New P2 HD Recorder Makes 10-Bit, 4:2:2 Master-Quality Recording More Portable and Affordable
AG-HPG20 P2 Portable recorder/player with AVC-Intra capability. Offering greater P2 workflow flexibility, a bridge to higher recording quality or tapeless workflow for older HD-SDI equipped cameras, and a solution to a multitude of other high quality recording challenges, the HPG20 dramatically reduces the cost for these capabilities.
Featuring built-in 10-bit AVC-Intra recording/playback, the HPG20 P2 Portable makes 10-bit, 4:2:2 master-quality video more affordable and portable. This extraordinary workflow tool allows users to playback and review P2 cards on its 3.5-inch LCD screen, manage clip files and metadata, record content from a wide range of Panasonic and non-Panasonic cameras via its HD-SDI input, and backup data onto hard disk drives. With two P2 card slots and battery operation, the P2 Portable’s rugged, solid-state design holds up to the demands of field production, yet it is small and light enough (2.5 lbs) for easy transportation.
The unit’s HD/SD-SDI and IEEE 1394 input interfaces open the door for endless applications in HD or SD production. The P2 Portable can be connected to DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV tape-based camcorders via IEEE 1394 for solid-state back-up recording in the field. It also accepts and records signals (with metadata) from any camera with an HD-SDI output, making it an essential tool for broadcast field applications such as news crew pool feeds. Additionally, there is 4:3 marker that can be displayed over incoming video for safe-shooting requirements.
The P2 Portable can playback to large HD production monitors or transfer uncompressed content to HD-SDI equipped decks, post production systems and storage networks. When connected to a laptop’s IEEE 1394 output, the portable recorder serves as a transcoder to HD-SDI-equipped monitors for real-time playback from the timeline. Using the HPG20’s USB slot (in Host mode), users can easily transfer content to a low-cost USB hard drive for a seamless, IT-based deliverable for clients. Versatile playback functions include format auto playback, slow-motion and double-speed playback, single-clip playback and repeat playback.
The HPG20 P2 Portable features a host of time-saving P2 clip management functions. In addition to viewing recorded files in clip thumbnail view, users can copy or transfer select clips from one P2 card to another, copy selected clips from a hard disk drive onto a P2 card, shot mark specific clips, edit a clip’s metadata (support for multiple languages included), or save a text memo to individual clips when recording or previewing. P2 cards can also be “hot-swapped” for continuous recording. Additional features include an SD card slot for loading metadata or saving user files, and helpful recording functions such as a waveform/vectorscope display, loop record and auto record commands that accompany the HD-SDI signal.
Eight-channel audio input/output, an internal speaker and headphone (M3 mini) jacks are also included. For ease of use, the unit offers three assignable user buttons.
When using two 64GB P2 cards in the P2 Portable’s two card slots, the unit can record for 128 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 or DVCPRO HD, 256 minutes in AVC-Intra 50 or DVCPRO50, or 512 minutes in DVCPRO.
The AG-HPG20 P2 Portable will be available in March at a suggested list price of $5,295, and will offer a 5-year limited warranty program.** An optional mounting bracket, P2-Mount, will also be available (for mounting the P2 Portable onto large cameras) at a suggested list price of $190.
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