Panasonic AG-HPX174, AG-HPX172, AG-HPX173 User Manual

AG-HPX170 series

Memory Card Camera-Recorder

(AG-HPX172/AG-HPX173/AG-HPX174)

Lightest P2 HD Model Brings Even Greater Mobility to Video production and News Gathering

A Handheld Camcorder with 28mm Wide-Angle Lens, Superb Image Quality and Advanced Functions

The AG-HPX170 series debuts as the lightest member of the P2
Series of camcorders that have revolutionized news gathering and
video production. Thanks to an exclusive, P2 card recording design,
the new model weighs in at only 1.9 kg, assuring exceptional mobility.
The AG-HPX170 series also introduces a newly designed camera
section that features a 28mm wide-angle zoom lens — widest in the
class — plus a newly developed 1/3-inch 16:9 progressive CCD that
provides low-noise, low-smear performance. These high-end features
combine with use of the DVCPRO HD codec, with its proven track
record in broadcasting, to provide exceptional HD recording quality.
The AG-HPX170 series offers a host of advanced features. Two P2
card slots allow hot swapping for extended recording. Pre-rec and
loop-rec functions help ensure that you never miss an important
shooting opportunity. There is also 20-step variable frame rate
selection, HD-SDI output for uncompressed streaming output, and a
waveform monitor/vector scope for outdoor recording convenience.
With its superb recording quality, impressive feature set and
exceptional mobility, the AG-HPX170 series is an agile, powerful
solution to today’s broadcasting and image production needs.

Compact, Lightweight and Perfectly Balanced

Tape, VTR

Recording tape

Reuse

Initialization

Recording

P2 Card

Camera/recorder he ads,
transport mechanis m

Disposal

At 1.9kg, the super-compact AG-HPX170 series

debuts as the lightest member of

the P2 family. It combines small size and

light weight with an ideal balance - the center of

gravity is in the hand grip – to bring exceptional

comfort and maneuverability to handheld recording.

The zoom lens further enhances shooting ease

and convenience, letting the AG-HPX170 series

handle a wide range of applications without

requiring a conversion lens.

• 28mm wide-angle zoom lens — widest in the class*

• New progressive CCD with low noise and low smear

• 20-step variable frame rate selection

• Waveform Monitoring, vector scope and histogram display

*HD camcorders with integrated lens and 1/3-inch CCD, as of July 2008 (according to a Panasonic survey)

• Comes equipped for HD-SDI output

Ecological Benefits —
Thanks to Solid-State
Technology,
Broadcasting Can Help
Conservation.

Because P2 cards are re-usable and
moving parts are substantially reduced,
P2 HD is an environmentally-friendly
technology.

The wear-free and dropout-free memory
card recording system does not need the
tapes required by conventional VCRs.
The memory card system reduces waste
generated when the heads, tape drive
mechanisms, etc., are replaced.

28mm Wide-Angle, 13x Zoom Leica Dicomar® HD Lens

ø 53mm

Light axis

Configuration of the 13-power zoom lens

The wide-angle zoom lens that gained high popularity in the
HVX200 Series has been reduced in size, lightened, and further
widened in this 13x zoom lens. The new lens structure combines
13 lens elements in 10 groups, with 3 aspherical lenses. The
diameter of the front lens element has been reduced from 67 to

53.2 mm, while still achieving a 28mm wide angle (35mm
equivalent), the widest of the class.*
The new lens covers most shooting situations without requiring a
wide-angle conversion lens. Its minimum object distance (MOD)
of about 0.6 meter at the telephoto setting helps to maximize the
handheld camcorder’s inherent mobility.
The same cam-driven zoom ring that was so popular in previous

models ensures accurate zooming. The Leica Dicomar lens
incorporates Leica optical technology and know-how throughout.

A multi-coating process minimizes flare and ghosting. This results
in sharp, crisp, beautifully rendered images with delicate nuances
and exceptional shading.

*HD camcorders with integrated lens and 1/3-inch CCD, as of July 2008 (according to a

Panasonic survey)

Wide, High-Quality Images

with High Sensitivity from a

Newly Designed Optical System

and High-Performance DSP

Image of an angle of view equivalent to 31.4 mm Image of an angle of view equivalent to 28 mm

Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS)

Panasonic’s advanced OIS dramatically reduces the blurring
caused by hand-held camera work. Optical processing with an
automatic correction function helps assure consistently clear,
sharp images.

New Progressive CCD Raises Sensitivity and Lowers
Noise and Smear

The new 1/3-inch 16:9
progressive CCD on the
AG-HPX170 series further raises
image quality. It combines a
significantly improved S/N ratio
and better low-light performance
than previous models. Backed
by a high-performance digital
signal processor, the CCD brings
higher quality to HD images to
meet the demands of broadcasters and high-end video
producers.

High-Resolution Native Progressive 1080/60p Scan

Progressive to interlace conversion, cross conversion and down
conversion all start with the 1080p/60 scan. That initial 1080p
native progressive scan offers the highest level of vertical
resolution possible at this level of camera. Keep in mind that the
camera does not record this signal but uses it as a basis for all
captures. The result is an HD or SD recording with a level of
image quality that cannot be matched by electronically
processed scans.

DSP with 14-Bit A/D Conversion and 19-Bit Processing

The digital signal processor
developed for the AG-HPX170
series’s 1080/60p video signals
uses 14-bit A/D conversion and
19-bit inner processing to
attain unprecedented accuracy.
While the camera does not
record 1080/60p, it is from this
capture that all other signals
are made. The DSP performs a
variety of adjustments,
including eight types of gamma settings, for each of the R, G and
B channels. It also converts the signals to HD or SD format. With
a performance equivalent to the processors used in many
higher-end HD cameras, this DSP delivers beautiful images in all
video formats.

Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS)

In scenes with mixed contrast, such as when panning from
indoors to outdoors, the DRS function automatically suppresses
blocked shadows and blown highlights. A gamma curve and
knee slope is estimated to match the contrast of each pixel, and
applied in real time. When dark, bright, and intermediate shades
are all contained in the same scene, this produces excellent
gradation for each shade and minimizes blocked shadows and
blown highlights. The images that result are enhanced by a
visually wide dynamic range.

Blocked shadows are suppressed.

7-Mode Gamma for Richer Gradation

Drawing on technologies developed for the VariCam, Panasonic
has equipped the AG-HPX170 series with advanced gamma
functions that address eight different shooting scenarios and

enhance your creative abilities. This includes the Cine-Like

Gamma, which produces the characteristic warm tone of film

VIDEO GAMMA CINE-LIKE GAMMA

recordings.

AG-HPX170 series Gamma Modes

HD NORM: Suitable for HD recording

LOW: Works to flatten out a high contrast scene

SD NORM: Normal setting for SD
(this was available in the DVX100 series)

HIGH: Provides more contrast and color gradation

B.PRESS: Provides more contras and blacks in low contrast scenes

CINE-LIKE-D: The Cine-Like mode shifted to prioritize dynamic range

CINE-LIKE-V: The Cine-Like mode shifted to prioritize contrast

Advanced Image Adjustments Built-In

• Matrix setting including a Cine-Like mode

• Adjustable H detail level, V detail level, detail coring and skin

detail

• Adjustable chroma level, chroma phase, color temp and master

pedestal

• Knee point settings: Auto, Low, Mid and High

• Scene Files and User files can be saved to an SD Memory Card

and shared with other cameras.

Image with DRS OFF Image with DRS ON

Blown highlights are suppressed.