The Panasonic AG-3DP1GJ is a stereoscopic video camera utilizing twin zoom lenses and recording to Panasonic's P2 media card system. The camera records HD video at 1080i, 1080p, and 720p at U.S. 59.94 Hz, and European 50 Hz standards. This camera can be used to create stereoscopic content for broadcast applications, sporting events, live news coverage, documentaries, narrative films, and green screen effects.
Panasonic has designed the camera with 3D feature sets to give camera operators and producers control in creating viable stereoscopic video. Although the camera shares the basic form factor of ENG cameras, it is designed for recording stereoscopic video while avoiding the obstacles that come with traditional 2 camera stereoscopic rigs. This greatly reduces the learning curve required to achieve convincing stereoscopic video. The AG-3DP1GJ is a single camera with two built-in synchronized P2 card recorders and twin 17x zoom lenses that have been calibrated, aligned, and synchronized at the factory. Camera set up time is greatly reduced compared with what is required for traditional 2 camera rigs.
The AG-3DP1GJ comes with standard lens adjustments of focus, iris, and zoom, as well as a stereoscopic specific adjustment dial for convergence (3D reference plane). A 3D mode selection setting built into the camera aids in optimizing the convergence angle of the lenses based on the shooting distance. The camera is designed with professional features, starting with the dual 1/3" 3MOS 1920 x 1080 sensors, a 20-bit DSP, 6 gamma functions, storage for 6 scene files, a flip-out LCD viewfinder, TC In/Out, Genlock in, 4 channels of 16-bit audio, XLR audio inputs, HD recording in 1080p, 720p, and variable frame rates.
An eyepiece viewfinder - B+W or Color, and camera mounted shotgun mic are available options.
- The AG-3DP1GJ is well suited for stereoscopic shoots where there isn't: space, schedule, or budget for a traditional 2-camera stereoscopic rig.
- The AG-3DP1GJ handles similarly to an ENG Camera and for many situations is a lighter, faster, and less costly option to the traditional 2-camera setup.
- The AG-3DP1GJ shoots in 3D without using: an expensive, complex, 2-camera mirror system which requires a delicate front surface mirror, synchronization boxes, and a specialized equipment tech to handle the precision alignment.
- Ready to shoot the AG-3DP1GJ weighs less than many professional 2-camera rigs weigh without their cameras and lenses.
- A convergence plane adjustment dial is integrated into the lens assembly, allowing adjustment of the convergence plane distance and control of the stereoscopic effect.
- The camera also comes with what Panasonic refers to as 3D mode selection, which is selectable between Near, Normal and Extra. These modes are designed to optimize lens convergence for the distance range you are shooting at.
Overlay Display
- Alert: Allows you to see which objects in the frame will appear to be outside your selected 3D safe range, giving you a reference as to what objects will have excessive 3D effect, which may make it uncomfortable for your audience to watch, or prevent the audience from seeing the 3D effect entirely. Objects with excessive negative parallax, which will project too far in front of the 3D reference plane, are overlaid with a red block, and a yellow block is overlaid on areas that show excessive positive parallax and will retreat too far behind the reference plane.
- Convergence: A green edge is displayed around areas that are within the reference plane (convergence point of the lenses.)
Z-WFM
This is a depth (Z axis) display which shows the forward / back relationship between the subject and the reference plane as a waveform. Warnings for parts of the frame with excessive leaping effect / excessive depth can also be displayed via warning colors.
Monitor Image Selection
The user can select to view either the left lens, the right lens, left / right mix, or side by side.
- The AG-3DP1GJ uses twin matched 17x Optical zoom lenses developed specifically for this camera. The lenses have a focal length range of 4.6-79mm which is equivalent to a 35-602mm in 35 mm.
- Dual 1/3" 1920 x 1080 pixel 3MOS sensors, one for each eye, left and right.
- A 20 bit DSP for precision and consistency handles signal processing across the different HD formats.
- The camera has storage space for 6 different scene files, which can be customized and shared between AG-3DP1GJ cameras via an optional SD/SDHC card.
- Scene files hold information on menu options for image control which include:
- Matrix settings
- Vertical Detail level
- Detail Coring
- Gamma functions
- Knee setting: Low, Mid, or High.
- The camera is equipped with 6 different gamma functions included below.
- HD Norm: Suitable for standard HD recording
- Low: Creates an image with slightly increased contrast
- High: Expands the contrast of the image allowing more detail to be seen in the darker areas
- B.Press: Creates an image with increased contrast
- Cine-Like D: The Cine-Like mode for when full post-production color correction is planned
- Cine-Like V: Cine-Like mode for immediate finish with limited color adjustments planned
- Based on MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 moving picture compression technology, AVC-Intra is an intra-frame compression scheme. The AG-3DP1GJ features AVC-Intra 100 compression, recording a 10-bit 4:2:2 signal at 1920 x 1080p or 720p.
- For increased recording times AVC-Intra 50 is also provided, recording a 10-bit 4:2:0 signal at 1440 x 1080p or 720p.
- The AG-3DP1GJ shoots both U.S. and European HD frame rate standards. In addition the camera is capable of shooting in 29.97pN, 25pN, 23.98pN in both 1080p and 720p, which saves recording space as the Native mode only records the effective frames.
- Camera image output and playback of Native mode footage are automatically "pulled-down" for proper display on a 59.94 / 50Hz monitor
- The camera can shoot variable frame rates in 720p in either U.S. or European standards. This allows for either over or under cranking effects to be created in the camera.
- The Genlock in connector on the AG-3DP1GJ allows it to be slaved to a master source, and to be easily integrated into a multi-camera shoot.
- The TC in / out connectors allow the camera to share a common timecode with other TC in / out equipped cameras, which are covering the same event, for ease of editing multiple cameras together.
- The AG-3DP1GJ can record 16 bit audio on all four of its audio channels. The operator can select the source for each channel, choosing from Front (mic), Rear (mic/line), and WL (wireless).
- Audio levels can be set manually for channels 1 and 2, while audio levels for channels 3 and 4 are set by AGC.
- The camera can also shoot in 2D mode, only recording the image from the left lens onto a P2 media card in the left lens card slot.
- In this mode, the camera can also be set to create a redundant recording of the left lens image in a P2 media card inserted in the slot normally reserved for recording the image from the right lens.