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Panasonic Announces Availability of Ultra-Flexible AJ-HDX900 2/3" DVCPRO HD Camcorder (27/7/2006)

Versatile, Global Camera that Records in 11 HD Formats with IEEE 1394 Output

Panasonic announced today the availability of the AJ-HDX900 2/3" DVCPRO HD camcorder, which produces pristine high definition images and the ability to easily transfer those images thanks to its IEEE 1394 digital output. The AJ-HDX900 has a suggested list price of $26,500 (plus viewfinder).

The well-balanced, high-performance AJ-HDX900 provides 4:2:2 sampling and intra-frame recording at 100Mbps in 11 high definition formats. A perfect solution for globetrotting video professionals, the camera supports 1080 59.94i/50i/29.97p/25p/23.98p/23.98pA and 720 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/ 23.98p (60Hz and 50Hz production) for high-end productions including television programs, music videos, stock footage, corporate video, documentaries and much more.

"With demand for HD content growing vigorously, the AJ-HDX900 delivers full, production-proven 2/3" DVCPRO HD recording at a new price level," said Robert Harris, Vice President of Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast. "In addition, the AJ-HDX900 teams impeccably with the compact AJ-HD1400 editing recorder, a new AC/DC-powered, IEEE 1394-equipped DVCPRO HD VTR, to form a cost-effective acquisition-through-editing system."

With a 14-bit A/D conversion and a 12-axis color correction matrix, the AJ-HDX900 provides exceptional picture quality, luminance gradation and the ability to make super-fine color adjustments. Outstanding features include three Cine-like gamma curve modes to replicate the film look and a newly-developed Dynamic Range Stretching (DRS) function that automatically provides a wider dynamic range and automatically tweaks the camera for each specific shooting condition.

The AJ-HDX900 offers an IEEE 1394 digital output that lowers the cost of HD production by allowing video professionals to connect directly with non-linear editing systems and VTRs, such as the AJ-HD1400, and record while simultaneously making a backup copy on the external device.

Weighing only 9.9 pounds (body only), the AJ-HDX900 uses 9-micron DVCPRO HD-EX recording to record 33 minutes on a 1/4" DVCPRO medium-size cassette and records 48 kHz/16-bit digital audio on all four channels. Standard is a seven-second pre-recording function that permits the camera to capture spontaneous scenes a shooter might otherwise miss. A standard HD SDI output is included for monitoring and line recording, and a downconverter is built-in to produce an SD output via high quality SDI or composite, eliminating the need for an expensive SDI monitor.

Other standard features include: two 4-position optical filters (ND: clear, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64; CC: Cross, 3200K, 4300k and 6300K); four user scene files, three user-customized buttons; interval and one-shot recording; electronic shutter (1/100 to 1/2000 sec.) with synchro scan shutter (1/60.3 to 1/249.8 sec.); an easy-slide shoulder pad that adjusts 1.18" in 10-steps; and a 3-point locking viewfinder mount for precise adjustment of the AJ-HVF20B high definition viewfinder.

A new AJ-RC10G Remote Control Unit (RCU) connects to the camera with a 10-pin multi-cable that also carries the AJ-HDX900's downconversion video output back to the controller for monitoring. The AJ-RC10G has a SD slot to store scene settings on an SD Memory card for easy transfer to other cameras.

www.panasonic.com/broadcast

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