Panasonic edit controllers
Yuriy Mikhaylovskiy

HD/SD AJ-A900 five-machine edit controller

Panasonic edit controllers are one of the most popular in our country. Good functional capabilities and widest compatibility practically with all spectrum of professional equipment on the one hand and moderate cost on the other hand - all these are a peculiar feature of all Panasonic controllers.

The newest AJ-A900 edit controller is designed for HD VTRs of HD-D5, DVCPRO-HD formats and SD VTRs. It allows controlling up to 5 VTRs, a video mixer, audio mixer via RS-422 interface, and also 2 external devices via GPI interface. With the help of AJ-A900 it is possible to perform assemble, video insert, audio insert via any of 8 sound channels and time code, repetition, pre- and post-edit preview.

Controller AJ-A900

Control is realized by two jog/shuttle wheels for "slaves" and "master". The controller displays "slave's" and "master's" time code, scene number, numbers of VTRs equipped in current scene.

Large LC display provides additional information, such as interactive settings and modes menu, icons of the effects used in the additional mixer.

AJ-A900 controller manages video mixer allowing changing in-points on the line, setting effect types, effect's time, and phone generator's type.

The controller may operate in basic and extended modes. Standard, traditional edit commands are available in the basic mode. This mode is recommended both for beginners and, in the initial stage, for professionals who have not experienced AJ-A900. Much more functions are available in the extended mode, but one must study its features before getting to use it.

The controller may operate with equipment of 24p format (DVCPRO-P 24 frs with progressive scanning).

1...3 video players may take part in edit event. Number of recording "masters" may also make up to 3. In this case there are up to 3 ready "master" programs with first-recording quality thanks to the synchronous edit operations.

For providing edit frame accuracy there may be several phasing methods, including two-, four-, and eight-field methods, color frame via "master" or all VTRs. Frame accuracy is performed thanks to analysis of reference signal. Preroll time makes 3...15 s.

The controller allows programming non-standard playback speed when using video players with auto track and slow motion functions. Preroll is performed in such a way that video player plays the marked frame with necessary speed in the moment of record starting.

Audio split mode allows separate programming of video and sound recording in-points.

The controller stores up to 512 edit events, allowing automatic edit of several scenes. It is possible to correct, cut or add new scenes of edit decision list. The controller makes automatic recount of time codes in the scenes following the changed scene. This lightens editing in cases when it is necessary to correct any scene in the beginning or middle of the edited program.

Numeric keypad allows entering absolute values of time codes, transmission duration, video effects numbers, and other values necessary for complex editing.

Edit lists may be stored in computer and corrected, if necessary, via RS-232 port. For computer-controller data transmission the program, available at official Panasonic representatives, is used.

Edited data can be held in memory of the controller for a long time even without power supply.

The following are video mixers compatible with AJ-A900: AJ-HSW900, WJ-MX50, AS-D700/740, GVG100, DFS-300/500/700, HD-SW10. Audio mixers control via DESAM200, 03D, 03DVEK, PAM300, MXP-S390 protocols is possible.

AG-A850 five-machine edit controller

Controller AG-A850

With the help of AG-A850 controller it is possible to control up to 5 VTRs, video mixer, audio mixer via RS-422 interface, and also two external devices via GPI interface. Assemble, video insert, audio insert via any of 4 sound channels and time code, repetition, pre- and post-edit preview functions are available.

Edit may be performed both with one playing VTR (direct join) and two VTRs (A/B roll edit). Depending on VTR used it is possible to set preroll time - 3...15 s.

Control is realized by two jog/shuttle wheels for "slaves" and "master". The controller displays "slave's" and "master's" time code, scene number, numbers of VTRs equipped in current scene.

Three or four VTRs is one of usually used configurations of the controller. In this case three or four tapes are ready to playback without reload. Three-machine edit events using video mixer (A/B Roll) may be programmed between two of the four "slaves" without any overcommutation.

The controller features capability of using several (up to 3) VTRs as recorders. In this case "master"-VTRs perform synchronous edit operations, which allows receiving up to three ready "master" programs with first-recording quality.

For providing edit frame accuracy there may be several phasing methods, including two-, four-, and eight-field methods, color frame via "master" or all VTRs. Frame accuracy is performed thanks to analysis of reference signal. Preroll time makes 3...15 s.

The controller allows programming non-standard playback speed when using video players with auto track and slow motion functions. Preroll is performed in such a way that video player plays the marked frame with necessary speed in the moment of record starting.

Audio split mode allows separate programming of video and sound recording in-points.

Many keys together with Shift key perform two or more functions. Thanks to it frequently used operations of exact frame correction (trim), quick scene search, informational windows change, etc. are available at one touch.

The controller stores up to 512 edit events, allowing automatic edit of several scenes. The controller makes automatic recount of time codes in the scenes following the changed scene. This lightens editing in cases when it is necessary to correct any scene in the beginning or middle of the edited program.

Numeric keypad allows entering absolute values of time codes, transmission duration, video effects numbers, and other values necessary for complex editing.

In spite of the fact that the controller looks and operates as usual hardware device, it is possible to connect video monitor, displaying edit decision list, current status, modes, and menu settings, for better visual perception. The monitor may also display video picture if a video signal from "master" VTR is sent to the control input.

Edit lists may be stored and corrected, if necessary, on computer via RS-232 port. For computer-controller data transmission the program, available at official Panasonic representatives, is used.

Edited data can be held in memory of the controller for a long time even without power supply.

The following are video mixers compatible with AG-A850: AG-MX50, AG-MX20, AS-D700, DFS-500, DFS-700, BVS-3000, KM3000, KM5000, VPS-300, GVG-100. Audio mixers control via PAM-300, MXP-S390, DESAM-200 protocols is possible.

For today AG-A850 controllers are successfully used together with professional video equipment of S-VHS, Betacam SP, DVCAM (Master series), DVCPRO, DVCPRO50 formats.

AG-A850 controller is a fully program device that is being upgraded with new functions from time to time. The owners of the earlier controllers' versions may renew their software at official Panasonic service centers.

AG-A350 two-machine edit controller

This is a compact two-machine controller operating with VTRs via RS-422 interface. The controller is remarkable for its small dimension, simplicity, comprehensible control interface, and moderate cost.

AG-A350 is designed for performing assemble, video insert, audio insert via any of 2 sound channels.

Audio split mode allows separate programming of video and sound recording in-points.

The controller has reference signal input and if using time code it provides edit frame accuracy thanks to color frame.

The controller's panel contains jog/shuttle wheel, LC indicators of "slave's" and "master's" time code, marking keys of the edited fragments' beginning and ending, VTR's modes control, and also repetition, editing, post-edit preview keys.

The controller allows programming non-standard playback speed when using video players with auto track and slow motion functions. In this mode, preroll is performed in such a way that video player plays the marked frame with necessary speed in the moment of record starting.

The controller does not employ frame shift of in-point operation by one touch, however this operation is available in the following order: "auto search of the marked point", frame correction with jog/shuttle, "new point marking".

Settings of the controller's characteristics are made from micro switch keys' panels located on the back panel. Here preroll time (3...10 s), reference time source (TC or CTL), color frame are set.

In general, AG-A350 controller justifies its low cost. There is a set of edit functions, enough for TV reporting and documentation, available.

AJ-A95 semi-functional one-machine controller

AJ-A95

The controller provides the following control modes: playback, record, pause, forward, back. The Shift key performs the VTR's turning to standby mode and the cassette's eject. LC display shows current time code or counter device value, VTR's modes.

Blocking switch of the control panel keys is very helpful when the controller is used in the air area.

In general, one might say that this ergonomic control console, having soft leather palm rack and professional, reliable jog/shuttle wheel design, is the best variant for control of VTRs in air arias, studios, O.B. vans, video recording and playback facilities.

"Okno-TV".

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