Panasonic To Introduce AG-HPX500 P2 At NAB 2007

At NAB2007 Panasonic will introduce the brand-new AG-HPX500 P2 shoulder-mount camcorder, a workhorse that offers users value, quality, and flexibility in acquiring IT/HD content.
The P2 technology provides fast, rugged performance and ultimate IT connectivity. This bigger brother to the highly successful HVX200 features full production functionality with three exceptionally sensitive CCDs, support for DVCPRO HD and SD formats, 4:2:2 sampling, and independent frame encoding.
The highly flexible system accepts interchangeable 2/3-inch lenses and enables global multiformat HD/SD (1080i, 720p, 480i, and 576i) acquisition, recording in 32 formats and supporting DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO, and DV. Like the HVX200, the AG-HPX500 incorporates the functionality of variable frame rate options: 24p for a film look, 60p for sports, and 11 steps between 12 fps and 60 fps.
Panasonic claim that coupled with production HD lenses, these features make the camcorder the most versatile in its class for the price.
The AG-HPX500 features the solid-state reliability of Panasonic’s P2HD product line, so the system is resistant to the usual wear-and-tear and environmental threats that can cause dropouts, missing time codes, or other damage.
The camera holds up to four P2 cards for recording times ranging from 64 minutes (DVCPRO HD 60p) to 256 minutes (DVCPRO) based on 16-GB P2 cards. Key interfaces include IEEE 1394, USB 2.0, HD SDI/SDI, analogue, component, and four audio XLR inputs.
The AG-HPX500, which will be available in May, provides instant access to media, is supported by all major non-linear editing systems and workflow products, and brings high-quality IT/HD production into the reach of productions from all areas of content creation.
Panasonic Broadast for further details.
(SP)