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Panasonic Broadcast used this year’s NAB convention to showcase its new AG-3DA1 – the world’s first professional quality, fully-integrated Full HD 3D camcorder offering high-capacity SD media card recording and playback.

Panasonic AG-3DA1 left slant view

The company is offering video professionals (or enthusiasts with deep pockets) the opportunity to reserve their AG-3DA1 camcorder (list price: US$21,000) by placing a non-refundable US$1,000 deposit at the time of ordering.

At the Panasonic booth visitors have the opportunity to view 3D video content shot with the AG-3DA1 during show hours as well as being able to see the company’s recently announced BT-3DL2550, a 25” professional-quality 3D LCD monitor for field use, and the AG-HMX100, a professional HD digital AV mixer for live 3D event production.

Weighing in at just 2.8Kg, the AG-3DA1 is equipped with dual lenses and two 1/4.1-inch full 1920 x 1080, 2.07-megapixel 3MOS imaging sensors to record 1080/60i, 1080/50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) HD recordings in addition to 720/60p and 720/50p in the AVCHD format.

It can facilitate recording for up to 180 minutes on dual 32GB SD cards in Panasonic’s professional AVCHD “PH” mode, and offers professional interfaces which include dual HD-SDI out, HDMI (version 1.4), two XLR connectors, built-in stereo microphone and twin-lens camera remotes. It is also equipped with a remote terminal for Focus, Iris, Zoom, REC start/stop and Convergence Point (for 3D). Its 3.2-inch LCD screen provides the option to switch from Left or Right viewpoint or select an overlay image display.

Panasonic AG-3DA1 left and right side views

According to information received from Panasonic, the AG-3DA1 3D Professional camcorder will offer the following core benefits:

Easier to Use

Current 3D systems involve large-scale setups in which two cameras are fitted to a rig in parallel, or vertically intersect across a half-mirror. Separate recorders, running simultaneously, are also required. In the AG-3DA1, the lenses and camera head – together with a dual Memory Card recorder – are integrated into a single, lightweight body. The camcorder also incorporates stereoscopic adjustment controls making it easier to use and operate.

Panasonic AG-3DA1 front and back views

The twin-lens system as used in the camcorder’s optical section allows the convergence point between the two lenses to be adjusted in order to optimise the 3D effect. Functions for automatically correcting horizontal and vertical displacement are also provided; this differs from conventional 3D camera systems which require these adjustments to be made by means of a PC or an external video processor. The new AG-3DA1 camcorder will automatically recalibrate without any need for external equipment, thereby facilitating immediate 3D image capture.

More Flexible

The solid-state memory file-based recording system offers the increased flexibility necessary in order to produce Full HD 3D videos reliably in a wide range of challenging shooting environments. The AG-3DA1 has the advantage of being lighter and smaller than current 3D rigs whilst providing the flexibility of handheld-style shooting. Setup and transportation is simplified, making it ideal for sports, documentary and general film-making projects.

Solid-State Reliability and Workflow

The Right and Left Full HD video streams produced by the twin-lens 3D camcorder can be recorded and distributed as files on SDHC/SD Memory Cards, ensuring higher reliability than tape, optical disc, HDD or other mechanical-based recording systems. This solid-state, no-moving-parts design should help to reduce maintenance costs considerably.

As a result, its users can expect a fast, highly-productive file-based workflow incorporating instant, random access to recorded content. It is also designed to enable easy plug-in to both Apple Mac and Windows PC-based platforms whilst also providing longer recording capacities.

More Affordable

Using a standard, fully-integrated design, the AG-3DA1 is being offered at a much lower price than traditional 3D rigs. Not only will transport costs for this handheld unit will be less, but faster setup times will also help to further reduce labour costs at all stages of production. Using the now-ubiquitous standard, re-recordable SDHC/SD Memory Cards, media costs will become virtually negligible.

In addition to the AG-3DA1, Panasonic’s BT-LH2550 3D LCD monitor and AG-HMX100 A/V mixer with 3D support will allow video professionals to create 3D content with greatly increased efficiency – with the result that consumers will be able to enjoy 3D video playback using Panasonic’s own-brand 3D home theatre systems.

Key product considerations:

• Lightweight camera body weighs less than 2.8 kg (Approx. 6.17 lb.) for excellent mobility.
• Equipped with a 3.2-inch (16:9) side-mounted LCD monitor with approx. 921,000 dots. Lch/Rch/overlay switchable display.
• Equipped with HDMI 1.4 (frame and field sequential output) in addition to HD-SDI (x2, simultaneous).
• Built-in Stereo microphone.
• Provided with an XLR Audio input terminal for line recording in halls, studios, etc.
• Equipped with remote terminal for focus iris, zoom, REC start/stop, and convergence point.
• Auto REC function for control of REC start/stop of an external recorder connected by SDI.

Supplementary Information

Differences from conventional 3D camera systems
Conventional 3D camera systems are built from two off-the-shelf film or broadcast cameras. Normally, the two cameras are installed horizontally and side by side, with the right and left camera axes approximately 6.5 cm apart – equivalent to the distance between the human eyes – to create binocular parallax.

A conventional 3D camera system rig

This can be done with small cameras, but broadcast or film cameras cannot be installed side by side since their bodies and lenses are too large.

They must be installed vertically using half-mirrors, or mounted on metal frames called rigs, using prisms. This results in a bulky system that must be carefully adjusted to prevent the right and left cameras from going out of alignment before image capture.

In addition, if the system is moved, the shock or vibration inevitably puts the cameras out of alignment, making frequent re-adjustment necessary.

In the AG-3DA1 that Panasonic has developed, the two lenses, camera head, and memory card recorder are incorporated into a single compact housing. Unlike large 3D camera systems, this camcorder allows video shooting with greater mobility and from all angles; significantly reducing the time required for set up and adjustments, thereby leaving more time for creative activities.

Panasonic AG-3DA Twin Lens Convergence Point

Convergence Point Adjustment
The convergence point is the point at which the left and right cameras’ optical axes converge to produce 3D images.

To take natural-looking 3D video, the convergence point needs to be adjusted to match that of a human’s eyes, whose convergence point varies according to the closeness of the objects being viewed.

Panasonic’s new Full HD 3D camcorder adopts a newly-developed twin-lens system that makes convergence point control possible thanks to its integrated design.

Summary: Panasonic AG-3DA1

• Twin-lens Full HD 3D camcorder
• Recording Media: SDHC/SD Memory Card
• Power Consumption: 16 W (main unit only)
• Weight: Approximately 2.8Kg — main unit only
• Suggested Retail Price for Main Unit: US$21,000
• Available: Autumn 2010 (made to order)

For more information about Panasonic’s 3D technology, see: http://3d.panasonic.net/en/#index

Source: Panasonic Broadcast (Panasonic Corporation) Press Release from NAB 2010 in Las Vegas. Images courtesy Panasonic Corporation 2010. Additional copy: Colin Barrett, SimplyDV

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