PANASONIC ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF ITS AG-HPG20 P2 HD
PORTABLE RECORDER/ PLAYER FEATURING AVC-INTRA RECORDING
* New P2 HD Recorder Makes 10-Bit, 4:2:2 Master-Quality
Recording More Portable and Affordable *
SECAUCUS, NJ (February 11, 2009) – Panasonic has announced the availability of the new solid-state
AG-HPG20 P2 Portable recorder/player with AVC-Intra capability. Offering greater P2 workflow flexibility, a bridge to higher recording quality or tapeless workflow for older HD-SDI equipped cameras, and a solution to a multitude of other high quality recording challenges, the HPG20 dramatically reduces the cost for these capabilities.

With AVC-Intra, DVCPRO HD/50/25 and DV compatibility, the HPG20 P2 Portable is a 10-bit, 4:2:2 master-quality deck for fast, file-based recording and with removable solid state cards offers recording times that exceed those of tape or optical disc based products.

Featuring built-in 10-bit AVC-Intra recording/playback, the HPG20 P2 Portable makes 10-bit, 4:2:2 master-quality video more affordable and portable. This extraordinary workflow tool allows users to playback and review P2 cards on its 3.5-inch LCD screen, manage clip files and metadata, record content from a wide range of Panasonic and non-Panasonic cameras via its HD-SDI input, and backup data onto hard disk drives. With two P2 card slots and battery operation, the P2 Portable’s rugged, solid-state design holds up to the demands of field production, yet it is small and light enough (2.5 lbs) for easy transportation.

The HPG20 supports a wide range of high definition and standard definition recording formats. Recording and playback formats include 1080/60i, 1080/50i, 720/60p, 720/50p in the AVC-Intra and DVCPRO HD 4:2:2, independent frame codecs; as well as 480/60i, 576/50i in DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV. The unit plays back HD/SD contents automatically (no need to change settings) and can operate in 50Hz or 60Hz. For added versatility, the P2 Portable supports up-, down- and cross-conversion for HD or SD transmission. Additionally, the HPG20 offers simplified “confidence” playback of P2 video clips stored on a hard disk drive.*

The unit’s HD/SD-SDI and IEEE 1394 input interfaces open the door for endless applications in HD or SD production. The P2 Portable can be connected to DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV tape-based camcorders via IEEE 1394 for solid-state back-up recording in the field. It also accepts and records signals (with metadata) from any camera with an HD-SDI output, making it an essential tool for broadcast field applications such as news crew pool feeds. Additionally, there is 4:3 marker that can be displayed over incoming video for safe-shooting requirements.

The P2 Portable can playback to large HD production monitors or transfer uncompressed content to HD-SDI equipped decks, post production systems and storage networks. When connected to a laptop’s IEEE 1394 output, the portable recorder serves as a transcoder to HD-SDI-equipped monitors for real-time playback from the timeline. Using the HPG20’s USB slot (in Host mode), users can easily transfer content to a low-cost USB hard drive for a seamless, IT-based deliverable for clients. Versatile playback functions include format auto playback, slow-motion and double-speed playback, single-clip playback and repeat playback.

The HPG20 P2 Portable features a host of time-saving P2 clip management functions. In addition to viewing recorded files in clip thumbnail view, users can copy or transfer select clips from one P2 card to another, copy selected clips from a hard disk drive onto a P2 card, shot mark specific clips, edit a clip’s metadata (support for multiple languages included), or save a text memo to individual clips when recording or previewing. P2 cards can also be “hot-swapped” for continuous recording. Additional features include an SD card slot for loading metadata or saving user files, and helpful recording functions like a waveform/vectorscope display, loop record and auto record commands that accompany the HD-SDI signal.

Eight-channel audio input/output, an internal speaker and headphone (M3 mini) jacks are also included. For ease of use, the unit offers three assignable user buttons.

When using two 64GB P2 cards in the P2 Portable’s two card slots, the unit can record for 128 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 or DVCPRO HD, 256 minutes in AVC-Intra 50 or DVCPRO50, or 512 minutes in DVCPRO.

The AG-HPG20 P2 Portable will be available in March at a suggested list price of $5,295, and will offer a 5-year limited warranty program.** An optional mounting bracket, P2-Mount, will also be available (for mounting the P2 Portable onto large cameras) at a suggested list price of $190.

About P2 HD

P2 HD products offer the benefits of pristine image quality, ultra reliability, unmatched flexibility and a faster workflow. They deliver 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 principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE Symbol: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, visit www.panasonic.com/broadcast.