Panasonic AG-DVX200PJ Tech Brief - Volume 4 - Page 3

ing (such as Apple's ProRes HQ) takes up approximately 880 megabits per second, or nearly 9 times as much data as the camera's internal recordings(!) ose ProRes HQ recordings would be higher quality than the camera's internal codec could deliver, yes, but such recordings could never be made on an inexpensive SDXC card, and even if they could, you would only be able to record about 7 minutes of footage on a 64GB memory card, rendering it impractical for many uses. Furthermore, the camera hardware necessary to support a 10-bit 4:2:2 encoding chip, and the hardware necessary to support a proprietary high-speed memory recording card that can handle that much bandwidth (such as MicroP2), would both have increased the cost of the camera itself, and the more-expensive recording media would have increased the operational cost of the camera. Undoubtedly, there are some jobs that would bene t signi cantly from 4:2:2 recording, and some jobs that require 10-bit recording. Indeed, there are some broadcasters and employers that will specify 10-bit 4:2:2 as a minimum requirement. For those scenarios, Panasonic has taken the approach of providing good-quality 8-bit 4:2:0 recordings internally, and 10-bit 4:2:2 output for use with external recording devices. Renting or buying an external recorder can provide a way to deliver 10-bit 4:2:2 footage for clients who require it. ere are many recorders on the market; generally they support Apple ProRes and/or Avid's DNxHD codec, at 10-bit depth and 4:2:2 color sampling. e DVX200's HDMI and SDI output ports provide Full HD video at up to 59.94 progressive frames per second, and its HDMI output port provides Ultra High De nition video at up to 29.97 progressive frames per second and 4K video at 24.00P, both with full resolution and 10 bit quantizing, and 4:2:2 color sampling. Additionally, the DVX200's HDMI 2.0 output port can provide UHD at 50.00P or 59.94P frames per second, using 8-bit quantizing and 4:2:0 color sampling. Using an external recorder allows you to use high-speed, high-capacity solid-state disk drives or other recording media that can handle the high bitrate of FHD, UHD or 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 data. Using a high-quality external recorder allows you to capture the full 10-bit 4:2:2 image that the DVX200 can create. A note on internal recording: the DVX200 cannot simultaneously support 10-bit 4:2:2 output and its own internal recording; when choosing to output 10-bit 4:2:2 data, the internal recording is disabled. When internal recording is enabled, the DVX200 can output 8-bit 4:2:2 (8-bit 4:2:0 in UHD 50P/59.94P), but when con gured to output 10-bit, it cannot record internally. Additional Bene ts To An External Recorder Using an external recorder may also bring a number of other bene ts that may make them interesting for more than just their external recording capability. External recorders such as the Convergent Designs Odyssey 7Q+, Sound Devices PIX-E5H, and Atomos Ninja Assassin typically include their own monitors, which give you an additional monitor that can be used on-camera or as a director's monitor.