Panasonic intros new solid-state P2 HD recorder/player with variable frame rate

By Ken Kerschbaumer

A new, solid-state AJ-HPM110 P2 HD mobile recorder/player is available from Panasonic today, delivering native 1080p/24p recording, a 1080/24PsF input/output, and longer record times to the wide list of capabilities of its predecessor, the AJ-HPM100.

Panasonic says the ultra-reliable AJ-HPM110 solid-state recorder is ideal for use in the field, in mobile vehicles or in the studio. The rugged unit records in independent-frame DVCPRO HD/50/25 and DV formats as well as master-quality, full-raster 1920 x 1080 AVC-Intra* (with the optional AJ-YBX200G codec board). It also offers the flexibility of up/down/cross and aspect conversion.

The HPM110’s six P2 card slots allow users to record continuous, extended clips in sequence onto high capacity P2 cards or output an extended play-list from five mounted cards to the sixth card slot. Using six 32GB P2 cards, the P2 Mobile records for four hours in 1080p/24 in AVC-Intra 100 and eight hours in 720p/24 in AVC-Intra 100 or DVCPRO HD.

In addition to native 1080/24p recording and support of 1080/24PsF, the new P2 Mobile offers recording in multiple frame rates, making it a solution for slow-motion recording and under-cranking.

AV/IT connections include HD-SDI input/output, IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0 host mode. An RS-422A remote allows the HPM110 to be used as a play source in an edit session, as well as an edit/copy function for writing data to multiple P2 cards. In addition, a newly added loop record function allows the user to continuously record onto non-recorded areas of a P2 card for a pre-determined time period.

The HPM110 offers eight 16-bit digital audio channels including 5.1-channel surround sound with audio split/dubbing features, broadcast-level editing controls including a jog/shuttle dial with 100X speed in forward/reverse and audio faders, standard analog component/composite and audio input/outputs, an SD card slot and assignable user files. The new 14.4-pound P2 Mobile also features a durable, compact design, with a magnesium die-cast frame that folds like a laptop PC for easy transport, and operates on either AC or DC power.

The HPM110 is available at a suggested list price of $12,000.