The AG-HPX500 P2 HD shoulder-mount camcorder delivers a unique combination of high-end features never offered in a camcorder in this genre, including production-quality 2/3" progressive 3-CCDs, DVCPRO HD quality, multi HD and SD formats, variable frame rates, and four independent audio channels. In addition, the HPX500 offers the outstanding benefits of P2 solid state recording including ultra-fast IT workflow and no-moving-parts reliability, which makes the camera ideal for use in harsh environments.

At only 8.2 pounds, the HPX500 features a high-performance digital signal processor (DSP) with 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit processing that handles HD/SD format conversion simultaneously -- ensuring spectacular images in all video formats for applications ranging from news acquisition, independent filmmaking, corporate video, sports and much more. To give your productions tremendous flexibility, the HPX500 records in over 32 HD and SD formats. The camcorder records on re-usable, removable P2 cards. With Panasonic's new 16GB P2 card and HPX500's four P2 slots, the camera records for 68 minutes of DVCPRO HD; 136 minutes of DVCPRO 50; and 272 minutes of DVCPRO.

• Records in 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p; in 720/60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p; and in DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV

• Excellent low-light performance and a high sensitivity of F10

• Equipped with eight gamma modes, including CineGamma, for different shooting situations

• Like the AJ-HDC27 VariCam camera, variable frame rates in 11 steps between 12p and 60p allows undercranking/overcranking for fast- or slow-motion effects

• Users have immediate access to P2 content with clip thumbnail view and advanced recording features including hot swapping, loop record, shot-marking, pre-record functions (three seconds in HD and seven seconds in SD), one-shot and interval.

• Key interfaces include IEEE 1394, USB 2.0, HD SDI/SDI, genlock, built-in SMPTE time code, independent TC-IN/TC-OUT terminals, composite video, analog component and four audio XLR inputs

• 4-position Neural Density filter

• Low power consumption of 22 watts (when 3.5" LCD monitor and 1.5" viewfinder are in use)

• 3.5" color LCD screen (with image flip function) located at rear of the camera

• Chromatic Aberration Compensation function allows the camera to automatically compensate the registration error that is caused mainly by lens chromatic aberration and minimize the circumjacent blur.

• Remote controllable with AJ-RC10G (via 10-pin RCU terminal)

The 32GB P2 card, which will be available before year's end at a price of $1,800, will result in Panasonic being able to quadruple the storage capacity of its P2 card this year.

“Dramatic recording time improvement is another beauty of P2 HD technology. The new 16GB card doubles capacity at a significantly lower cost of storage per gigabyte,” said Robert Harris, Vice President of Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast. “And the 32 GB P2 card will again double that by the end of the year, providing the extra long record times producers request for projects like wildlife documentaries. New P2 cards offer recording capacity equal to and often longer than tape-based and disc-based media.”

The new P2 cards offer comparable recording capacity to tape-based and disc-based media, but with

no-moving-parts reliability and the benefits of an IT file-based workflow. With a five-slot AJ-HPX2000 P2 HD camcorder, a video pro using five 16GB P2 cards can record for up to 200 minutes at native 720/24pN in DVCPRO HD, 80 minutes in 1080i/720p in DVCPRO HD, and 160 minutes in DVCPRO 50.

The 16 GB P2 card will work immediately with new AG-HVX200 and AG-HPX500 P2 HD camcorders purchased from May 2007 forward. Existing P2 and P2 HD products will need a free, downloadable software upgrade available on the Panasonic website (www.panasonic.com/broadcast) after May. Customers can visit the website for updates on additional upgrades and availability.

Panasonic's P2 card is based on ultra-reliable, solid-state memory, consisting of four SD cards, like those now used in digital still cameras, packaged in a rugged, die-cast frame that weighs only 0.099 lbs (45 grams). This convenient card has four times the capacity and four times the transfer speed of a single SD card. The P2 card is reusable and connects instantly with laptops and major non-linear editing systems to eliminate the time-consuming task of digitizing.

The P2 card is resistant to impact (up to 1,500G), vibration (up to 15G), shock, dust and environmental extremes including temperature changes. It operates in temperatures from -4° to 176°F (-20 to 60°C), and can be stored in temperatures from -40° to 176°F (-40 to 80°C). Unlike tapes and discs, the P2 card has no rotating or contact parts. The solid-state P2 memory card can transfer data at high speeds providing the professional user with faster, easier operation. Compared to tape or disc, the P2 card means substantially less consumption, resulting in savings in media costs and environmental benefits.

Via its IEEE 1394 input, the battery-operated AG-HPG10 becomes a versatile backup recorder when connected to a P2 HD/SD or tape-based camera, or P2 card material in P2 Gear can be copied to FireStore FS100 via 1394 output. With its two card slots, it can record up to 32 minutes of 100Mbps DVCPRO HD, 64 minutes of DVCPRO50 and 128 minutes of DVCPRO quality video on two 16GB P2 cards. The P2 Gear can also downconvert HD content to be viewed on an SD monitor. P2 cards can be hot-swapped to transfer content to other recording devices.

Using its HD/SD-SDI and component/composite output, the AG-HPG10 can be teamed with a host of broadcast production equipment including a production monitor for playback or for connecting to a microwave transmitter. In addition, with its IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0 interfaces, the P2 Gear can easily transfer HD and SD content to NLE systems, hard drive units and other external storage devices. The IEEE 1394 interface also enables the unit to dub recordings made by a tape-based camera onto a P2 card. Additional features include an SD memory card slot for presets and menu back up.

Other features include loop playback for presentation or demonstration usage, 50/60-Hz operation and

AC power can be supplied via the DC IN terminal and the included AC adaptor.

The AG-HPG10 P2 Gear will be available in August 2007 at a suggested list price of $3,995 including a 5-year limited warranty program.

About P2 HD
P2 HD provides the reliability of solid-state production, the immediate connectivity to existing IT infrastructures; the speed, ease of use and portability of P2 cards; and the interoperability with leading NLE systems. The core products within the P2 HD product line offer solid-state high definition recording without the mechanical wear and environmental limitations of tape, hard disk, and optical disc based systems. P2 HD insures the highest reliability, especially in challenging conditions of extreme temperature range, shock, and vibration. P2 HD products provide a significant reduction in maintenance costs, longer useful product life, and immediate access to recorded video (no need to digitize, ingest or create proxy video files) and metadata.