Panasonic AG-DVX100

The Panasonic AG-DVX100 was a video camera manufactured by Panasonic, released on October 13, 2002. Its primary feature was to replicate the frame rate of traditional film stock using digital equipment, allowing for a visual style similar to film.[2][3][4] It was the first consumer 60-hertz digital camcorder to support video recording at 24 frames per second (progressive scan) onto MiniDV tape.

The camera primarily recorded onto these cassette tapes; however, later in its lifespan, third-party developers introduced modifications for the AG-DVX100BE, the European variant of the AG-DVX100B, which enabled it to stream footage directly to a connected laptop or a desktop computer.[5] It received its final update in 2005 with the release of this version.

In the Chinese market, the series was branded as AG-DVC180B and it was functionally identical to the European PAL model AG-DVC180E.[6]

Technical specifications

The Panasonic AG-DVX100 series cameras were designed to record video at 24 frames per second, matching the frame rate of traditional movie cameras. This recording frame rate, along with the use of progressive scan, eliminates the visual artifacts associated with interlaced video.[7]

The original AG-DVX100 model recorded in a 4:3 aspect ratio. It had two revisions, with the first revision introducing widescreen recording capabilities and the second revision correcting an issue allowing proper monitoring of the 16:9 aspect ratio. All versions used charged-coupled device (CCD) sensors with a native 4:3 aspect ratio.

The camera employed a 3-CCD imaging system and featured 410,000-pixel sensors, with approximately 380,000 effective pixels.[8]

The camera recorded 24p video using a telecine method, with 2:3 pull down for 24P and 2:3:3:2 pull down for 24PA. It also supported 30p video in progressive segmented frame (PSF) format (25p in PAL) and standard interlaced video at 60i (50i PAL), all stored on MiniDV tape. The AG-DVX100 included "Cine-Gamma" functionality, simulating the gamma curve characteristic of film.

The camera included two XLR audio inputs for professional-grade sound, a 4-pin FireWire port (IEEE 1394) for digital video transfer, and both S-Video and RCA input or output ports for analog connectivity. It offered manual and servo zoom options, along with a secondary zoom control and record button on the handle for low-angle recording.[9]

The camera featured two built-in neutral density filters, labelled as ND1 and ND2, with ND1 reducing the light by a factor of 1/8 (equivalent to three f-stops), and ND2 reducing light by a factor of 1/64 (equivalent to six f-stops). This offered additional control over exposure in various lighting conditions, allowing for motion blur effects or preventing overexposure while maintaining a fixed shutter speed.[10]

Use in film and television

The AG-DVX100 was used in several independent film and television projects, including the Sundance-screened November, the documentaries Murderball[11] and Iraq in Fragments,[12] seasons 1–5 of the TV show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,[13] The Puffy Chair,[14] The Man From Earth,[15] and episodes of The Tink's VidDream Television. A model equipped with onboard lights was used to shoot the documentary television show Ghost Adventures.[16]

References

  1. ^ DVX100B Review Reviewed by Ben Wolf, CNET.com Edited by Aimee Baldridge, CNET.com. January 20, 2006
  2. ^ "Suggested DVX100 settings and information links". kino-eye.com.
  3. ^ "Panasonic AG-DVX100". www.mediacollege.com. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  4. ^ TWiT Tech Podcast Network (2017-03-30). How 24 FPS Became Standard. Archived from the original on 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2025-04-13 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ DVX100B to HVX200 Technical Differences
  6. ^ "Panasonic Camcorder AG-DVC180B User manual". manualzz.com. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  7. ^ Videomaker (2003-08-01). "Is 24P for Me?". Videomaker. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  8. ^ "AG-DVX100 Specifications, General | Panasonic specification". ManualsDump. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  9. ^ Videomaker (2004-08-01). "AG-DVX100A Mini DV Panasonic Digital Camcorder Review". Videomaker. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  10. ^ Pansonic Operating Instructions https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/PANASONIC-OM_AG-DVX100B.pdf
  11. ^ TVTechnology (2005-10-19). "'Murderball' takes shape with Panasonic AG-DVX100A". TVTechnology. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  12. ^ "Background – IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS". 6 January 2019.
  13. ^ Conan O'Brien (2023-05-01). "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend". teamcoco.com/podcasts/conan-obrien-needs-a-friend (Podcast). Team Coco. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  14. ^ "The Puffy Chair at Mumblecore.info". mumblecore.info. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  15. ^ "The Man from Earth (2007) - Did You Know?". IMDb.bcom. Archived from the original on 2015-03-18. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  16. ^ "Ghost Adventures: Shooting Specters". American Cinematographer.
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