SECAUCUS, NJ –
Panasonic is now shipping the AJ-HDX900 2/3-inch DVCPRO HD camcorder, which produces
high-quality, high-definition images in 11 formats and is able to deliver them
via an IEEE 1394 digital output. Priced at $26,500 (plus viewfinder), the
AJ-HDX900 is well suited for globetrotting video pros as it supports 1080
59.94i/50i/29.97p/25p/23.98p/23.98pA and 720 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/ 23.98p
(60Hz and 50Hz production) formats.
The AJ-HDX900 provides 4:2:2 sampling and intra-frame recording at 100Mbps. The
unit can be used for the production of television programs, music videos, stock
footage, corporate videos and documentaries.
Robert Harris, VP of marketing for Panasonic Broadcast, says
“the AJ-HDX900 teams impeccably with the compact AJ-HD1400 editing recorder, a
new AC/DC-powered, IEEE 1394-equipped DVCPRO HD VTR, to form a cost-effective acquisition-through-editing
system.”
With a 14-bit A/D conversion and a 12-axis color correction matrix, the
AJ-HDX900 provides high picture quality, luminance gradation and the ability to
make fine color adjustments. Additional professional features include three
Cine-like gamma curve modes to replicate the film look and a newly-developed
Dynamic Range Stretching (DRS) function that automatically provides a wider
dynamic range and as well as automatically tweaks the camera for each specific
shooting condition.
The camcorder offers an IEEE 1394 digital output, allowing video professionals
to connect directly with nonlinear editing systems and VTRs, as well as record
simultaneously to an external device.
The unit’s body weighs 9.9 pounds. The AJ-HDX900 uses 9-micron
DVCPRO HD-EX recording to record 33 minutes on a 1/4-inch DVCPRO medium-size
cassette and records 48 kHz/16-bit digital audio on all four channels. Standard
is a seven-second pre-recording function that permits the camera to capture
spontaneous scenes a shooter might otherwise miss. A standard HD SDI output is
included for monitoring and line recording, and a downconverter is built-in to
produce an SD output via high quality SDI or composite, eliminating the need
for an expensive SDI monitor.
An SD slot allows users to store scene settings on an SD Memory card for easy
transfer to other cameras.