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MillimeterReview: Panasonic AJ-HPX3000
Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Barry Braverman
Rugged, high-performance 10-bit camcorder offers HD shooters a new choice.
With no tape transport or spinning record heads, one has to wonder what this "Save" switch is doing here. Answer: When Save is enabled, it turns off the LCD screen.
Conclusion
The images that the Panasonic AJ-HPX3000 produces are compelling, and with the advent of the first commercial implementation of AVC-Intra in a broadcast camcorder, HD shooters can finally free themselves from the shackles imposed by years of 8-bit recording formats. The end won't come quickly for the familiar video-based codecs we once held dear. But now 10-bit recording is available to us at near-D5 master quality, and it's pretty irresistible.
Vitals
Company: Panasonic
www.panasonic.com/broadcast
Product: AJ-HPX3000
Assets: Crisp, clean images, AVC-Intra offers resistance to common artifacts, Chromatic Aberration Compensation support, Dynamic Range Stretch feature applies autoknee-type correction selectively, flexible output options.
Caveats: Unit can be power-hungry, Mode Check menu times out too quickly, outputs HD-SDI only with pulldown, physical configuration makes access to front controls awkward when support rods and mounting shoes are attached.
Demographic: HD shooters wishing to free themselves from 8-bit recording formats.
Price: $48,000
