Panasonic announces aj-hpx3100 p2 hd camcorder

if you people think i am wasting your precious time at all, sorry for that and excuse for my ignorance in camera technicalities.
thank you all very much.

Of course you're not wasting our time, you're very welcome here.

The big difference is CMOS vs CCD. CMOS is a lot cheaper for the same spec, and it also can be housed in a smaller body as it requires less cooling so smaller fans (apparently).
This is why it's a mistake to look merely at the specification numbers (as many do) and see one camera is 1080 and the other is 720 so the 1080 is better - not neccessarily.

Steve
 
Of course you're not wasting our time, you're very welcome here.

The big difference is CMOS vs CCD. CMOS is a lot cheaper for the same spec, and it also can be housed in a smaller body as it requires less cooling so smaller fans (apparently).
This is why it's a mistake to look merely at the specification numbers (as many do) and see one camera is 1080 and the other is 720 so the 1080 is better - not neccessarily.

Steve

That's right Steve--the processing power needed for full raster 1080 CCD's is significant, even 720/60p processing as well for 2/3" 720 native CCD's. This is also why you don't see anything over 30 fps in full raster 1080 CCD's. Power consumption, processing power, and heat become a big issue in one-piece ENG form factor cameras.

Is it true the Sony PDW-700 drops down to 4:2:0 Long GOP when shooting in 720/60P?
 
Is it true the Sony PDW-700 drops down to 4:2:0 Long GOP when shooting in 720/60P?

Not as far as I know - it's the same amount of data to do 1080/30P as 720/60P isn't it, so they should need the same processing power. Never heard of it going to 4:2:0.
Steve
 
Not as far as I know - it's the same amount of data to do 1080/30P as 720/60P isn't it, so they should need the same processing power. Never heard of it going to 4:2:0.
Steve

Steve,

720/60P requires big bandwidth with a horizontal frequency of 45khz. By comparison, 1080/30P is only 33.75khz.
 
That's beyond my technical knowledge I'm afraid! I assumed that 1280x720x60=55,296,000 pixels per second, while 1920x1080x30=62,208,000 so very similar, in fact the 1080 working out slightly more.
Never heard of the PDW700 changing to 4:2:0 in 720, be interested to know if this is right.
Steve
 
thank you faust, barry green, steve and Dino for your detailed information about AG & AJ series cameras and as well as about CMOS & CCD'S sensors technologies and their capabilities in a nut shell. it is such a nice informative post at all.
 
Well, today is the last weekday of October and I haven't seen anything about the 3100 shipping or American price. Anyone actually have any new information?

David
 
Didn't we use to have a Panasonic Rep on here that fielded questions? I think I remember Jan saying someone else handled this line.

David
 
Well, well, well... just got a press release. Looks like the HPX3100 is going to be much more affordable than previously thought! It was announced at IBC as being "32,500 euros" but the press release I just received states a different number:

$19,950!

That makes it far and away the least-expensive 2/3" 1920x1080 CCD camcorder on the market.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Pat Lamb 518.692.8150 pat.lamb@cohnwolfe.com
PSC.PR@cohnwolfe.com
PANASONIC DELIVERING AJ-HPX3100 MASTER-QUALITY 1080P
P2 HD CAMCORDER AT A BREAKTHROUGH PRICE
At Under $20,000, Slim-line 2/3” Camera Features Include 24-Bit Audio in
AVC-Intra, Wireless Metadata Input and High-Quality Proxy Recording
SECAUCUS, NJ (December 21, 2010) – Panasonic Solutions Company has announced it is
shipping the new AJ-HPX3100 master quality 1080p P2 HD camcorder, its most compact and
lowest-price 2/3” 1080p 3-CCD camcorder.
Featuring three 2/3" high density 2.2 million pixel CCDs, the HPX3100 acquires full-raster 1920 x 1080
resolution imaging with 4:2:2 10-bit sampling using the advanced AVC-Intra codec. The camcorder
records in multiple worldwide formats, in HD in AVC-Intra and in DVCPRO HD at 1080 in 24p, 25p, 30p,
50i and 60i, and in SD (480i/586i) in DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV.
Designed for scripted programming, documentary, nature, cinema and commercial production, the
master-quality HPX3100 delivers new features including 24-bit audio in AVC-Intra 100/50, wireless
metadata input capability via wireless LAN and high-quality proxy recording. The proxy board also
provides uncompressed audio, which can enhance editing, especially for projects with a large amount of
content, like reality TV and long-form projects.
The two-P2-slot HPX3100 is equipped with seven advanced gamma settings, including Film-Rec 600%
mode (made popular by the VariCam), to capture increased dynamic range. It also features a built-in
reverse scan that allows unique setups such as mounting the camera upside down or usage of an ultra
prime lens or an anamorphic lens adapter to create a 2.35:1 aspect image.
Offering a new slim-line size (similar to the AG-HPX370)for added mobility, the HPX3100 sports a low
center of gravity and weighs 8.6 pounds. The P2 HD camcorder’s superb performance is enhanced
with advanced 14-bit A/D conversion and a 12-pole matrix color correction function. Additional high-end
features include a Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) function that corrects for lateral chromatic
aberration in lenses, and a three-level Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) function that reduces blocked
shadows and blown highlights in scenes where bright and dark objects coexist. The HPX3100 has a high
sensitivity of F11 at 2,000 lux in 1080i, and an S/N ratio of 59 dB (with Digital Noise Reduction turned
On). Power consumption is about 34 watts.
The camcorder records on high data transfer speed E-Series P2 cards (capacity up to 64GB).The
HPX3100 has dual optical filter wheels for separate control of ND and CC, and a flip-out, 3.5-inch color
LCD monitor for easy viewing. There is an option for a color or black-and-white type viewfinder. Standard
interfaces include an HD-SDI input for external line recording, IEEE 1394A in/out, USB 2.0 in/out, genlock
in with HD Tri-Level Sync or VBS in, and SMPTE time code in/out.
The HPX3100 supports full 48-kHz/24-bit audio recording on all four channels (in AVC-Intra 100/50),
and supports the optional AJ-RC10G and AJ-EC4 remote control units for superb image and control
adjustment. Other valuable features include Digital Zoom and Digital Super Gain, and a One-clip REC
function that records up to 99 consecutive cuts as a single clip, greatly facilitating editing. The HPX3100
also supports optional camera studio systems.
To lower total ownership costs, Panasonic offers a five-year limited warranty (the company’s normal 1-
year basic warranty plus an extended warranty for years two through five upon registration).
The AJ-HPX3100 is available at a suggested list price of $19,950. The new AJ-YDX30 proxy board and
wireless LAN will both be available in early 2011.
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 Solutions Company
Panasonic Solutions Company empowers people whose jobs depend on reliable technology. The
company delivers collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in
government, healthcare, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises. Products and services
within the company’s portfolio include Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computing solutions, projectors,
professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD and 3D video acquisition and production
solutions. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic is known
for the reliability and longevity of its products. Panasonic Solutions Company is a Division of Panasonic
Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation
(NYSE: PC).
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective
companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic Solutions
Company’s full line of products can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com/
broadcast.
###
 
This is a great price but I can't believe it does not have 720p modes. Just seems like there is always a catch since we entered the HD era.

Where does this leave the HPX-2100 in the line? Maybe by default the HPX-2100 will be the HPX-500's successor!
 
I wonder how this will affcet HPX3000 sales? When we use P2 cameras, we use one card at a time so the 2-slots vs 5-slots doesn't mean any shortcoming to us. I can't see both cameras staying in the marketplace unless Panasonic has hobbled the specs of the 3100.
 
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