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Panasonic P2 HD
The Panasonic P2 systems use uniquely designed Panasonic P2 Memory Card Media, which provides support for random access capability, fast computer IT connectivity, and a projected reliable media write cycle capacity of up to 100,000 times per card.  The first P2 unit to offer selectable HD/SD P2 Media recording is the AG-HVX200, which is listed here.  Other products such as the AJ-SPX800 P2 DVCPRO50/25 Media Camera (with DVCPRO50 standard definition 23.98 on 59.94 with pull down), the newer AJ-SPC700 DVCPRO50/25 Media Camera (59.94i only), and the AJ-SPD850 P2 Media Studio Recorder Deck are related to the AG-HVX200 in their support for DVCPRO50/25 functionality, and by the similar use of the same Panasonic P2 Media Cards.
Panasonic AG-HPX500
P2 HD/SD Camcorder


HPX500smtr.gif (5014 bytes)

Switchable Compression -
DVCPRO recorded to P2 (only):
DVCPRO HD (16:9) 4:2:2
1080 raster:
59.94i/29.97psf/25psf/23.98psf*
*with added pull down (only)
1080 modes offer other "variable"
fixed frame rate choices

720 raster:
59.94p/29.97p/23.98p**
Recorded to P2 (only)
**native or with added pull down,
720p mode offers other "variable"
fixed frame rate choices
or
DVCPRO 50/25 (4:3/16:9)
480 raster:
59.94i/50i/29.97psf/25psf/23.98psf*
*23.98psf with pull down,
DVCPRO50 is 4:2:2
DVCPRO(25) is 4:1:1
(NTSC/PAL)
or
DV (4:3/16:9)
480 raster:
59.94i/50i/25psf/23.98psf*
*23.98psf DV with pull down
DV (NTSC mode) is 4:1:1
DV (PAL mode) is 4:2:0


Note: P2 is the Panasonic Memory Card
Media, shown below, not a codec. 
DVCPRO is MJPEG type Compression
with fixed compression rates.
P2 files show as .MXF with the
exception of Thumbnails of the clips in
the file system which show as .BMP
images.
16GBP2.gif (9406 bytes)
You convert as necessary into and out of
.MXF with optional software applications
from many 3rd Party NLE systems, or the
.MXF is used by a supporting NLE to read
the metadata information as it may apply
to support advanced editing functions.
Purchase from VTP

DVCPRO HD P2 Memory Card Camera-Recorder
2/3" x3, 620,000 pixel (with spatial offset) 16:9 CCD progressive imager system with Native 16:9 aspect ratio.

P2 DVCPROHD 1080/720p selectable or DV (SP/LP Modes)

Switchable recording and playback of DVCPRO HD and DVCPRO 50 or DVCPRO 25 on P2 Memory Card Media, or DV format on P2 or DV format on Mini-DV Tapes (SP/LP Modes).  Down-conversion from P2 HD to Mini-DV in the Camera is possible (but not while simultaneously recording to P2 or transfering files from P2).

AG-HPX500 Features include:

* CineGammaTM Software
* Re-usable P2 Memory Card System for DVCPROHD/50/25
   (4 P2 Card Slots, no tape drive in the camera, P2 Media only)
* Chromatic Aberration Correction capability allows users to use a
  variety of HD lenses (lenses not included with camera)
* LCD User Display, Focus Assist Function
* Panasonic AJ-P2C016HG 16GB P2 Cards required for P2
  operation (sold separately).
* Uses 2/3" HD lenses (sold separately).
* USB Type-B, 4-pin connection for copying .MXF files from
  Camera to PC (not while camera is recording to P2, requires P2
  Software/Driver, which is supplied on CD-ROM, and user supplied
  Windows XP Professional Version, cable, and suitabe PC)
* 6-pin IEEE connection can be used to copy .MXF files to MAC  
   (requires suitable user supplied system and cable)
   File transfers are not possible when camera is recording to P2.
* HD-SDI/SDI Out, HD analog component out (breakout), analog
   composite SD out
* Ships with standard definition 1.5" traditional-style 4:3 viewfinder
  model AJ-VF11 (not available separately).  Optional viewfinders
  are AJ-VF15B, and AJ-VF20WB, available separately.
* Selectable 23.98pN Frame Progressive HDV 720p P2 recording
   (native frame rate with no pull down or added frames on P2)
* Other selectable P2 1080p/720p frame rates supported
* Menu Structure similar to HVX200
* Loop, Interval, Pre-record Modes
* 11 variable (fixed) frame rates for HD
* 3 User Buttons (Menu Assignable)
* IEEE 1394 interface (native DVCPRO/50/HD)
   (adds pull down and repeat frames to all 720p native frame
   modes to comply with DVCPRO HD 720p, over IEEE to optional 
   AJ-HD1400 VTR with IEEE option, or optional compatible NLE,
   or 3rd Party Focus Enhancements Firestore)

* 48kHz 16-bit 4-Ch PCM Uncompressed Audio
  (2 XLR front, 2 XLR back, selectable Phantom power on each)
* Optional Combination P2 HDD Unit AJ-PCS060G
   (reads P2 Memory Card Media and holds up to 60B worth
   of P2 Media for rapid temporary storage (can clip to a
   belt, or mount to a P2 supported NLE, AC/DC powered)

* Optional AJ-PCD20 Memory Card Drive (5 P2 card reader)
* Requires lens, power system, P2 Media, mic, mic holder, all sold
  separately. Tripod plate required to mount to tripod (also sold
  separately, not included)
Options and accessories (some required):  AJ-MC700P XLR Mic; AJ-MC200G XLR Mic, AJ-MH800G Mic Holder;  SHAN-TM700 Tripod Adapter; Optional SD Memory Card (for saving scene files); Battery or AC power systems (required to operate); Optional 2/3" HD Lenses (lens is required to operate the camera).  AJ-P2C016HG 16GB P2 Cards sold separately (required for P2 operation).

Panasonic AG-HVX200
P2 HD/SD Camcorder


aghvx200smtr.gif (12871 bytes)

Switchable Compression -
DVCPRO recorded to P2 (only):
DVCPRO HD (16:9) 4:2:2
1080 raster:
59.94i/29.97psf/23.98psf*
*with added pull down (only)
720 raster:
59.94p/29.97p/23.98p**
Recorded to P2 (only)
**native or with added pull down,
720p mode offers other
fixed frame rate choices
or
DVCPRO 50/25 (4:3/16:9)
480 raster:
59.94i/29.97p/23.98p*
*23.98 with pull down,
DVCPRO50 is 4:2:2
DVCPRO(25) is 4:1:1

or
DV (SP/LP), Mini-DV Tape or P2
480 raster:
59.94i or 480/23.98psf*
*23.98psf DV with pull down,
DV (NTSC) is 4:1:1


Note: P2 is the Panasonic Memory Card
Media, not a codec.  DVCPRO is MJPEG
type Compression with fixed compression
Rates. P2 files show as .MXF with the
exception of Thumbnails of the clips in
the file system which show as .BMP
images.

You convert as necessary into and out of
.MXF with optional software applications
from many 3rd Party NLE systems, or the
.MXF is used by a supporting NLE to read
the metadata information as it may apply
to support advanced editing functions.
Purchase from VTP

DVCPRO HD P2 Memory Card Camera-Recorder with additional Mini-DV Tape Mode
1
/3" IT type x3, 16:9 CCD imager system with Native 16:9 aspect ratio; fixed 13x Leica Dicomar HD lens (servo zoom, manual focus).

P2 DVCPROHD 1080/720p selectable or DV (SP/LP Modes)

Switchable recording and playback of DVCPRO HD and DVCPRO 50 or DVCPRO 25 on P2 Memory Card Media, or DV format on P2 or DV format on Mini-DV Tapes (SP/LP Modes).  Down-conversion from P2 HD to Mini-DV in the Camera is possible (but not while simultaneously recording to P2 or transfering files from P2).

AG-HVX200 Features include:

* Re-usable P2 Memory Card System for DVCPROHD/50/25
  (2 P2 Card Slots)
* USB Type-B, 4-pin connection for copying .MXF files from
  Camera to PC (not while camera is recording to P2, requires P2
  Software/Driver, which is supplied on CD-ROM, and user supplied
  Windows XP Professional Version, cable, and suitabe PC)
* 6-Pin IEEE connection can be used to copy .MXF files to MAC  
  (requires suitable user supplied system and cable)
  File transfers are not possible when camera is recording to P2.
* Mini-DV Recording for DV 25 4:1:1 mode (SP/LP Selectable)
  (80 minute Mini-DV Tapes are not supported)
* Selectable 23.98pN Frame Progressive HDV 720p P2 recording
  (native frame rate with no pull down or added frames on P2)
* Other selectable P2 1080p/720p frame rates supported
* 3.5" LCD User Display
* 82mm filter Leica Dicomar 13x semi-servo zoom lens
  (motorized/manual zoom modes)
* Optical Image Stabilizer
* HD Component Analog Output (D4 breakout cable connection)
* Y/C & Composite Analog Standard Definition I/O
* Standard 4-pin IEEE 1394 interface (native DVCPRO/50/HD)
  (adds pull down and repeat frames to all 720p native frame
  modes to comply with DVCPRO HD 720p, over IEEE to optional 
  AJ-HD1400 VTR with IEEE option, or optional compatible NLE,
  or 3rd Party Focus Enhancements Firestore FS-100, see below)

* 48kHz 16-bit 4-Ch PCM Uncompressed Audio (2 XLR)
* Optional Combination P2 HDD Unit AJ-PCS060G
  (reads P2 Memory Card Media and holds up to 60B worth
  of P2 Media for rapid temporary storage (can clip to a
  belt, or mount to a P2 supported NLE, AC/DC powered)

* Optional AJ-PCD20 Memory Card Drive (5 P2 card reader)
* You can down convert out of the P2 DVCPRO HD Cards to
  standard definition Mini-DV (with pulldown) such as for "Dailies"
  operations (but not while recording or transferring P2).

Additional Notes for AG-HVX200 P2 HD Camcorder:

All 1080i codec modes convert to 59.94i when recorded in P2 as .MXF or as are output live as DVCPROHD, or as may be transferred out as DVCPROHD in real time through the supporting IEEE interface when it is set to the DVCPRO codec mode.  The USB2 interface is used for faster than real time .MXF transfer, but not at the same time as when recording in the camera to P2 media.  The IEEE port can be set in device mode, when connected with a MAC and you can use appropriate P2 drivers to obtain faster than real time file access, but not simultaneous access to the media card content or the camera imager output from the camera when it is recording.

720p codec modes support selectable native frame rates when recording to P2 of 23.98pN "progressive native", or 29.97pN "progressive native".  However, these codec modes are force converted to 720p/59.94 DVCPRO HD at almost all times through the IEEE interface, when live, or transferring content after recording to P2 (the exception is that when the IEEE port is in device mode, it may be connected with a MAC and you can use appropriate P2 drivers to obtain faster than real time file access, but not simultaneous access to the media card content or the camera imager output from the camera when it is recording).  In the case of PC connectivity, the USB2 interface can be used for transferring and preserving the progressive native frame rate modes out of the camera as well as the .MXF file system after recording to P2, and this transfer capability is faster than real time. 

To assist those who want the benefits of the 720p recorded tape aperture but desire to fully characterize a progressive 30 frame look (or film on video look) that they want for standard definition down conversion, a 23.98 progressive and 720p 29.97 progressive choice can also be selected as the P2 codec frame rate recording choice.  However, bear in mind that these frame rates will be forced converted to 720p/59.94 when recorded to P2 and whenever they may be output through the IEEE interface (the exception is that IEEE in device mode may be used with a MAC and appropriate P2 drivers to obtain file access, but not simultaneous with the camera when it is recording).  If down converting from these choices, the result will resemble the native choices mentioned above, but the pull down will have already been added on the P2 media.  These modes might be selected by someone wanting to force the pulldown to be locked into all versions of the recorded media, or perhaps for a more immediate or convenient final result use of the material.

The AJ-YAX800G is not compatible for generating proxies in the AG-HVX200.

Some P2 HD Workflow Options (additional equipment required):
* DVCPRO HD 720/23.98p native frame rate mode
* Transfer to HDD out of camera using USB2 with Optional P2 Driver & P2 Viewer 2.0 Software
  (for Windows XP Pro SP1 or later, DirectX 9.0b or later, 32-bit display, sound card, P2 driver, and
  ample RAM)

* AJ-P2C004HG 4GB P2 Card (disccontinued)
  (holds up to 10 minutes of 720/23.98pN DVCPRO HD or up to 8 minutes of DVCPRO50)
* AJ-P2C008HG 8GB P2 Card (discontinued)
  (holds up to 20 minutes of 720/23.98pN DVCPRO HD or up to 16 minutes of DVCPRO50)
* AJ-P2C016HG 16GB P2 Card (new for 2007)
  (holds up to 40 minutes of 720/23.98pN DVCPRO HD or up to 32 minutes of DVCPRO50)
* No need for low resolution HD motion video proxies*, P2 media transfers are about 1 minute per GB
  (*the optional NLE system or system running P2 Viewer should be fast and have ample RAM)
* Optionally Master P2 HD from NLE to a deliverable tape format such as DVCPROHD, D5 HD
* CineGamma™ Mode emulates film look for film on video*
  (*This software enhanced look is not recommended for use with film transfers which may be better
  suited to utilize more flexible and appropriate post production introduced gamma-correction/coding)
 

Panasonic Supplied Accessories for AG-HVX200 P2 HD camera:
AC adapter/charger; AC cord; DC cord; Battery (5400mAH); Wireless remote controller; Microphone holder; shoulder strap; component analog video breakout cable; CD-ROM with Windows Version of P2 card software driver.

All specifications and Panasonic supplied accessories are subject to change without notice.

Select Optional Accessories for P2 HD include:
AJ-P2C016HG 16GB High performance P2 Card
AJ-PCD20 P2 Drive IEEE/USB2.0 (requires Optional P2 Driver in Host Computer PC or MAC)
AJ-PCS060G Portable 60GB P2 Store Drive*
  (*requires P2 Driver in Optional PC, Optional AC Adapter AG-B15 + CGAD54SE/1B Battery option)
I-Link Cable(s) (Various) (4-pin Connector on Camera)
USB vers. 2.0 Cable(s) (Various) (Mini-B Connector on Camera)
Focus Enhancements Firestore FS-100 (100GB) Portable DTE Recorder
  (*requires optional battery and 4-pin to 6-pin IEEE Cable.  The FS-100 can see DVCPRO HD
  over the IEEE, but in versions of the FS-100 less than v3, it will not be able to extract the flagged
  frames from IEEE 720p/24p mode and store as 720p/23.98 natively in the original frame rate, rather
  it will be 720p/59.94 with repeat frames and pulldown.  DTE stands for "Direct To Edit", and refers to
  the mounting of this drive for NLE standard definition RawDV, AVI, OMF, and Quicktime file formats
  for standard definition recording, and .MXF file formats when or if fully supporting the necessary P2
Driver for call up into the applicable supporting NLE editor timeline).

AG-MC100G XLR Microphone
AJ-MC700 Microphone Kit
CGP-D54SE/1B 5.4 Ah Battery Pack

Additional AG-HVX200 P2 Media & Mini-DV Recording Information:
  (information and specifications subject to change without notice)

P2info1.jpg (36103 bytes)

Updated 05/14/07