Panasonic Announces HD 3D Camcorder
Panasonic Canada Inc. announced today it will begin taking orders for the AG-3DA1, the world’s first* professional quality, fully-integrated Full HD 3D camcorder offering SD media card recording. Built to order and sold directly by Panasonic Canada Inc., video professionals will now have the opportunity to reserve an AG-3DA1 camcorder ($21,000 USD**). First deliveries of the camcorder will be made in this Fall.
“The AG-3DA1 will open up 3D production by allowing professional videographers a more affordable and simple solution for capturing immersive content as well as to provide a training tool for educators,” said Terry Horbatiuk, National Sales Manager, Professional Imaging and Display Solutions, Panasonic Canada Inc. “As the product is positioned in a more mainstream budget category, Panasonic camcorder owners will help to accelerate the amount of 3D content being created for distribution on Blu-ray discs and future cable channels.”
At just three kilograms, the AG-3DA1 is equipped with dual lenses and two full 1920 x 1080 2.07 mega-pixel 3-MOS imagers to record 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) and 720/60p and 50p in AVCHD. It can record for 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 twin-lens camera remotes.
This Full HD 3D camcorder will offer the following core benefits:
Current 3D systems are large-scale setups in which two cameras are fitted to a rig in parallel, or vertically intersect across a half-mirror. Separate recorders are also required. In the AG-3DA1, the lenses, camera head, and a dual memory card recorder are integrated into a single, light-weight body. The camcorder also incorporates stereoscopic adjustment controls making it easier to use and operate.
The twin-lens system adopted in the camcorder’s optical section allows the convergence point*** to be adjusted. Functions for automatically correcting horizontal and vertical displacement are also provided. Conventional 3D camera systems require these adjustments to be made by means of a PC or an external video processor. This new camcorder will automatically recalibrate without any need for external equipment, allowing the user to capture 3D images immediately.
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