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Focus On Affordable HD: New Products

Feb 1, 2007 12:00 PM

AV-HS300 switcher

Panasonic

For those making the conversion from SD to HD — either smoothly or in fits and starts — Panasonic offers a live-production switcher that accepts up to six standard- or high-def sources. There are five HD/SD-SDI inputs and one DVI/RGB for a computer source. The AV-HS300 has three HD/SD-SDI outputs and standard HD analog outputs. The switcher features 12V operation, a tally output, RS-422 control, and a 10-bit, 6-channel frame sync that adjusts automatically (genlock sync is also available). Panasonic says the HS300 is compact enough to fit easily into small production vans and portable enough for the field.
www.panasonic.com/broadcast

Quad Pod Pro

Quad Pods

The new Quad Pod line offers a few different versatile support mechanisms for your HDV or other small-format camcorder. It acts as a platform with four legs (hence the name), and the legs act as grips that let you maneuver your camera with some steadiness. Holding the Quad Pod with two hands in a somewhat-wide configuration enhances your balance, according to inventor Tom Barrera. Quad Pods have a quick-release plate that allows easy attachment and removal, and the Quad Pod Pro has an additional quick-release plate that allows simultaneous mounting of the camera onto a tripod. There's also a special version, the Quad Pod Pro XL, with a support bar to accommodate the Canon XL H1 and other slightly larger camcorders.
www.quad-pods.com

501HDV Pro fluid head

Manfrotto

The 501HDV Pro is a successor to the popular Manfrotto 501 fluid head for videocameras, and with that model, it shares separate locks for pan and tilt, a gradual tilt-friction adjustment, and a repositionable pan bar. What's new and inspired by the top of Manfrotto's line is a fixed counterbalance spring, which the company says helps to ensure smooth tilt action as well as better equipment safety, offering protection even when the tilt locks are left off. This spring can be engaged and disengaged via an easy on/off switch, which allows a shooter to switch styles on the fly — in and out of a quick-panning mode, for instance. The 501HDV offers ergonomic enhancements over its predecessor with large knobs that offer a more solid grip.
www.bogenimaging.us

EX 0.75X wide converter

16×9

For many shots, you can never have enough in your frame. Isn't that why you shoot widescreen in the first place? 16×9 has users of Sony HVR-Z1U and Canon XL H1, XH G1, and XH A1 camcorders in mind with its new EX 0.75 wide converter. The device gives them 25-percent extra in terms of viewing angle without sacrificing zoom capacity. Via an optional 72mm-82mm step-up ring (included at no charge), Panasonic AG-HVX200 camcorders can also accept the 0.75X wide converter. 16×9 claims that the design of the converter, which employs four glass elements, allows it to reduce geometric distortion and improve off-axis performance. The attachment weighs 20oz. and is 40mm long.
www.16x9inc.com

© 2008 Penton Media, Inc.