AG-HPX301 DVCPRO P2 Panasonic

Panasonic brings professionals a new style of camera-recorder. The AG-HPX301 debuts with a totally redesigned body that’s compact, lightweight and has a low center of gravity. Mobility is outstanding. Operation is easy. And the AG-HPX301 comes packed with Panasonic’s most advanced P2 HD technology.
Featuring a newly designed image sensor, the AG-HPX301 supports AVC-Intra, the newest motion image compression codec in addition to the DVCPRO codecs. Data is recorded onto reliable P2 memory cards.

With its high picture quality, superb image rendering, long recording time, easy operation and flexible adaptability to IT, the AG-HPX301 is a powerful answer to today’s advanced video production demands. It also offers low operating costs and high environmental performance

The AG-HPX301 features a newly developed camera section with a 2.2-megapixel image sensor and 20 bit digital signal processor. Image quality is outstanding.

Newly Developed 2.2-Megapixel Image Sensor

The AG-HPX301 boasts the 3 Full HD MOS image sensors for RGB. They are 1/3-inch, 2.2-megapixel (1920 x 1080) image sensors which is capable of acquiring full-HD images. This new sensor and Newly designed signal process LSI is the key technology behind the AG-HPX301’s superior picture quality. It also helps make possible the compact size, light weight and low power consumption that distinguish the AG-HPX301.

Fujinon High-Performance 17x Zoom Lens

The AG-HPX301 comes equipped with a Fujinon 1/3-inch 17x zoom lens. Optimized for use with the AG-HPX301, this high-performance HD lens incorporates advanced broadcast lens technologies to achieve a compact size, light weight, 4.5mm f-value at the wide end, and excellent zoom response. The zoom is comfortable to grip and use. Also, quick zoom and autocruising zoom functions can be allocated to the VTR and RET switches.

Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC)

This exclusive technology sets up a conversation between lens and camera which allows for a highly sophisticated algorithm to be deployed that will automatically compensate the registration error that is caused mainly by lens chromatic aberration, and minimize the circumjacent blur.

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 are 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.

3-Position Gain Selector / 24dB Gain-Up Function

There is a 3-position gain selector, with L, M and H settings. To each setting you can assign a gain value from −3 dB to 12 dB, in 3 dB steps. There is also a USER button - just give it a quick touch to instantly boost the gain by 24 dB.

Newly Developed 20 bit Digital Signal Processor

The AG-HPX301 incorporates a high-performance 20 bit DSP that handles image rendering processes such as gamma and various detail enhancement functions with exceptional precision. Consuming less power than conventional processors, the new DSP contributes to the AG-HPX301’s outstanding environmental performance.

Scene File Dial

Set this dial for an instant set of shooting conditions. Six preset files are provided, and you can change any of the six file names and their settings as desired. You can also store and load the settings to an SD card.

• File Description

F1: - Standard settings

F2: FLUO. Indoor shooting under fluorescent lights

F3: SPARK Highlighting subjects at receptions, dinners etc.

F4: B-STR Enhanced gradations of luminance in low light scenes

F5: CINE V Cine-Like setting shifted to prioritize contrast*

F6: CINE D Cine-Like setting shifted to prioritize dynamic range*

*Selecting this file does not change the video recording format. If you want to switch to 25p, 24p and 30p, you must do so as a separate procedure.

Slow, Synchro and High-Speed Shutter

The shutter speed can be set between 1/6.25 second on the slow end in 50Hz mode (1/6 second in 59.94Hz mode) and 1/2000 second on the fast end. Used with the variable frame rate function, this allows you to create a blurring effect or crystal-clear stop-motion of sports action. The AG-HPX301 also features a synchro scan function for capturing screen shots from a computer monitor.

• Advanced Image Adjustments Built-In

• Matrix setting including a Cine-Like mode

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

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

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

• User files can be saved to an SD card and shared with other cameras.

• 4-position (off, 1/4 ND, 1/16 ND, 1/64 ND) optical neutral density filter wheel

Cine-like Functions

The gamma, variable frame rate and other advanced functions let you capture images with a cinema-like feel, expanding your creative and expressive possibilities.

7-Mode Gamma for Richer Gradation

Drawing on technologies developed for the VariCam, Panasonic has equipped the AG-HPX301 with advanced gamma functions that address seven different shooting scenarios and enhance your creative abilities. This includes the Cine-Like Gamma, which produces the characteristic tone of film recordings.

Native and Over-50p/60p Modes

• 720p Native Mode

In Native mode, the AG-HPX301 records images at the frame rate set in the camera. For example in 25pN mode, it only records 25 frames instead of the normal 50 frames*. Using the AG-HPX301 to play back the recording at the normal rate, you can preview the speed effect right on the spot, without using a frame rate converter. Native mode also extends the recording time of a P2 card.

*In 24pN mode in 59.94Hz system mode, AG-HPX301 records only 24 frames instead of the normal 60 frames

• 720p over 50p/60p Mode

This is a mode for recording 50p-converted or 60p-converted video. For example, in 24p mode, it records 60 frames by applying a 2:3 pulldown. The recording time is the same as in 1080i or 720p mode, but the unit can output a DVCPRO HD stream from the IEEE 1394 connector as it records.* This lets you produce a backup copy using a connected external P2 recorder such as AJ-HPM110 or AG-HPG20, DVCPRO HD recorder or hard-disk recorder such as the Focus Enhancements FireStore FS-100.

*Only when the recording format is DVCPRO HD. There is no output when the AVC-Intra codec is used.

*24p = 23.98p, 30p = 29.97p, 60p = 59.94p and 60i = 59.94i

1080/480 24p Advance Mode (in 59.94Hz mode)

The 1080 and 480 progressive recording systems convert recordings to 60i in 24p, 30p, or 24pA (Advance) mode. The 24p Advance mode uses 2:3:3:2 pulldown, which allows for an easy extraction to a 24p timeline and no quality loss in the process with compatible NLEs.*

*AVC-Intra recording is not possible.* For information on compatible nonlinear editing systems, visit<https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/> and click "Nonlinear Compatibility Information."*24p = 23.98p, 30p = 29.97p, 60p = 59.94p and 60i = 59.94i

Scan Reverse Function for Use with Film Lenses

The AG-HPX301 comes with scan reverse. This function cancels the image inversion that occurs when a Cinema lens adaptor is used.

AVC-Intra Codec

High-quality 1920 x 1080 pixel, 10 bit, 4:2:2 HD recording

Comes Equipped with AVC-Intra Codec

An AVC-Intra codec board is included as standard equipment.

It allows recording in either of two modes: AVC-Intra 100, for full-pixel HD (1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720) images, or AVC-Intra 50 for low-bit-rate, low-cost operation. AVC-Intra is a new codec that further advances HD production. It complies with the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 international standard based on advanced image compression technology, and offers both superb image quality and highly efficient compression. It uses an intra-frame compression system to bring important advantages to professional editing.

In the AG-HPX301, a new single-chip digital signal processor is integrated with the AVC-Intra codec circuit. This is another way the AG-HPX301 cuts power consumption.

High-Image-Quality AVC-Intra 100 Mode

With the same bit rate as DVCPRO HD, this mode supports full 10 bit recordings with 1920 x 1080 pixels. It enables the AG-HPX301 to capture master-quality video for high-end video production