Digital Video - September 2007 - (Page 16)

reviews AG-HPX500 P2 HD camcorder Panasonic, $27,575-$32,915 BY JAY HOLBEN T he AG-HPX500, introduced by Panasonic at NAB this past April, is the new big brother to the popular AG-HVX200 P2 camera. The full shoulder-mount HPX500 is a 2/3” 3 interline (progressive capable) CCD high-definition camera with a 14-bit A/D converter with 19bit internal processing. Like its smaller sibling, the tapeless camera utilizes solid-state P2 cards, in this case four of them up to 16 GB each. The HPX500 can record 1080, 720 or 480 line resolutions in DVCPRO HD (100 Mbps), DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO or DV. This is also a true “world” above: The HPX500 seen with its full complement of accessories. camera that can switch between 59.94 and 50 Hz systems with a mere menu change. In 720 line resolution, it features VariCam-like variable frame rates from 12 to 60 fps. Four discreet 16-bit 48 kHz audio channels are available via XLR inputs (two rear, two front), each featuring line or mic settings and +48V phantom power. score Pros Thirty-two recording formats in HD and SD, P2 recording technology, “native” frame rates, 11 gamma settings, fourchannel audio input, incredible focus assist, and excellent image quality and color fidelity. Testing My first impression of the camera, pulling it out of the case, was that it was heavy for a unit without a tape drive mechanism— about 15 lb. with a Fujinon 17x (XA17x7.6BERM-M58B) lens and Anton Bauer Dionic battery. It’s an odd distribution of weight—not unbalanced, but not entirely comfortable either. Moving around with the 500 for a while, it seemed to settle in, but it never rested on my shoulder as comfortably as a Betacam or HDCAM. Settings-wise, the HPX500 delivers everything I want in a relatively inexpensive HD camera. It can shoot everything from DVCPRO HD 1080 (4:2:2) down to standard-def 480. It can shoot off-speed, like the VariCam, in 1280 x 720 mode, with several gamma selections and a focus assist system that blew me away. I put all cameras through the same set of tests whenever I do a review. Working Cons Small black-and-white view-finder, slightly heavy for tapeless camera. Bottom Line No other package available at this price point offers such quality and versatility. first with my favorite color chart, Gamma & Density’s Gamma=2U, I check for color fidelity and camera sensitivity (ISO/EI). As a former cinematographer, I’m generally looking at scripted applications for cameras—not ENG or video applications— so I’ll nearly always set my defaults at 24p. In the case of the HPX500, I started with 1920x1080 24p, normal HD gamma, “mid” knee, normal matrix and 180 degree shutter. The Panasonic unit can switch between “film camera” and “video camera” modes, which translates shutter angles to fractions of a second and sets the time code base to 30 frames (except in 24pN mode or 25 frames at 50 Hz). The HPX500 performed extremely well in color fidelity, tight representation of colors on the waveform with little bleed. Monitoring through HD SDI into the Panasonic BT-LH2600W 26” LCD monitor, I found the reds and greens to be slightly desaturated, but hardly noticeable. I changed the gamma setting from “HD Norm” to “Cinelike D”, which compressed the gamma range slightly to bring the blacks up and the whites down (as expected). “Cinelike V” raised the blacks and lowered the highlights, but kept a pleasing contrast and didn’t compromise the blacks as much as “Cinelike D” did. I preferred 16 DV SEPTEMBER 2007 WWW.DV.COM http://www.dv.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Digital Video - September 2007

Contents News AG-HPX500 HD Camcorder First Look: Color V8000HD 8" LCD Monitor Shoulder Mount System Instant Expert Close-Ups Fest Cercuit Q&A Flight Plan Cutter's Way Imagination in Action Motion Graphics Production Diary

Digital Video - September 2007

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