HPX500 and HPG-20 makes HPX2700?

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dolph2000

Well-known member
This is sort of great news, but does it really make it a 2700.

Except for full raster this combination will be the new Varicam 2700, right?
 
The HPX500 is still an 8 bit image coming off the processor and then captured to 10 bit the HPG-20. The 2700 captures 10 bit right off of the source. I would think that would mean more accurate source data. I've been asking myself this same question for the last few weeks though.

It sure does look interesting regardless. Not to mention all the other benefits of the HPG-20 for field recording and file dumping. I'd almost rather spend the money on the HPG-20 than buy a couple of 64 gig cards (figuring that I already have three 8's and a 16). My work doesn't require long record times, but it would be nice to get files to a hard drive without a laptop.

Hoping to see some footage from this combination soon. Don't know if the HPG-20 is being delivered yet.
 
The HPX2700 delivers a cleaner and sharper image than the HPX500 is capable of. The $25,000 difference in the price tags really does buy you some extra performance.
 
what I understand is that HD/SDI out from HPX500, 10bit is. Because it's not going through the DVCPRO compression.
 
Barry_Green said:
The HPX2700 delivers a cleaner and sharper image than the HPX500 is capable of. The $25,000 difference in the price tags really does buy you some extra performance.
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absolutely as you compare camera's only, but a tool as the HPG-20 can bring it very close, because of elements brought together in a later fase.

I have the 500 but want to go to 10 bit like the varicam. I want to buy the 2700 but now I know I can record master quality SDI out via the 500 with HPG-20, I don't know if I see the $25.000 differance (based on pure facts, because I would kill for a 2700)
 
I read that the HPG20 P2 Portable does not record 1080 progressive, unlike the HPM110. It is more like the HPM100 in that regard.

Another approach, without the frame rate flexibility, would be the HPX2000 with AVC Intra board. I've seen many used and B-stcok models for under $20K. Some have the AVC Intra board in them because there was a promotion from Panasonic that bundled the $3K option for no charge.

Obviously this route would cost more than just adding a P2 Portable to an existing HPX500, but a lot less than an HPX2700.

I think the HPX2700 price premium over the HPX2000 is out of line, and have read that the price difference is not near as much in other countries vs. the U.S. market.
 
dolph2000 said:
what I understand is that HD/SDI out from HPX500, 10bit is. Because it's not going through the DVCPRO compression.
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Nope. It's uncompressed, but it's still 8-bit. It's 8 bits of data carried within an SDI-compliant 10-bit word. You can't get 10-bit out of an HPX500.
 
Dino said:
I read that the HPG20 P2 Portable does not record 1080 progressive, unlike the HPM110. It is more like the HPM100 in that regard.
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Correct. 1080 is recorded as 1080/60i on the HPG20, just like on the HPM100. The HPM110 added 1080/24pN recording capability.
 
dolph2000 said:
absolutely as you compare camera's only, but a tool as the HPG-20 can bring it very close, because of elements brought together in a later fase.
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In some ways, but not all ways. Just look at the live image from a 2700 on a monitor, compared to the live image from the 500... they're not the same. The 2700 is noticeably sharper and with less noise.

I have the 500 but want to go to 10 bit like the varicam.
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The HPG20 won't quite get you there because you can't get 10-bit out of the HPX500. The 300, 2000, 2700, 3000, 3700, and VariCam all outbit true 10-bit, but the 500 and 170 output 8-bit.

I don't know if I see the $25.000 differance (based on pure facts, because I would kill for a 2700)
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Look at it on a monitor. Try it out. See if you see the difference. If you don't, then by all means save the cash and go with the HPG20. But if you do see the difference, recognize that the HPG20 won't turn a $10,000 HPX500 into a $35,000 HPX2700.
 
Barry_Green said:
In some ways, but not all ways. Just look at the live image from a 2700 on a monitor, compared to the live image from the 500... they're not the same. The 2700 is noticeably sharper and with less noise.


The HPG20 won't quite get you there because you can't get 10-bit out of the HPX500. The 300, 2000, 2700, 3000, 3700, and VariCam all outbit true 10-bit, but the 500 and 170 output 8-bit.


Look at it on a monitor. Try it out. See if you see the difference. If you don't, then by all means save the cash and go with the HPG20. But if you do see the difference, recognize that the HPG20 won't turn a $10,000 HPX500 into a $35,000 HPX2700.
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thanks for you're input, quite clear, no HPG20 for me. I would absolutely go for 2700
 
Hpx500 / hpx2000 / hdc27-h

Hpx500 / hpx2000 / hdc27-h

Has anyone tried slapping an HPG20 onto the back of a full size camera to see if the weight/size is just too much?

I'm intrigued with the idea of possibly using the HPX2000 (sans Intra card) with an HPG20. The 2000 has a native 1280x720 sensor so you're going to get a cleaner image (all things being equal) than the HPX500 with 960x540 sensor.

This brings about an interesting question: If you want a kick-ass 10bit AVC-Intra recording tool for around $20K, why not just buy a used Varicam H and attach the HPG20?

Simon Sommerfeld
DP
Redwood City, CA
 
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The 2000, with an HPG20, should deliver nigh unto identical results as to what it would if you bought and installed the intra board. However, you wouldn't have access to pN recording, which is possible with the internal board. At least, it is on the HPX300, not 110% sure about the 2000.

As to Varicam/Intra, yes that'd be pretty sweet, with the only real caveat being that I don't think you can get 1080i/1080p out of that combo. The VariCam outputs 720p and 720p only, doesn't it?
 
Hi Barry,

Yep, the Varicam is 720, but what an image! The real kicker to this deal is the Varicam's true variable frame recording, which you don't get with the 2000.

Not sure about the 2000 / 24pN/ Intra recording setup. I know that Panasonic did a 24pN firmware upgrade for the 2000 which "possibly" works regardless if the Intra board is installed or not.

The 2000 (dollar) question - is pN coming off the camera through the HDSDI and is the HPG20 able to record it?
 
As I understand it the HPG20 doesn't record pN at all, it records "over 60". Could be wrong on that but I think that's the big huge difference between the inexpensive SDI recorder (HPG20) and the more-expensive SDI recorder in their lineup, the HPM110.
 
I'll try to get my hands on an HPG20 and see what it really does when coupled to some cameras.

Anyone know of one available in the SF Bay Area?
 
Where the HPG20 will help an HPX500 is on the time line and in color correction. It won't invent resolution but it will break dow the uncompressed signal to 10 bits in AVC-Intra and that will be useful in color.

Best,

Jan
 
BTT said:
I'll try to get my hands on an HPG20 and see what it really does when coupled to some cameras.

Anyone know of one available in the SF Bay Area?
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BTT, if you could do that it would be great. I'm here on a Island and couldn't test it.
As I just read from Jan it does give you 10 bit so that's fantastic. Only interested in capabitlity of 720p24 recording and I'm going to buy.
 
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