Panasonic Canada announced that it has begun delivering to its customers, ahead of schedule, its AG-3DA1 full HD 3D camcorder.
According to the statement, the AG-3DA1 (US $21,000) is a professional quality, fully integrated HD 3D camcorder offering SD media card recording. It is equipped with dual lenses and two 1920×1080 2.07 mega-pixel 3-mos imagers that record 1080/60i/50i/30p/25p/24p (native) and 720/60p/50p video in AVCHD.
For more information visit: www.panasonic.ca
Unedited press release follows:
Panasonic Begins Early Delivery of the World’s First* Professional Full HD 3D Camcorder
MISSISSAUGA, ON (September 7, 2010) – Panasonic’s new professional Full HD 3D camcorder should start showing up on Canadian production sets soon, as Panasonic Canada Inc. today announced it has begun fulfilling its first orders and delivering, ahead of schedule, the state-of-the-art 3D camera to clients.
The AG-3DA1 is the world’s first* professional quality, fully integrated full HD 3D camcorder offering SD media card recording. Unlike current 3D setups that require two cameras with separate recorders, the AG-3DA1 is equipped with dual lenses and two full 1920×1080 2.07 mega-pixel 3-mos imagers to record; 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native), 720/60p, and 50p in AVCHD; integrated into a single, lightweight body, weighing under 3 kg.**
“Now that we’ve begun delivery of the first units, we’re very excited to have Panasonic’s AG-3DA1 into the field and onto production sets, giving content producers an affordable tool that they previously hadn’t had access to,” said Terry Horbatiuk, National Sales Manager, Professional Imaging and Display Solutions, Panasonic Canada Inc. “From the feedback we’ve received so far, there is a lot of excitement out there in the production community about this.”
Those who have had the opportunity to test the camera have been very impressed by its compact design and ease of use.
“It’s an impressive piece of technology,” said Greg Foad, a Toronto based Director of Photography whose work includes commercials and work with broadcasters such as CTV. “It’s very compact, the small size is definitely a plus. You still have to have a sound understanding of how to technically shoot 3D, but as a tool to do that, this 3D camcorder makes it a lot easier. After running some tests with the camera, I’m excited with the potential for shooting some really interesting 3D productions.”
Foad says because the camcorder is so lightweight and compact, he sees a lot of potential applications.
“As a filmmaker, you look for tools that visually add to the story, and make your job easier. I think it has a lot of potential for use in everything from documentary work, sports, live events like concerts, to trade shows and training in fields such as medicine.”
Some of the design elements of the AG-3DA1 that are intended to make life easier for producers include incorporating stereoscopic adjustment controls. The twin-lens optical section allows the convergence point*** to be adjusted. Functions for automatically correcting horizontal and vertical displacement are also provided. Panasonic’s solid-state memory file-based recording system offers greater flexibility to produce Full HD 3D videos in more challenging shooting environments.
Right and left Full HD video streams from the twin-lens 3D camcorder are recorded as files on separate SDHC/SD Memory Cards. It can record up to 180 minutes on dual 32GB SD cards in Panasonic’s professional AVCHD PH mode and offers professional interfaces, including dual HD-SDI out, HDMI (version 1.4), two XLR connectors, built-in stereo microphone, and input connections for lens and convergence remote control by third party applications. Because of its standardized, fully integrated design, the Full HD 3D camcorder is available at a significantly lower price than traditional 3D rigs. The AG-3DA1 suggested retail price is US$21,000.
Panasonic Canada Inc. is an affiliate of Panasonic Corporation (PC) of Japan, one of the world’s largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. Information on Panasonic’s full line of broadcast products can be obtained by visiting www.panasonic.ca.
* As an integrated twin-lens Full HD 3D camcorder capable of recording full HD 3D video to memory cards. As of January 2010 (based on our investigations)
** Main unit only
*** The point at which the left and right camera lenses’ optical axes converge.
Product specifications and pricing are subject to change without notice.