Panasonic is shipping the AG-3DP1 a 3D integrated twin-lens P2 HD shoulder-mount camcorder with 10 bit 4:2:2 independent-frame full 1920 x 1080 resolution AVC-Intra recording. The AG-3DP1 has a twin-lens zoom lens system high-sensitivity sensors and the AVC-Intra codec. The camcorder also features new 3D Assist functions and multi-camera synchronization. Its newly developed 17x twin-lens zoom lens system features an expanded range for both wide-angle and telephoto to fit diverse shooting situations. “The 3DP1 will make 3D production easier ” says Steve Cooperman product manager Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. “With professional features such as genlock input and TC input/output and more the 3DP1 can now be part of multi-camera 3D systems; and with full-resolution 10-bit AVC-Intra the quality is much higher for new programming opportunities including 3D green screen work.” “There are many situations where the cost and/or technical complexity of a rig have limited 3D production. Now the 3DP1 has the exceptional record quality to overcome this ” Cooperman says. “In addition there are situations where multiple rigs are required for a project but are impractical due to cost complexity or logistics. Now the 3DP1 can be used for professional multi-cam 3D productions and for ultra high-end productions and can also be combined nicely with a 3D rig. “Moreover with the 3DP1 Panasonic is offering an expanded 3D production system including the full 3D native BT-3DL2550 LCD production monitor the 2D/3D compatible BT-LH910 LCD production monitor the AV- HS450 switcher (when 3D enabled) and our AG-HPD24 P2 Portable recorders (two can be used for true L/R 3D or one for a side-by-side output from the camera or switcher).” The HD twin-lens system with 17x zooming was developed exclusively for the 3DP1 and because of its high-precision assembly requires no pre-shooting adjustment of the optical axis or angle of view. Focus zoom and iris adjustments are synchronized for the left and right lenses. The camcorder’s 58mm inter-axial distance allows a broad shooting rage of approx. 3.5 to 100 feet. The 3DP1 supports remote control (focus zoom iris convergence and recording start/stop). It boasts low chroma aberration and high resolution and delivers superb color reproduction detailed nuances and crisp 3D images even in dark scenes with minimal flare and ghosting. In addition to a zoom ring focus ring and iris ring that approach the manual control levels of interchangeable lenses the 3DP1 has an isolated convergence dial. By changing the convergence angle of the twin lenses the convergence point can be adjusted forward or backward to control leaping effects and depth. Three modes (near/normal/extra) maximize the twin-lens zooming capability for effective 3D shooting over diverse angles of view. The 3DP1 offers all the benefits of a familiar fast file-based P2 HD workflow including compatibility with a wide variety of NLE systems. Since all leading NLE systems support AVC-Intra they will be able to accept 3DP1 footage immediately. The process is further streamlined if the system can read the right eye/left-eye metadata tags to make batch ingest automatic. And NLEs such as Avid Media Composer 6 offer full 3D editing and stereoscopic ingest finishing and play-out. Stereo AVC-Intra is already supported on most production servers so server play-out is available now. For customers who use Cineform that product will soon automatically ingest and convert 3DP1 footage to Cineform 3D files as easily as they now bring in 3DA1 content. The 3DP1 will enhance 3D production opportunities while allowing users to maintain their P2 workflow or a Cineform 3D workflow. The 3DP1 has a suggested list price of $34 950. Panasonic www.panasonic.com
