Features 2/3” 3-CCD, IEEE 1394, 50Hz/60Hz Shooting, Cine-Like Gamma
LAS VEGAS, NV (April 23, 2006) – Here at NAB, Panasonic unveils the AJ-HDX900 multi-format DVCPRO HD camcorder, placing full production-quality HD within reach of a wider range of budgets—measured in both dollars and euros! An indispensable, cost-effective tool for global content creators, the AJ-HDX900 DVCPRO HD camera records pristine 100Mbps HD images in any of eleven video formats, encompassing 60Hz and 50Hz production. An advanced HD version of Panasonic’s highly-popular AJ-SDX900 DVCPRO50 Cinema™ camera, which is a mainstay of independent features, documentaries and reality television production, the AJ-HDX900 raises the bar with the addition of the well-established DVCPRO HD codec and a multi-format recording system that supports 1080 59.94i/50i/29.97p/25p/23.98p/23.98pA and 720 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/23.98p.The versatile camcorder will be an invaluable tool for digital cinematography, cable and television production in any format, sports and events, for globetrotting documentarians and feature crews, and for the rental companies that serve them.
The AJ-HDX900 features a native 16:9, 2/3” HD, 1-million pixel 3-CCD system that assures stunning images and produces a high sensitivity of F10 (at 2000 lux) and outstanding low-light shooting down to 0.032 lux (at+62 dB gain). It is equipped with 14-bit A/D DSP circuits that provide optimum picture quality, color reproduction and luminance gradation. Utilizing the advanced DVCPRO HD codec, the AJ-HDX900 offers superior 4:2:2 color sampling and independent frame compression. The well-balanced camcorder offers impressive built-in, image-enhancing features including three Cine-like gamma modes to replicate the look and feel of film. The AJ-HDX900 is compatible with a wide range 2/3” quality lenses and accessories
The AJ-HDX900’s IEEE 1394 digital output helps lower the cost of HD production by allowing nonlinear editing systems or other VTRs (such as Panasonic’s new AJ-HD1400) to capture DVCPRO HD native video with no loss of image quality. It also produces a backup copy by interfacing with an external device (VTR or Direct To EditTM (DTE) recorder) while recording.
The AJ-HDX900 uses DVCPRO HD-EX 9-micron recording to record 33 minutes on a DVCPRO medium-size cassette, and records 48kHz/16-bit digital audio on all four channels. The camera provides as standard a pre-recording function that permits it to capture spontaneous scenes a shooter might otherwise miss. A standard HD SDI output is included for monitoring and line recording, and a down converter is built-in to produce a SD output, eliminating the need for an expensive SDI monitor.
Other standard features include: two 4-position optical filters (ND: clear, ¼, 1/16, 1/64; CC: Cross, 3200K, 4300k and 6300K); four user scene files, three user-customized buttons; electronic shutter (1/100 to 1/2000 sec.) with synchro scan shutter (1/60.3 to 1/249.8 sec.); Remote Control Unit support; an easy-slide shoulder pad that adjusts 1.18” in 10-steps; and a 3-point locking viewfinder mount for precise adjustment.
The AJ-HDX900 will be available in July at a suggested list price of $26,500 (plus viewfinder).
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.