The Panasonic AG-HVX200A is a P2-based camera that answers the demands of nearly any professional videographer. The camcorder builds on the overwhelming success of the original AG-HVX200, with the addition of some much sought-after revisions. The most important new feature being an updated sensor; the sensor yields higher sensitivity, creating less noise in low-light situations. With its compact and feature-rich frame, the camera will never disappoint. The unit is compatible with DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO25 and consumer DV recording standards. The Beast Just Got Meaner...The AG-HVX200A ups the ante from its predecessor, improving overall image quality in a variety of situations. Most notably, signal-to-noise ratio has been improved, creating an incredibly clean image. Additionally, better low-light performance and decreased levels of smear.P2 Flash Memory Recording StorageP2 is a recording medium for professional systems. Since P2 cards use no drive mechanisms, they provide superior resistance to impact, vibration and temperature changes. There's currently a choice between 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB P2 cards. A 64GB card will record 64 minutes of the highest quality HDTV video, 176 minutes of 720p/24 frame video or over 4 hours of standard definition DVCPRO25 or consumer DV video.Superior Quality LensDeveloped specifically for HD recording, the 13x zoom lens system features an 82-mm diameter filter along with 15 lens elements in 11 groups, including three aspherical lenses. The Leica Dicomar lens incorporates advanced Leica optical technology. The use of low-dispersion glass reduces color aberration and increases resolution, while a multi-coating process minimizes flare and ghosting. This results in sharp, crisp, beautifully rendered images with delicate nuances and exceptional shading.Optical Image StabilizerPanasonic's advanced Optical Image Stabilizer dramatically reduces the blurring caused by hand-shake. Optical processing with an automatic correction function helps assure consistently clear and sharp images.Super Sensitive CCDsEach pixel has a large light-receiving area, giving this advanced 1/3" progressive CCD the kind of high sensitivity not available in previous compact HD cameras. This advanced CCD combines with a newly developed 14-bit digital signal processor (DSP) in combination with a very sophisticated offset spatial technology achieves a balance of high resolution and high S/N ratio that rivals HD broadcasting cameras.Advanced Digital Signal ProcessorThe AG-HVX200A's advanced digital signal processor for 1080/60p video signals uses 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit inner processing to attain unprecedented accuracy. While the camera does not record 1080/60p, it is from this capture that all other signals are made. The DSP performs a variety of adjustments, including eight types of gamma settings, for each of the R, G and B channels. It also converts the signals to HD or SD format. With a performance equivalent to the processors used in many higher-end HD cameras, this DSP helps the AG-HVX200A deliver beautiful images in all video formats.DVCPRO HD CodecUsing the DVCPRO HD codec recording system, the AG-HVX200A records HD video with outstanding image and audio quality onto a P2 card in file format. This codec, thanks to a low compression ratio at a video bit rate of 100 Mbps (1080/59.94i, 720/59.94p) and the easy-to-edit intraframe compression system, is suitable for recording fast-moving subjects with no motion artifacts other than motion blur. The 4:2:2 sampling rate minimizes jaggies at chroma edges and is advantageous in image and compositing. Sound quality is excellent too, thanks to DVCPRO HD's uncompressed 16-bit, 4-channel digital audio recording capability.VariCam FunctionsThe AG-HVX200A inherits many of the functions of the popular VariCam which enhanced the production of movies and television programs. It has variable frame rate features that respond to fast and slow action. Its true 24p/30p progressive video, cine-like gamma curves, and cine-like color matrix capture images and scenes with much the same look and feel as footage from a film camera. All controls and system interfaces are designed to meet professional needs.8 Gamma ModesDrawing on technology developed for the iconic VariCam, Panasonic has equipped the AG-HVX200A with advanced gamma functions that address eight different shooting scenarios. Included are the Cine-Like Gamma, which gives recordings the characteristic warm tone of film recordings, and a cooler, harder-edge News Gamma that's designed especially for news gathering.Professional Camera FunctionsThe AG-HVX200A camcorder offers several functions that would most commonly be found on cameras costing many times its price. It has a cam-driven manual zoom ring, focus ring and aperture dial. It gives access to up to four channels of uncompressed digital audio. It retains a FireWire connection (IEEE 1394) and USB PC interface. The camera also has 2 XLR

Supply Voltage

DC7.2V / 7.9V

Power Consumption

11.6W (when viewfinder is used), 12.0W (when LCD monitor is used) MAX 14W

Operating Temperature

0°C to +40°C

Operating Humidity

10% to 85% (no condensation)

Pick-up Device

3CCD (1/3-inch interline transfer type and progressive modes supported)

Lens

LEICA DICOMAR lens with optical image stabilizer, motorized/manual mode switching,13 x zoom, F1.6 to F 2.8 (f= 4.2mm to 55mm) (35mm equivalent: 30.3mm to 394mm)

Optical Colour Separation

Prism system

ND Filter

1/8, 1/64

Gain Selection

50i/50p mode: 0/+3/+6/+9/+12/+18 dB (when using slow shutter, 0 dB fixed) 25p/25pN mode: 0/+3/+6/+9/+12 dB (when using slow shutter or VFR rate of less than 25p: 0 dB fixed)

Frame Rate

variable 12/18/20/23/25/27/30/32/37/48/50 fps (frame/sec)

Frame Rate

variable 12/18/20/23/25/27/30/32/37/48/50 fps (frame/sec)

Shutter Speed (Preset)

50i/50p mode: 1/50 (OFF), 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 sec.
25p/25pN mode: 1/25, 1/50 (OFF), 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec.

Shutter Speed (Synchro Scan)

50i, 50p mode: 1/50.0 sec. to 1/248.9 sec
(Synchro Scan) 25p, 25pN mode: 1/25.0 sec. to 1/248.9 sec.

Aperture Angle

10° to 350° (Shutter Angle is selectable under Film Cam Mode.)

Slow Shutter Speed

50i/50p mode: 1/25, 1/12
25p, 25pN mode: 1/12 sec.

Minimum Luminance

3 lx (F1.6, +12 dB gain, at 1/25 shutter)

Lens Hood

Large lens hood with wide view angle

Filter Diameter

82mm

Sampling Frequency

Y: 74.25 MHz, PB/PR: 37.125 MHz

Quantizing

8 bits

Compression

Compression ratio 1/6.7, DCT + variable length code

Recording Bit Rate

100Mbps

Memory card Recording Format

DVCPRO HD
1080/50i, 1080/25p over 50i
720/50p, 720/25p over 50p, 720/25pN (Native Record)
DVCPRO 50/DVCPRO/DV
576/50i, 576/25p over 50i

Memory Card Audio Recording Format

PCM digital recording 48 kHz /16 bits
4ch (DVCPRO HD/DVCPRO 50),
2ch/4ch selectable (DVCPRO/DV)

Memory Card Recording Time

32 minutes with one AJ-P2C032RG (DVCPRO HD, 1080/50i)
64 minutes with one AJ-P2C032RG (DVCPRO HD, 720/25pN)

Recording Format

Digital Video SD

Tape Format

Mini DV cassette (6.35mm width metal evaporated tape)

Recording Video Signals

576/50i (PAL Digital Video, Standard Definition)
576/25p mode (all convert to 576/50i and record)

Recording Audio Signals

PCM digital recording, 16 bits: 48kHz/2ch or 12 bits: 32kHz/4ch

Wow & Flutter

Below measurable limits

Recording Tracks

Digital video / audio signals: helical track
Time code: helical track (sub-code area)

Tape Speed

SP mode: 18.831mm/sec, LP mode: 12.568mm/sec

Recording Time

SP mode: 63 min. (When using AY-DVM63MQ)

FF/Rew Time

Approx.140 sec. (when AY-DVM63MQ is used)

Video Out

Analogue component, Y: 1.0Vp-p , 75O, PB/PR: 0.7Vp-p , 75O

Video In/Out

Pin Jack x 1, Analogue composite, 1.0Vp-p , 75O (In/out automatically switched, Input DV tape mode only)

S-video In/Out

4-pin, Y/C Y: 1.0Vp-p , 75O, C: 0.3Vp-p , 75O (In/out automatically switched, Input DV tape mode only)

Component Analogue Out

D-Connector for HD Images

XLR In

XLR (3 pin) x 2 (Input 1/Input 2), Input: High impedance
Line: 0dBu, MIC: -50/-60 dBu (selectable in menu)

Line In/Out

Pin Jack x 2 (Input 1/Input 2), (automatically switched),
In: High impedance 316mV, Out: 600O, 316mV

Internal Microphone

Stereo Microphone

Phones

Stereo Mini jack (3.5mm diameter)

Internal Speaker

28mm round shape x 1

IEEE 1394

4-pin Digital input/output, based on IEEE 1394 standard

USB

Type mini B connector (USB ver.2.0)

Camera Remote

Zoom, Rec (Start/Stop) Super Mini jack (2.5mm diameter)
Focus Iris, Mini jack (3.5mm diameter)

DC Input

2P x 1, 7.9V

LCD Monitor

3.5 inches, LCD colour Monitor, 210,000 pixels

Viewfinder

0.44 inches, LCD colour Viewfinder, 235,000 pixels

Dimensions (WxHxD)

168.5 x 180 x 390 mm

Weight

Approx. 2.5kg excluding battery and accessories

• Brand New Factory Fresh Import Model