The AG-HPX170 Is The Next Generation Of P2HD HandHeld Camcorders
The introduction of the HPX170 marks the next generation of Panasonic’s, full production quality,
4:2:2 1080/ 720/ SD P2HD Hand-Held camcorders. Based on the recently introduced
HVX200A, this completely solid state P2 handheld offers some important feature
enhancements as well as an industry leading 5 year warranty. (1 year + 4 additional years after
registration). Unlike its brother, the AG-HVX200A a transitional camera perfectly matched for the
customer that wants to continue using or delivering venerable DV tape. The HPX170 is for
the customer that has fully embraced the tremendous advantages of P2’s file based workflow. The HPX170 is a P2
solid state only camera that includes many extra features and benefits

Starting with the front end of the camera, the HPX170 uses a newly-developed 1/3-inch progressive 3-
CCD imager system which substantially improves signal-to noise (S/N) ratio, enhances low-light
performance and prevents smear. Using exactly the same imager system as the HVX200A, this
camera will produce similar images and is an ideal shooting partner. The HPX170 utilizes the highlyreputed
Leica Dicomar 13x lens roughly the equivalent of 28 mm in 35mm still photography terms. It
ranges from 3.9mm to 51mm with a filter diameter of 72mm.

Adoption of this new wider lens and the use of P2 cards instead of dual P2 and tape as storage media have brought
about the reduction of the body weight by 20% from the AGHVX200A, allowing more mobile HD shooting. The HPX170
weighs in at 4.2 lbs, just slightly more than a DVX100B.

The AG-HPX170 has a number of new features that truly make it one of the most advanced camcorders in its price
range. Many customer suggestions have been incorporated
into this camera design along with state of the art technology like the new CCDs and lens assembly.
Manufactured with a magnesium aluminum alloy just like the HVX200 series, the camera is highly
durable and comes ready to work. It will be packaged with a 16GB P2 card and an updated book from
Barry Green that references both the HPX170 as well as the HVX200 series of cameras.
Important new features that really make this camera a next generation leader are HD/SDI (also allows
for SD) output, improved LCD performance, and a useful waveform monitor and vectorscope function.
The HPX170 also includes three different advanced focus assist functions, all of which respond a little
differently so that you can choose the one that is perfect for the shooting scenario. Additionally,
customer can now enter metadata in the field, just like the HPX2000/3000 P2 cameras.

New Features:
All solid state - P2 cards - 2 Slots
HD/SDI – (including SD)
6 pin Firewire with locking connection. (no power out)
Color Bars with 1kHz Tone
Metadata input - like the P2 Gear
Camera Playback format can be changed without going into menus
Additional Neutral Density filters, ¼, 1/16, 1/64
Additional Functionality of the User Buttons, Delete Last Clip, Pre-
Record and Variable Frame rate
WaveForm Monitor and Vectorscope
Dedicated Slot Select Button
Three Focus Assist functions, 2X blow-up,
Histogram, and Focus Bar
20 Variable Frame Rates, 12, 15, 18, 20, 21,
22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 40, 44,
48, 54, 60
DVX-Style Navigational Tool
Security Cable Attachment Hole
Dynamic Range Stretching in 60I/60P HD, replaces News Gamma
Iris/focus ring assignment switch so that focus ring can be the iris
Time & date stamp burn-in, perfect for Legal Video work
Most cables facing rear to reduce conflicts, Audio connections in the
same place
Manual Focus Assist, camera will hit the last critical focus point
LCD Screen can be flipped for use with 35mm adapters
10X, 5X, 2x Digital Zoom

This is not an exhaustive list but as you can imagine this camera has many technologies that have
been adopted from some of the larger cameras to be in this newest addition to P2HD. So starting with
Dynamic Range Stretch, we would like to elaborate a bit on what the technology does for the image.

Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS)
The DRS function reduces the blocked shadows and blown highlights in scenes where bright and
dark objects coexist, such as the view of a room from outdoors. With this function, even if there are
bright, halftone, and dark areas in a scene, their gradation will be maintained and blocked shadows,
blown highlights, and color distortions will be minimized. The result is video with a visually wide
dynamic range.

Enhanced focus-assist functions
The Center 2X Blow-up focus-assist function from the HVX200 is included. The histogram function featured on the
HPX500 is now a part of this camera and you can choose Center Zoom, Histogram, or both (shown on the picture to
the right) The third focus assist is a Focus Bar display. The bar grows longer as things become focused. The EVF DTL
is more enhanced as well to allow pictures to be focused more easily by emphasizing the object contours on the EVF
and LCD monitor screens.

SDI (HD/SD switchable) output
The AG-HPX170 comes equipped with an SDI (HD/SD) output terminal for serial digital transfer of
uncompressed audio/visual data. It is compatible with digital broadcasting environments and allows
for a secondary recording with another Panasonic digital recorder (P2HD/HD-D5/DVCPRO HD) or it
can be incorporated into a small HD/SDI studio with our AV-HS400 Digital Switcher

Camera Processing and Technology
There are three critical components working hand-in-hand to make the images from this camera. The
CCDs benefit from the additional picture information offered by the spatial offset on the pixels. This
allows the non-photosensitive areas of the CCD (the registers between the pixels) to add to the picture
quality.

New Progressive CCD Raises Sensitivity and Lowers Noise and Smear
The new 1/3-inch 16:9 progressive CCD on the AG-HPX170 further
raises image quality. It combines a significantly improved S/N ratio and
better low-light performance than previous models. Backed by a highperformance
digital signal processor, the CCD brings higher quality to HD
images to meet the demands of broadcasters and high-end video producers.

High-Resolution Native Progressive 1080/60p Scan
Progressive to interlace conversion, cross conversion and down
conversion all start with the 1080p/60 scan. That initial 1080p progressive
scan signal coming off of the CCDs offers the highest level of vertical resolution possible at this level of camera. Keep in mind that the
camera does not record this signal but uses it as a basis for all captures. The result is an HD or SD
recording with a level of image quality that cannot be matched by electronically processed scans (pixel
for pixel).

DSP with 14-Bit A/D Conversion and 19-Bit Processing
The digital signal processor developed for the AG-HPX170’s 1080/60p video signals uses 14-bit A/D
conversion and 19-bit inner processing to attain unprecedented accuracy in color and detail. The DSP
performs a variety of adjustments, including eight types of gamma settings, for each of the R, G and B
channels. It also converts the signals to HD or SD format. With a performance equivalent to the
processors used in many higher-end HD cameras, this DSP delivers beautiful images in all video
formats.

Manual Focus Assist
There is a dynamic new feature on this camera that will make it really
interesting to any shooter that has to run and gun their images. The two
images on the right are indicating the rotation required for the focus ring under
the Standard Mode, which you would use if you were doing production and
wanted to use a Focus Puller to do a rack focus on the subjects at hand. This
represents about 300 degrees. The second figure, is called Manual Focus
Assist, and it indicates a much shorter rotation, which equates to getting to the
focus point much more quickly. Keep in mind the rotation on a Broadcast lens
is about 120 degrees. What is really interesting is that when you start to get
close, the camera sees the PEAK and carries out the tail end of the focus,
then goes back to no auto-focus. This should be a function that you show
every customer that shoots news for a living.

MetaData input and management
A significant part of file-based workflow is the metadata portion of the footage.
IT is what makes it easy to find thing later. It also
allows the field personnel to communicate with the
editorial staff. The correct spelling of the
interviewee’s name can be input on the clip within the
body of the camera itself. The only other cameras
that allow this functionality are the larger AJHPX2000
and up.

NTSC/PAL Upgradeable
This camera can be upgraded for International
capability once they are registered for the 5 year
warranty. Panasonic Service will only upgrade units
that are owned by US customers at a US address. End-users must initiate the request for Panasonic
to do the upgrade and Panasonic resale partners are not eligible for this upgrade. Once they have
received their Warranty Registration, they need to send an email to

Standard Accessories
AG-HPX170 DVCPRO HD P2 Camcorder
AJ-P2C0016RG 16 GB P2 Card
Barry Green’s The HVX and HPX Book
CG-AD54S 5400mA Battery for approximately 140 minutes of
continuous recording
AG-B25 AC Adapter/Battery Charger
Accessory Mike Holder
Component Video Cable w/ RCA-BNC Adapters
Remote Control
Shoulder Strap
Instruction Manual

The AG-HPX170 will be shipping in Quantity in September. Be sure to have your orders in early.

For Current Pricing and Availability:
CALL 800-843-3679
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