Tech Focus and Product Reviews

Panasonic announced the availability of the new, solid-state AJ-HPM110 P2 HD mobile recorder/player, which adds native 1080/24p recording, a 1080/24PsF input/output and longer record times to the wide list of capabilities of its predecessor, the AJ-HPM100.

The ultra-reliable AJ-HPM110 solid-state recorder is ideal for use in the field, in mobile vehicles or in the studio, because it offers master quality recording and playback in a wide range of high-definition formats, including 1080p (native), 1080i and 720p, and in standard definition. The rugged unit records in independent-frame DVCPRO HD/50/25 and DV formats as well as master-quality, full-raster 1920 x 1080 AVC-Intra* (with the optional AJ-YBX200G codec board). It also offers the flexibility of up/down/cross and aspect conversion.

The HPM110’s six P2 card slots allow users to record continuous, extended clips in sequence onto high capacity P2 cards or output an extended play-list from five mounted cards to the sixth card slot. Using six 32GB P2 cards, the P2 Mobile records for four hours in 1080p/24 in AVC-Intra 100 and eight hours in 720p/24 in AVC-Intra 100 or DVCPRO HD.

The most versatile full production-quality HD field recorder at any price, the HPM110 is designed to work with virtually any professional camera system, from tape-based digital cameras to high-end cinema cameras with 1080/24PsF output (in full-raster 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720). In addition to native 1080/24p recording and support of 1080/24PsF, the new P2 Mobile offers recording in multiple frame rates, 24p pull-down removal as well as real-time playback of 720p variable frame rates for work with speed effects like over- and under-cranking.

Equipped with an array of AV/IT connections, including HD-SDI input/output, IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0 host mode, the P2 Mobile ensures flexible operation in a wide variety of production environments including high-end, 1080/24p movies and commercials. Whether connected to a Panasonic P2 HD camera or a tape-based camera, professionals can use manageable clip thumbnails to rapidly access and view content on the unit’s built-in 9-inch LCD monitor for previewing, shotmarking and insert editing.

Workflow has been further enhanced with a RS-422A remote, which allows the HPM110 to be used as a play source in an edit session, as well as an edit/copy function for writing data to multiple P2 cards. In addition, a newly-added loop record function allows the user to continuously record onto non-recorded areas of a P2 card for a pre-determined time period.

The HPM110 offers eight 16-bit digital audio channels including 5.1-channel surround sound with audio split/dubbing features, broadcast-level editing controls including a jog/shuttle dial with 100X speed in forward/reverse and audio faders, standard analog component/composite and audio input/outputs, an SD card slot and assignable user files. The new 14.4-pound P2 Mobile also features a durable, compact design, with a magnesium die-cast frame that folds like a laptop PC for easy transport, and operates on either AC or DC power.

The HPM110 is available at a suggested list price of $12,000.

The HPM110 is also backed by an extraordinary five-year limited warranty program (Panasonic Broadcast’s normal 1-year basic warranty plus an extended warranty for years two through five upon product registration), which substantially reduces the total cost of ownership vs. tape, optical disc, hard disk drive and other content storage systems with moving parts.

P2 HD all solid-state products offer high-definition recording without the mechanical wear and environmental limitations of tape, hard disk, and optical disc based systems. P2 HD ensures the highest

reliability, especially in challenging conditions of extreme temperature range, shock, and vibration. P2 HD products provide a significant reduction in maintenance costs, longer useful product life, and immediate access to recorded video (no need to digitize, ingest or create proxy video files) and metadata. P2 HD provides the reliability of solid-state production; the immediate connectivity to existing IT infrastructures; the speed, ease of use and portability of P2 cards; and interoperability with leading NLE systems.

About Panasonic Broadcast

Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading supplier of broadcast and professional video products and systems. Panasonic Broadcast is a unit company of Panasonic Corporation of North America. The company is the North American headquarters of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC) of Japan, and the hub of its U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, access the company’s web site at www.panasonic.com/broadcast.

* The AVC-Intra codec offers two modes: AVC-Intra 100 Mbps for highest HD quality and AVC-Intra 50 Mbps for more bandwidth-efficient operation while maintaining superb image quality. Full-raster 1920 x 1080 recording is only available with the optional

AVC-Intra board (model AJ-YBX200G).

Editorial Contacts :

Stacy Moore - (201) 392-4458
Pat Lamb - (518) 692-8150