Panasonic has announced the AJ-HDC24A HD Cinema Camera, the world's first multi-frame rate progressive-scan digital high definition (HiDef) camera designed expressly for commercials, music videos, documentaries, TV episodics and theatrical release film production.
A truly flexible digital camera, the AJ-HDC24A shoots at 24 frames,
progressively (24p) -- as well as 60, 12, and numerous other frame speed choices. This multi-frame switchability allows digital cinematographers to "overcrank" or "undercrank" to alter the recorded speed of the action to create a specific effect.
The AJ-HDC24A's 24p images can be directly converted to film while at the same time avoiding unnecessary frame rate conversions, which may affect image quality or introduce artifacts. Additionally, since the camera can shoot in 25p, it is well suited for PAL production and broadcasting environments -- establishing a universal master.
"The AJ-HDC24A is the first HiDef camera that represents the full
potential of digital electronic cinematography at an affordable price," said Stuart English, Vice President, Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast. "Filmmakers have been waiting for a digital camera that combines superior image quality with multi-frame rate versatility. The AJ-HDC24A is not just a 24p camera; it's a unique multi-frame rate HiDef Cinema acquisition system ideally suited for shooting episodic television, documentaries, independent film projects,
or anywhere your creative vision leads."
The AJ-HDC24A records 46 minutes of 24-frame, 720p HD images onto a single DVCPRO HD compact cassette. Additionally, the camera's HD SDI video output can be sent directly to an outboard VTR (such as Panasonic's AJ-HD3700 D-5 HD Mastering VTR) capable of recording the full bandwidth HiDef signal. This is especially important when creating content designed for big screen cinema release.
From a physical point of view, the AJ-HDC24A affords great flexibility in either studio or field environments. With a full running weight of 15lbs. and a compact shoulder-mount size, it makes for easy handling with a SteadiCam or a jib arm of any length. Sturdy construction and ruggedness allow for use in mobile configurations such as helicopter mount rigs and specialized car mounts.
Full-Featured Digital Camera
The AJ-HDC24A offers 12 assignable scene file set-ups. Four files can be stored inside the camcorder, while eight files can be stored on a removable Secure Digital (SD) or multi-media memory card. The camera offers a maximum 36dB gain and a user can allocate three levels (high/mid/low) from among 10 gain selector settings extending from -6dB to +30dB. Even at +36dB, high quality images are achievable in low lighting conditions all the way to 0.7
lux.
The AJ-HDC24A offers excellent audio capabilities including two channels of high-quality 16-bit/48kHz digital audio, three microphone inputs (or one mic and two line level inputs), and a high-performance compressor circuit, which allows for automatic level control without audible artifacts -- extremely handy when capturing unpredictable live audio.
The AJ-HDC24A offers easy menu browsing and setup via viewfinder or external monitor character readouts. To deliver the "film look," the AJ-HDC24A's advanced color correction scheme utilizes a 12-pole color matrix that allows very specific colors to be set, especially when critical color matching is vital.
Standard features of the AJ-HDC24A include two user-customized buttons for setting either Super Iris, Super Gain, Super Black, Black Stretch, switch Audio CH1/CH2 inputs to front/rear; a six-speed Electronic Shutter with Synchro-Scan capability; 2/3-inch Standard Lens Mount; Dual ND and CC filters; two HD-SDI Outputs; genlock video input; timecode I/O; and SMPTE time code.
Additional information on the AJ-HDC24A Multi-Frame Rate Camera will be announced at NAB2001.
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