18 dB (60i/60p mode)
0/+3/+6/+9/+12/+18 dB (progressive mode (30p/24p/24pA)
(Note: set to 0dB when the slow shutter mode is used)
Can I control focus and iris remotely?
Yes. The HVX200 has a mini-plug connector that allows for focus
and iris remote controls to be plugged in.
What is the filter size of the HVX200?
82mm
What signals and frame rates does the HVX200 support on
Mini-DV tape?
While recording with the tape drive portion of the camera, you
record in 25Mbps Mini-DV mode and in 30 frames per second. 24p
and 24pA are available in NTSC models. You can also record variable
frame rate footage in 720p mode and internally dub this footage
to DV, offering a unique function and effect to your DV productions.
Can I use the HVX200 as a Mini-DV VTR source?
Using cameras as a VTR source is possible, but if this is a function
that you wish to do all of the time it is recommended that you
purchase a VTR for this purpose.
Can I record directly to a FireStore drive (Focus Enhancements)?
Yes. The FS-100 from Focus Enhancements will give 90-100 minutes
of high-definition content in 720p or 1080i modes. In DVCPRO50
it will record 200 minutes, and in DV or DVCPRO it will offer
400 minutes.
Can I use the FireWire output to transfer previously recorded
content from P2 cards to an external hard drive or Apple iPod?
Yes, we have done tests on original iPod models over FireWire
by putting the camera into the "Host Mode," though its
performance is a little slow. However, the latest iPod models
do not have a FireWire port. On a standard 1394 drive, it would
be a bit faster.
Can I transfer scene files over FireWire?
Transferring Scene Files is done using the SD Memory Card. In
fact, you can attach the Scene Files to an email and send them
to other production groups, who in turn will be able to match
their cameras to the original one.
Can I transfer timecode over FireWire?
FireWire, as a transport specification, includes the transfer
of timecode information. So yes, timecode will be transferred
over FireWire.
What’s inside a P2 card?
There are four error-free, 20MB transfer speed SD Memory Cards,
a printed circuit board, LSI computer controllers to allow for
maximum data speed, cardbus connectors and several clamping plates
and a die casting for protection.
What sizes of P2 cards are available?
Currently there are 3 sizes: 2GB, 4GB and 8GB. Larger ones will
be forthcoming, as the consumer market drives demand for higher
capacity SD Memory Cards.
How many P2 cards can the HVX200 hold?
It can hold two P2 cards, as it has two P2 card slots.
How much recording time do I get on a P2 card?
It will depend on what mode you are recording in. For DVCPRO it
is 4 minutes per GB; in DVCPRO50, it is 2 minutes per GB; in DVCPRO
HD 720p it is 1 minute per GB, and in DVCPRO HD 1080i it is 1
minute per GB. Using the 720p Native Capture mode, only the flagged
frames are recorded so the running time will depend on the frame
rate (just like film). A rule of thumb in this mode would be to
treat 1GB as 100 feet of 16mm film or 250 feet of 35mm film. For
example, running an 8GB card at 24P in this mode will give you
about 20 minutes per card of 24P HD footage. Or more simply, if
shooting 720/24p, you would get 21⁄2 minutes per GB.
How can I record for durations longer than the P2 cards’
capacity?
In three ways: you can continuously record over from one P2 card
to the next and hot swap them for unloading, or you can use the
FS-100 mentioned above, which is an external FireWire drive. You
can also open your capture window in your NLE and capture via
FireWire to your external drive.
What do I do with footage after I’ve recorded it
on a P2 card?
There are several things you can do. You can view the contents
of a P2 card via the P2 drive connected to your PC. Or you can
import it directly to your NLE via the camera’s FireWire
port.
How do I archive footage shot with the HVX200?
Either in hard drives, SAIT, DLTs, LTOs, Blu-ray or DVD solutions.
There is a white paper that discusses workflow more fully, which
can be found here.
Which computers are compatible with P2?
P2 cards are compatible with Windows and Apple OS computers. Apple
computers recognize the P2 card via the Final Cut Pro editing
application from the P2 drive, the P2 Store or the camera. The
same sources work for the PC but additionally there is the PCMCIA
slot on the PC, which will recognize the P2 card. A separate freeware
application called P2 Viewer is currently only available for WindowsXP.
Which editing systems are compatible with the HVX200?
From Apple: Final Cut Pro; from Avid: NewsCutter® XP, NewsCutter®
Adrenaline™ FX and S/B Xpress Pro HD; from Canopus: Edius
HD.
What kind of battery comes standard with the HVX200?
5400mA
What comes in the box with the HVX200?
Camcorder, battery, AC adapter, remote, component cable and instruction
manual.
What optional accessories are available for the HVX200?
Many manufacturers are developing or have developed products to
complement this camera. The following is the abbreviated list
[Studio B does not necessarily have all of these accessories.
Call with questions.]:
Disk Recording - Focus Enhancements
Lens Adaptors - Schneider (Century) Optics, P+S Technik, Red Rock
Glass Filters - Tiffen
Matteboxes – Vocas
Remote Controls - VariZoom, Manfrotto
Underwater Housings - Gates, Equinox
Tripods - Bogen Imaging, Sachtler, Vinten
Bags - Kata
Cases - Portabrace
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