Chapter 1 Introduction

The AJ-SPC700P video camera-recorder integrates a camera unit equipped with three CCDs, incorporating a 2/3-inch on-

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chip lens, and a video recorder/player (VTR) that supports DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV formats.

Utilising P2 cards, which require no mechanism, as media, your AJ-SPC700P offers greater responsibility, operability, and portability. It is highly resistant to shock and vibration during recording, and therefore ensures stable operation for capturing quality video images under the most adverse conditions.

1-1 Camera Unit Features

Three CCDs with a 2/3-inch on-chip lens

The camera supports aspect ratios of 16:9 and 4:3.

Innovative 14-bit A/D Converted Digital Signal Processing Circuit

This model utilises new 14-bit linear A/D conversion technology to digitise video. The signal processor, operating at 36 MHz, provides finer reproduction of video, together with enhanced stability and reliability.

12-axis Independent color Correction

Operating as a paint function, this capability independently corrects colors for each of the 12 axes. This feature helps to produce fine images.

Auto White Balance with Automatic Tracking capability

The white balance is automatically adjusted in real time, according to the subject. This is effective for urgent recording, where you can’t spare the time to make an adjustment through the auto white balance feature.

Data Management Capability

Your AJ-SPC700P has inbuilt data storage capacity for one user and four scene files. In addition, an SD memory card can be used as a setup card to store data for up to eight setups.

Regarding SD memory cards, please also see <Cautions in using SD memory cards> (page 17).

Customisable USER Buttons and USER MENU

The camera unit has three USER buttons, operable by a single press, to which frequently used function may be assigned. The on-screen menu is also customisable. You can create an original user menu screen by selecting frequently used menu items. The menu thus created can be displayed with a single touch of the MENU button.

MARKER SELECT Button

Your video camera-recorder has a button on the front that allows you to view marker information on the viewfinder screen. This is useful for checking the view angle during shooting.

Support for ECU

Your video camera-recorder supports the extension control unit AJ-EC3P.

1-2 Recorder/player Features

Multiple Slots

The AJ-SPC700P is equipped with five slots for P2 cards. Up to five cards may be inserted in these slots for continuous recording. They also provide new recording capabilities specific to memory cards.

zHot-Swap recording

The Hot-Swap capability allows cards not in use to be replaced without interrupting recording. This facilitates continuous recording.

zLoop recording

The AJ-SPC700P can retain a certain amount of previously recorded material by continuously loop- recording data into a specified recording area.

zPRE-RECORDING function

In standby status, the AJ-SPC700P always stores video and sound input to the camera for up to 15 seconds (for the DVCPRO/DV format). This means that the PRE-RECORDING function, when turned on, records the video and sound for a preceding duration preset by the user. This feature recovers critical moments that you might have missed.

zProxy recording (when AJ-YAX800G attached)

By installing the optional video encoder card (AJ- YAX800G), MPEG4 format video and real-time metadata such as time code data can be recorded simultaneously on the P2 card and the SD memory card, together with the video and sound recorded by the camera. This function is useful for confirmation of editing of clips.

For more information about the approximate duration for proxy recording, see “Approximate Proxy Recording Time (optional) on SD memory cards”. Please also see <Cautions in using SD memory cards>. (page 17)

zData protection

Data on P2 cards will not be lost due to overwriting unless the files are deleted or the cards are initialised. Recordings are written only to free space.

Format User-switchable Between DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV

Recorded video is compressed through a component digital recording method that uses a state-of-the-art compression technology, and sound is recorded using the non-compression PCM recording method, which excels in such areas as S/N ratio, frequency bands, waveform properties and reproducibility of fine areas. These methods further enhance the quality of images and sound.

The format is user-selectable, according to your purpose: e.g., DVCPRO50 for higher image quality, or DVCPRO for cost efficiency. DV format is also supported.

<Note>

When the clip is played back in the format not selected on the menu, the picture may be disturbed until the format is detected.

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