Panasonic AG AG-HVX200A, Manual Book

Page 1: ...00 This guidebook provides a comprehensive description of the functions and features of the AG HVX200 from detailed information on the HD multi format system variable frame rates and P2 card recording to a variety of application examples ...

Page 2: ...an be done in camera the internal down conversion allows the user to create variable frame rate effects for standard definition DV projects P2 Card Speed and Future Potential Video and audio signals are recorded onto the P2 flash memory card This will revolutionize your workflow with the reliability speed and IT connectivity that only solid state memory can offer The AG HVX200 s two P2 card slots ...

Page 3: ... New P2 Card Workflow 19 3 3 P2 Card Recording Functions on the AG HVX200 21 3 4 The P2 Workflow Following Acquisition 23 4 What s a Variable Frame Rate 4 1 An Important Part of the VariCam s Creative Expressiveness 25 4 2 Overcranking and Undercranking by Changing the Frame Rate 27 4 3 Slow Motion and Fast Motion Effects 29 4 4 Native Mode 720 24pN and 720 30pN for Special Effects Using only the ...

Page 4: ...y Progressive CCD This 1 3 progressive CCD rivals many HD broadcasting cameras with its excellent balance of high resolution S N and sensitivity The camera section scans a high resolution 1080p image at up to 60 frames per second and it is from this capture that all other signals are made New DSP with 14 bit A D Conversion and 19 bit Processing With its level of performance this new digital signal...

Page 5: ...mats DVCPRO HD Recording onto a P2 Card The AG HVX200 is the compact camera recorder to offer 1080 24p over 60i shooting You can also select 1080 60i 1080 30p 720 60p 720 30p or 720 24p in HD The multi codec lets you choose either DVCPRO 50 DVCPRO or DV format for SD 480i recording Built in DV VTR The DV VTR section allows the AG HVX200 to also serve as a high end DV camera recorder with 16 9 aspe...

Page 6: ...1 Types and Differences of HD Video Formats 3 1 2 HD SD Multi Format Recording with the AG HVX200 1080 lines 6 0 f i e l d s 720 lines 6 0 f r a m e s 480 lines 6 0 f i e l d s 1080i 720p 480i ...

Page 7: ...d 720 30p native mode It offers the advantages of a variable frame rate See the details in Chapter 4 What s a Variable Frame Rate 480 60i Also called 525i this is the Standard Definition SD format used in today s TV broadcasting It is supported by almost all video equipment including DVCPRO 50 DVCPRO and DV equipment It also supports 30p and 24p progressive shooting but its output video signals ar...

Page 8: ...by a 1080i or 480i interlaced camera you ll see blurring in fast motion parts where the two images overlap You ll also find smearing in finely detailed parts because of the relatively low vertical resolution Each frame of a progressive image on the other hand contains all of the image information much like a film frame because it consists of all of the scanning lines In this way progressive images...

Page 9: ... Up Progressive Freeze Frame Please note direction of the fine engraving next to Jackson s head Compare with new style US 20 bill Engraving pattern is correct However the reality is the lines curve under as shown on this 720P image So a progressive capture is more representative of the subject matter Interlace Freeze Frame image The picture on the left is an interlace freeze frame and because it s...

Page 10: ...olved in production This has led to the idea of using video cameras which use inexpensive reusable P2 card and videotape and require no developing An alternative has arrived in the form of 24p HD shooting Progressive scanning produces 24 frames per second with complete image information contained in each frame This provides the same frame speed and motion traits as film The AG HVX200 can shoot in ...

Page 11: ...put SD NORM CINE LIKE_V CINE LIKE_D HD NORM and B PRESS HIGH LOW NEWS AG HVX200 Gamma Mode NEWS Minimizes washout to faithfully capture all visual information especially in the highlights HD NORM Suitable for HD shooting LOW Works to flatten out a high contrast scene SD NORM Normal setting for SD this was available in the DVX100 series HIGH Provides additional contrast and color gradation B PRESS ...

Page 12: ...arned the acclaim of broadcasters and video professionals all around the world The original standard definition DVCPRO format introduced in 1996 has also seen wide use in broadcasting and other professional applications Moreover because a wide range of peripheral equipment has been developed for use with DVCPRO HD VTRs DVCPRO HD gives you more versatility in editing and other post production proce...

Page 13: ...dcasting production and other pro video applications One hallmark of the DVCPRO family is its wide interchangeability Panasonic s top of the line HD studio VTRs can play DVCPRO 50 DVCPRO and DV tapes This compatibility among products and the flexibility it provides remains one of the central design concepts underlining Panasonic s development of DVCPRO equipment In 2003 Panasonic began developing ...

Page 14: ...erior pictures sound and reliability not only in nonlinear editing but also in tape editing using VTRs You get greater editing flexibility and higher quality results Compared to DVCPRO an MPEG2 based system uses interframe compression A number of frames are formed into a group called a GOP for group of pictures for processing In each GOP only frame I for Initial contains the entire set of image da...

Page 15: ...sion DVCPRO DVCPRO 50 DVCPRO HD Motion Image Recording Image DVCPRO family The data from each frame is compressed independently so each frame can be reproduced singularly MPEG 2 GOP A number of frames 6 12 or 15 etc are grouped together and compression and reproduction are done on the entire group 0110010 1001100 1011001 01010 Inter Frame Compression Data MPEG 2 GOP Motion Image Recording Image I ...

Page 16: ...al Pb Pr at 37 125 MHz and combines each set of four Y samples with two Pb and two Pr samples With the large amount of information it provides for the color difference signal this system helps maintain outstanding color resolution As you know 4 2 2 sampling is one of the conditions required for source footage and interfaces used in high end production processes such as post production This is beca...

Page 17: ...t you get in 4 2 2 sampling their degradation of the video quality after duplication would be less unlike HDV that also uses a different version of 4 2 0 sampling because the luminance line is correspondent to the color difference line DVCPRO NTSC PAL DV NTSC DVCAM NTSC 4 1 1 Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 4 Y only Y only Y CR CB Y CR CB Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 4 Y only DV PAL DVCAM PAL Y only Y CR Y...

Page 18: ...an record up to four channels of audio In HDV audio recorded in MP2 format is compressed to 384 kilobits per second DVCPRO HD Compression Compressed MPEG 2 Audio Layer II Uncompressed Linear PCM Sampling 48 kHz 48 kHz Quantizing 16 bit 16 bit Channel 4 channels 8 channels 4 channels with AG HVX200 Comparison between HDV and DVCPRO HD in Audio Recording HDV Compressed MP2 MPEG 1 Audio Layer II 48 k...

Page 19: ... minutes 480 24p over 60i 480 24pA over 60i 480 30p over 60i 480 60i DVCPRO DV 64 minutes 480 24p over 60i 480 24pA over 60i 480 30p over 60i 480 60i DV Mini DV tape 60 minutes 480 24p over 60i 480 24pA over 60i 480 30p over 60i 1 24p 23 98p 30p 29 97p 60p 59 94p and 60i 59 94i 2 In the Native mode AG HVX200 record only active flames 3 P2 using two 8GB P2 cards half with a single card DV using a A...

Page 20: ... has used a digital still camera understands the advantages and convenience of file based recording onto a memory card The ultra reliability fast data transfer and ability to reuse solid state memory breaks through the barriers of conventional videotape media to bring an exciting new faster workflow to video production Select a clip from the thumbnail display for instant review No need to search t...

Page 21: ... Native recording mode It records only active frames Super Compact Large Capacity and High Speed P2 which stands for Professional Plug in is a compact solid state memory card designed for professional AV use Basically four SD Memory Cards are packaged together to create a single P2 card When striped as a RAID 0 array this gives the P2 four times the transfer speed and four times the capacity of a ...

Page 22: ...on located in the U S is provided as an example of the kind of workflow that can be achieved by converting to a full P2 system Image Acquisition with P2 Camera Recorders The P2 card is extremely safe and reliable Highly resistant to impact and cold it prevents dropouts and doesn t allow accidental overwriting of previous recordings unless the card is purposely initialized The P2 card also helps to...

Page 23: ...ar editing application without the need to digitize them Once the files are saved to the PC s hard disk the P2 card can be initialized and reused again and again Easy Linking with Conventional Workflows Too Because the codec used in the P2 system is the same as that used throughout the DVCPRO family it enables easy connection to conventional production transmission systems analog or digital based ...

Page 24: ...ecording Thanks to the AG HVX200 s two card slots you can hot swap P2 cards and have continuous non stop recording With multiple cards you can record for hours without interruption Or using an AJ PCS060G the P2 Store external hard drive you can download recorded files from a P2 card and then initialize it erasing the files so it s ready for re use Loop recording Using two P2 cards and setting the ...

Page 25: ...ion can also be displayed using nonlinear editing software Supported by Canopus EDIUS Shot Marker Function If desired you can add a simple OK NG shot marker to each clip either during or after recording When a P2 card containing marked clips is inserted in a PC the PC will display with an M demarcation in the P2 viewer which of the clips is the one with the Marker The P2 card driver standard equip...

Page 26: ...VX200 connects directly via USB 2 0 to a PC running Windows In IEEE 1394 Device mode it connects directly to a Mac This lets you use the AG HVX200 as a P2 card drive providing easy access to recordings on the P2 card Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft corporation Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc registered in the U S and other countries Capture on a Card Then Mount to a D...

Page 27: ...DVCPRO HD VTR Workflow AJ SD93 DVCPRO 50 DVCPRO DVCPRO 50 VTR Workflow AG HVX200 IEEE 1394 AVC SBP2 IEEE 1394 AVC NLE DV Tape Based Recording Too The AG HVX200 is equipped with a mini DV tape drive This allows recording in 60i 30p 24p or 24pA Advance modes just like AG DVX100 series models It also lets you down convert an HD source 1080i 720p recorded on a P2 card and copy it to a mini DV tape Cer...

Page 28: ...4 What s a Variable Frame Rate 25 Panasonic VariCam AJ HDC27H Movie Film Camera AG HVX200 4 1 An Important Part of the VariCam s Creative Expressiveness ...

Page 29: ...efer film cameras Panasonic s revolutionary VariCam AJ HDC27F H HD camera changed all that Using the 720p HD recording format the VariCam achieved a rate of 60 fps This allowed overcranking and undercranking based on the standard rate of 24 fps This variable frame rate function resulted in the rapid and widespread use of HD video recording systems in the production of both movies and TV commercial...

Page 30: ...rcranking Undercranking 2x Higher speed shooting provide 1 2x slow motion when standard playback Standard recording speed for Movie Production Playback at Same Speed 1 2x lower speed shooting provide 2x quick motion when standard playback Rec Play 24 fps Rec 48 fps Play 24 fps Rec 12 fps Play 24 fps ...

Page 31: ...at 1080 30p over 60i or 480 30p over 60i in addition to 720 30p Overcranking 26 fps or Higher Overcranking provides slow motion playback which is frequently used in climax scenes or for dramatic effects like car chases and action scenes For example a video clip recorded at 48 fps provides a slow motion effect that is 1 2 normal playback speed at 24 fps This provides a high quality slow motion effe...

Page 32: ...tarted producing science fiction films with their monsters and other imaginary creatures and objects By reducing the speed the slow motion effect makes monsters and miniature objects seem much larger The degree of this effect can be adjusted by varying the shutter speed Explosions and Implosions The slow motion effect is also used to emphasize major moments in a movie Although a fast shutter speed...

Page 33: ...aining effect in a comedy action scene Extremely fast speed is often combined with computer graphics The shutter speed is varied over a wide range according to the intended effect Special Effect Scenes A fast motion effect can be used to create various effects For example it can make the main character appear to be stationary in a bustling crowd or make a waterfall or river flow like moving silk H...

Page 34: ...ranking with No FRC This technique uses undercranking for fast motion recording This technique cannot be used with images shot with a film camera It is often used when producing commercials recorded with the VariCam The resulting image creates a fast motion effect It gives a blurry effect to a normal speed image to achieve a unique ambience This technique is not recommended for scenes in which an ...

Page 35: ...ct in 30p base 12 fps 200 Quick 250 Quick 18 fps 133 Quick 167 Quick 20 fps 120 Quick 150 Quick 22 fps 109 Quick 136 Quick 24 fps 100 Standard 125 Quick 26 fps 92 Slow 115 Quick 30 fps 80 Slow 100 Standard 32 fps 75 Slow 94 Slow 36 fps 66 Slow 66 Slow 48 fps 50 Slow 62 Slow 60 fps 40 Slow 50 Slow ...

Page 36: ... its recording media its recording is based on 60p even when the image acquisition frame rate is varied For example in 24p mode the AJ HDC27H records 60 fps by applying 2 3 pulldown Therefore to preview the image effect the recorded data has to be processed using a frame rate converter and the effective frames must be extracted 4 4 Native Mode 720 24pN and 720 30pN for Special Effects Using only t...

Page 37: ... effect of the variable frame rate function on the spot without having to use a frame rate converter Copying Slow Fast Motion Recordings onto DV Tape In addition to its P2 card slots the AG HVX200 is equipped with a mini DV tape drive This allows DV recording and also lets you down convert a DVCPRO HD source 1080i 720i recorded onto a P2 card and copy it to mini DV tape When copying a recorded vid...

Page 38: ...flow IEEE 1394 AVC A V Stream Output This mode offers another handy advantage Since it is able to stream DVCPRO HD from the IEEE 1394 terminal while recording an external HDD recorder such as the AJ HD1200A DVCPRO HD recorder or FOCUS FireStore FS 100 available soon can be connected for backup recording 4 5 720p over 60p Mode Provides Extra Convenience for VariCam and Other Systems P2 card P2 card...

Page 39: ...ith minimal image degradation thus allowing you to maintain high image quality in production Applicable systems and formats visit our Website https eww pavc panasonic co jp pro av P2 Compatibility Table A B C D E F G H A A B B B C C D D D E E F F F GG H H H 24p capture 60i record 24p capture 60i record 30p capture 60i record 24p Mode 2 3 pulldown A B C D E F G H A A B B B C C C D D E E F F F GGG H...

Page 40: ... detail coring and skin detail Chroma level chroma phase color temp and master pedestal Knee point settings Auto Low Mid and High Cam driven manual zoom ring Manual focus ring Focus assist function zoom up center portion Auto manual selectors Auto aperture iris auto gain auto tracking white balance auto focus with single ON OFF control for all Auto focus infinity position Push Auto button Manual a...

Page 41: ...cking white balance Mode check Easy camera status display Two XLR audio input terminals with 48 volt phantom power supply Large bright 3 5 inch color LCD monitor Camera to camera Initial Time code copy via IEEE 1394 User files and scene files can be stored on SD Memory Card for copying and use by multiple AG HVX200 units ...

Page 42: ...tart stop Large audio recording level controls Large tiltable electronic viewfinder Front and rear tally lamps 16 9 squeeze letter box modes selectable in SD 6 position scene file dial Trigger and zoom button on upper handle grip Zebra function Two patterns 50 to 105 in 5 steps Center marker Accurate numeric display of the brightness at screen center ...

Page 43: ...uitable for shooting with greater extremes of detail enhancement color and contrast F4 SCENE B STR File for broadening the contrast of dark parts such as when shooting sunsets F5 SCENE CINE V File suitable for shooting film like scenes where the contrast is to be emphasized F6 SCENE CINE D File suitable for shooting film like scenes where the dynamic range is to be emphasized ...

Page 44: ...ulder type camera Low angle shots The action of following or tracking an object in comical scenes for example can be easily recorded with low angle handheld shooting 6 1 High End Production of Movies and Commercials Mobility Easy Operation and High Cost Performance The mobility of the compact lightweight AG HVX200 rivals that of a DV camera for use in high end production such as in movies and TV c...

Page 45: ...anking techniques that were previously possible only with VariCam Using the native mode you can also check the effects right on the spot Multi camera shots Simultaneous HD multi angle shots can be taken with comparatively low cost Multi format shooting By selecting a different recording format for different scenes you can give each one a distinctive feel The AG HVX200 is the first to provide 480 7...

Page 46: ...ecisive moments using the pre rec function Using the pre rec function with the P2 card you can go back and use footage from before you even pressed the rec button This makes it easy to catch scenes that are difficult to time like the sudden spouting of a whale at sea Unattended shots of animals etc using the loop rec function Using the loop rec function with the P2 card you can record wild animals...

Page 47: ...ing format for different scenes you can give each one a distinctive feel The AG HVX200 is the first to provide 480 720 and 1080 formats and both interlaced and progressive scanning in a single camera 6 2 Video and Independent Movie Production High Quality HD Expressive VFR Versatile Low Cost Production The AG HVX200 lets you produce the same level of slow or fast motion HD images in high resolutio...

Page 48: ...s Where Mobility Excels Car based shots The short body and wide field of view of the compact lightweight AG HVX200 make it ideal for shooting inside cars or mounting to the car body On a bicycle or motorcycle The AG HVX200 lets you capture scenes at high speeds on narrow roads and pathways Low angle shots The action of following or tracking an object and comical scenes can be easily recorded with ...

Page 49: ...ding Images enable accelerated views of slow changing scenes such as sunrises cloud movement or plant growth Capturing decisive moments using the pre rec function The pre rec function with the P2 card makes it easy to catch scenes that are difficult to time like the sudden spouting of a whale at sea Unattended shots of animals etc using the loop rec function Using the loop rec function with the P2...

Page 50: ... check the results on the spot and you can down convert and dub the slow motion images onto DV tape This gives you DV source images without having to use any other equipment 6 3 Events and Other Professional Video Work Adding high end expression to DV production The Variable Frame Rate function of the AG HVX200 can add dramatic film like slow motion effects to lower budget event and wedding videos...

Page 51: ...iable Frame Rate function to shoot in slow motion Take aerial shots of the wedding site with a radio controlled helicopter A radio controlled helicopter can be used to take aerial shots of the wedding site or outdoor wedding scene Increase the effect by combining this with the dramatic release of balloons or white doves A wide conversion lens is also effective here available soon from a third part...

Page 52: ...ield temporary back up Long recording time AG HVX200 P2 card P2 card recorded P2 card blank IEEE 1394 AVC IEEE 1394 AVC IEEE 1394 AVC IEEE 1394 AVC SBP2 P2 drive P2 store P2 store AJ HD1200A USB2 0 USB2 0 6 Applications and Workflows 49 6 4 Image Production Workflow Together with Tape ...

Page 53: ...w and fast motion blur etc Reliable and quick operation with the P2 card Support for the DVCPRO HD tape workflow E D I T I N G D I S T R I B U T I O N Tape Data Tape AJ HD1200A DVCPRO HD Conventional System Contents Archive Nonlinear Editors Apple Avid and Canopus IEEE 1394 AVC ...

Page 54: ...ank IEEE 1394 AVC IEEE 1394 AVC IEEE 1394 AVC IEEE 1394 AVC SBP2 P2 drive P2 store P2 store AJ HD1200A S H O O T I N G Long recording time USB2 0 USB2 0 Thumbnail display Random access playback VFR recording 6 Applications and Workflows 51 6 5 File Based Image Production Workflow ...

Page 55: ...etc Reliable and quick operation with the P2 card Nonlinear Editors Apple Avid and Canopus DVD R VC1 H 264 etc HD Monitor BT LH1700W Player with HD playback capability PC Projector HDD E D I T I N G D I S T R I B U T I O N Back Up Contents Archive Blu ray Disk DVD RAM R File transfer No need digitize ...

Page 56: ...me rate onto a P2 card then dub it onto DV tape to achieve speed effects in your existing DV environment Mini DV AG HVX200 IEEE 1394 AVC Convert DUB P2 card VFR recorded DVCPRO HD S H O O T I N G 6 Applications and Workflows 53 6 6 DV Based Image Production Workflow ...

Page 57: ...ariable frame rate onto a P2 card then dub it onto DV tape to achieve speed effects in your existing DV environment Nonlinear editors with DV tape compatibility Adobe Apple Avid and Canopus also support 24pA DVD R SD DVD VIDEO MPEG2 DVD Player Mini DV DV VTR AG DV2500 E D I T I N G D I S T R I B U T I O N Contents Archive HD Monitor BT LH1700W ...

Page 58: ...lection with the thumbnail display Loop rec and pre rec functions FOCUS FireStore FS 100 S H O O T I N G P2 card recorded P2 card blank Field temporary back up Long recording time Transferring files for quick easy uploading IEEE 1394 AVC 6 Applications and Workflows 55 6 7 News Workflow ...

Page 59: ...tation EtherNet E D I T I N G N E T W O R K I N G Contents Aircive USB 2 0 The P2 handheld camera is ideal for journalists SD HD multi format recording Versatile recording modes help to catch sudden shooting opportunities Reliable and quick operation with the P2 card ...

Page 60: ...as a professional AV media By packaging four SD Memory Cards into a single P2 card it provides four times the capacity and data transfer speed of the SD Memory Card It also exhibits the kind of remarkable characteristics and superior reliability under harsh conditions that are possible only with a solid state memory resisting impacts up to 1 500G and vibration up to 15G operating in temperatures f...

Page 61: ...nt digital format developed by Panasonic It uses 10 bit sampling of the HD component signal with a Y Pb Pr 4 2 2 sampling rate It is able to preserve high image quality by covering the entire HD signal frequency range Frame rate The number of images that can be recorded or played per second VariCam A professional video camera that uses the DVCPRO HD 720p format Featuring special gamma curves and t...

Page 62: ...f latitude ability to reproduce gradation as movie film Dynamic range The range within which values or variables change The dynamic range for images refers to the luminance range Gradation The steps of contrast in an image Gamma curve A conversion curve used to allocate levels of image brightness to data in a nonlinear manner P 11 MPEG2 MPEG stands for the Moving Picture Experts Group a committee ...

Page 63: ...t signal When transmitting color video signals it is desirable to use all three color signals R G and B since they are the three primary colors of light but this requires a wide bandwidth of about 6 MHz for each signal The color difference signal system was developed to improve the transmission efficiency For the NTSC signal system the process of producing a brightness signal from the R G and B pr...

Page 64: ... a positive effect On the other hand B gives a negative effect In actual images the H Detail affects contour lines in the vertical direction V Detail A function to enhance the top and bottom edges of horizontal lines A indicates the V rate and gives a negative effect In actual images the V Detail affects contour lines in the horizontal direction Detail core When the V H detail rates are raised hig...

Page 65: ...s twice as high White balance A process of setting white color according to the light conditions at the shooting site by adjusting the color balance in order to achieve natural looking color ND filter The ND natural density filter reduces light intensity without altering color It is used when acquiring images in a bright place The AG HVX200 has two filters with light intensity reduction rates of 1...

Page 66: ... 20 22 24 26 30 32 36 48 60 fps frame sec Shutter Speed Preset 60i 60p mode 1 60 OFF 1 100 1 120 1 250 1 500 1 1000 1 2000 sec 30p mode 1 30 1 50 OFF 1 60 1 120 1 250 1 500 1 1000 sec 24p mode 1 24 1 50 OFF 1 60 1 120 1 250 1 500 1 1000 sec Shutter Speed Variable 60i mode 1 60 0 sec to 1 249 8 sec 30p mode 1 30 0 sec to 1 249 8 sec 24p mode 1 24 0 sec to 1 249 8 sec Aperture Angle 10 to 350 by 0 5...

Page 67: ...Vp p 75Ω C 0 286Vp p 75Ω In out automatically switched Input DV tape mode only AUDIO connectors Audio In Out Pin Jack x 2 ch1 ch2 In out automatically switched Input 316mV High impedance Output 316mV 600Ω Microphone Line Input XLR x 2 Input 1 Input 2 LINE MIC selectable Line 0dBu MIC 50 60dBu selectable in menu Internal Microphone Stereo Microphone Phones Stereo Mini jack 3 5mm diameter OTHER conn...

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