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 PANASONIC
UNVEILS AJ-HD1200A DVCPRO HD PORTABLE VTR
FOR STUDIO/FIELD PRODUCTION AND NONLINEAR EDITING
Teams with Apple’s New Final Cut Pro HD
to Popularize HD Editing
First VTR to Offer HD
I/O via IEEE 1394
LAS VEGAS, NV (April 18, 2004) – Here
at NAB 2004, Panasonic has introduced the
AJ-HD1200A DVCPRO HD AC/DC-powered, multi-purpose
VTR, the first recorder* to offer an IEEE 1394 interface
operating at 100Mbps data rate with DV High Definition
video streams. The AJ-HD1200A is a key component
in the company’s collaboration with Apple to
bring real-time professional quality, native HD editing
to Power Mac and PowerBook customers, at a fraction
of the cost of other systems.
This compact, versatile VTR plays all standard definition
DVCPRO formats (NTSC and PAL), as well as DVCPRO
HD, and can downconvert HD recorded cassettes for
HD/SD simulcast or standard definition monitoring. With the AJ-HD1200A, 720p
material shot with a Panasonic’s AJ-HDC27 VariCam® HD Cinema™ camera
and DVCPRO HD 1080i material can be transferred via the VTR’s IEEE 1394
interface directly to the hard disk drive of an Apple Power Mac G5 or PowerBook
G4 equipped with Final Cut Pro HD. Editing of VariCam footage is at the camera
original quality, because the IEEE 1394 interface transfers the native digital
HD files originally recorded by VariCam without any additional video compression
steps.
 "Just as Panasonic’s AG-DVX100 24p mini-DV camcorder has democratized
independent filmmaking by lowering the cost of entry, teaming the AJ-HD1200A
with a Power Mac G5 or PowerBook G4 and Final Cut Pro HD will deliver unmatched
capabilities and price points to High Definition. This technical collaboration
will be a catalyst to rapidly expanding HD usage in field production, post-production
and even in distribution," said Stuart English, Vice President, Marketing,
Panasonic Broadcast.
The AJ-HD1200A can record up to 92 minutes of HD footage on a single, compact ¼" cassette.
The VTR can play the entire family of DVCPRO tapes—DVCPRO HD and HD-LP,
DVCPRO P, DVCPRO50 and standard DVCPRO, as well as DV and DVCAM tapes. Its
universal design also allows playback of both NTSC (480i) and PAL (576i) sources.
In addition to 1080/60i and 1080/50i, the AJ-HD1200A supports variable frame
rates over 720/60p recordings acquired with VariCam. When playing back content
shot at 24fps on the VariCam, the VTR can convert the output to 1080/24p in
real time with a simultaneous downconvert to 525 NTSC. When material is shot
at 25fps on the VariCam, the
AJ-HD1200A can convert that content to 1080/50i or a simultaneous downconvert
to 625 PAL.
With its built-in HD/SD converter, the AJ-HD1200A can downconvert video from
a
pre-recorded HD tape to SD (480i or 576i), and then output it as SD composite
video, or SDI (with an optional AJ-YA120AG board). This downconversion makes
for easy viewing of HD images on an NTSC monitor. HD and SD signals can also
be output for simultaneous transmission. The AJ-HD1200A can also change the
image’s aspect ratio, with a selection of widescreen, squeeze or side
cut conversion modes.
Its optional AJ-YA120AG HD-SDI in/out and SD-SDI out board enables the VTR
to provide HD recording (1080/60i, 1080/50i or 720/60p) from an HD-SDI input.
It can provide an HD-SDI and SD-SDI output (downconverted or SD playback).
The unit also incorporates an HD format converter that allows conversion on
playback between 1080i and 720p output in either direction.
Only ½ rack-width wide and 18 pounds, the AJ-HD1200A is the smallest
broadcast grade HD recorder and a space-saver on the desktop or in production
vehicles. A convenient handle makes for easy carrying. Operation is either
AC or DC (12V).
Other key features include: eight channels of 16 bit/48-Khz digital audio allowing
multilingual, or stereo plus discrete 5.1 channel surround sound recordings;
four-channel analog audio in/out (channels 3 and 4 can be switched for L/R
monitor output use); built-in SMPTE time code generator/reader and time code
in/out; auto rewind, auto repeat and memory stop functions; auto back function
for seamless recording; rec inhibit switch; tape/EE output selection; and headphone
output with volume control. An optional AJ-A95 remote control that permits
shuttle search up to 50 times is also available.
The AJ-HD1200A will be available in May at a suggested list price of $21,000.
The
AJ-YA120AG HD-SDI in/SDI out board is available in May at a suggested list
price of
$6,000. The AJ-YAD120AG IEEE 1394 interface is available
in May at a suggested list of $4,000, and the AJ-A95
remote controller is available at a suggested list
price of $1,035.
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