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MillimeterKeeping Promises
Dec 1, 2005 12:00 PM, By Cynthia Wisehart
One of the biggest ovations at NAB this year went to a camera that technically did not yet exist: At the Apple users meeting/press conference, Panasonic's proposed HVX200 moved the faithful to spontaneous applause. Afterward, some people cheered the idea of an affordable, higher-quality HD 4:2:2 codec; some liked the promise of multi-format switchability and the Varicam influence. The most celebrated aspect, however, was the promise of easy editability — one certainly well received in part because it was an Apple crowd, but that is by no means the only reason for the enthusiasm. As popular as HDV is — and it is incredibly popular — it was, at that time, a learning curve on the post side. Many who cheered that day at NAB were demonstrating just how important the flow between camera and editing platform really is. The ubiquitous “workflow” is not just a slogan.
And, of course, it doesn't take a genius to realize that IT is the driver. Film and video professionals have tasted data-driven workflows from MPEG to 4K uncompressed, and they can feel what they want. They can't always get it, but they know what it looks like. Never underestimate the power of demand, unless it's demand for a universal format — and even that dream may come true through the magic of data.
Panasonic's P2 approach, for all the debate it has engendered about media costs, is a resolutely modern idea that ensures the siren call of IT will be answered by someone, if not ultimately everyone. Now, Panasonic clearly feels confident enough to wrap P2 in a camera that seems remarkable for many reasons that have little or nothing to do with recording media. So the HVX200, which feeds into a digitizing-free workflow dream, also carries 21 formats in two distinct camera modes, eight gamma modes including a cine-style gamma, 2X digital focus assist that operates even with the camera running, four channels of uncompressed audio, and a standout Leica lens. Reportedly, the imager actually shifts across multiple axes to compensate for common lens defects such as tracking and breathing. This apparently also enables unaided close focus up to the front element of the lens. The picture is said to intercut easily with Varicam and other high-end Panasonic formats. All this clarifies, in part, why Panasonic didn't join in on HDV. The company was planning a different kind of affordable HD, one that was less affordable than HDV but at the same time more affordable than HD. Panasonic has gone beyond offering a simple alternative and offered a potentially elegant one for users with certain priorities. Pricing ranges from $6K, for the camera alone, up to $10K, depending on how much P2 media you buy (at today's P2 prices, which will surely continue to drop).
So, as promised, there is now a camera, shipping Dec. 29. Now let's see what happens with the promises when users start to report back.
