Panasonic AG-HPX370 manual Dynamic Range Stretch DRS, Flash Band Compensation, Scene File Dial

Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS)

In scenes with mixed contrast, such as when panning from indoors to outdoors, the DRS function automatically suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights. A gamma curve and knee slope are estimated to match the contrast of each pixel, and applied in real time. When dark, bright, and intermediate shades are all contained in the same scene, this produces excellent gradation for each shade and minimizes blocked shadows and blown highlights. The images that result are enhanced by a visually wide dynamic range.

*The DRS function does not operate in 1080/25p, 1080/24p or 1080/30p mode.

Simulation Showing

DRS OFF DRS ON

Blown highlights are suppressed. Blocked shadows are suppressed.

Flash Band Compensation

In contrast with the CCD image sensor, which accumulates still images of single frames that are exposed with identical timing, the MOS image sensor uses a rolling shutter system that sequentially scans each line of pixels. This lowers power consumption and enables high-speed drive, but because the exposure timing differs for each line, when an external flash is used, it tends to produce images where the brightness is divided between the top and bottom of the image. This is called the flash band effect. The AG-HPX370 series is equipped with highly accurate flash band detection and compensation software* on the camera’s signal processing LSI. By generating pairs of frames containing flash bands, and frames in which a flash extends from the previous frame to the entire screen, and then using the compensation process to adjust the level, the flash band effect of MOS-based imagers is eliminated.

Mos	Output	After
Image Senser	Image	Compensation

3-Position Gain Selector / 24dB Gain-Up Function

There is a 3-position gain selector, with L, M and H settings. To each setting you can assign a gain value from −3 dB to 12 dB, in 3 dB steps. There is also a USER button –- just give it a quick touch to instantly boost the gain by 24 dB.

Newly Developed 20 bit Digital Signal Processor

The AG-HPX370 series incorporates a high-performance 20 bit DSP that handles image rendering processes such as gamma and various detail enhancement functions with exceptional precision. Consuming less power than conventional processors, the new DSP contributes to the AG-HPX370 series outstanding environmental performance.

Scene File Dial

Set this dial for an instant set of shooting conditions. Six preset files are provided, and you can change any of the six file names and their settings as desired. You can also store and load the settings to and from an SD card.

• File Description

F1: —	Standard settings
F2: FLUO.	Indoor shooting under fluorescent lights
F3: SPARK	Highlighting subjects at receptions, events etc.
F4: B-STR	Enhanced gradations of luminance in low light scenes
F5: CINE V	Cine-Like setting shifted to prioritize contrast*
F6: CINE D	Cine-Like setting shifted to prioritize dynamic range*

*Selecting this file does not change the video recording format. If you want to switch to 25p, 24p and 30p, you must do so as a separate procedure.

Slow, Synchro and High-Speed Shutter

The shutter speed can be set between 1/6.25 second on the slow end in 50Hz mode (1/6 second in 59.94Hz mode) and 1/2000 second on the fast end. Used with the variable frame rate function, this allows you to create a blurring effect or crystal-clear stop-motion of sports action. The AG-HPX370 series also features a synchro scan function for capturing screen shots from a computer monitor.

Flash

Time Flow

1

2

3

Flash Band

Compensation

Process

1

2

3

Advanced Image Adjustments Built-In

•Matrix setting including a Cine-Like mode

•Adjustable H detail level, V detail level, detail coring and skin tone detail

•Adjustable chroma level, chroma phase, color temp and master pedestal

•Knee point settings: Auto, Low, Mid and High

•User files can be saved to an SD card and shared with other cameras.

User files are separate from Scene Files.

•4-position (off, 1/4 ND, 1/16 ND, 1/64 ND) optical neutral density filter wheel