Panasonic AJ-HPX3000 User Manual

AJ-HPX3000

Memory Card Camera-Recorder

Native 1080p 4:2:2 10-bit Camcorder

Now capture at the same quality you master: 1920 x 1080 / 10-bit/4:2:2 Sampling

The standard AVC-Intra codec board achieves 10-bit/4:2:2 HD recording with full sampling.

The AJ-HPX3000's 2.2-megapixel HD CCD captures full 1920 x 1080-pixel HD images.

Panasonic has brought its most advanced video imaging technologies together to create a camera-recorder that brings image quality and resolution to new heights. The new AJ-HPX3000 takes its place at the top of the P2 HD Series, Panasonic's solid-state line of professional broadcasting and video production equipment.

At the heart of the AJ-HPX3000 is a newly developed high-resolution 2.2megapixel CCD and an AVC-Intra codec recording system that employs the industry's most advanced image compression technology. These combine to make the AJ-HPX3000 the first integrated camera-recorder to offer high-imagequality, high-resolution 1920 x 1080-pixel recording with full 10-bit/ 4:2:2 sampling.

The AJ-HPX3000 also adds a host of leading image-enhancing functions. For example, when used with a compatible zoom lens, the AJ-HPX3000 provides a chromatic aberration compensation (CAC) function to capture images that closely replicate those shot with a digital prime lens. There is also a dynamic range stretcher (DRS) function that suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights while expanding the dynamic range.

The AJ-HPX3000 supports native 1080/23.98p (29.97p/25p) recording and is equipped for movie production with the FilmRec gamma mode and scan reverse function for film lenses. The AJ-HPX3000 can be used with conventional HD systems or for SD video production, and enables either DVCPRO HD or DVCPRO50 codec recording.

This integrated camera-recorder makes it possible to acquire the kind of highquality video that in the past required a standalone HD camera plus a large VTR such as the HD-D5. That not only gives you a huge advantage in mobility, it also gives you the freedom to create new, innovative shooting techniques. Even better, the AJ-HPX3000 uses P2 solid-state memory, which provides outstanding features common throughout the P2 HD Series, including superior reliability, long record times, fast on-set workflow and compatibility with leading non-linear editing systems. P2 HD equipment also can reduce both total costs and production time.

The AJ-HPX3000 is the industry’s first native 1080p one-piece camcorder that delivers master quality video and features needed for shooting network television programs to commercials to music videos, movies and documentaries.

New Heights in Video Production: 1920 x 1080-pixel Recording with 10-bit/4:2:2 Sampling

New 2.2-megapixel Progressive/Interlace CCD

For the AJ-HPX3000, Panasonic developed a high-density 2.2-megapixel 2/3-inch CCD that provides high-resolution full-pixel (1920 x 1080) HD images. The AJ-HPX3000 provides a choice of progressive / interlace HD video formats; supporting native 1080 23.98p / 25p/29.97p, as well as 1080 50i and 1080 59.94i. The camera offers a high F10 sensitivity at 2000 lux when operating in 1080i.

Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC)

This exclusive technology works between lens and camera, allowing for a highly sophisticated algorithm to be deployed that automatically compensates the registration error that is caused mainly by lens chromatic aberration, and minimizes the neighboring blur. By using a CAC-compatible zoom lens, the AJ-HPX3000 can obtain images similar to those captured with a prime lens.

DRS (Dynamic Range Stretcher) Function

DRS recognizes the average brightness of highlight and shadow areas and then automatically adjusts the aperture and uses knee control to suppress blocking in the shadow areas. In scenes with mixed dark and light areas, such as when moving from indoors to outdoors, DRS automatically provides a wider dynamic range with minimal blown highlights and blocked shadows.

High-Sensitivity Digital Super Gain

The high-sensitivity F10 aperture and digital super gain (frame cumulative mode) let the AJ-HPX3000 record with a high S/N ratio*

and less of the noise that commonly comes with higher gain. The gain and digital super gain can be flexibly combined to achieve highly sensitive recording of up to a +56 dB*

gain increase and 0.064 lx minimum illumination, to suit

different shooting conditions.

*1: Due to the use of image accumulation, the number of recorded frames per second decreases. This results in a frame-by-frame playback effect. *2: With super gain set at +36 dB and digital super gain (6P cumulative mode) at +20 dB.

Scan Reverse Function for Film Lens Use

The AJ-HPX3000 can use an ultra prime lens and even an anamorphic lens adapter that creates a 2.35:1 aspect image for wide-screen cinematic shooting without cropping the image. Its scan reverse function cancels the image inversion that occurs when Angenieux's HD lens adaptor is used.

Six Gamma Modes Including VariCam Film-Rec

A new digital signal processing (DSP) circuit in the AJ-HPX3000 has six selectable gamma modes. These include F-Rec gamma for movie production, which is the same high-end function incorporated in the Varicam. Select the mode (see the diagram above) to match the application.

14-Bit Digital Processing with 12-Axis Color Correction

In the AJ-HPX3000, we offer a 14-bit A/D conversion system along with the new high-performance DSP circuit. The 12-axis color correction matrix lets you make fine adjustments in specific color regions. Functions such as skin detail let you further fine-tune the image.

Scene Files and Lens Files

• Scene Files: Store specific camera settings in built-in memory. Four files with settings can be stored in the camera's memory. Files can also be copied onto an SD/SDHC Memory Card, allowing storage of up to eight files.

• Lens Files: Store settings for interchangeable lenses. Eight files can be stored in the camera unit, and 64 (8 x 8) files can be saved on an SD/SDHC Memory Card.

Shooting Assist Functions

• Three User Buttons: Assign a function to each, and then you can select functions with pushbutton ease.

• Focus Assist: Facilitates focusing by displaying the frequency.

• Variable Color Temperature: Color temperature can be adjusted with

the jog dial after the white balance is set.

• Electronic Shutter with Half-Speed: The AJ-HPX3000 has a full collection of shutter angle options like the VariCam. It also includes Six fixed speeds of up to 1/2000sec, plus "half-speed" (180-degree) slow and synchro-scan capability.

• Two optical filters, ND and CC, have four positions each. The 3200K, 4300K, 5600K and 6300K positions of the CC filter help to express deeper colors.

• A 3-point locking viewfinder mount allows precise adjustment.

• The Audio Rec level adjustment features a push lock function.

• The Audio Input level adjustment (front) can be switched ON/OFF and

allocated to desired channels.

DRS OFF* DRS ON*

Luminance

Image level

FILMLIKE1

FILMLIKE2

FILMLIKE3

FILM-REC

HD: Normal setting for HDTV SD: Normal setting for SDTV FILMLIKE 1 — 3: Film-like video production (3 modes of gradation) FILM REC: Movie production

Gamma curve

When a zoom lens is used, chromatic aberration occurs near the perimeter of the R, G and B channels (with CAC turned off). When the advanced CAC function is utilized, after the CCD captures the image, the CAC function uses the DSP circuit to perform digital compensation using a table prepared for selected lens**. The beneficial effect is more prominent for higher-resolution images”.

** FUJINON 2/3" LENS compatible with CAC HA22x7.8BERM-M58/HA22x7.8BERD-S58/ HA16x6.3BERM-M58/HA16x6.3BERD-S58 CANON 2/3" LENS compatible with CAC HJ22ex7.6B IASE/HJ17ex7.6B IASE

As seen in the image at the left, the ordinary auto knee function results in blown highlights outside the window or blocked shadows inside the room. The DRS detects the average brightness of both light and dark areas, and prevents blown highlights and blocked shadows to provide a broader dynamic range. This is especially effective for film-like HD production.

* These simulated images ware prepared for the purpose of explaining the function. It is not actual captured image. The effect is emphasized, and the actual image differs from the simulated images shown here.

Full screen image (simulated*) CAC OFF (simulated*) CAC ON (simulated*)

Simulation Showing the CAC (Chromatic Aberration Compensation) Effect

Simulation Showing the DRS (Dynamic Range Stretcher) Effect

DSP (Digital Signal Processor)

The DSP performs 14-bit A/D conversion for the RGB signal input from the CCD, and completes all image processes, such as CAC, DRS, gamma, 12-axis independent color compensation and detail, simultaneously and digitally to achieve high image quality without degradation.

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