Panasonic Announces New HPX-170

[hungrych]

http://www.freshdv.com/2008/04/panas...w-hpx-170.html

Continuing with Panasonics announcements from their press conference the newly announced HPX-170. I’ll reserve any thoughts on these cameras until I can get my hands on them tomorrow, but my initial response is that this camera will not be the HVX200a or HVX200 replacement.



Press Release:
LAS VEGAS, NV (April 13, 2008) – Panasonic unveiled here at NAB the AG-HPX170, a fully solid-state P2 HD handheld camcorder. A full production quality tool, the solid-state handheld camcorder enables high definition and standard definition recording, the widest zoom lens in its class, and a HD-SDI interface for connection to baseband production and distribution infrastructure, all in a lightweight 4.2-pound body.
Fully solid-state, the two-slot HPX170 is a 1080p capable camcorder that offers the compelling advantages of P2 technology including: no moving parts unlike tape, hard disk drive, or disc-based systems; instant random access to recorded HD or SD content; a faster IT compatible file-based workflow; and the ability to operate in harsh environments with resistance to temperature extremes, shock and vibration.
Building on the success of the AG-HVX200, the HPX170 is equipped with new advanced 1/3-inch 16:9 3-CCDs and a high-performance digital signal processor with 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit processing to deliver broadcast-quality, independent frame recordings. The HPX170 offers a 13X Leica Dicomar zoom lens with a 28mm wide-angle setting (the widest in its class) and a cam-driven manual zoom for smooth, easy and precise operation. For added flexibility, the camera provides auto or manual focus and iris.
The multi-format camera records in 20 HD and SD formats; in a variety of 1080i and 720p formats in DVCPRO HD, in 480i in DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO, and in 480i in DV. It’s switchable between 16:9/4:3 aspect ratios. The HPX170 offers a 20-step frame rate selection in 720p mode for variable-speed shooting in the 12fps to 60fps range to acquire fast- or slow-motion in-camera effects. For added creative flexibility, professionals can select from a variety of advanced gamma functions and settings including a CineGammaTM mode.
With its two P2 card slots, users can record up to 64 continuous minutes of the highest quality DVCPRO HD recording using currently available 32GB P2 cards. Record times will double with the release of Panasonic’s 64GB P2 card in the fall. Other user-friendly recording modes include hot swapping for non-stop recording, loop record, pre-record, interval and one-shot recording. A time/date stamp function makes it ideal for use in law enforcement environments.
The HPX170 is equipped with an HD/SD-SDI output standard for live feed productions as well as for editing and monitoring. It also has IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0 interfaces for fast P2 content transfer into NLE systems, and offers a composite output, component output (mini D-terminal) and a time-code setting via IEEE 1394. The camera also features a built-in stereo microphone and two-channel XLR audio input terminals supporting 48V phantom power supply with a selectable mic/line; and manual audio level volume (two-channel). Other convenient operational features include clip preview on the camera’s 3.5” color LCD monitor; instant recording startup, scene files, assignable user buttons, focus assist and a camera remote function.
The AG-HPX170 will be available in fall 2008. It will be covered by Panasonic’s five-year limited P2 HD warranty*.
About P2 HD
P2 HD all solid-state products offer 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 North American headquarters of Matsushi*a 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.
*To lower total ownership costs, Panasonic offers a five-year limited warranty (Panasonic Broadcast’s normal 1-year basic warranty plus an extended warranty for years two through five upon product registration).

[Huy Vu]

Interesting. Feature wise it sounds exactly like an HVX, although there is no noticeable new feature to be found except for the HD-SDI port. If this is not a replacement how are they going to distinguish this product from the HVX? Hopefully this won't be a case of the Canon A1/G1 style of marketing.

[tmnt]

errr... I don't get it. So it's a HVX with HD-SDI?

[matt s.]

No tape mech. So for those strictly working with P2 without the need for a tape ever i would consider it an HVX replacement.

[Nik Manning]

What is the price? Hearing about 1/3 inch chip cameras just seem so plain now. Hopefully this is Priced to compete with the Canon A1.

[Barry_Green]

Originally Posted by tmnt

errr... I don't get it. So it's a HVX with HD-SDI?

Mostly, yes. But it's smaller, lighter, and adds HD-SDI, a waveform monitor, increased sensitivity, lower noise, another ND filter position, a wider-angle lens, and a few other things. I'll know more tomorrow. Right now it's a tapeless HVX with a lot of nice little improvements (like, its firewire port is six-pin instead of 4-pin).

[Barry_Green]

Originally Posted by Huy Vu

Interesting. Feature wise it sounds exactly like an HVX, although there is no noticeable new feature to be found except for the HD-SDI port. If this is not a replacement how are they going to distinguish this product from the HVX? Hopefully this won't be a case of the Canon A1/G1 style of marketing.

The HVX is bigger and fatter and has tape, the 170 is smaller and thinner and lighter and has no tape, and has a few other new features (at least, ones that I could see on the outside. There may be more lurking under the hood, but the one I saw wasn't a functional model).

[Barry_Green]

Originally Posted by Nik Manning

What is the price?

Wasn't mentioned. I would anticipate it being in the same ballpark as the 200, but maybe a little lower because it has a smaller model number.

Hearing about 1/3 inch chip cameras just seem so plain now. Hopefully this is Priced to compete with the Canon A1.

Why not the XLH1S? That's a 1/3" camera at $9,000. This unit has HD-SDI, which means they're aiming at a higher market than the Canon A1; more like the Canon G1.

[LightMast]

I think I see a Focus/Iris switch for the focus ring (presumably), which would be nice.

[Tzedekh]

Originally Posted by Barry_Green

Wasn't mentioned. I would anticipate it being in the same ballpark as the 200, but maybe a little lower because it has a smaller model number.

It can't be that much lower, seeing as how the HMC-150's MSRP will be around $4,500 (which is $500-$1,000 more than most predictions here).