Panasonic has announced that the direct successor to their popular HVX-200, the HPX-170 will be available towards the end of September at a price of $5,695. The P2 based camcorder records in a variety of HD formats in DVCPRO HD, and NTSC in DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO, and DV.
It’s imagers are 3CCD’s that scan the image at 1080p/60 for better quality scaling to the recording formats. The HPX 170 also comes with HDSDI output for integration into broadcast and post production facilities. This model also sports a reassuring five year warranty from Panasonic.
More Details in the press release below-
From a Panasonic Press Release:
PANASONIC ANNOUNCES AVAILABITY AND PRICING FOR NEW
AG-HPX170 FULLY SOLID-STATE P2 HD HANDHELD CAMCORDER
** New Lightweight P2 HD Handheld Offers 20 HD/SD Record Formats, 20-Step Variable Frame Rates, Widest Zoom Lens, HD-SDI Output and 5-year Warranty **
SECAUCUS, NJ (August 6, 2008) – Panasonic Broadcast today announced that its new AG-HPX170 fully solid-state P2 HD handheld camcorder will be available in late September at a suggested list price of $5,695, which includes a 16GB P2 card in the box along with The HVX and HPX Book by Barry Green. Building on the AG-HVX200’s phenomenal success, the HPX170 features high definition and standard definition recording, the widest zoom lens in its class, and an 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 an ultra-mobile HD/SD 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.
Providing exceptional, independent-frame compression in 20 HD and SD formats, the HPX170 records in a variety of 1080i/1080p and 720p formats in DVCPRO HD, 480i in DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO, and 480i in DV. It is switchable between 16:9/4:3 aspect ratios.
The HPX170’s 1/3” progressive 16:9 3-CCD imager offers an excellent signal-to-noise ratio, lower noise and smear and better low-light performance. Its digital signal processor with 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit processing assures high-quality recordings necessary for broadcast and top-level production. Because the HPX170 scans the initial image at a native 1080p/60, images maintain the highest quality possible across conversions.
For shooting versatility, the compact P2 HD handheld comes with a wide 3.9mm – 51mm (equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm lens) 13X Leica Dicomar zoom lens (the widest in its class). Precise zoom and focus operation is assured with features like a cam-driven manual zoom ring, 10X digital zoom, manual focus ring and aperture control, as well as valuable HD focus assist functions including histogram, 2X center blow-up and a Focus Bar. It also has built-in waveform and vectorscope display features. The camera’s Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS), as a 60p/60i feature, automatically suppresses blown highlights and dark shadows. In addition, an Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) function automatically corrects blurring so images remain crisp and sharp.
For the ultimate creative flexibility, the HPX170 offers an expanded 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. Professionals can select from six advanced gamma modes including CineGammaTM, which produces the warm tones characteristic of film recordings.
The HPX170 has two P2 card slots, so 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 offered are hot swapping for non-stop recording, loop record, pre-record, interval and one-shot recording. New functions have been added to the User buttons including last-clip delete, Pre-Record, and the variable frame rates can be toggled through. A time/date stamp function makes the camcorder ideal for use in law enforcement and legal environments. An enhanced metadata input features a software keyboard to add key data about the shooting environment.
The HPX170 records four channels of uncompressed, 16-bit digital audio for superb audio performance
It is equipped with an HD/SD-SDI output standard for live feed productions as well as for editing and monitoring. It also has a 6-pin locking IEEE 1394 interface and an USB 2.0 interface for fast P2 content transfer into NLE systems, and offers a composite output, component output (mini D-terminal.) The camera also features a built-in stereo microphone and two-channel XLR audio input terminals supporting 48V phantom power supply and is switchable between mic and line. Manual audio level volume is offered on two of the channels.
Other convenient operational features include SMPTE time generator/reader, clip preview on the camera’s 3.5” color LCD monitor, instant recording startup, shot marker, text memo, six pre-set scene files, the ability to load new settings into the camera via an SD card slot, three assignable user buttons, and remote control of zoom, rec, focus and iris.
The AG-HPX170 is backed by Panasonic’s five-year limited P2 HD warranty.* This warranty is unprecedented in cameras at this level.
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 Matsushita 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
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Reprinted from a Sony press release:
Panasonic has given Videomaker the scoop on the HMC-150, and we thought it would be selfish to keep it to ourselves. So we’re going to be doing a live review of the first HMC-150 in the USA on Tuesday August 19th, at 11am pacific / 2pm eastern.