Varicam HPX2700 vs HPX2000

[Matthew Romanis]

I guess it depends on how much you value the film style gamma curve vs the video gamma curve.
The nicest thing about the Varicam has always been the amount of latitude written into how the knee and gamma curves are set up. The 2000, and the 3000 to a lesser degree, just aren’t in the same league.
We have both a Varicam (f model) and an HPX 3000, and whilst the DPRS setting in the 3000 is interesting, the Varicam still has an edge. Resolution though is a total win to the 3000 for obvious reasons, but overall pleasing images are still to be had from the Varicam.
Matthew.

[Helmut Kobler]

HPX2700 has a newer sensor from what I understand. Also, it has chromatic aberation compensation, while the 200 does not. It also has Film Rec mode, while the 2000 does not.

[Jeff Regan]

I was told by a Panasonic product manager that the 2700 does not have a new sensor, so that means it’s the same sensor as a Varicam 27H, HDX900 and HPX2000. I don’t see how Panasonic can justify the substantial price increase over the HPX2000, which for awhile was sold
with the AVC Intra board at no extra charge. I would rather buy a demo HPX3000 for less than the cost of an HPX2700 or an HPX2000 for the
low $20K range and 0% financing. I just don’t see how the 2700 is worth almost $40K.

Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com

[Jan Crittenden livingston]

Hi Jeff,

While the 2700 and the 2000 are not my product, the differences between then are many. Starting with the DSP, the CAC, and the contollability of the camera signal is more akin to the Varicam at $45,000 vs the HDX900 which is similar to the HPX2000. The 2700 has a built-in swicth to AVC-Intra which on the 2000 is possible but adds to the cost by an additional $3000. There are other differences like having the variable frame rates and being able to ramp. And those are the ones that come easily this early in the am.

Hope this helps a bit,

Jan

Jan Crittenden Livingston
Product Manager, HPX500, HVX200, DVX100
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems

[Jeff Regan]

Jan,

Thank you for your response. The 2700 has Film Rec and ramping, but a 2000 has CAC and 14 Bit processing, like the 2700. If the 2700 offers more image control akin to the Varicam, that’s great. I’m just not sure Film Rec and frame rate ramping is worth the price premium in my mind. I think that at the $40K price point I would have a difficult decision choosing between the 2700 and a discounted B-stock 3000 or a
discounted 2000 for close to half the price.

Jeff Regan
Shooting Star Video
http://www.ssv.com