Panasonic HVX200A Functions Guide - Page 29

Shooting techniques called overcranking and undercranking are often used when producing movies with a film camera. They achieve unique visual effects by running the camera faster (overcranking) or slower (undercranking) than the standard playback speed of 24 fps. Playing an overcranked film at normal speed yields a slow-motion image, while an undercranked film shows the image in fast motion. Conventional video cameras with a constant-speed interlaced recording system at 60 fps do not allow the use of these shooting techniques. Special editing is required to achieve a slow- or fast-motion effect with video recording. However, this still does not provide a natural effect with all of the image information intact, as a film camera is able to do. This is one of the reasons why many image creators prefer film cameras. Panasonic's revolutionary VariCam (AJ-HDC27F/H) HD camera changed all that. Using the 720p HD recording format, the VariCam achieved a rate of 60 fps. This allowed overcranking and undercranking based on the standard rate of 24 fps. This variable frame rate function resulted in the rapid and widespread use of HD video recording systems in the production of both movies and TV commercials and programs. The AG-HVX200 is the first compact camera-recorder to be equipped with the variable frame rate function. Like VariCam, the shutter opening angle can be set in degree(from 10 to 350 degree) in AG-HVX200. Together with its high mobility, the AG-HVX200 offers the VariCam's popular special effect functions at a low cost. Film Camera Picture Frame Recording Speed Playback Speed Gradation Full (Film) Variable Fixed Film Tone Conventional Video Cameras 2 fields Interlace Fixed Variable Video Gamma VariCam or AG-HVX200 (720p mode) Full (Progressive) Variable Variable Cine-like Gamma (selectable) 26