Panasonic AG-HVX200A User Manual

H2

AG-HVX200Aseries

Memory Card Camera-Recorder

(AG-HVX201/AG-HVX202/AG-HVX204)

Mini

Digital
Video
Cassette

A powerful 13x zoom lens with a wider, 30mm angle of view (35mm equivalent),

and a new progressive CCD greatly improves S/N ratio and lowers smear.

Panasonic's handheld P2 HD camcorders are packed with advanced video technologies. The AG-HVX200 is
widely praised as a revolutionary professional production tool for an array of applications, from filmmaking
through broadcasting.
The P2 card's excellent mobility, reliability and instant playback ability were proven in demanding applications in
the field, from the one-chance-to-capture-it pressure of the Olympic Games to the extreme weather of the Iditarod
in Alaska. Features like the DVCPRO HD codec's high image quality, variable frame rate recording — the first ever
in a handheld camcorder — and the HD/SD multi-format with built-in DV tape drive were appreciated by video
creators everywhere. The original AG-HVX200 continues to provide new solutions to the production of movies,
documentaries, short movie features, and more.
Now, the P2 handheld camera takes another step forward. The new AG-HVX200A series with its newly-developed
CCD raises the signal to noise performance while enhancing the low-light performance of the camera as well.
Coupled with a new 30mm wide-angle zoom lens, this new version of the HVX200 addresses even more
applications and meets the needs of user with more critical needs.

1

The Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy

Iditarod - Sled dog race in Alaska

News gathering in Antarctica

The AG-HVX200A series — P2 HD Camcorder
for a Wide Range of Video Productions.

2

Producing "Paths to Civilization" in China

Producing a documentary in Polynesia

Producing a movie in Japan

3

Designed Leica Dicomar 13x Zoom Lens System

for HD Applications

The Leica Dicomar® HD Lens

Developed specifically for HD recording, this lens system features a
large 82-mm (diameter) filter along with 15 lens elements in 11
groups, including three aspherical lenses.
The Leica Dicomar lens incorporates Leica optical technology and
know-how throughout. The use of low-dispersion glass reduces
colour aberration and increases resolution, while a multi-coating
process minimizes flare and ghosting. This results in sharp, crisp,
beautifully rendered images with delicate nuances and exceptional
shading.

*Leica and Dicomar are registered trademarks of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.

Wider-Angle 13x Zoom Lens

The powerful 13x zoom lens, specially designed for HD recording,
has a wide 30mm angle of view (35mm equivalent). The new lens,
which is based on Panasonic's acclaimed wide-angle lens design,
covers most shooting situations without requiring a wide-angle
conversion lens. Its minimum object distance (MOD) of about 1.9 ft
(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.

OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer)

Panasonic's advanced OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) 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 and DSP

Achieve Higher Sensitivity and Image Quality

New Progressive CCD Raises Sensitivity and Lowers
Noise and Smear

The new 1/3-inch 16:9
progressive CCD on the
AG-HVX200A 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.

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

The AG-HVX200A series
developed digital signal
processor for 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 new DSP helps the AG-HVX200A series deliver beautiful images
in all video formats.

True High Definition

IMAGE QUALITY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL

Angle of view with the AG-HVX200
at the wide-angle setting (32.5 mm)

Angle of view with the AG-HVX200A series

at the wide-angle setting (30.3 mm)

Aspherical Lens

Optical Image Stabilizer

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
capture. The result is an HD or SD recording with a level of image
quality that electronically processed scans cannot match.

DVCPRO HD: The Image and Sound Quality

Broadcasters Demand Supports Multi-Codec Recording

The Superb Images and Sound of DVCPRO HD Codec

Using the DVCPRO HD codec
recording system, the
AG-HVX200A series records
HD video with outstanding
image and audio quality onto a
P2 card in file format. This
codec, thanks to a low
compression ratio at a video bit
rate of 100 Mbps (1080/50i,
720/50p) and the easy-to-edit
intraframe compression system, is suitable for recording fast­moving subjects with no motion artifacts other than motion blur.
The 4:2:2 sampling rate minimizes jaggies at chroma edges and is
advantageous in image compositing and motion tracking. Sound
quality is excellent too, thanks to DVCPRO HD's uncompressed
16-bit, 4-channel digital audio recording capability.

HD/SD Multi-Format Recording

The AG-HVX200A series can record onto a P2 card in 1080/25p*1,
1080/50i or 576/50p HD, and it's compatible with the SD (576i)
format currently used in television production. The multi-codec
system allows you to record in DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO
or DV*

2

where ever you need to go based on your client needs.

*1: In 1080/25p, Images are recorded in 50i by 2:2 pull-down.
*2: The P2 card can be used for recording video in any codec. Mini DV tape can record video
in the DV format. Both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios are supported in SD, 16:9 only in HD.

DVCPRO HD in Turin Olympics

4

Video format and codec supported by AG-HVX200A series

Recording Video Format *1Codec Media Rec. Time *

2

HD

1080/50i

DVCPRO HD

P2 card

64 minutes

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

1

128 minutes

SD

576/50i

DVCPRO50 128 minutes

576/25p (over 50i)
576/50i
576/25p (over 50i)
576/50i

DV mini-DV Tape 63 minutes

576/25p (over 50i)

DVCPRO/DV 256 minutes

*1: In the Native mode, AG-HVX200A series record only active frames.

*2: using two 32GB P2 cards. (half with a single card)

DV: using a AY-DVM63 mini-DV tape