Varicam
Encyclopedia
VariCam is a brand name associated with the specialized Panasonic
video camera
s that are mostly used to imitate the look and feel of motion picture cameras. They have been used for many feature film
s. VariCams' main feature is that the framerate can be varied from 1 frame/s to 60 frame/s, offering flexibility in creating rapid or slow motion
effects. As a point of reference, film
has traditionally been shot at 24 frames per second, while NTSC
video uses 29.97 frames per second. Therefore, VariCams can be used for high end video production
and film production. The cameras are not cheap, but their low cost in use, compared to shooting on film, has made them popular among independent filmmakers, and they are often available to rent from professional film camera rental companies. The VariCam range has now matured into its latest generation, and is widely used in TV production, as well as film.
technology, representing a major advance for the VariCam line. The AJ-HPX3700 is the flagship model providing Full 1080p acquisition capability and dual link HD-SDI output.
, a Sony brand which has the same goals as Varicam: providing tools to give a "pellicle movie" look to video productions.
Panasonic
Panasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
video camera
Video camera
A video camera is a camera used for electronic motion picture acquisition, initially developed by the television industry but now common in other applications as well. The earliest video cameras were those of John Logie Baird, based on the electromechanical Nipkow disk and used by the BBC in...
s that are mostly used to imitate the look and feel of motion picture cameras. They have been used for many feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
s. VariCams' main feature is that the framerate can be varied from 1 frame/s to 60 frame/s, offering flexibility in creating rapid or slow motion
Slow motion
Slow motion is an effect in film-making whereby time appears to be slowed down. It was invented by the Austrian priest August Musger....
effects. As a point of reference, film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
has traditionally been shot at 24 frames per second, while NTSC
NTSC
NTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
video uses 29.97 frames per second. Therefore, VariCams can be used for high end video production
Video production
Video production is videography, the process of capturing moving images on electronic media even streaming media. The term includes methods of production and post-production...
and film production. The cameras are not cheap, but their low cost in use, compared to shooting on film, has made them popular among independent filmmakers, and they are often available to rent from professional film camera rental companies. The VariCam range has now matured into its latest generation, and is widely used in TV production, as well as film.
Range
VariCam has recently launched two new VariCams, the AJ-HPX2700 and the AJ-HPX3700. These new models feature Panasonic's P2 solid state mediaP2 (storage media)
P2 is a professional digital recording solid-state memory storage media format introduced by Panasonic in 2004, and especially tailored to electronic news-gathering applications. It features tapeless recording of DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO25, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO-HD, or AVC-Intra streams on a solid-state...
technology, representing a major advance for the VariCam line. The AJ-HPX3700 is the flagship model providing Full 1080p acquisition capability and dual link HD-SDI output.
Future
Panasonic has exhibited a mock-up of a camera having cinema camera appearance, previously said to be a potential 4K camera, which was due to be available in 2010 according to some Panasonic staff.See also
CineAltaCineAlta
Sony's CineAlta 24P HD Cameras are a series of professional digital video cameras that offer many of the same features of a 35mm motion picture film camera.- Concept :...
, a Sony brand which has the same goals as Varicam: providing tools to give a "pellicle movie" look to video productions.
External links
- Panasonic Professional User Group
- Overview of the new P2 Varicam
- P2 media and Avid Workflow
- P2 media and Avid Workflow
- More P2 media and Avid workflow information
- A P2 tutorial from Creative Cow
- A Video tutorial showing an end to end workflow
- P2 VariCam test footage
- Further P2 VariCam test footage
- Official Panasonic VariCam product page