The day I first demoed this camera I knew it was
going to be true love.
The SDX900 combines cine-quality
24p imaging with the lightweight, rugged camcorder body of a
DVCPRO broadcast camcorder. It has a switchable frame
rate allowing it to capture at 24p, 30p or 60i. This versatility,
combined with its other outstanding features, enables it to
be as practical for a feature-film shoot as it is for documentary
assignment.
| Package
Includes:
Camera body
Wide or Tele lens
Sachtler 100mm tripod
V-mount batteries / AC
9" Field Monitor
Price: $600/day
|
The
SDX900 not only offers variable frame rates but also variable
capture rates. For shoots that are image-critical, the camera
can capture at the higher-quality DVCPRO50 format which is comparable
to DigiBeta in specs. For lower budgeted projects, the video
can be recorded at the regular DVCPRO 25Mbps which enables cassette
loads of up to 60 minutes and plays back on either a DVCPRO
deck or a Sony DVCAM decks.
The camera is
about 2/3 the size of other broadcast
camcorders and weighs only 16lbs with a lens
and battery, making it very operator-friendly,
especially for documentary shoots. The camcorder
also has superb light sensitivity (f13 at 2000
lux) and a turbogain of up to +68dB enabling it
to practically see in the dark.
For those with more
time to prepare for a set-up, the camcorder has
a variable cine-like gamma curve to simulate
film stocks and a 12-pole matrix color
correction feature that provides single color
manipulation.
These main features are, of course,
accompanied by a myriad of other useful tools contained within
the camera. And we'll be happy to tell you all about them when
you call.
Studio
B is in the San Francisco Bay Area -- Call us with any questions
at (510)848-6026.
Features
(See
the full details on Panasonic's site)
- Three 2/3" 520,000 Progressive CCD
imagers
- 24P/30P/60i recording capability
- Captures film-like 24-frame images using
CineGamma
- 50 Mbps DVCPRO50 3.3:1 compression/25Mbps
DVCPRO 5:1 compression switchable
- Switchable 16:9/4:3 aspect ratios
- 12-bit DSP (6 pole matrix, 12 pole color
correction)
- 18MHz sampling frequency
- Dual Stage Filter Wheel
- High Sensitivity: F13 at 2000 Lux
- Minimum illumination: .11 Lux at +48dB
gain
- Shutter speeds and Synchro-scan
shutter
- Wireless microphone receiver pocket
built-in
- 4-channel digital audio recording
- Three User Programmable buttons for such
capabilities as: Luminance, Reference,
Digital Zoom, Black Stretch, Digital Gain,
Channel 1 or 2 Front Volume Control or Auto
Trace White Balance
- SD Memory Card for scene file
swapping
- Remote control using simple AJ-EC3 Studio
RCU with 26 pin adapter or Digital Triax
- Ideal for program production, independent
filmmaking and content creation
- Pre-Recording Board option offers 15
second caching or single frame
intervalometer
- SDI Option allows for Digital
Monitoring
So, why is the
SDX900 so revolutionary?
The SDX900 offers video
professionals the ultimate in image
acquisition flexibility. This camera is the
very first broadcast-grade standard
definition field production camera/recorder
to offer 24 frames per second progressive
scan. It also supports both 16:9 and 4:3
aspect ratios. The camera features three
newly-developed 2/3" 520,000-pixel CCDs that
allow it to capture images not only at
24-frames-per-second progressive scan (24p)
but also at 30 p and r 60-fields-per-second
525 lines (480 interlace scan).
What format does it shoot?
The SDX900 offers 12 switchable
format combinations for unlimited
possibilities. The camera supports the frame
rates of 60i, 30p and 24p. It also supports
different formats such as 25 or 50 Mbps and
even switchable aspect ratios from widescreen
16:9 to standard 4:3.
What size and
format tapes does the camera take?
The SDX900 accepts 1/4" DVCPRO
M-size cassette tape and records in DVCPRO50
and DVCPR formats.
Does it support variable frame rates?
If so, what frame rates does it support?
The camera supports 3 variable frame
rates: 24p, 30p and 60i.
What types of lens
does the camera take?
The SDX900 uses any 2/3-inch Bayonet
type lens.
Does the camera have "settings files"
like the HDC27 VariCam?
Yes, the SDX900 saves scene file data to a SD Memory
Card just like the VariCam,
which then can be used for scene file swapping betwen SDX900
cameras. However these files cannot be swapped between the SDX900
and the VariCam.
What's the
difference between the 25 and 50 Mgbt formats?
And when should I use each?
When the SDX900 is used in
50Mbps-format mode the result is superior EFP
image quality with a recording time of 33
minutes using the DVCPRO50 tape. Using the
25Mgbt format yields 66 minutes of DVCPRO
tape time.
What does it mean when it is said
that the camera is 16:9 native?
16:9 native means that the camera is
pre-set to record in the 16:9 resolution,
which is used for widescreen TV and big
screen cinema. The SDX900 is also capable of
recording in the traditional 4:3, which is
used in conventional TV displays.
How do I get a 4:3
image from the camera if it is 16:9
native?
The SDX900 is a unique camera
because it can record in both 16:9 and 4:3
formats. To switch formats all you need to do
is open the <SYSTEM MODE> screen from
the SYSTEM SETTING page and select the format
of the VTR to be used for recording using the
REC MODE item by performing menu operations.
What function does
the 12 bit Digital Signal Processing circuitry
serve?
The 12 bit Digital Signal Processing
circuitry digitally processes the image
signals using a sampling frequency of 18 MHz
or 36 MHz and 12-bit analog-to-digital
conversion for even more finely defined image
reproduction, improved stability and
reliability.
How does the GPS
option benefit me?
The GPS option gathers the GPS
location of the camera and stores that
information on the tape as metadata UMID
information. To have access to this function,
the AJ-GPS900G GPS unit needs to be
purchased. This feature is useful if time and
exact geographic location is needed as a
record of the action that is taking place.
This is especially true for law enforcement,
documentary and scientific uses.
How does the optional pre-record
function work?
For the pre-record function to work
the AJ-YA903G (memory) expansion board must
be installed in the unit. The pre-record
function records the last several seconds'
(up to 15 seconds) worth of video and audio
data shot by the camera and stores that
footage on the memory board of the AJ-YA903G
at all times. This makes it possible to
record video and audio signals a number of
seconds before recording is actually started.
Does the SDX900
have "FireWire" built into it?
No, the camera itself doesn't
haveFireWire option built into it. However,
with the introduction of Panasonic's new
AJ-YAD955G interface board, users can now
equip the DVCPRO50 series VTRs with an
IEEE-1394/ FireWire interface.
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