SECAUCUS, NJ — Panasonic (www.panasonic.com) is now shipping its AG-3DP1 3D camcorder, which is priced at $34,950. The twin-lens P2-based HD shoulder-mount camcorder offers 10-bit, 4:2:2 independent-frame, full 1920 x 1080 resolution AVC-Intra recording. The camcorder’s newly-developed 17x twin-lens zoom lens system features an expanded range for both wide-angle and telephoto situations.
The 3DP1 records in AVC-Intra 100/50 and is 50Hz/60Hz switchable. It’s 1080 and 720 compatible, including 1080 24/25p as well as 720p variable frame recording (20 steps between 12 and 60 frames per second). The camcorder records 16-bit, four-channel digital audio. The 3DP1 can record for up to 80 minutes on dual 64GB P2 cards in AVC-Intra 100 1080/24pN.
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 accurately 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 of focus, zoom, iris, convergence, and recording start/stop. The 3DP1 also has an isolated convergence dial which allows for adjustment of the convergence point.
Its file-based P2 HD workflow offers compatibility with a wide variety of NLE systems, and since many leading NLEs support AVC-Intra, they will be able to accept 3DP1 footage immediately. Avid’s Media Composer 6, for example, offers full 3D editing and stereoscopic ingest, finishing and play-out. 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.