Using the VariCam for key shots and the AG-HVX200 handhelds for multi-camera coverage gave the production unit the ability to acquire a large amount of footage cost-effectively.

Panasonic's AJ-HDC27 VariCam HD cinema camera and a pair of its AG-HVX200 handheld HD camcorders were used to shoot a new documentary on the Mexican-American war for the History Channel.

Produced by Jim Lindsay Productions, with Lindsay as producer/director, and Kevin O'Brien as director of photography, the team found the VariCam's ability to shoot 24 or 60 frames for any particular shot particularly useful. Having 60 frames to use as a slow motion shot in a 24-frame timeline was similar to favored techniques in film.

Using the VariCam for key shots and the handhelds for multi-camera coverage also gave the production unit the ability to acquire large amounts of footage, not economically feasible with multiple VariCams.

The AG-HVX200 camcorders offer full bandwidth; contribution quality HD with independent intra-frame encoding; 4:2:2 color sampling; and less compression.

For more information, visit www.panasonic.com/broadcast.

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