Panasonic Delivers 3D-Ready AG-HPD24 P2 Portable Deck

Panasonic Solutions Company has initiated deliveries of its new solid-state AG-HPD24 P2 deck, whose suite of features includes native 24p recording with variable frame rates; a USB 3.0 interface; and 24-bit, four-channel audio recording in AVC-Intra 100/50 and 3D synchronized record/playback*.

The HPD24 creates 10-bit, 4:2:2 video and features AVC-Intra 100/50 record/playback. The dedicated deck allows users to play back and review P2 cards on its 3.5-inch, 16:9 LCD screen; manage clip files and metadata; record full resolution, 10-bit quality content from a wide range of Panasonic and non-Panasonic cameras via its HD-SDI input; and back up data onto hard disk drives.

With two P2 card slots and battery operation, the HPD24’s half-rack design holds up to the demands of field production, yet weighs under 4 1/2 pounds.

Supporting the burgeoning 3D production industry, two HPD24 units can be synchronized for isolated left/right channel 3D recording, either from cameras mounted on a 3D rig (such as Panasonic’s AK-HC1800 multipurpose cameras) or the company’s AG-3DA1 and upcoming AG-3DP1 integrated dual-lens 3D camcorders. Two HPD24s can likewise be synchronized for full HD-SDI 3D or 3D HDMI playback.

“The HPD24 will be equally at home in traditional, ‘2D’ production, whether as part of a live event system or as a record/playback unit in a video village,” said Steven Cooperman, Product Manager, Panasonic Solutions Company. “It’s likewise a cost-effective solution for satellite facilities, news trucks and will excel as a redundant playback/record device in news facilities.”

The HPD24 adds native 24p 1080/720 recording, 1080/24PsF input/output, 24p pull-down removal as well as real-time record/playback of variable frame rates (in 1080/24p over 60i, 720/24p over 60p) for work with special effects like over- and under-cranking. The HPD24 supports a broad range of high definition and standard definition recording formats including 1080 60i/50i/25p/24p, 720 60p/50p/24p and 480/60i, 576/50i in DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV. The unit plays back HD/SD content automatically (no need to change settings) and is internationally operable in 50Hz or 60Hz.

The HPD24’s “SuperSpeed” USB 3.0 host interface permits super-fast transfer rates of up to 4.8Gbps. This allows users to transfer content to low-cost hard disk drives or solid-state drives for deliverability to clients. When attached to a computer, the USB device mode allows the HPD24 to become a two-card P2 drive. In addition, users can connect a hard drive to the HPD24, allowing the preview of non-real-time P2 content. This functionality allows for the confirmation of content copied to a drive, and for the reviewing of previously-shot content on a drive.

Its HDMI output enables the transmission of uncompressed digital data to an array of consumer playback devices (video projectors, digital televisions). The deck offers an RS-422A control, thereby allowing it to be controlled as a video source by nonlinear editing systems and color correction systems. The HPD24 also includes audio I/Os, headphone jack, timecode in/out and a reference synch input.

When using two 64GB P2 cards in the HPD24’s two card slots, the unit can record for about 128 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 or DVCPRO HD, approximately 256 minutes in AVC-Intra 50 or DVCPRO50, or about 512 minutes in DVCPRO/DV.

Additional valuable features include up/down/cross conversion, gamma conversion for cinema production, a USB keyboard connection for easy metadata input, waveform and vectorscope display functions, and a selection from among 31 functions for allocation to six user buttons.

The AG-HPD24 P2 Portable is available this month at a suggested list price of $5,300.