Remote control units for HDX900?

[Jeff Merritt]

Hey,

Good questions. And why are you on the computer this holiday weekend? Just kidding. BBQ’s galore.

The new remote control is entirely different from anything we have made before. It is more of a “one button-one function” device that serves only the AJ-HDX900. It does not work with any other camera and the AJ-EC3 does not work with the HDX900. With the new remote contol you’ll have easier control of the camera with the added benefit of being able to see down-converted pictures on the LCD screen on the unit.

Now I’ll admit that this unit is a bit more pricey than the original EC3, but the functionality is a lot more. At VariCamps and at NAB I spent a lot of time asking what a new remote control should be. I fed this information back to the factory and this is what they came up with. When we showed it at the last NAB in April, it was an overwhelming success.

It comes standard with a 10 meter cable that is new with larger 10-pin connectors. It’s beefier and has more cable interface between the camera and the remote control. We do not have a longer cable but will provide the connector model and pin-out if you want to extend the cable. Maximum is about 20 meters. Since the camera supplies power to the remote, you can understand how the power drops off over distance. Also remember that video over SDI is limited to about 300 feet.

Good news is that we are working closely with TeleCast for them to have a fiber alternative for this remote. This is looking good and shouldn’t be long in coming.

Thanks for the questions.

[Peter Steinman]

Have the remotes actually started shipping yet ?

[Jeff Merritt]

All,

The remote IS shipping now. Contact your closest Re-Seller.

Thanks

Jeff Merritt
Product Line Business Manager
High Definition Products
Panasonic Broadcast
323-436-3676

[Aripes]

Thanks for the info Jeff. Do you know when the Telecast-Fiber remotes will be available? We’re designing a studio install with a dozen 900s that we’ll need remotes for, and 20 meters won’t work – we will need fiber remotes of some kind. The install happens soon, and we’re trying to get a solution for this.
Let me know if I should contact you off-list or if I should be talking to Telecast directly.

Thanks again,
-Aarin Ripes

[John Sharaf]

Contact Jim Hurwitz at Telecast. His email is jhurwitz@telecast-fiber.com
He’s probably on his way to IBC at this moment, so give him a few days to reply. The Telecast “Copperhead” product is available right now, you’d just need to interface the Panasonic remote to it with the proper cables at the base station and camera head. In addition you’ll have HD-SDI, genlock, TC, audio (in both directions), video return, etc. You can even add the Power Plus option and power the camera through a SMPTE Hybrid cable. I have three of these units which I use with my Varicams and Cine Alta(s) and I swear by them. They make camcorders and other non-triax capable cameras into real camera systems.

JS

[Jeff Merritt]

Hi,

Please contact me directly off list to my regular e-mail. Also please contact TeleCast directly as we do not distribute their products but work very closely with them.

merrittj@us.panasonic.com

Thanks,

Jeff Merritt
Product Line Business Manager
High Definition Products
Panasonic Broadcast
323-436-3676

[Aripes]

Just to finish off the thread – I heard from Jim at Telecast this week that the Copperhead fiber remotes are now fully functional with the RC10G, so that’s the route we’ll be taking.

Thanks to everyone for your expert knowledge. You guys make this the best damn forum around.

Fo’shizzle,
-Aarin Ripes