Panasonic AG-HPX500E | Professional HD 2/3

Broadcasters and video professionals all around the world have already joined the P2 revolution. Now this advanced technology is available to even more professional videographers.
The AG-HPX500 series Memory Card Camera-Recorder debuts as the newest 2/3" camcorder in the P2 HD Professional Series, which includes the AG-HVX200 handheld and the AJ-HPX2000/2100 shoulder-mount units.
Featuring a 2/3 inch lens mount that accepts interchangeable lenses, HD/SD multi-format compatibility with 50 Hz/60 Hz selectability, and a variable frame rate function that allows cine-like picture quality, this new camera-recorder has everything professionals need to create high-quality video content.
Equipped with four P2 card slots, the AG-HPX500 series allows extended HD recording time and delivers the high reliability, quick recording starts and IT benefits that distinguish P2 and revolutionize the recording and editing workflow.
The AG-HPX500 series is an exceptional cost-efficient performer for applications that demand full-fledged HD production quality and the advantages of fast IT-based workflow.

P2 Card Recording Brings the IT Revolution to Video Production
Neither tape nor disc, the P2 card is a semiconductor memory device that can hold large amounts of video and audio data. The P2 card's advanced AV technology bring the proven benefits of an IT workflow to broadcasting and video production. Memory card recorders have no drive mechanism, so maintenance costs are much lower. And with their outstanding resistance to impact, vibration, temperature change, dust and other environmental conditions, they offer the high reliability you need in news acquisition and video recording. P2 also transfers data at higher speeds than optical discs or hard drives, so video production is quicker. And P2 files can be transferred as they are - no digitizing required - to nonlinear editors and other network-connectable equipment. 

• Supports worldwide HD/SD recording formats at the price of an SD camera-recorder
  
• Advanced P2 technology provides fast, rugged performance plus IT connectivity
  
• 2/3-inch interchangeable lens system
  
• Variable frame rate function
  
• Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC)
  
• Four P2 card slots for continuous or Hot-swap recording

Professional HD Quality

Progressive 3CCD and 2/3-inch Interchangeable Lens System for Full-Fledged HD Video Production

2/3-Inch Interchangeable Lens System
The 2/3-inch bayonet mount allows use of a wide assortment of broadcast and professional lenses from a number of companies*. 2/3-inch zoom lenses make it easier to capture the shallower depth of field often used in professional videos.

Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC)
This exclusive technology sets up a conversation between lens and camera which allows for a highly sophisticated algorithm to be deployed which will automatically compensate the registration error that is caused mainly by lens chromatic aberration, and minimize the circumjacent blur.

Progressive 3CCD
The AG-HPX500 series 2/3-inch progressive 3CCD* has a larger light receiving area for higher sensitivity, and achieves an optimal balance among image quality, sensitivity and cost.
The camera process scans at full 1080/60 (or 50) progressive frames a second. It is this initial capture that is the foundation for all of the formats that this camera generates. While the camera does not record 1080P/60(or 50), the signals start there and are either cross converted or down converted to the format being utilized that day.
* The effective image size of the CCD is equivalent to 2/3.2 inches.

APT for Higher Image Quality
Advanced progressive technology (APT) produces higher total image quality by linking the progressive 3CCD camera system with a high-performance digital signal processor (DSP). In APT, an extremely accurate CCD alignment process is used to offset the pixels on the red and blue channels in both the Horizontal and Vertical directions. This allows for additional resolution to be gained from areas of the green CCD which are non-photo-sensitive. The R, G and B color signals from the 3 CCDs are then sent through a 14 bit A/D converter. Next, a 19 bit DSP performs a highly precise calculation* on the signals to generate 1080/60P (50P) video signals. The signals are then converted into HD or SD format and recorded. By using these progressive video signals, with their excellent vertical resolution, as source signals, a high level of image quality is achieved that would be difficult to obtain by interpolating from interlace scans.
* Called an advanced offset spatial process.

HD/SD Multi-Format Capabilities
Supporting 32 HD/SD video recording formats, the AG-HPX500 series meets professional needs in news acquisition and in the production of TV programming, independent films and other demanding video content. Its versatility allows this content to be distributed worldwide. For 1080i/720p HD recording, the AG-HPX500 series uses the DVCPRO HD codec, with its proven track record in higher end production applications. For SD recording, the AG-HPX500 series multi-codec capabilities let you select from DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV video quality.

Video format and codec supported by AG-HPX500 series

*1: 24p=23.98p, 30p=29.97p, 60p=59.94p and 60i=59.94i
*2: In the Native mode, AG-HPX500 series record only active frames.
*3: using four 64GB P2 cards. (1/4 with a single card) Recording time varies depending on the video format, codec, and recording setting.

Extended Recording with Four Slots for 64GB P2 Cards
The AG-HPX500 series has four P2 cards slots so you can record continuously onto all four in sequence. Using four of the new 64GB P2 cards, you can record up to 256 minutes of HD recording (1080/60i or 720/60p, 4 cards x 64 minutes = 256) or 512 minutes of SD (DVCPRO 50) recording (4 cards x 128 minutes = 512).

48-kHz/16 bit, 4-Channel Digital Audio
The AG-HPX500 series can record full 48-kHz/16 bit digital audio on all four channels. You can freely select the audio source for each channel, choosing from mic-in and line-in. In addition you can control the audio level on each of these channels independently.

Shooting Performance

A Host of Features and Functions, Including a Variable Frame Rate Function for Cine-Like Video Production

Variable Frame Rate
In 720p mode,* the frame rate can be set from the conventional 24p/30p to any of 11 steps between 12p and 60p (or 50p). Like the VariCam, the AG-HPX500 series allows undercranking and overcranking common in film cameras, to create fast-motion and slow-motion effects.
* In 1080 and 480 modes, the frame rate is fixed at 24p/30p (25p in the 50-Hz mode).

Higher-rate shooting produces a slow-motion effect.
This is especially effective for high-action scenes like car chases or crashes, or for scenes to create dramatic impact.
Lower-rate shooting creates a fast-motion effect.
This technique can be combined with a Slow Shutter Speed to emphasize movements, such as flowing water or fast-moving clouds.

Table of Frame Rate and Speed Effect

Native and Over-60p (50p) Modes
•720p Native Mode: The AG-HPX500 series records images at the frame rate set in the camera. Using the AG-HPX500 series to play back the recording at the normal rate, you can preview the speed effect right on the spot, without using a frame rate converter. Native mode also extends the recording time.
•720p over 60p (or 50p) Mode: The unit can output a DVCPRO HD stream from the IEEE 1394 connector as it records. This lets you produce a backup copy using a connected external hard disk recorder, such as the Panasonic AJ-HD1400 DVCPRO HD recorder or AG-HPG20 P2 portable recorder.

1080/480 24p Advance Mode
When recording in 1080/24p or 480/24p at 60 Hz, the AG-HPX500 series lets you select 24pA (Advance) mode. In this mode, it performs 60i conversion using 2:3:3:2 pulldown, which maintains higher image quality than ordinary 24p (2:3 pulldown) in nonlinear editing*. In 30p and 25p recording (at 50 Hz), the AG-HPX500 series uses 2:2 pulldown.
* For compatibility details,visit P2 compatibility table

Slow, Synchro and High-Speed Shutter
Used with the variable frame rate function, this allows you to create a blurring effect or crystal-clear stop-motion of sports action. The AG-HPX500 series also features a synchro scan function for capturing screen shots from a computer monitor.

Cine-Like Gamma (Eight-Mode Gamma)
Drawing on technologies developed for the VariCam, Panasonic has equipped the AG-HPX500 series with advanced gamma functions that address eight different shooting scenarios and expand your creative abilities. Included are Cine-Like Gamma, which gives recordings the characteristic warm tone of film recordings, and a News Gamma that's designed especially for news gathering.

• Spec Sheet
• Instruction Manual
• Download HiRes Images