Panasonic AG-HPX502 User Manual

AG-

Memory Card Camera-Recorder

Broadcasters and video professionals all around the
world have already joined the P2 revolution. Now this
advanced technology is available to even more
professional videographers.
The AG-HPX502 Memory Card Camera-Recorder debuts
as the newest 2/3" camcorder in the P2 HD Professional
Series, which includes the AG-HVX202 handheld and the
AJ-HPX2100 shoulder-mount units.
Featuring a 2/3-inch lens mount that accepts
interchangeable lenses, HD/SD multi-format
compatibility with 50/60-Hz selectability, and a variable
frame rate function that allows cine-like picture quality,
this new camera-recorder has everything professionals
need to create high-quality video content.
Equipped with four P2 card slots, the AG-HPX502 allows
extended HD recording time and delivers the high
reliability, quick recording starts and IT benefits that
distinguish P2 and revolutionize the recording and
editing workflow.
The AG-HPX502 is an exceptional cost-efficient
performer for applications that demand full-fledged HD
production quality and the advantages of fast IT-based
workflow.

Superior Recording Quality in Both HD and SD

P2 Memory Card Recording Brings the IT
Revolution to Video Production

Neither tape nor disc, the
P2 card is a semiconductor
memory device that can
hold large amounts of
video and audio data.
The P2 card's advanced
AV technology bring the proven benefits of
an IT workflow to broadcasting and video
production. Memory card recorders have no drive
mechanism, so maintenance costs are much lower.
And with their outstanding resistance to impact, vibration,
temperature change, dust and other environmental conditions,
they offer the high reliability you need in news acquisition and
video recording. P2 also transfers data at higher speeds than
optical discs or hard drives, so video production is quicker.
And P2 files can be transferred as they are – no digitizing
required - to nonlinear editors and other network-connectable
equipment. With all these advantages, it's no wonder many of
the world's leading broadcast stations and video production
professionals have already adopted P2. Panasonic P2

equipment has turned in gold­medal performances on the
biggest stages - such as the
2004 Olympic Games in Athens
and the 2006 Winter Olympic
Games in Torino. P2 will be on
hand for the next Olympics too,
as the official broadcasting
equipment for the 2008 Games
in Beijing.

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Maintenance

Reliability

Transfer speed

P2 CardHDDOptical DiscDVTape

• Supports all HD/SD recording formats
at the price of an SD camera-recorder

• Advanced P2 technology provides fast, rugged
performance plus IT connectivity

• 2/3-inch interchangeable lens system

• Variable frame rate function

A P2HD Camera-Recorder That's Built for Pr ofessionals

Professional HD Quality

Progressive 3CCD and 2/3-inch Interchangeable Lens System for Full-Fledged HD Video Production

2/3-Inch Interchangeable Lens System

The 2/3-inch bayonet mount allows use of a wide assortment of
broadcast and professional lenses from a number of companies*.
2/3-inch zoom lenses make it easier to capture the shallower depth
of field often used in professional videos.

Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC)

Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) function is a new
feature in the AG-HPX502. This exclusive technology sets up a
conversation between lens and camera which allows for a highly
sophisticated algorithm to be deployed which will automatically
compensate the registration error that is caused mainly by lens
chromatic aberration, and minimize the circumjacent blur.

Progressive 3CCD

The AG-HPX502's 2/3-inch progressive 3CCD* has a larger light
receiving area for higher sensitivity, and achieves an optimal
balance among image quality, sensitivity and cost.

The camera process scans at full 1080/60 (or 50) progressive frames
a second. It is this initial capture that is the foundation for all of the
formats that this camera generates. While the camera does not
record 1080P/60(or 50), the signals start there and are either cross
converted or down converted to the format being utilized that day.

* The effective image size of the CCD is equivalent to 2/3.2 inches.

A.P.T for Higher Image Quality

Advanced progressive technology (A.P.T) produces higher total
image quality by linking the progressive 3CCD camera system with
a high-performance digital signal processor (DSP). In A.P.T, an
extremely accurate CCD alignment process is used to offset the
pixels on the red and blue channels in both the Horizontal and
Vertical directions. This allows for additional resolution to be gained
from areas of the green CCD which are non-photo-sensitive.
The R, G and B color signals from the 3 CCDs are then sent through
a 14-bit A/D converter. Next, a 19-bit DSP performs a highly precise
calculation* on the signals to generate 1080/60P (50P) video
signals. The signals are then converted into HD or SD format and
recorded. By using these progressive video signals, with their
excellent vertical resolution, as source signals, a high level of image
quality is achieved that would be difficult to obtain by interpolating
from interlace scans.

* Called an advanced offset spatial process.

R

G

B

14-bit

A/D

DSP

(19-bit inner

processing)

RecordingProgressive CCD

Advanced Offset Spacial Process

1080/60P (50P) Signal Process

HD/SD

Format

CCDAquisition

A.P.T (Advanced Progressive Technology)

Full screen image

(simulated**) CAC OFF (simulated**)

CAC ON (simulated**)

Interlace scanning frame image

(simulated**)

Progressive scanning frame image

(simulated**)

** “Simulated” images were produced in order to describe the function. It is not a screen capture of an actual image. It differs from an actual image in that the effect of the function has been

emphasized for easier understanding.

HD/SD Multi-Format Capabilities

Supporting 32 HD/SD video recording formats, the AG-HPX502
meets professional needs in news acquisition and in the production
of TV programming, independent films and other demanding video
content. Its versatility allows this content to be distributed
worldwide. For 1080i/720p HD recording, the AG-HPX502 uses the
DVCPRO HD codec, with its proven track record in higher end
production applications. For SD recording, the AG-HPX502's multi­codec capabilities let you select from DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV
video quality.

Extended Recording with Four Slots for
16-GB P2 Cards

The AG-HPX502 has four P2 cards slots so you can record
continuously onto all four in sequence. Using four of the new 16-GB
P2 cards (available soon), you can record up to 64 minutes of HD
recording (1080/60i or 720/60p, 4 cards x 16 minutes = 64) or 128
minutes of SD (DVCPRO 50) recording (4 cards x 32 minutes = 128).

48-kHz/16-bit, 4-Channel Digital Audio

The AG-HPX502 can record full 48-kHz/16-bit digital audio on all
four channels. You can freely select the audio source for each
channel, choosing from mic-in and line-in. In addition you can
control the audio level on each of these channels independently.

*1: 24p=23.98p, 30p=29.97p, 60p=59.94p and 60i=59.94i
*2: In the Native mode, AG-HPX502 record only active frames.
*3: using four 16GB P2 cards. (1/4 with a single card)

Recording time varies depending on the video format, codec, and recording setting.

Video format and codec supported by AG-HPX502

Recording Video Format *

1

Codec

HD
60Hz

1080/60i

DVCPRO HD

1080/24p (over 60i)
1080/24pA (over 60i)
1080/30p (over 60i)
720/60p
720/24p (over 60p)
720/30p (over 60p)
720/24pN (Native)*

2

720/30pN (Native)*

2

SD
60Hz

480/60i
480/24p (over 60i)
480/24pA (over 60i)
480/30p (over 60i)
576/50i
576/25p (over 50i)

Rec. Time*

3

64 min.

160 min.
128 min.

128 min. (DVCPRO 50)
256 min. (DVCPRO/DV)

HD
50Hz

1080/50i

64 min.

1080/25p (over 50i)
720/50p
720/25p (over 50p)
720/25pN (Native)*

2

128 min.

SD
50Hz