AJ-HDC27
VariCam progressive scan high definition camcorder 24P DV Cinema Camera
rentals.
The
AJ-HDC27 VariCam progressive scan high definition camcorder brings
variable frame rate acquisition to the DVCPRO HD product line up.
This is the first high definition production camera that is capable
of variable frame rate at the touch of a button. Individual frame
rates may be selected from: 4-fps to 60-fps in single frame increments.
Frame rates may be changed during recording. Designed as a high quality
production camera, this native 720p camcorder can be used for 60-fps
or the film-like 24-fps acquisition. When acquiring for 24-fps projects,
higher than 24-fps operation can be processed for slow motion effects
while slower than 24-fps operation can be processed to speed up motion.
Additionally, the variable frame rates and related variable shutter
speeds create some very interesting ghost like motion blur effects,
warp speed zoom effects, and long exposure still shots typical of
what one might see in music videos, sci-fi dramas and dream sequences.
The camera has the capability to emulate film's gradual transfer function
performance (i.e. cinema gamma). This function greatly increases the
camera's usable dynamic range, especially in traditionally limiting
areas such as highlight handling, which until now was a serious limitation
for most HD cameras. "Cine Gamma" provides the user with a much closer
approximation of film's renowned ability to maintain smooth image
tonality even when gently compressing extreme highlights. Cinematographers
are able through the Cine Gamma feature to control the camera's gamma
transfer function to best optimize control over tonality, from extreme
highlights to the lowest of shadow areas. The AJ-HDC27 VariCam serves
a triple role: 1.) as a 24-fps camera, 2.) as a standard 60-fps video
camera, and 3.) as a variable frame rate special effects camera. It
is important to understand that only the camera section operates at
variable frame rates. The
VTR and the camera HD-SDI output operate at a constant 60-fps rate.
If you set the camera for 60-fps with no shutter, the exposure time
is 1/60th of a second and each camera frame is recorded once on tape.
As soon as the frame rate becomes lower than 60, exposure time increases
proportionally and redundant frames are recorded on tape. For example,
if the camera operates at 30-fps, each new frame is recorded twice
to ensure 60-fps on tape. 24-fps is a non-evenly-divisible frame rate
and requires the classic 3:2 type pulldown frame sequence with one
frame recorded three times and the next two times. As you see, this
technique generates redundant frames used to pad the data to maintain
a constant 60-fps on tape including both new frames and redundant
(repeated) frames.
By keeping the VTR frame rate at 60-fps no new DVCPRO HD studio VTRs
or specialized video monitors are necessary. By recording standard
720p 60, tape can be run through a standard linear tape based post
production chain, yet still deliver "film look" video. If a linear
24-fps post production process is required, material can be converted
to D-5 HD 1080p 24-fps by the Panasonic UFC-1800 or other 3rd party
products currently under development. This process works by removing
redundant frames. Various NLE systems now support editing with variable
frame rates acquired with the AJ-HDC27. Ê Ê
Colorimetry Ð Standard color is compliant with SMPTE standards. To
achieve a desired "look", an advanced color correction scheme utilizes
a 12-pole color matrix that allows very specific colors to be set,
especially when critical color matching is vital. New Digital Signal
Processing (DSP) Ð Offers a higher standard of precision color, detail
and gamma processing to ensure optimum picture quality that is repeatable
and transferable to all AJ-HDC27 VariCams. Assignable Scene Files
Ð An externally accessible switch allows for easy access to any of
three user-designed set-ups, each with programmable color, detail,
gain and gamma. (Most commonly these switches are used for gain sets,
leaving other presets in place.) [ L/M/H ] Scene Files, Internal Memory
Ð A selection of four separate camera set-ups Ð plus one user standard-reference
file Ð are available through user menu access. These set-ups are stored
in camera memory and updated as needed. Scene Files, Card Storage
Ð Camera set-ups can also be saved on a removable SD or Multi-Media
Memory Card, allowing quick memory access to user-designed camera
settings to achieve a particular look for given scenes. Also useful
for matching multiple cameras with the same "look". Up to eight scenes
are saved on this card. Simple Cinematic SettingsÐ Provides for superior
versatility in a single camera system when the Film User Menu is chosen.
User 1 / User 2 Ð Two externally accessible, user-assignable switches
provide direct access (on or off) any one of six operational functions,
including Super Gain, Super Black, Black Stretch, Super Iris, and
Audio 1 & 2 (for viewfinder display). Wide
Lens Selection Ð Offers the ability to capture superb images with
a wide selection of lenses including todays newest HD technology lenses
and a large variety of existing prime lenses. White Balance Selection
Ð Select between two programmable automatic white balance conditions
(as set by the user) and one preset that can be set for either 3200¡
or 4300¡ Kelvin. This feature comes in very handy when moving quickly
between dissimilar ambient lighting conditions. [ Preset/A/B ] Wide
Range Gain Ð When shooting in wide-ranging light-level conditions,
a programmable gain switch can be set to optimize signal levels Ð
choose from -6 dB to +30 dB in thirteen steps. Low Power Consumption
Ð A moderate 32 Watts power consumption (38 Watts max) means a good
battery life can be realized. Expect about 1.5 hours from a HyTron
100 battery. The camera runs cool and does not employ a fan, assuring
quiet operation. 46 Minutes Record Time Ð Employing the large DVCPRO
Cassette, a recording time of 46 minutes is possible thanks to the
DVCPRO HD video recording format. Three 1.1-Million Pixel IT CCDs
Ð True to high-definition standards, the Matsushita 720 x 1280 IT
CCDs are the key ingredient in creating rich images with about 850
lines horizontal resolution. Ê
