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Panasonic AJ-HPC2000 P2 vs Sony XDCAM HD
I am looking to kick up my production capacities a notch as I move into HD and I have NOT been happy with HDV, and the HDX-200 is a little too prosumer for me (and I can’t quite afford a Varicam) so the issue becomes the Sony 350 XDCAM HD vs the Panasonic AJ-HPC2000 P2 (which I just learned about). Some questions if anyone knows/cares to speculate:
Will the AJ-HPC2000 shoot variable frame rates?
Is it CONFIRMED that the Sony 350 will cut resolution in half at variable rates above 30?
I am excited by this Panasonic offering because of the 2/3″ CCDs and the interchangable lenses (although I am NOT a P2 convert as of yet). And I would rather avoid the MPEG-2 compression (even if it IS at a higher bit rate than standard HDV).
Is it just me or does this camera (the AJ-HPC2000) sound like its going to cannibalize the Varicam?
Thoughts?
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42 Replies
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Panasonic has made Interlace/60p only camcorders in the past (mainly aimed at the Broadcast news sector)
The only info so far is from the pre-NAB press release:“the new AJ-HPC2000 is equipped with three HD resolution 2/3″ CCDs and 14-bit A/D processing offering exceptional dynamic range and low light recording in 720p, 1080i HD or 480i formats. The 2/3″ CCD imager allows the use of widely-available professional quality lenses and accessories. The camcorder offers high sensitivity, F10 at 2000 lux, and can capture images at a minimum illumination of 0.032 lux (at +62dB) addressing the most challenging requirements of broadcasters.
The AJ-HPC2000 features five P2 card slots for enhanced on board recording capacity. Each P2 card is hot swappable and can be plugged directly into a laptop PC or P2 portable recorder such as the new AJ-HPM100. An additional card slot is provided for optional accessories such as a Proxy Video Encoder. An SD card slot is also included for recording and replicating setup information useful in multi-camera productions.
Extensive signal connectivity and control capability comes standard with the AJ-HPC2000. The product includes HD-SDI, genlock, time code, composite video, IEEE1394 (AVC), and USB 2.0. Four channels of uncompressed audio are supported with XLRs, stereo front mic, and Unislot wireless mic connections.
The AJ-HPC2000 includes pre-record, which means it can start recording from the moment it’s switched on, so users can feel confident that they won’t miss an important shot. Its P2 card hot swap function provides the option of unlimited recording time, because it allows a user to replace any card (except the one being recorded on) on the fly. Other key features include a Color LCD monitor (with GUI menu control).”
But intersetingly they have also just announced the AK-HC1500 HD Switchable HD camera. Here is the press release (taken from http://www.letsgodigital.org):
The HD production quality, high-performance AK-HC1500 incorporates proprietary Panasonic innovations, including a new IT-CCD, 14-bit A/D converter and digital signal processor to deliver crisp, sharp high definition images from dark to bright areas. The 1-megapixel, 2/3-inch 3-CCDs produce outstanding broadcast-quality color accuracy, with improved on-chip lenses to achieve a standard sensitivity of F10.0 at 2000 lux and a smear level of less than -130 dB. The AK-HC1500 uses CCD accumulation and horizontal/vertical addition to create a gain increase of up to +68 dB (with a minimum illumination of 0.015 dB).
The AK-HC1500 offers both 1080 (60i/59.94i, 50i, 30p, 25p/24p) and 720 (60p, 59.94p/50p) high definition output. The camera boasts a wide range of variable frame rates (4-fps to 60-fps in single-frame increments) for
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(nt)
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Yeah, I too noticed the absence of variable frame rates and cinegamma on the AJ-HPC2000. Which, if it doesn’t offer, will tip the scale towards the Sony, IMHO.
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This would be so disappointing if the HPC2000 does not offer the 30p and 24p frame rates in 480, 720, and 1080.
Actually its a slam dunk purchase for me if it does.
Yet the HVX200 does these seetings so why other than making two different products would Panasonic not give the HPC200 at least 24p and 30p. I could even live without the very attractive over/undercrank options but these standard 24p and 30p are a must.
The HPC should be the HVX200 bigger brother and the only feature I would forgive Panasonic holding back on is the over undercrank… but believe me I’d want that too.
Patience is again the name of the game for me at this point but I think I’ve just decided to not buy the SDX900 because I want to waitfor the HPC2000. When do we get the full specs? NAB?
Chris Baldwin
Shoulder High Productions
Media of the World; For the World!
https://www.shoulderhigh.com
newsletters@shoulderhigh.com -
Nice post! Yes this new Panasonic camera is a professional version of P2 aimed at broadcast news. Keep in mind it is not the first. P2 in the same configuration has existed for a few years albeit to lackluster sales. This is the latest attempt to try P2 again with HD in a news/broadcast atmosphere. Where the HVX is a consumer/prosumer version, this new entry is a professional broadcast version although as you pointed out the marketing people can’t seem to get narrow down their decisions about what this camera wants to. P2’s success hinges on another manufacture jumping on board with Panasonic. Without it, P2 in it’s current form probably will never make it far. Solid State definitely has a future but perhaps not in this form unless someone else helps them out.
Walter Graff
BlueSky, LLC
https://www.bluesky-web.com -
My sources tell me that in 2007 expect a Varicam P2 camcorder.
The first generation 2/3″ HD P2 camcorder will not offer 24p for reasons such as not killing off the dvcpro tape Varicam at this time.
Jeff Merrit of Panasonic stated there will be no new Varicam camcorder shown at NAB 2006.
The Infinnity camcorder from Grass Valley will not have 24P for the first version also.
Most manufacturers go for the larger market section first (broadcasters) then for the niche market 24P (filmmakers).
Not everyone who is going to buy the camera in bulk needs or desires 24P. Why do you think Sony made their 1/2″ XDCAM HD camcorders first before releasing the 2/3″ 24P versions? Well CBS who placed a large pre-order had a large influence on Sony’s marketing plan.
Other manufacturers are in the same boat and have to listen to their larger customer base first.
Tony Salgado
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So if I give up 24p/30p, tape-based workflows; invest in 16-32gig P2 (or 3rd party hard drives) come November06-January-07 and make the move to P2 and MXF… THEN I can have a camera come November06-January07 that can shoot 4:3/16:9, SD/HD, 480i/720p/1080i on P2.
Let’s think about this…
So for those willing to say goodbye to tape and for those ready to invest in a camera that allows them to HD as well as SD, then the HPC2000, given that P2 is adopted and becomes popular will have a camera that will spell the end of the SPX900 and will for one year, until the P2 Varicam comes out, be THE latest and greatest camera…
If I buy SDX900 now I start losing jobs in a year from now because of the growing HD market. If I buy the HPC2000 a year from now, I start losing money a year from then because the P2 Varicam comes out in 07…
Seriously, if the HPC had 24p and 30p but didn’t have a single other Under/Overcrank frame rate, then I could work the HPC2000 for at least 5 years before I start losing money to the next camera.
Personally, I can’t make enough money in one year to pay off a new camera every year. I as an independent owner operator I need at least two years to break even on a purchase that includes HD lens, sticks, monitor, bats, Camera and potentially reusable media.
Just Saturday I decided, with the help of a financial consultant, to not buy the SPX900 only to buy the HPC2000 with a full support package including P2 media in Nov06-Jan07. If I could work a three year lease with a $1 buyout I can make money off the camera (given my market) in two years. Maybe some can do faster maybe some slower
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Hi,
Sorry I don’t see what is the question for me. These are all points that one needs to consider and look at, I can’t argue with any of them as I do not know what it is you are trying to accomplish, who your market is and the types of programming you do.
The HVX is a great little camera, but is it an SDX900, no, nor is it a Varicam. Give me some meat to bite into here, I have lots of opinions but I don’t have enough facts to go on.
Best,
Jan
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Well my first most fundamental question is will the HPC2000 offer 30p or 24p for all the SD and HD formats?
If yes then I’m a huge fan and will buy one as soon as it
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Chris,
Your consultant and you have overlooked a major item involving the purchase of capital equipment which is how many of your clients are already willing or currently using the P2 post workflow.
Just because you are excited about the camera does not reflect what “9 out of 10” of your clients are willing to accept and pay for.
Any professional who has been in this business for quite sometime will tell you the perils of buying the first generation of any new product. You are and will be on the bleeding edge and will bear the pain of paving a new road for yourself and clients at the expense of an unproven track record.
The SDX-900 although it is at the end of the its product cycle has a proven client base, established post production workflow and can be purchased quite cheaply. The forthcoming HD products are all first generation, have no long term established track record or end user reports based on real world shooting conditions which you and I face every day.
Lab reports can be misleading at best given the circumstances we face in the world under these “real world” scenarios.
Regarding the magically 24P option it is not an easy software fix to make a camera magically output 24P instead it is all about hardware. The camera design was long ago approved and there is little chance that a month before NAB it will magically have 24P added unless this was already in the planning stages.
I recommend you take a wait and watch approach and see if P2 does indeed catch on and become the next best thing since sliced bread. Have you researched if any major rental facilities in your area are even considering the camera? If not ask why? If a major rental facility can forecast a product will generate alot of rentals then they will buy it if not they will wait and see or bypass it all together. Are there any broadcasters or major corporate end users you have spoken to who will or have adopted P2?
Start asking the hard questions and listen to the answers before allowing the lust for technology to blind you. Have you spoken with any of the other local freelancers to discuss what their plan are?You do not want to be an orphan alone with a single camera and nowhere to go when you need a backup or second unit. You may even want to consider renting the unit first to discover all the hidden bugs and workarounds required before you dive in head first. “Try before you buy” can work to your advantage when making a major purchase.
One major rental facility I work with decided to forego the HVX-200 because it did not fit into their client base. Even with a diverse client base they felt P2 did not fit into their overall plan at this time for others this may be a different case.
One last note no manufacturer can honestly provide an answer what is best for your clients needs and expections. All they can do is hype what they have to offer and hope it works out for you. In the end it’s your money and you need to be quite cautious and figure out what your clients really need and are willing to actually pay for.
Have you asked any of your clients if they would commit in writing to hiring your HD P2 package before you make a purchase or are they just blowing smoke.
You don’t need to rush into this purchase only to suffer the pains of being the first on the block with the newest toy which no one really needs.
The best thing you can do is research, research and more research.
I personally recommend waiting for the 2nd or 3rd generation versions which will have had a chance to establish a proven track record.
Good luck,
Tony Salgado
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