Panasonic DVCPROHD High-Definition VTRs
The 1/4" DVCPROHD codec is
compatible with SMPTE 274/292M interfacing and uses DVCPROHD constant bit rate compression
of 6.7:1 to achieve a recorded active picture bit rate of about 100 Mb/s (based on
1080i/59.94/60 or 720p/59.94/60). The DVCPROHD format should not be confused with
the 1/2" Panasonic D-5HD Mastering format, as the two tape widths and their
respective compressions and tracks are not natively compatible.
Also, there are two different tape recording types within DVCPROHD: the older DVCPROHD 18
micron track recordings, and the newer DVCPROHD 9 micron track recordings. These two
recording types are not physically compatible, although the newer 9 micron VTRs can play
back the older 18 micron tapes. The large AJ-HP126EX tapes can hold up to 126
minutes of DVCPROHD (these tapes fit only in the AJ-HD1700 and AJ-HD1800 VTRs). The
AJ-HD1200A was designed to be limited to a maximum of only 92 minutes using the AJ-HP92EL
tapes, but these tapes are no longer manufactured. The largest tape load for the
AJ-HD1200A is the AJ-HP64EL tape, which runs about 64 minutes in DVCPROHD.
The total number of frames per second as stored on DVCPROHD on tape are limited to
59.94/60 (720p or 1080i depending). When 23.98 frames per second camera choice is
made on a Varicam, the tape fills up using a certain pattern and number of redundant
frames. The basic utility of the AJ-HD1200A with IEEE Option/AJ-HD1400/AJ-HD1800 in
post editorial is simply the 100Mb/s IEEE option to "avoid" unnecessary or
transitory compress/decompress cycles, and to transfer out of the VTR to an appropriate
NLE system such as Final Cut Pro 4.5HD (or higher) in a native form, where the settings in
the NLE allow the redundant frames to be identified and thrown away upon capture to save
storage space. The AJ-HD1200A did not support VANC. The AJ-HD1400 and
AJ-HD1800 do support VANC.
The specifications and procedures discussed in this section are subject to generalization,
and may include significant errors and omissions. This information is subject to change
without notice. Because individual systems and their performance, including valid and
required settings, may vary greatly, they are not detailed on this web site. You should
consult with both Panasonic and VTP on a case by case basis to qualify any specific
equipment performance or to validate your particular configuration or application.
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| Digital
VTR Rec/Player |
Notes
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| 100 Mb/sec Data Rate Recording Level: |
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| Panasonic AJ-HD1800 |
 |
Purchase
from VTP
Options:
See Below |
Format
& Type:
Rec*/Player DVCPROHD-EX (9 micron)
DVCPROHD LP Cassettes, Maximum 126 Minutes
DVCPROHD EX-G Cassettes, Maximum 126 Minutes
DVCPROHD EL-G Cassettes, Maximum 92 Minutes*
(**Note: 92 minute AJ-HP92EL tapes are no longer manufactured)
Player DVCPROHD/DVCPRO25/50
(18 micron M, L Cassettes)
Player DVCAM, DV (SP)
(Mini-DV SP mode with AJ-CS455 Adapter*) |
Features
and Notes on AJ-HD1800:
Digital compressed high definition VTR, Records and plays back up DVCPROHD-LP (Extended
Length Play format) with 9-µ micron recording track – in 1080i/59.94 with eight
digital 16-bit PCM audio channels for 5.1-channel surround sound (16-bit
quantization/48-kHz sampling) • Records/Plays Panasonic DVCPROHD-EX (up to 126
minutes on onlder EX-G AJ-HP126EXG cassettes or up to 92 minutes on EL-G AJ-HP92ELG
cassettes, which are no longer manufactured, or the current DVCPRO XL tapes) 100Mb/s
1080/59.94i/60i, 1080/50i, 720/59.94p/60/50p • Can play DVCPROHD 720p back to 1080PsF
at 23.98/24/25 System Frequency for HD-SDI uncompressed capture, or can play 720p/59.94/60
with all recorded frames over HD-SDI (IEEE is built in to the AJ-HD1800 unit, but no SDTI
I/O capability that was an option board for AJ-HD1700) • SD Memory Card Function (not
PCMCIA), no Ref. Output • This unit also plays back DVCPRO50 Progressive
480/59.94/60p, and DVCPRO25/50 480/59.94i, and DVCPRO25/50 576/50i PAL • This unit
also supports playback of DVCAM, and DV tapes in SP mode (Mini, with an Optional AJ-CS455P
Cassette Adapter, or Standard size cassette) • Advanced pulldown removal is supported
upon playback of DVCPRO25/50 59.94/60 through up conversion to 1080PsF/23.98/24 when the
unit system frequency is set to 23.98 or 24 • Supports
HD-SD built-in format up and downconversion from tape (settings accordingly), input SD-HD
built-in upconversion • Supports basic output screen aspect ratio conversion •
Supports playback of DV-based formats (525/59.94 NTSC) DVCPROHD/50/25 playback •
DVCAM playback, DV playback (SP Mode, no LP), Mini-DV playback (SP Mode, no LP) •
3" LCD monitor on front panel • RS-422 control • Plus /minus 100x shuttle
for DVCPRO HD LP (All specifications are subject to change without notice).
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Options
for AJ-HD1800:
AJ-MA75P Rack Mount Adapter • *AJ-CS455P Mini DV Cassette Adapter. |
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Panasonic AJ-HD1400
 |
Purchase
from VTP
Options:
See Below |
Newly
introduced in 2006, this unit has build-in IEEE and HD-SDI/SDI I/O as standard features.
There is a new joystick design to offer easy, comfortable Slow and Shuttle Search
operation. There are three PF (Programmable Function) Buttons added that can be
assigned direct access to the operational functions used the most. Also added is a 15-pin
encoder remote terminal, UMID Data Recording and Playback capability, and the ability to
Record and Play HD VANC for such user applications as Closed Captioning, Dolby Dial Norm,
and network signaling.
Rec*/Player DVCPROHD-LP (9 micron) up to about 64 minute record capacity using Medium
tapes.
Maximum cassette size is medium-sized DVCPROHD, about 64 minutes using the AJ-HP64ELG
tapes)
Player DVCPROHD/DVCPRO25/50***
(18 micron M, L Cassettes)
Player DVCAM, DV (SP)
(Mini-DV SP mode with Optional AJ-CS455P Cassette Adapter)
AC/DC (12V, 64W) Operation Possible
AC (100-240) V ±10%, 50 to 60 Hz (85W)
Features of AJ-HD1400:
8 Ch 16-Bit 48kHz Digital Audio (embedded only, for DVCPROHD) for surround sound + stereo
• 2 Ch Analog Audio I/O (XLR); Simultaneous HD-SDI and SDI outputs (if
applicable to the settings of the playback system frequency) • Built-in down converter from HD to 480i SD on SDI
and composite outputs if applicable to the settings of
the playback system frequency) • Separate
record/playback audio level controls, timecode I/O
• HD Ref.
video input (tri-level) or SD (BB) auto switching
• Built-in aspect ratio converter
for serial component digital standard definition output - 16:9 ~ 4:3/14:9/13:9 (no left or
right center cut positioning), FIT V (sidebars), FIT H (letterbox), FIT HV (anamorphic) • Small,
compact size - 3RU, 1/2 rack width • RS422A
(supported only in 1080/59.94i, 720/59.94p, 1080/50i, or 720/50p modes). |
Notes
on AJ-HD1400:
Digital compressed high definition VTR, Records/Plays Panasonic DVCPROHD-LP format 100Mb/s
active picture rate based on 60 frames per second (actual active picture rate varies
depending on originating frame rates). Longer record/play Cassettes like the 92
minute EL-G AJ-HP92EL are not supported in this unit). This unit also does not play
back DVCPRO50 Progressive 480/59.94/60p, or DV LP Mode tapes. There is no AES/EBU
digital audio I?O on this model (digital audio has to be sent/received HD-SDI or picture
and digital audio copy in/out together via the IEEE codec).Notes on AJ-HD1400 when supporting NLE capture through IEEE:
For Varicam selected frame rates, from a camera original tape, the AJ-HD1400 VTR can
output 720P/59.94/60/50 through the IEEE path to a suitable NLE capture system.
Certain NLE systems can remove the repeated non-originating frames upon receiving the
signal during IEEE transfer to provide 720p at 23.98 or 24 frames per second HDD storage,
for native timeline editing with valid audio (a possible frame offset with plus or minus
frame accuracy, and editing with handles may be necessary). For other capture presets
outside the most common 23.98/24, 59.94/60 CineWave and Final Cut Pro HD setups (e.g., 25,
30), to obtain valid audio, a first pass for video only and a second pass for audio only
may be required). This is a tape deck, there is no file access mode for the IEEE
path, and 23.98/24 frame content is not currently supported on DVCPRO HD in tape form.
Final native output back to tape to the AJ-HD1400 via IEEE should require re-conformity to
720p/59.94/60/50, or 1080i/59.94/60 which means at the very least that the 2:2 and 2:3
need to get added back if the timeline was 23.98/24 fps for editing.
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Options
for AJ-HD1400:
AJ-A95 Video Remote Controller • RAK-95-250
Rack Mount Slides & Tray • *AJ-CS455P Mini
DV Cassette Adapter. |
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| Updated 10/05/07 |
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