The HS450E switcher is designed to provide versatile, economical, 10-Bit 4:2:2 HD or SD live switching for mid-size studio or mobile production systems worldwide. 

It supports 1080/50i,1080/24Psf, 1080/23.98Psf, 720/50p HD formats and 576/50i in SD, and accepts optional boards for additional up-conversion, down-conversion and scaling of many video formats. The switcher is also equipped with a dual, redundant power supply.

The HS450E’s built-in, dual-output MultiViewer allows users to see four, six, or 10 images on each of two high-resolution displays. Up to 16 image can viewed on a single screen, and a total of 20 can be configured for display on two screens. This eliminates the need for multiple HD source, preview, aux, and key monitors, saving significant cost and space, and enabling a more flexible production workflow. The adjustable MultiViewer outputs can also be used to provide multi-image large screen display for entertainment, education, and worship.

For enhanced creativity, the HS450E features high-quality chroma, linear, and luminance keyers that provide clean, broadcast-quality composited images for applications including as virtual sets, news, and weather. Other advanced functions include dedicated hardware for two PiPs, two downstream keyers (DSK), 3-D effects for upstream keys, remote pan-tilt camera control with pre-set memories, multiple Aux busses with mix transitions to Aux1, shot memories and more. Users can select a wide range of video transitions, including high-quality 3D digital effects such as page turn and rotation. 

The HS450E is equipped with a built-in, switchable 10-bit frame synchronizer for each of its 16 inputs, ensuring reliable, glitch-free switching even with non-synchronous sources such as remote camera feeds. Reference (black burst) signal outputs and Genlock input are provided to enable synchronization with external systems.  

The compact, two-rack-sized HS450E can be expanded to support up to 20 inputs and 10 outputs using optional I/O boards. A maximum of 32 crosspoints may be programmed, to enable full access to all inputs and internal sources. The switcher can also control a Panasonic pan/tilt system with up to five cameras via an RS-422A port. Another RS-422A port enables communication with editing systems and other third-party devices. Additional standard features include camera tally outputs, an LCD display and OSD (on-screen display) for viewing switcher settings, GPI input, an Ethernet interface for connection to a PC, an SD card slot for storage of graphics and system set-up information, and six dedicated user-programmable buttons.

The HMC41E is an AVCHD format based camcorder that uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 high profile encoding, which provides a near doubling of bandwidth efficiency and improved video performance over the older MPEG-2 compression formats (e.g. HDV, DVD, etc.). AVCHD high definition recordings look clean and crisp, even during fast motion, reducing the image degradation or dropout associated with older HDV recordings. 
  
The HMC41E features a full resolution 3-megapixel, 1/4.1-inch 3MOS imager that produces stunning 1920×1080 HD images with high sensitivity. The camera captures still images with 10.6-megapixel resolution directly onto the SD card as a JPEG image. The handheld offers a 12X optical zoom (includes 2X, 5X, 10X) and professional image functions like Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) that helps compensate for wide variations in lighting, and a Cine-Like Gamma mode which gives recordings a more film-like aesthetic. 
  
The HD camcorder records in all four professional AVCCAM recording modes, including the high-quality PH mode (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), the HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), the HG mode (approx.13 Mbps) and the extended recording HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps). It supports 1080/50i(in all mode) and 1080/25P,720/50P,720/25P(in PH mode only). 
  
Using just one 32GB SDHC memory card, a user can record three hours of full resolution 1920×1080 video and audio in PH mode, four hours at HA mode and 5.3 hours at HG mode. In the HE mode, the camera can record up to 12 hours of 1440×1080 HD content – all on a single 32GB SDHC card. 
  
The HMC41E comes standard with HDMI output, USB 2.0 (miniB-type devices), composite output (AV multi/ch1, ch2), analog component (mini-D), detachable XLR audio input and audio REC level adjustment dials. Users also have the choice of expanding the camera’s audio capability with 2-channel input, mic/line switchable and +48V options that are available for purchase separately. The camera’s 2.7-inch LCD monitor offers simple touch-panel operation and access to various solid-state recording functions such as pre-record, interval recording, shot marker and metadata capture. 
  
In addition, this lightweight handheld offers invaluable professional features including waveform monitor display, focus assists such as focus bar display and enlarged display, time date stamp, user assignable focus ring,   auto focus with face detection, zebra display, synchro-scan shutter function, three programmable user buttons, time code/UB recording, remote control terminal (for zoom, focus, aperture, REC start/stop controls). 
  
AVCCAM content recorded on the SD card can be played back directly on a growing number of low cost consumer devices including solid-state HD players, Blu-ray players,   game machines, laptop computers, and widescreen plasma displays with SD card slots. For editing or playback, professionals can transfer content from the SD Card to Mac or PC computers or by connecting the camera directly via its USB 2.0 interface. 
  
AVCHD is supported by a wide range of editing options including Apple Final Cut Pro 6.0.5, , Adobe Premier Pro CS4 , EDIUS Pro 5, EDIUS Neo 2, . In addition, a free transcoder, available for download at www.panasonic-broadcast.com , will convert AVCHD files to DVCPRO HD P2 and downconverted DV files for use with most existing professional editing packages.

The HMR10E professional AVCCAM recorder provides the flexibility of low cost, SD memory card based recording and full 1080 and 720 resolution capture in a small, portable unit. The new AVCCAM recorder uses AVCHD (MPEG-4/AVC High-Profile) compression and is ideal for applications in video production, sports coaching, healthcare, law enforcement, remote operation/ surveillance, and much more. Equipped with an HD-SDI input and output, the HMR10E AVCCAM recorder is also suitable for back-up recording from any HD-SDI-enabled camera or for use in studio or event production. The 0.45 kg unit features a lightweight, ergonomic design suited for handheld use (3.7in x 4.8in x 1.7in) and also has four threaded holes for flexible mounting. 

The HMR10E records stunning full HD 1920×1080 resolution images in three recording modes – the highest quality PH mode* (average 21 Mbps/max. 24 Mbps), HA mode (approx.17 Mbps) and HG mode (approx.13 Mbps). The HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps) records at 1440×1080. The HMR10 records in HD formats including 1080/60i, 1080/50i, 720/60p and 720/50p. With input from the AG-HCK10 camera head, the HMR10 will also record 1080/30p, 1080/25p and 1080/24p.

With the HMR10E, users can capitalise on the compact size, cost advantages, solid state reliability and the widespread availability and low cost of SD and SDHC memory cards. Using just one 32GB SDHC memory card, a user can record three hours of full resolution 1920×1080 video and audio in PH mode, four hours at HA mode and 5.3 hours at HG mode. In the HE mode, the camera can record up to 12 hours of 1440×1080 HD content – all on a single 32GB SDHC card. SDHC cards containing AVCCAM recordings can be played directly in a growing number of affordable Panasonic Blu-ray players, plasma displays, Sony PlayStation 3® ** game machines, PCs and other devices.

In addition to HD-SDI input/output and an external mic input (stereo), the HMR10E comes standard with interface connections including the HDMI out and USB 2.0, and is compatible with TC/UB recording. Professional audio features include a built-in stereo speaker and headphone mini jack. Compact and lightweight, the handheld unit has a built-in 3.5-inch color LCD monitor that displays content in thumbnail images for quick viewing. (The HCK10E camera head can be remotely controlled while images are checked on the LCD monitor.) The HMR10E operates on battery or 7.3V DC power, and has four threaded holes for mounting applications.

For editing or playback, professionals can instantly transfer content from the SD card to Mac or PC computers with an SD/SDHC card reader or by connecting the HMR10 recorder directly via its USB 2.0 interface.

The ultra-compact HCK10E camera head nicknamed POVCAM is equipped with three newly-developed 1/4”  2 megapixels HD resolution 3-MOS imagers to deliver high-quality image quality. Weighing a little over 0.23 kg, the HCK10E camera head is ultra-slim (2.1in x 2.2in x 4.8in) and features a 12x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) and Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS), a dynamic range expansion tool that simultaneously compresses highlight information and boosts shadow detail in real time. DRS, mic settings, iris, focus, zoom control and power are supplied from the HMR10E recorder. 

Other features include a built-in microphone, 1/4″ 20 socket for mounting and 43mm lens filter size.  Cables connecting the camera to the recorder will be available in lengths up to 10 meters and are removable at each end for added flexibility. A 3-meter cable is standard.

Blayne Murphy, Panasonic “Each component of Panasonic’s innovative 3D Full HD production system has unique features. The twin-lens P2 camera recorder enables the capturing of natural and high-quality live 3D images. Thanks to the non-mechanical solid-state construction of the P2 system, the camera recorder will be compact enough to allow more flexible 3D shooting, thereby maximizing the creativity of the filmmakers by eliminating the stress factor from the use of the equipment.”

Just when I thought Panasonic camcorders could not get any uglier, the worst bit is the 4:3 LCD which has propagated itself along a great line of recent Panasonic camcorders…they really need to address this as we are living in a 16:9 world now, I have not filmed 4:3 for over 2 years now !

The 3D camcorder above thank goodness is conceptual so if they want my advice…NO MORE SQUARE BOX CAMCORDERS PLEASE WITH 4:3 LCDs !!!