Report From NAB

BobDiaz

BobDiaz

The Professor
Well here I am in Las Vegas, my son and I drove for 5 hours from LA, so we only got about 4 hours at the show. As expected, the first stop was Panasonic.

There appears to be coming a new HMC-80, which replaces the older HMC-70. I didn't have time to check it in detail, so that will have to wait for tomorrow. (My son is going to kill me when I drag him back to Panasonic tomorrow... :violent5:


There also appears to be another camera than uses a 4/3 inch chip, sorry, brain failure here, I forgot the model number, but it looks interesting....

Over all, 3D is EVERYWHERE!!!! Everyone and their brother is pushing it. More on that on a later time.

The show is not as packed at other years, but there's more people than I expected.

This is just a quick posting, stay tuned for more updates later on...



Bob Diaz
 
bob, are you referring to this one?

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wc...0101919040&surfModel=Content04082010101919040

PANASONIC INTRODUCES AG-AF100, 4/3” PROFESSIONAL HIGH-DEFINITION CAMCORDER

* Premier AVCCAM Video Camera Combines 4/3” Sensor with Superior Video Quality, Professional Audio Inputs, Variable Frame Rates, SDXC Card Technology *
AG-AF100_illust-New%20web.jpg


LAS VEGAS, NV (April 11, 2010) – Panasonic Solutions Company today announced a game-changing AVCCAM HD camcorder, the AG-AF100, the first professional micro 4/3-inch video camcorder optimized for high-definition video recording. Scheduled to ship by the end of 2010, the AG-AF100 will set a new benchmark for digital cinematography.

Targeted at the video and film production communities, the AF100 delivers the shallow depth of field and wider field of view of a large imager, with the flexibility and cost advantages of use with a growing line of professional quality, industry standard micro 4/3-inch lenses, filters, and adapters. The full 1080 and 720 production camera offers superior video handling, native 1080/24p recording, variable frame rates, professional audio capabilities, and compatibility with SDHC and SDXC media.

The design of the AF100’s micro 4/3-inch sensor affords depth of field and field of view similar to that of 35mm movie cameras in a less expensive camera body. Equipped with an interchangeable lens mount, the AF100 can utilize an array of low-cost, widely-available still camera lenses as well as film-style lenses with fixed focal lengths and primes.

“Designed in consultation with the filmmaking community, the AF100 eclipses the video performance of other cameras in this price range,” said Joe Facchini, Vice President of Sales & Product Management, Media & Production Services, Panasonic Solutions Company. “Ideal for film schools and independent filmmakers, this affordable, digital cinematography camera employs an advanced professional AVC/ H.264 Hi Profile AVCHD codec compatible with a wide range of editing tools and affordable players.”

The AF100 incorporates a 4/3-inch, 16:9 MOS imager. The camcorder records 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) and 720/60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) in AVCHD’s highest-quality PH mode (maximum 24Mbps). Ready for global production standards, the camcorder is 60Hz and 50Hz switchable.

The AF100 maximizes the potential of its high-resolution imager with built-in ND filtering and dramatically reduced video aliasing. Standard professional interfaces include HD-SDI out, HDMI, time code recording, built-in stereo microphone and USB 2.0. The AF100 features two XLR inputs with +48V Phantom Power capability, 48-kHz/16-bit two-channel digital audio recording and supports LPCM/Dolby-AC3.

This newest Panasonic AVCCAM camcorder is the first to enjoy the benefits of advanced SDXC media card compatibility in addition to existing SDHC card support. (SDXC is the newest SD memory card specification that supports memory capacities above 32GB up to 2TB). With two SD slots, the AF100 can record up to 12 hours on two 64GB SDXC cards in PH mode

The AG-AF100 will be available by the end of 2010. Panasonic will support the AF100 with a three-year limited warranty (one year plus two extra years upon registration).
 
BobDiaz said:
Well here I am in Las Vegas, my son and I drove for 5 hours from LA, so we only got about 4 hours at the show. As expected, the first stop was Panasonic.

There appears to be coming a new HMC-80, which replaces the older HMC-70. I didn't have time to check it in detail, so that will have to wait for tomorrow. (My son is going to kill me when I drag him back to Panasonic tomorrow... :violent5:


There also appears to be another camera than uses a 4/3 inch chip, sorry, brain failure here, I forgot the model number, but it looks interesting....

Over all, 3D is EVERYWHERE!!!! Everyone and their brother is pushing it. More on that on a later time.

The show is not as packed at other years, but there's more people than I expected.

This is just a quick posting, stay tuned for more updates later on...



Bob Diaz
Click to expand...

LOL.... Bob... A little late to the party but glad you're having fun.
 
Thomas Smet said:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=206843

Here is the thread under the news section with a bit more info on the HMC80. Bob we would appreciate you checking this puppy out. From what I can tell it is a HMC40 in a large form factor and looks very nice.
Click to expand...

Yep.. with a few tricks up it's sleeve... SD recording and 1394 firewire for the SD transfer, XLR inputs.

Not bad.. Hopefully it's not a cheap plastic feel like the 70.
 
Day 1 was a mad rush to see the major booths, today I want to go back and take my time.

AG-AF100: That is the model number. I have not seen a prototype yet, but will ask if one is on display. Clearly this is the model for all the film people who want to limited DOF (Depth Of Field).

As to the HMC-80: In a way it's like the HMC-40 was put into the HMC-80; most of the specifications seem the same. OK, they added SD at 24P, 30p, and it said "60P". I believe that was a typo and should read "60i". It also has the XLR adapter built into it. It seems to go after the school market. As for the feel, I'll have to tough and feel it to see. I saw it yesterday, but didn't play with it. IF the HMC80 becomes popular, I could see that camera added to this section.

Panasonic is using shutter glasses to do 3D. JVC and Sony use circular polarization. The circular polarization is so much better than the linear polarization, with circular polarization, when you tip your head, you don't get the bleed through effect. Clearly the cost ofr the active glasses is higher than circular polarization, but I don't know the impact on total cost for the system. One company in Germany has demoed a system that does not need galsses, BUT it still needs a lot of work. Interesting however...

The show opened already, but we're getting a bit of a late start today.


Bob Diaz
 

http://www.vimeo.com/10915021

Let me say that the editing on this video stinks, but all I can do is edit in camera while I'm at NAB. :laugh: The video is a short series of clips of the Mobile DTV demo, the Panasonic AG-AF100 4/3" video camera, and the AG-HMC80.

Right now the AG-AF100 is one expensive block of wood, but the concept is sound. After all, why not use a large single chip sensor and build the camera for video. Jan got after me when I talked about DSLRs... Here's the deal, the AF100 is NOT a DSLR, it''s a camera designed from the ground up for VIDEO!!! The price should be around $6,000. Expect it to be out around the end of the year. This camera should be of interest to all of those who love the limited DOF view of 35mm film.

The HMC80 is still in prototype from, so the feel of the camera is not final. It was hard to adjust the gain controls for the audio for example. The engineer from Japan who worked on the camera was there and was interested in user comments. So the final version will have some improvements.... The HMC80 uses the same image sensor and lens as the HMC40, so in terms of sharpness and low light operation, we know how it should look. To me thsi is the HMC40 in a different package. However, one can make a case for the fact that it does support the DV resolution, while the HMC40 does not.


Bob Diaz
 
Thank you.

Today I'm going out again and if I spot something interesting, I'll shoot video of it. I've been thinking about getting a series of general shots showing what the show floor looks like.


Bob Diaz
 
Awesome! Bob what did you think of the build quality of the HMC80. I realize it may not be finalized yet but I doubt they would make a prototype with a better material then the final version. Did the camera feel light and plastic-ish (new word) or did it feel pretty solid? How do we give comments to Panasonic about the HMC80? I have used shoulder mounted cameras my whole career spanning over 13 years so I do get a bit more excited about these type of cameras then your typical HMC40 user. I remember when the Canon XL1 first came out and I bought one . Back then shoulder mounted cameras were the golden standard and finally the XL1 gave an option (sort of) to have an affordable shoulder mounted (sort of) camera. Today it almost seems to be the opposite. Back then the HMC80 would have caused a few heart attacks due to shock and excitement. Today we almost have to force a reaction out of people about this camera. Man times have changed.
 
I uploaded another video with more on the Mobile-DTV (M-DTV) equipment at the show. The link is:


http://vimeo.com/10961825

Awesome! Bob what did you think of the build quality of the HMC80.
Click to expand...

The HMC-80 was mounted to a fixed tripod mount, so I couldn't pick it up. Overall, I felt that the current version of the HMC80 seemed OK... mostly OK. The flip mount for the viewfinder seemed a bit weak, but the engineer from Japan said that they are working on a better flip mount. It is larger than the HMC40 and there are more flat areas on the camera, so you will see more flat plastic on the camera. This might give the camera a bit of a cheaper look, but the larger size does offer room for more buttons; which is nice. Given that the lens and sensor is the same for the HMC40, personally, I consider the HMC80 a nice option for those who want a bigger camera AND the built in XLR.


Anything really cool stand out?
Click to expand...

683_large_CHDHH-001-01-683x426.jpg



Well the people at GoPro had a really small light weight camera that records direct to SDHC memory cards. The lens is wide angle, 170° in 960p and 720p modes and 127° in 1080 mode. The video looked really good.

While the HMC40 covers most of the things I want to shoot, but there are times where a small lightweight camera is the only way to get the shot. The show price was just $200, so I went for one... I'll report on it in about 3 or 4 weeks.


Bob Diaz
 
You won't be disappointed with the gopro HD, I know I'm not. Audio isn't the best, but the images are great. 720 60p is my favorite. This little cam has a lot of potential.
 
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I AGREE


Jason, that is so cool!!! :thumbsup:

In my case, I'm going to use the GoPro HD for motorcycle video and when school's out, put it on my Brother In Law's Model aircraft.


Bob Diaz
 
I'm still trying to catch up with all the stuff, but here are some photos that I took at NAB:

HMC-80:

DSCF0031.jpg


DSCF0032.jpg


DSCF0033.jpg



Just Having Fun: :2vrolijk_08:
DSCF0046.jpg




3D TV Without the glasses:

DSCF0063.jpg



3D TV With The Glasses (as shown with a 2D image):

DSCF0064.jpg



3D Up Close; notice how every other scan line is either the right or left eye view:

DSCF0065.jpg




Bob Diaz
 
More photos, Panasonic's AG-AF100:

CAM_0240.jpg


CAM_0241.jpg


CAM_0242.jpg


CAM_0243.jpg


CAM_0244.jpg


CAM_0245.jpg


CAM_0246.jpg



I'm slowly going through everything from NAB and I decided to post these photos next. I only wish I had posted more photos of the HMC80.


Bob Diaz
 
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