The Hi Def AJ-HDC27 VariCam HD Cinema Camera brings variable frame rate acquisition to Panasonic's DVCPRO Hi Def product line up. This is the first HiDef production camera that is capable of variable frame rate at the touch of a button. Individual frame rates may be selected from: 4-fps to 60-fps in single frame increments. Frame rates may be changed during recording. Designed as a high quality production camera, this native 720p camcorder can be used for 60-fps or the film-like 24-fps acquisition. When acquiring for 24-fps projects, higher than 24-fps operation can be processed for slow motion effects while slower than 24-fps operation can be processed to speed up motion. Additionally, the variable frame rates and related variable shutter speeds create some very interesting ghost like motion blur effects, warp speed zoom effects, and long exposure still shots typical of what one might see in music videos, sci-fi dramas and dream sequences.

The Hi Def AJ-HDC27 VariCam HD Cinema Camera has the capability to emulate film's gradual transfer function performance. This function greatly increases the camera's usable dynamic range, especially in traditionally limiting areas such as highlight handling, which until now was a serious limitation for most Hi Def cameras. The Hi Def camera provides the user with a much closer approximation of film's renowned ability to maintain smooth image tonality even when gently compressing extreme highlights. Cinematographers are able through the CineGamma feature to control the camera's gamma transfer function to best optimize control over tonality, from extreme highlights to the lowest of shadow areas.

The Hi Def AJ-HDC27 VariCam serves three roles: 1/ as a 24-fps camera, 2/ as a standard 60-fps video camera, and 3/ as a variable frame rate special effects camera.

It is important to understand that only the camera section operates at variable frame rates. The VTR and the camera Hi Def-SDI output operate at a constant 60-fps rate. If you set the camera for 60-fps with no shutter, the exposure time is 1/60th of a second and each camera frame is recorded once on tape. As soon as the frame rate becomes lower than 60, exposure time increases proportionally and redundant frames are recorded on tape. For example, if the camera operates at 30-fps, each new frame is recorded twice to ensure 60-fps on tape. 24-fps is a non-evenly-divisible frame rate and requires the classic 3:2 type pulldown frame sequence with one frame recorded three times and the next two times. As you see, this technique generates redundant frames used to pad the data to maintain a constant 60-fps on tape including both new frames and redundant (repeated) frames.

By keeping the VTR frame rate at 60-fps no new DVCPRO HD studio VTRs or specialized video monitors are necessary. By recording standard 720p60, tape can be run through a standard linear tape based post production chain, yet still deliver "film look" video. If a linear 24-fps post production process is required, material can be converted to D-5 HD 1080p 24-fps by the Panasonic Hi Def AJ-UFC1800 or other 3rd party products. This process works by removing redundant frames. Various NLE systems now support editing with variable frame rates acquired with the Hi Def AJ-HDC27.

------------------- SPECIFICATIONS -------------------

Pick-Up Device (size & type) 2/3-inch HD progressive 3-CCD
Picture Elements (pixels) 1,019,280
Quantization 12-bit
Signal Processing 74.1758 MHz (59.94Hz), 74.25 MHz (60Hz)
Sensitivity F 12.0 at 2000 lux, 89.9% reflect, 23.98P, 50% shutter
Minimum Illumination 0.7 lux (F 1.4, +36dB gain 59.94P)
Horizontal Resolution 700 lines (center)
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Lens Interchangeable, 2/3" bayonet mount (optional)
Focus Manual
Media Format DVCPRO (large)
Recording Format DVCPRO HD (720/60P, 720P/59.94P)
Frame Rates 4-60P (in single frame increments)
Shutter Speeds (sec.) 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000
Synchro-Scan Shutter (sec.) 1/61.7 to 1/7500 (60P)
CineSwitch Technology Yes
CineGamma Software Yes
Assignable Scene Files Yes
Programmable User Buttons 2
Filter Wheels Dual-stage
White Balance Selection 2 manual, 1 preset
Super Iris Yes
Gain Selection (dB) -6, -3, 0, +3, +6, +9, +12, 15, +18, +24, +30; Super Gain: +18, +24, +30, +36
Color Matrix Yes
SMPTE Color Bar Generator Yes
SDI Terminal No View all models with this feature
HD SDI Terminal 2
IEEE 1394 Interface No View all models with this feature
SD Memory Card Slot Yes
LCD Screen No View all models with this feature
Viewfinder 2.0" (optional)