New Panasonic AG HC-X2 (HC-X1/UX180 successor)

Oh wow, thanks. Noted down the links.
Another question, do you know if the X2 is compatible with any of the panasonic RCP's (Remote Control Panel) for shading?
 
mitteg said:
I paid less than $3000 for the HC-X2, considering its features, and the inflation in general, I think that today is a great deal. Better than the CX350 actually.
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Was that price for a used or new unit? Everyone has it listed for $3.2k, where did you get yours from?
 
Ken1212 said:
Was that price for a used or new unit? Everyone has it listed for $3.2k, where did you get yours from?
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You can get almost any product for less than retail if you ask. For electronics, usually a few bucks less from monopolies, and sometimes a few hundred less from others, from desperation. (Not implying anything about anyone specifically; just noting how business may work in the world.)
 
I'm trying to use my Panasonic HC-X2 as a camera for Zoom meeting. It seems like it doesn't have the UVC capabilities most cameras have nowadays in order to get detected as an USB camera. Do you know if Panasonic offers a Virtual USB camera driver for macOS? Cannot find it either.

Any alternatives? Thanks!
 
The Blackmagic ATEM series will turn basically anything with an HDMI output into a USB camera.
 
Bassman2003 said:
They do offer a virtual USB driver. It works, sort of... Although I do not know if it is for MAC. https://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/software/ptz_vud/ It lists the CX-350 as supported. Not sure if it works with the new X2.
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Only for Windows and not sure if HC-X2 is supported. They mention PTZ cameras and the CX line. Sad that the brand new X2 doesn't have such a simple feature like UVC video. Of course there are other ways to accomplish but that would make life so much easier!
 
Yes. This functionality is a weak area for Panasonic in my experience. They fill up the brochure with features but the features are often not stable or implemented well enough to use on a job. When you call tech support nobody knows how to troubleshoot these topics and there seems to be no one for them to call... I got the virtual USB to sort of work but it would not transfer 1080p60, only 1080p30. After a long back and forth finally got somebody in Japan that said the driver was not compatible with OBS. I just gave up since $15 capture cards are compatible with OBS!
 
Ended up with a magewell USB 3 capture card and a bunch of adapters and it worked. Again, not the end of the world but one expect these camcorders to be a swiss army knive. They are not particulary the best in any area, but just check all the boxes.

To be honest, the Canon XF605 seems to be a more refined camera, although much more expensive.

Bassman2003 said:
Yes. This functionality is a weak area for Panasonic in my experience. They fill up the brochure with features but the features are often not stable or implemented well enough to use on a job. When you call tech support nobody knows how to troubleshoot these topics and there seems to be no one for them to call... I got the virtual USB to sort of work but it would not transfer 1080p60, only 1080p30. After a long back and forth finally got somebody in Japan that said the driver was not compatible with OBS. I just gave up since $15 capture cards are compatible with OBS!
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I like the Panasonics for value, menu color control as well as long lenses. I can live without the bells and whistles like wifi etc...
 
So I ended up ordering an HC-X2 few days ago and it arrived today. While browsing through the menu I was shocked to find out that it does not shoot 1080/29.97p in MP4 like the UX90 and 180. Any idea why?
 
Interestingly the framerate specification write-up does skip 29.97p in MP4 in 1080p...not sure why but why not just use the 10-bit .mov one? It's 10-bit and would be around the same bit rate as the MP4 option.

The MP4 10-bit is only for UHD and the 8-bit one is only limited to 24p, 50p and 60p as you noted.
 
NorBro said:
Interestingly the framerate specification write-up does skip 29.97p in MP4 in 1080p...not sure why but why not just use the 10-bit .mov one? It's 10-bit and would be around the same bit rate as the MP4 option.

The MP4 10-bit is only for UHD and the 8-bit one is only limited to 24p, 50p and 60p as you noted.
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Most conferences I capture are shot to be delivered right after the event with no editing and clients end up uploading the file/s to their website and YouTube/social media. I have been using a UX90 which is only 8bit and been delivering MP4 as it's more universal for streaming, in fact many clients ask for MP4 maybe because YouTube recommends it! I also prefer shooting in 30p for less motion. It seems that I might have to convince some clients to go with .mov if they ask for MP4 or shoot in 24p ! I got the X2 as sometimes we have to shoot two presentations taking place at the same time in two separate rooms.
 
I remember the vintage Vimeo days when they stressed about uploading .MP4 and even recommended a sample rate of 48kHz and not 44.1 for audio!

Those days are long gone...all of these modern platforms will accept almost anything and everything today.
 
NorBro said:
I remember the vintage Vimeo days where they stressed about uploading .MP4 and even recommended a sample rate of 48kHz and not 44.1 for audio!

Those days are long gone...all of these platforms will accept almost anything and everything.
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I guess I have to start shooting in .mov. Since the file size of the 10bit is the same as 8bit, does it make a difference if I shoot 10bit on the X2 and 8bit on the UX90 for delivery or livestreaming a multi-cam shoot?
 
No, not at all.

Difference-makers that would matter is if one camera had a noticeably cleaner sensor, or more detail, or better color or dynamic range, things that are visually noticeable (including different paint settings on the cameras).

Now the jump from 8-bit to 10-bit might have a very subtle color change in some really high-quality, particular cameras - but nothing that can't be tweaked.
 
NorBro said:
No, not at all.

Difference-makers that would matter is if one camera had a noticeably cleaner sensor, or more detail, or better color or dynamic range, things that are visually noticeable (including different paint settings on the cameras).
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I wish my UX90 had 10bit for a better match. I shoot mostly in 30p, conferences and interviews. I am guessing since there is not much motion going on or subtle motion then 24p should work fine too ! What's your take?
 
I shoot everything in 24p, like everything, even the slow-motion is 60p that's overcranked in a 24p file (not all cameras offer this and most that do are from ARRI, RED and Blackmagic).

I don't have much experience with 30p but I don't really like the way it looks.

And, IMO, there would never be enough motion at a conference for any to affect 24p. The kind of motion that people usually talk about is when the panning is too fast and it produces strobbing, that's the most common example.
 
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