Conventional rig-type 3D camera systems are large and heavy because they mount two existing cameras onto a robust frame. They also require a separate recording system and power supply unit, which makes the cable connection complex and restricts the location and the type of camera work. As a result, the scenes that can be acquired with a rig-type 3D camera system are limited. The compact body of the AG-3DA1 integrated twin-lens FULL HD 3D camera recorder weighs only 2.4 kg (5.3lb). It offers the same portability and mobility as a conventional 2D camera recorder for flexible image acquisition. The AG-3DA1 enhances camera work for all kinds of 3D image production. 

To achieve natural-looking 3D images, you need to pay close attention to the following key points for left- and right-eye images: 

(1) Vertical deviation, (2) Angle deviation, (3) Difference in brightness and color, (4) Rotation error, (5) Correct adjustment of the convergence, (6) Appropriate image composition. 

With a conventional rig-type 3D camera system using two separate cameras, these adjustments have to be made precisely for each and every scene. The two integrated optical systems of the AG-3DA1 eliminate the need for manual adjustments of (1) through (4), because they&re performed entirely inside the camera recorder.* The optical systems are assembled with high precision, and the lenses, image sensors and signal processing circuits for the left and right systems are accurately synchronized (see the diagram on the previous page). The AG-3DA1 lets you concentrate only on the convergence adjustment and image composition.

*Fine adjustments of the vertical position, focus and iris are also possible.

The distance between the two lens axes is approximately the same as the distance between the human eyes, to provide easy-to-view, natural-looking 3D images. The HD twin-lens system is set with a distance of about 60 mm (2.3 inches) between the two lenses. The lens axes, viewing angle, rotation, and gradation are pre-adjusted before the components are precisely assembled. This eliminates the need for lens adjustment before shooting. Camera operations such as focusing, zooming and iris adjustment are also synchronized for the left and right lenses. The new twin HD lenses were designed exclusively for FULL HD 3D image acquisition. They boast low chroma aberration and high resolution, and deliver superb color reproduction, detailed nuances and crisp 3D images even in dark scenes − with minimal flare and ghosting. A built-in 5.6x (approx.) optical zoom function, which extends from 47.1 mm (35 mm equivalent) wide angle to 264 mm (35 mm equivalent) telephoto, covers a wide viewing angle that is well matched to 3D content production. 

The convergence angle between the two lenses is varied inside the optical unit. This moves the convergence point (the reference plane of the 3D image) in a fore-and-aft direction to control the leaping and depth effects of recorded objects, and acquires natural-looking 3D images. The convergence point can be adjusted easily by using the CONV (convergence) dial* while viewing the L/R-MIX image on the LCD monitor.

*The dial function is switchable between CONV (convergence) adjustment and IRIS (iris) adjustment.

The LCD monitor and viewfinder of the AG-3DA1 both display a variety of information to assist 3D image shooting and ensure superb 3D effects.

• 3D Guide: This displays numerical values for the distance range of the subject to achieve better 3D effects while viewing. Natural-looking 3D images can be captured by using the displayed information as a guide. This function offers two modes: Guide Display 1 mode assumes playback on screens that are 196 cm/ 77 inches or smaller, and Guide Display 2 mode is designed for a screen size of 508 cm/200 inches.
• Convergence Point: This displays the numerical value of the convergence point together with the 3D Guide to assist adjustments.
• L/R-MIX Monitor Image Selector: The image display on the LCD monitor and viewfinder can be selected from three modes: Left Lens (no mode indication), Right Lens (R-IMAGE) and Left/Right Mix (MIX).

*When the subject is located outside the distance range indicated by the 3D Guide, it may result in a double image or an unnatural image without proper 3D effects. 

The AG-3DA1 is equipped with two 1/4.1 type 2.07-megapixel (approx.) 3MOS units for left and right-eye images. Full-pixel full-HD left- and right-eye images are accurately synchronized to create FULL HD 3D images.

Using the two Left/Right memory card slots, the AG-3DA1 records left-channel and right-channel full-HD images simultaneously to two SD/SDHC Memory Cards. The solid-state memory card ensures high reliability and withstands operating temperatures of –25°C to 85°C (–13°F to 185°F). This enables use in harsh temperatures and fluctuating humidity. It is also free of dropouts and head clogging. With memory cards, there is no need to search for a blank space to record. Data is automatically recorded in an available space. This eliminates accidental overwriting of existing data. After shooting, recorded clips can be previewed or deleted immediately. After recording, data can be uploaded to editing software without digitizing. SD/SDHC Memory Cards are inexpensive and can be easily purchased in local markets. 

* Use SDHC/SD Memory Cards of Class 4 or higher. SDXC cards cannot be used.

The AG-3DA1 records in AVCHD PH mode, based on MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 High Profile, which is the latest video compression technology. With more than twice the compression efficiency of MPEG-2 (such as in HDV), AVCHD provides both high image quality and a low data rate. PH mode was developed by Panasonic exclusively for AVCCAM professional video production. Boasting 24 Mbps (average: 21 Mbps), which is the maximum bit rate for the AVCHD format, the AG-3DA1 records 1920 x 1080 full-pixel HD images. The multi-slice feature of the PH mode also helps to speed up processing by nonlinear editors that are equipped with multi-core CPUs, by using parallel processing to take full advantage of the CPU power.

Multi-format HD recording in the AG-3DA1 responds to a host of 3D content production needs and worldwide applications. It supports the following HD video formats. The maximum recording time is approximately 180 minutes in each mode (when two 32 GB SDHC cards are mounted in the Left/Right slots).

Connecting the BT-3DL2550 3D LCD Video Monitor via HD SDI Dual-Link lets you view the stereo image so that you may adjust the 3D image to create the effect you want by varying the focus and convergence point.

3D video data recorded by the AG-3DA1 can be edited by a computer-based (Windows/Mac), low-cost nonlinear editing system installed with a 3D editor plug-in (third-party software, sold separately)* that supports existing AVCHD-compatible video editing. The use of files allows easy ingestion to a computer, much in the same way as in ordinary 2D image editing. The addition of the 3D plug-in also lets you adjust the 3D images. This plug-in produces a DVI-D video output so that images can be viewed and checked using the BT-3DL2550. Editing results can be saved in an external storage unit for handover to the subsequent process (MA/Blu-ray 3D™ authoring, etc.).

* Panasonic does not guarantee proper operation of third-party software.

AVCCAM Viewer
Viewing Software for AVCHD files (download free^*1, not compatible with 3D )
AVCCAM Viewer for PC/Mac^*2 makes it easy to preview AVCCAM files. Files can be played from an SD memory card, Blu-ray disc, or hard disk, and saved to a PC (hard disk) from an SD memory card or Blu-ray disc. Files can also be copied to an SD memory card or Blu-ray disc^*3 or deleted and meta data can be displayed.

AVCCAM Viewer System Requirement
[for Windows PC] • CPU: Intel® Core™2 Duo (2.4GHz or faster) • OS: Microsoft® Windows7 (32bit), Windows Vista® Business (32bit), Windows XP SP2 or later (32bit) • RAM: 1GB or more (2GB or more recommended)
[for Mac] • CPU: Intel® Core™2 Duo 2.6 GHz or faster • OS: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard), 10.5 (Leopard) or 10.4 (Tiger) • RAM: 1024 MB or more (2048 MB or more recommended) 

*1: AVCCAM Viewer software can be downloaded for free from the following Panasonic website. PASS registration is required. For details, please visit the following website and click on “Support and Downloading Information.” 
*2: The software does not support 3D playback, 3D BD production or simultaneous management of two SD Memory Cards. Use the software individually for the left and right channels.
*3: Copying and playing data on Blu-ray Discs (BD-RE Ver 3.0) are not supported by Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger). Do not insert a disc [DVD (AVCHD)] produced with the provided HD Writer 2.5E software into a device that does not support the AVCHD standard. If it is inserted into such a device, the disc may not eject. Also, do not play the disc with a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.