The Panasonic AG-HPX250 P2 HD Handheld Camcorder is a
handheld professional camcorder model to record the extremely high-quality
AVC-Intra 100 Mb/s (10-bit 4:2:2) codec. Featuring an integrated 22x zoom lens
and a 2.2 Mp 1/3"-type 3MOS imager, the versatile HPX250 records not only
AVC-Intra but also several flavors of DVCPRO (including DVCPRO HD) as well as
DV. A variety of frame rates are possible in DVCPRO modes, for native slow- and
fast-motion effects.
This camcorder features:
Three
1/3"-Type 2.2 Mp 3MOS Imager
Integrated 22x (28-616mm
Equiv) Lens
10-Bit AVC-Intra Recording
at 100 Mb/s
DVCPRO HD & SD
Recording
Variable Frame Rates &
24p Modes
3.45" 1920 x 480 LCD
Monitor
Dual P2 Memory Card Slots
Manual Zoom, Iris, Focus
Rings
HD-SDI, HDMI &
Composite Outputs
NTSC & PAL
For video
that will later endure heavy processing in the form of effects and other
processes, the intra-frame compression options of the HPX250 are crucial. The
AVC-Intra 100 codec is a perfect choice for any projects that involve tasks
such as greenscreen shooting. The HPX250 could thrive as the second camcorder
on an independent feature production, or as the go-to model for a freelance
videographer who does a variety of jobs, from SD to HD – and with support for
PAL/NTSC signal systems, it will cross oceans without missing a beat.
The
HPX250's high-performance 22x zoom lens was designed specifically for
professional HD video production. Sharing the wide-angle capability found in
the DVX and HVX series, the lens offers some additional telephoto capability
for a 28-616mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range. The lens combines 18 elements in
12 groups and adds an ultra-high refractive (UHR) glass element, a
low-dispersion element, and aspheric elements. Unique to Panasonic, Chromatic
Aberration Compensation (CAC) technology minimizes color bleeding in the
surrounding image and achieves rich expression by way of finely rendered
nuances and excellent shading
Three
manual rings – mechanical (cam-driven) zoom, focus, and iris – allow you to
operate as if you've got an interchangeable-lens camcorder, for fine, tactile
control over the parameters of the captured image
To
compensate for any shaking of the operator's hand, the HPX250 features an
optical image stabilizer (OIS)
Thanks to
Progressive Advanced Processing (PAP) technology, high sensitivity up to F10
(F11 in 50 Hz mode) is possible, for low-noise performance in dimly lit
environments. The 1/3-type 2.2 Mp 3MOS sensor features the same Ultra Luminance
Technology (ULT) that's incorporated in Panasonic's shoulder-mount P2 HD
broadcast camcorders. This sensor maximizes the performance of the lens and the
signal processing circuit in standard conditions
The CMOS
sensor system uses a rolling shutter system that sequentially scans each line
of pixels, thereby lowering power consumption vs. CCD cameras and enabling
high-speed drive. But because the exposure timing differs for each line, when
an external flash is used, it tends to produce images with a
"divided" level of brightness from top to bottom. The HPX250
ameliorates this "flash-band effect": it detects by comparing frame
pairs and compensates to adjust the level
The
AG-HP250's high-performance 20-bit DSP handles rendering processes such as
gamma and detail-enhancement functions with uncommon precision
The DRS
function automatically suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights in
scenes that involve wildly varying contrast levels (such as indoor vs. outdoor
elements in the same frame). DRS estimates a gamma curve and knee slope to
match the contrast of each pixel and applies them in real time, producing
excellent gradation for each shade and minimizing blocked shadows and blown
highlights
Drawing
upon the technology of the high-end VariCam line, the HPX250 features gamma
functions for seven shooting scenarios, including two cinema modes: HD NORM
(for standard HD recording), LOW (flattens out a high-contrast scene); SD NORM
(for standard SD recording); HIGH (softens contrast and expands the tone of
dark parts, making an image brighter); B.PRESS (sharpens the contrast compared
to LOW); CINE-LIKE D (prioritizes dynamic range); and CINE-LIKE V (prioritizes
contrast)
The
camera's shutter speed is variable from 1/6 to 1/2000 second, plus there's a
Synchro Scan function. As with gamma, matrix setting includes a Cine-Like mode.
H & V detail levels are adjustable, as are detail coring and skin-tone
detail. That's not all: chroma level, chroma phase, color temperature, and
master pedestal are all adjustable as well. The camera offers four settings for
knee point: Auto, Low, Mid, and High
A
convenient Focus Assist button expands the center of the LCD screen, allowing
you to check for correct focus quickly & easily. A Focus Bar that indicates
the focus level can be displayed on the LCD
The HPX250
features a dial for "Set Scene," which allows you to choose an
appropriate matrix of settings instantaneously. You can modified the six preset
files if you'd like, one set of which can be stored internally in the
camcorder, and four more can be stored on an SD memory card
The
three-position Gain Selector contains Low, Medium, and High settings. To each
setting you can assign gain value of 0, +3, +6, +9, +12, +15, and +18 dB. Also,
there are Super Gain settings of +24 and +30 dB
The
AJ-HPX250 has waveform and vectorscope display functions for analyzing a
captured video signal on the LCD
A total of
five user buttons can be set to trigger any selection of 18 different camera
functions
The HPX250
is the first handheld camcorder to offer 10-bit AVC-Intra recording (at both
100 and 50 Mb/s). Based on highly advanced MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression, this
codec employs intra-frame compression, which results high image quality –
especially in the edit suite, where inter-frame codecs can start to break down.
Both AVC-Intra 100 and 50 modes are offered – as is DVCPRO HD, for
compatibility with that very popular format. For 1080i/p, AVC-Intra 100 uses
full-pixel 1920 x 1080 frames, with 10-bit quantization (4:2:2). The very
bit-efficient AVC-Intra 50 codec records 1440 x 1080 video at 10-bit, 4:2:0
For
cinematic 24-frame-per-second projects, the HPX250 supports 1080p recording at
23.98 fps (29.97 fps is also possible). For PAL regions, the camcorder is
capable of recording at 1080/25pN and 720/25pN. The camcorder also records
natively (without pulldown) in 720p modes, which results in recording
efficiency that allows you to record for 2 to 2.5 times the duration allowed by
pulldown recording. In pulldown mode with the DVCPRO HD codec, the camera
applies a 2:3 pulldown to 23.98p, and a 2:2 pulldown to 29.97p, to record
1080/59.94i or 720/59.94p and 1080/25p over 50i or 720/25p over 50p. With
2:3:3:2 advanced pulldown, the 23.98pA mode is supported, allowing editing on
many NLE systems with little image degradation. The camcorder also features a
59.94/50 Hz selector for worldwide compatibility and SD image acquisition with
either 480 or 576 lines and aspect ratio conversion (select Side Crop, Letter
Box, or Squeeze). This is an internationally compatible camcorder that can fit
seamlessly into almost any production workflow
The
AG-APX250 records high-quality 16-bit audio on all four channels. Freely select
the audio source for each channel, choosing from built-in mic, external mic,
and line in. Adjust the volume level for each channel
P2 cards
offer capacities of up to 64GB, and the HPX250's dual P2 memory card slots
enable extended continuously recording times and Hot-Swap recording.
File-based
recording enables data transfers that are much faster than real time. Filed
recorded to the HPX250's P2 cards have MXF wrappers, which are compatible with
all major nonlinear editing systems. File-based recording to memory cards
allows for high-speed starts, recording starts with no need for cueing, and
protection against accidental data overwriting
Like the
popular VariCam line of professional camcorders, the HPX250 features variable
frame rate (VFR) "overcranked" and "undercranked" recording
to at wide variety of frame rates (see Specifications for details). The result
is cinematic slow-motion and quick-motion effects of the type used widely in TV
commercials and cinematic productions
Recorded
clips are automatically allocated a thumbnail image and metadata. This lets you
display a visual representation of the clip on the LCD, delete clips, and
confirm or edit metadata (using the built-in Software Keyboard function). You
can delete the last clip with a single touch, also with a single button press,
and check the beginning and ending of the most recently recorded clip
Clips can
be marked during or after recording. When mounted to a PC using the
downloadable P2 Viewer Windows application, the user can view only marked clips
if desires. Text memos can be posted to any scene of a clip (up to 100 in all)
for a digital version of "sticky" notes
Record up
to 99 cuts as a single file in One-Clip Rec mode. A text memo is automatically
attached at each start-record point, making it easy to find desired cuts within
the clip once you're in the edit suite working with a single, unified file
Loop Rec
repeatedly re-records a particular recurring time slot, always maintaining a
recording of the most recent period. Pre-Rec continuously stores in standby
mode up to 3 seconds of HD video (or 7 seconds of SD), and this pre-record
cache is only recorded to the P2 card once you press Record. This helps you get
the shot every time, even if you "miss" the crucial moment by a
couple seconds. Interval Rec gives you automatic intermittent recording based
on a set interval and recording time. One-Shot Rec captures a single frame –
useful for animations. Time Stamp appends the date and time onto recorded
images, which is a crucial feature for evidential images
The
AG-HPX250 features every capability you'd want for synchronizing more than one
camera for multi-camera shoots: SMPTE time code generator/reader, time code
input and output, and genlock input
SDI output
in HD and SD allows camera-through output during HD/SD recording, or outputs
high-quality 10-bit, 4:2:2 images for playback of AVC-Intra footage. As you'd
expect, SDI output includes embedded audio and supports Record Stop/Start
linked backup recording with a Panasonic recorder equipped with HD-SDI input.
When outputting SD-SDI down-converted from an HD source, Aspect Ratio
Conversion mode can also be selected. In addition, the HPX250 gives you HDMI
output for live monitoring and for playback on compatible HDTV screens, as well
as SD composite output that downconverts recorded HD files
Both
"host" and "device" USB 2.0 connections are included on the
HPX250, so you can offload data to a laptop or P2 deck or directly to and from
a hard drive. On the LCD monitor, you can even view thumbnails of P2 files
saved to the external hard drive. In addition, the FireWire (IEEE 1394) port
enables you to input or output a DVCPRO (including DVCPRO HD) or DV stream.
There's a camera remote input for controlling focus, iris, zoom, and REC
stop/start, and two-channel XLR audio mic/line inputs supporting 48V phantom
power
The
compact, stylish HPX250 has a similar form factor to the popular HVX200, but
the handle grip and LCD position are shifted forward to effect and overall
better weight balance for the camcorder, improving the visibility of the screen
and enabling you to shoot comfortably for longer periods of time. The HPX250
chassis is composed of die-cast magnesium alloy for rugged durability
The
AG-HPX250's color electronic viewfinder uses a 0.45", 1,226,000-dot
equivalent (852 x 480 x 3 [RGB]) LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) display
panel. It delivers bright, detailed, high-res images and a high response speed.
The camcorder's 3.45" LCD monitor has is an appoximately 921,000-dot (1920
x 480) high-resolution panel
On the
upper part of the handle grip you'll find both the Rec Start/Stop button and a
lens zoom speed control (three speed levels). This assures easy, comfortable
shooting at low angles
The LCD
monitor's mirror mode is extremely convenient for shooting interviews
The
Panasonic P2 family includes many decks and mobile storage units, providing a
wealth of options for offloading, field editing, and cutting back in the edit
room. In addition, the file-based nature of the HPX250's acquisition enables
recorded video to be integrated into IT-based infrastructure, for unlimited
options for sharing and distributing P2 content
The camera
features two values (A/B) for white balance memory and one preset value.
There's also an ATW (auto tracing white balance) function
Select any
two zebra levels from 50% to 100% (in 1% steps)
The
camera's Y-GET function measures the brightness at the screen center and
displays precise numerical data
Tally
lamps are provided on the front and rear of the HPX250