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Panasonic Announces AW-HE100 Integrated Pan/Tilt/Zoom HD/SD Camera (12/5/2008)

HD/SD Camera System Offers Easy Integration and Precision Control

Panasonic announced the AW-HE100, a new multiformat HD/SD camera featuring an integrated pan/tilt/zoom mechanism and a new, unique ergonomic design. The all-in-one HE100 combines outstanding image quality, super smooth pan/tilt/zoom operation, and flexible system configuration.

Designed for applications ranging from broadcast and event staging to high-resolution distance learning and videoconferencing, the HE100 provides outstanding image quality and easy integration into high-definition and standard-definition production environments. The camera supports 1080i, 720p, 576i, and 576p formats and can simultaneously output both HD and SD signals. With three progressive 1/3" IT CCDs, a 14-bit A/D converter, and a 19-bit digital signal processor, the HE100 produces exceptionally clean, high resolution images in a wide range of lighting conditions and environments.

The HE100 incorporates a broadcast quality HD 13x auto/manual focus zoom lens with a fast f1.6 maximum aperture and wide angle focal length of 4.2mm (35mm equivalent: 32.5mm). The integrated PTZ unit has a highly accurate True-Servo pan/tilt head that offers precise, fast, and fluid movement in all directions, with a range of 350 degrees (pan) and 250 degrees (tilt). Able to smoothly follow a wide range of both slow and fast moving objects without visually distracting vibration, the camera delivers a maximum pan/tilt speed of 60 degrees a second. The unit operates in virtual silence, with a noise rating of NC30 at 30/s motion and NC35 at 60/s motion.

The AW-HE100 comes standard with a variety of outputs, including HD/SD analogue component and composite video, and is equipped with RS-422 connectivity for precise remote control. An optional HD/SD SDI card is available for critical production applications. Other valuable standard features include a programmable auto-image flip, a three-step gamma correction, a seven-step chroma level adjustment, up to 100 pre-set memories, an electronic shutter (1/100 to 1/2000 a sec) with synchro scan, a tally light, a ceiling mounting bracket, and an easy-to-use wireless remote that controls up to four HE100 cameras.

The AW-HE100 can easily be integrated with Panasonic's AK-HC1500 HD box camera and SD convertible camera pan/tilt systems and is compatible with a wide range of professional RS-422 control systems, including Panasonic's pan/tilt controllers such as the AW-RP555, AW-RP655, and AW-RP400 (with the AW-IF400), to provide control from remote distances of up to 1000m. The HE100 can also easily be controlled via a desktop or laptop computer.

The HE100 weighs around 7.0 kg and can be surface or ceiling mounted.

The HE100 will be available in June at a suggested list price of €8,200. Optional accessories include an AW-HHD100 SDI output board, which provides two HD/SD-SDI outputs (BNC) for HD/SD switching.

www.panasonic-broadcast.com

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