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PANASONIC DELIVERING AK-HC1500G, INDUSTRY’S FIRST COMPACT, SWITCHABLE 1080i/720p HD CAMERA LAS VEGAS, NV (April 23, 2006) – Panasonic announced at NAB that it is delivering the industry’s first compact, 1080i/720 switchable HD camera, the AK-HC1500G. Compatible with all international HD standards, the multi-format camera is ideally suited for assignments ranging from studio use and weather forecasting to live sports and videoconferencing, from true 24p film-like image capture to scientific image analysis and studio animation applications. The AK-HC1500G also debuts as the first multi-purpose camera to feature a variable frame rate functionality and cine gamma curve, features that have distinguished the company’s popular VariCam HD Cinema Camcorder. This variable frame rate feature is key to many special effects and sports-related applications. The HD production quality, high-performance AK-HC1500G incorporates proprietary Panasonic innovations, including new IT-CCDs, 14-bit A/D converter and digital signal processors to deliver crisp, sharp high definition images from dark to bright areas. The 1-megapixel, 2/3-inch 3-CCDs produce outstanding colour accuracy, with improved on-chip lenses to achieve a standard sensitivity of F10.0 at 2000 lux and a smear level of less than 130 dB. The AK-HC1500 uses CCD accumulation and horizontal/vertical addition to create a gain increase of up to +68 dB (with a minimum illumination of 0.015 dB). The AK-HC1500G offers both 1080 (60i/59.94i, 50i, 30p, 25p/24p) and 720 (60p, 59.94p/50p) high definition output. The camera boasts a wide range of variable frame rates (4-fps to 60-fps in single-frame increments) for “overcranked” and “undercranked” off-speed in-camera effects, and its CineGamma curve reproduces images that closely match the latitude of film stocks. The remotely-controllable AK-HC1500G is compatible with Panasonic’s comprehensive line of indoor and outdoor pan-tilt heads (notably, the AW-PH400 and new outdoor AW-PH650 pan/tilt heads), pan-tilt controllers, and camera control units. The optional, compact AK-HRP150 camera control unit offers full image control. The camera has a rear option slot for expansion (e.g., downconverter, analogue or fibre output unit), making the AK-HC1500 suitable for a broad spectrum of applications. Other key features include a standard HD SDI output; a 12-axis colour correction circuit for fine adjustment of saturation and hue; an Electronic Extender for magnifying the image by 2X; genlock; DC (+12V) operation; a mini 15-pin connector; tally function; and iris and zoom/focus controls. The camera has a low power consumption of about 18 watts and compact footprint of 3.5” W x 4.6” H x 6.2” D and weighs in at just 3.3 pounds. The AK-HC1500G is available at a suggested list price of 20,490 Euros. Panasonic’s family of convertible cameras are unique systems, configurable with special function cards to meet a variety of applications ranging from studio to videoconferencing to sports. System flexibility is additionally enhanced by indoor and outdoor pan/tilt heads, which are controlled by dedicated controllers and RS-232C or RS-422A interfaces. Simple control panels run up to five pan/tilt heads and lenses, and advanced controllers handle up to five systems, while controlling all camera operational and setup functions. If you need any further information on this camera or any Panasonic Broadcast products, please visit www.panasonic-broadcast.com or contact [email protected] .