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Is the AG-HPX500 the P2 replacement of the VariCam?
Is the AG-HPX500 the P2 replacement of the VariCam? What do you think?
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11 Replies
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Russell,
Absolutely not! Please note carefully that although the camera is 2/3″ imager, it’s HD formats are “interpreted” by pixel shifting a SD sped’d CCD. The P2 “replacement” of the Varicam will be a high-end product, hopefully offering a 2.2million pixel imager that will natively offer both 1920×1080 and 720 formats onto the new AVC codec which effectively doubles the capacity at DVCPRO100 quality or doubles the quality to D5 like specs. It would be nice to see higher frame rates like 120fps too!
While the origional Varicam was positioned as a “cine” camera replacement, it’s likely that other models in the future will evolve for that purpose, which 35mm sized CMOS imagers that will allow the use of film lenses. The evolved Varicam will probably bring film-like features to the high-end of broadcast work.
It’s dificult to predict what the camera manufacturers will do, because they are often driven by marketing concerns rather than what is technically possible, thus the confussion about what a $14K 2/3″ camera really is meant for!
JS
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“it’s HD formats are “interpreted” by pixel shifting a SD sped’d CCD.”
I’m not sure I understand. You’re saying that it has Standard Definitions CCD, then interprets it into HD?
Thanks,
Russ -
Yeah, just like it’s little brother the HVX200; it’s basically a Standard Def CCD imager, but with pixel shifting it increases the “resolution” so that they can make HD out of it. Common sense tells you that they’re not going to give away a more expensive imager or compete with their own $26K product (namely the “2000” P2 camcorder). I stand to be corrected, but at best I’d say the imager is like 800×600?
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Are the AJ-HPX2000 CCDs a more acceptable comparison to the VariCam’s CCDs? If so, that would explain the $13,000 price difference between the AG-HPX500 and the AJ-HVX2000. It would also start to explain the difference between the new AG shoulder mount camera and the existing AJ cameras.
A similar observation might be that the AG series currently hasn’t announced support for AVC-Intra, while the AJ P2-HD camera has.
Things are starting to become more clear.
Thanks,
-Russ -
Sorry to be a post hog, but it looks like the AG-HPX500 will directly compete with XDCAMHD.
On the other hand, the AJ HD series (both tape and P2 cameras) will compete against Sony’s HDCAM series.
Is that right?
-Russ
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Russ,
More or less! The “2000” camera is positioned to compete with the 2/3″ XDCAM when it comes to market. I suspect the price of the P2 camera plus five cards will equal the list price of the 2/3″ XDCAM of approximately $33-35K (plus optional boards). JMHO.
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I don’t know all the differences between the 2000 and 500, but when I had a look at the HPX2100 (as it sold in Australia) it had;
* “better” more magnesium-based heavy duty casing.
* Five P2 slots intead of four.
* Ability to upgrade to H264 card (which may cost US$6K+)
* Two filter wheels
* 2″ 16:9 broadcast viewfinder
* Larger 1 million+ CCD versus 600k in the 500
* On-board HD-SDI to SD-SDI downconversion (pretty important)
* Proxy Data Recording (option)
* GPS module (option) for those who need itThere may be other differences relating to cache recording, dynamic contrast latitude, etc that I don’t know about.
The HPX500 is a good camera but there are real differences with the HPX2000. Whether it is worth the difference is entirely up to you, your clients and your wallet.
Peter
Peter Corbett
Powerhouse Productions
http://www.php.com.au -
Peter,
You are very well informed as regards this new “500” camera, which as far as I know was just introduced this week here in the states. We’re you able to see one? You describe the iomager as 600K, do know the actual dimensions?
Thanks,
JS
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The HPX500 is reported to use a modified pixel-shifted version of the SDX900 camera. I have the SDX900 and is produces a great picture, better than the AJ-D910 Pro50 I had before it.
You can read the press release here;
https://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PressroomHome?storeId=11301&catalogId=13251&catGroupId=21803According to my SDX900 manual it has 750 lines 600,000 pixel 3-CCD. I’m not sure on the H x V math.
Peter
Peter Corbett
Powerhouse Productions
http://www.php.com.au -
I almost bought an AG-HPX500 camera today, but decided to do more research. I own an SD Panasonic AG-DVC 200 1/2″ camera which was very good. What is the point of buying this supposedly “HD” camera if it simply uses pixel-shifting of an SD chip to create the illusion of HD? I have heard pixel-shifting and “interpreting” HD derided from many sources as no substitute for true HD. So what is the point of even buying it in that case? I had hoped to buy a camera to get work shooting independent films. Thanks for any input.
DigiGuy
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