Panasonic releases specifications for its AG-3DA1 camera

Panasonic has revealed the technical specifications of the AG-3DA1 camera, the first compact camera in the world capable of recording 3D with Full HD quality that also offers recording on SD cards. Weighing less than three kilos, it is equipped with a double lens and two 3-MOS sensors with 1920 x 1080 resolution of 2.07 megapixels, to record in 1080/60i 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) and 720/60p and 50p in AVCHD.

Panasonic ha desvelado por fin las características técnicas de la cámara que más expectación ha levantado desde que conociéramos los primeros apuntes hace ahora casi un año durante NAB’09. La AG-3DA1, la primera cámara estereoscópica del mundo capaz de grabar en estereoscópico con calidad Full HD, está equipada con doble lente y dos sensores 3-MOS con resolución de 1920 x 1080 de 2.07 megapixels, para grabar en 1080/60i 50i, 30p, 25p y 24p (nativo) y 720/60p y 50p en AVCHD.

Designed to facilitate stereoscopic operation as much as possible, it can record more than 180 minutes on dual 32GB SD cards in Panasonic AVCHD PH professional mode, and offers professional interfaces that include dual HD-SDI output, HDMI (version 1.4), two XLR connectors, a built-in stereo microphone and twin lenses.

An important aspect is that the camera automatically adjusts the convergence point by precisely correcting the horizontal and vertical axis. While other solutions require carrying out these adjustments with the help of a PC or an external video processor, the new AG-3DA1 carries them out internally, recalibrating automatically. This function provides great agility when facing a 3D production.

Flexibility

File-based solid-state memory recording offers greater flexibility to reliably produce Full HD 3D video in environments where recording is required without the possibility of making preparations. The AG-3DA1 is lighter and smaller than current 3D platforms, while providing the flexibility of a handheld camcorder. By simplifying installation and transportation as much as possible, they make it an ideal option for sports, documentaries and film projects.

Workflow

Video sequences corresponding to the right and left lens can be recorded and distributed as files on SDHC/SD cards, guaranteeing, as Panasonic argues, greater reliability than tape, optical disk, HDD or mechanical. Additionally, the solid state of this 3D proposal will help significantly reduce maintenance costs.

Users will be able to implement a fast workflow with instant and random access to recorded material, plug-in for Mac and PC and greater recording capacity. In addition, this new camcorder consumes only 16 W.

Aunque el principio de la estereoscopía es relativamente sencillo, basándose en dos cámaras instaladas sobre rigs en horizontal y de lado a lado a una distancia de unos 6,5 cm -equivalente a la distancia entre los ojos humanos- para crear el paralaje binocular, el problema es que esto no es viable en grandes camcorders por la dimensión de sus cuerpos y lentes, necesitando así complejos sistemas de espejoes y primas. Esto resulta en un sistema de voluminosos que deben ajustarse cuidadosamente para evitar que la cámara derecha e izquierda estén perfectamente alineadas para capturar la imagen. Además, si se mueve el sistema, o debido a golpes o vibraciones, inevitablemente las cámaras se desalinean teniendo que reajustarlas continuamente.

In the AG-3DA1 that Panasonic has developed, the two lenses, the camera body and the memory card recorder are incorporated into a compact housing allowing video recording with greater mobility and from all angles, significantly reducing the time required for creating and adjustments, thus leaving more time for creative activities.

As for the convergence point, the point at which the optical axes of the left and right cameras converge to produce 3D images, to have a natural-looking 3D video it must be adjusted to match that of a human's eyes, whose convergence point varies depending on the closeness of the objects you are looking at. Panasonic's new Full HD 3D camera gives you full control of the convergence point with its integrated design.