Panasonic reveals HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder, is super proud of itself (updated with video)
By Paul Miller 
posted July 27th 2010 10:01PM
posted July 27th 2010 10:01PM
Update: The "after the break" lounge has now also been enriched with some video of the SDT750's official unveiling [Thanks, Jan].
PANASONIC UNVEILS THE WORLD'S FIRST 3D CONSUMER CAMCORDER, COMPLETE WITH A 3D CONVERSION LENS*1
New Panasonic HDC-SDT750 Shoots 3D Video Ready to Play Back on 3D-Capable Televisions, Perfect for Creating a 3D Entertainment Ecosystem at Home
SECAUCUS, NJ (July 27, 2010) – Panasonic today announced the launch of the Panasonic HDC-SDT750, the world's first consumer 3D camcorder, which includes a 3D conversion lens*1 that enables the camcorder to shoot powerful and true-to-life 3D video content. The Panasonic SDT750 is a user-friendly consumer 3D camcorder that makes experiencing 3D at home easy and affordable*2. In addition to shooting 3D, the SDT750 can record full 1080p High Definition (HD) in AVCHD, when the 3D conversion lens is unattached, and includes powerful features such as a 3MOS system, a Leica Dicomar lens and a 12x optical zoom.
"As a result of research conducted through Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, Panasonic developed a professional 3D system camera and successfully brought high-quality Full HD 3D images to the home for viewing on Panasonic VIERA Full HD 3D televisions. But now, Panasonic has taken it one step further and developed the world's first consumer 3D camcorder, the HDC-SDT750 – creating a 3D ecosystem available for consumers in the home," said Chris Rice, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "Incorporating Panasonic's professional broadcast technology and bringing it to an easy-to-use consumer model, the SDT750 makes high-quality 3D video content a reality in the home."
To shoot 3D video with the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 camcorder, the user needs to attach the 3D conversion lens that comes included, to record dynamic images. The specially-designed 3D conversion lens records right-eye and left-eye images simultaneously through its two lenses, thus resulting in video that can be viewed in 3D. The right and left images (each with 960 x 1080 pixels) that enter through the lenses are recorded using the side-by-side method.
The Panasonic SDT750 features a Time Lapse Recording feature, which plays a scene such as a sunset or a blooming flower at an accelerated speed, similar to a fast-forward. By setting the recording interval to 1 second, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes, the user can view an otherwise long recording in a reduced time period. For example, when a scene is recorded at the 1-second interval setting, a 10-minute sunset scene can be played back in approximately 10 seconds, making the slow change in the subject appear as if it were taking place in a very short time. This interval recording feature is also available when the 3D conversion lens is attached to the SDT750.
Panasonic offers a 5.1-channel audio recording sound system that uses five microphones, so when voices are recorded from the front, right, left and back are played on a 5.1-channel home cinema system, users are surrounded by clear, detailed sound that makes them feel as if they are right in the middle of the action. The Focus Microphone function, which has been made possible by five highly-directional microphones, picks up the sounds from sources in the area in front of the camcorder, regardless of whether the lens is focusing on a near or distant object. It also allows footage recorded in 3D to be enjoyed with lifelike and dynamic sounds.
The high-sensitivity 3MOS System has 7.59 million effective motion image pixels (2.53 megapixels x 3), so this advanced image sensor separates the light received through the lens into the three primary colors – red, green and blue – and processes each color independently. As a result, the Panasonic SDT750 produces beautiful images with rich color quality, detail and gradation. Adding to the quality, the SDT750 also features a large-diameter (46mm) F1.5*3 Leica Dicomar lens and Crystal Engine PRO, a high-speed processing unit – both components which contribute to the effectiveness of the camcorder's light gathering, increased sensitivity, and reduced noise when shooting, even in dim lighting.
Users can play back 3D videos recorded on the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 on 3D-capable televisions, such as Panasonic VIERA® Full HD 3D televisions, including the TC-P50VT25, TC-P54VT25, TC-P58VT25, TC-P65VT25 and the TC-P50VT20 models. Playback using a VIERA TV is done by connecting the 3D camcorder to the television using an HDMI cable. In addition, it is also possible to play 3D images recorded on SD Memory Cards by using an AVCHD compatible player,*4 such as a Panasonic 3D Blu-ray Disc player – the DMP-BDT350 or DMP-BDT300 models are currently available. When watching 3D content recorded by the SDT750 on any of the Panasonic Full HD 3D VIERA televisions, users can view the true-to-life content and the VIERA television will automatically engage the side-by-side method for smooth viewing of 3D content – no change of settings necessary.
The SDT750 comes with HD Writer AE 2.6T PC editing software, which allows users to easily edit recorded 3D images, and save them onto PCs or Blu-ray/DVD discs. HD Writer AE 2.6T features a "Smart Wizard" that starts as soon as the SDT750 is connected to the USB port of the computer, which gives simple on-screen guidance. HD Writer AE 2.6T also enables easy uploading and sharing online without the need for any cumbersome processes, so that even an inexperienced user can post video clips on the web. When uploading 3D images from a PC onto the web, they must first be converted into 2D images.
Even without the 3D conversion lens attached, the Panasonic SDT750 is an innovative and high-performance Full HD camcorder that is equipped with a wide range of sophisticated functions, including the 3MOS System, which features improved noise reduction (NR) technologies, and a wide-variety of manual adjustments controlled by a manual ring for easy, creative shooting. The manual ring provides convenient, fingertip control of the focus, zoom, exposure (iris), shutter speed and white balance settings. Using the ring is extremely intuitive, comfortable, and user-friendly. Only the white balance setting is available when the 3D conversion lens is attached. The SDT750 can shoot 1,080/60p recording (Full-HD 1,920 x 1,080, 60 progressive recording) and produces rich expressive images, with no detail loss and flickering.
Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) function makes the SDT750 extremely easy to use. When the 3D lens is not attached and iA is engaged, the SDT750 automatically selects the most suitable shooting mode with the press of a button. While shooting HD video, the Panasonic SDT750's iA function offers the following six functions: Face Recognition, the new HYBRID O.I.S., AF/AE Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection and Intelligent Contrast Control. HYBRID O.I.S., a new feature, provides extremely accurate hand-shake correction with its four-axis blur detection, resulting in steady images while zooming or shooting on the move.
Other features of the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 include:
Auto Power LCD automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen according to the shooting environment for comfortable use in a variety of different lighting situations.
Large 3.0" touch-screen LCD allows icons to be easily operated by touching them with a fingertip. On the LCD, recorded 3D images are displayed only as the 2D images that were recorded with the left lens.
Eco Mode automatically turns off the power when the camcorder is not operated for five minutes, reducing wasteful energy use and saving battery power.
Pre-Rec allows for the camcorder to continuously record three seconds of content into internal memory. Then, when the record button is pressed, the three seconds immediately prior will have been recorded.
The Panasonic HDC-SDT750 will be available in October 2010 with a suggested retail price of $1,399.95. For more information on Panasonic camcorders, please visit: HYPERLINK "http://www.panasonic.com/dvc" www.panasonic.com/dvc.
New Panasonic HDC-SDT750 Shoots 3D Video Ready to Play Back on 3D-Capable Televisions, Perfect for Creating a 3D Entertainment Ecosystem at Home
SECAUCUS, NJ (July 27, 2010) – Panasonic today announced the launch of the Panasonic HDC-SDT750, the world's first consumer 3D camcorder, which includes a 3D conversion lens*1 that enables the camcorder to shoot powerful and true-to-life 3D video content. The Panasonic SDT750 is a user-friendly consumer 3D camcorder that makes experiencing 3D at home easy and affordable*2. In addition to shooting 3D, the SDT750 can record full 1080p High Definition (HD) in AVCHD, when the 3D conversion lens is unattached, and includes powerful features such as a 3MOS system, a Leica Dicomar lens and a 12x optical zoom.
"As a result of research conducted through Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, Panasonic developed a professional 3D system camera and successfully brought high-quality Full HD 3D images to the home for viewing on Panasonic VIERA Full HD 3D televisions. But now, Panasonic has taken it one step further and developed the world's first consumer 3D camcorder, the HDC-SDT750 – creating a 3D ecosystem available for consumers in the home," said Chris Rice, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "Incorporating Panasonic's professional broadcast technology and bringing it to an easy-to-use consumer model, the SDT750 makes high-quality 3D video content a reality in the home."
To shoot 3D video with the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 camcorder, the user needs to attach the 3D conversion lens that comes included, to record dynamic images. The specially-designed 3D conversion lens records right-eye and left-eye images simultaneously through its two lenses, thus resulting in video that can be viewed in 3D. The right and left images (each with 960 x 1080 pixels) that enter through the lenses are recorded using the side-by-side method.
The Panasonic SDT750 features a Time Lapse Recording feature, which plays a scene such as a sunset or a blooming flower at an accelerated speed, similar to a fast-forward. By setting the recording interval to 1 second, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes, the user can view an otherwise long recording in a reduced time period. For example, when a scene is recorded at the 1-second interval setting, a 10-minute sunset scene can be played back in approximately 10 seconds, making the slow change in the subject appear as if it were taking place in a very short time. This interval recording feature is also available when the 3D conversion lens is attached to the SDT750.
Panasonic offers a 5.1-channel audio recording sound system that uses five microphones, so when voices are recorded from the front, right, left and back are played on a 5.1-channel home cinema system, users are surrounded by clear, detailed sound that makes them feel as if they are right in the middle of the action. The Focus Microphone function, which has been made possible by five highly-directional microphones, picks up the sounds from sources in the area in front of the camcorder, regardless of whether the lens is focusing on a near or distant object. It also allows footage recorded in 3D to be enjoyed with lifelike and dynamic sounds.
The high-sensitivity 3MOS System has 7.59 million effective motion image pixels (2.53 megapixels x 3), so this advanced image sensor separates the light received through the lens into the three primary colors – red, green and blue – and processes each color independently. As a result, the Panasonic SDT750 produces beautiful images with rich color quality, detail and gradation. Adding to the quality, the SDT750 also features a large-diameter (46mm) F1.5*3 Leica Dicomar lens and Crystal Engine PRO, a high-speed processing unit – both components which contribute to the effectiveness of the camcorder's light gathering, increased sensitivity, and reduced noise when shooting, even in dim lighting.
Users can play back 3D videos recorded on the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 on 3D-capable televisions, such as Panasonic VIERA® Full HD 3D televisions, including the TC-P50VT25, TC-P54VT25, TC-P58VT25, TC-P65VT25 and the TC-P50VT20 models. Playback using a VIERA TV is done by connecting the 3D camcorder to the television using an HDMI cable. In addition, it is also possible to play 3D images recorded on SD Memory Cards by using an AVCHD compatible player,*4 such as a Panasonic 3D Blu-ray Disc player – the DMP-BDT350 or DMP-BDT300 models are currently available. When watching 3D content recorded by the SDT750 on any of the Panasonic Full HD 3D VIERA televisions, users can view the true-to-life content and the VIERA television will automatically engage the side-by-side method for smooth viewing of 3D content – no change of settings necessary.
The SDT750 comes with HD Writer AE 2.6T PC editing software, which allows users to easily edit recorded 3D images, and save them onto PCs or Blu-ray/DVD discs. HD Writer AE 2.6T features a "Smart Wizard" that starts as soon as the SDT750 is connected to the USB port of the computer, which gives simple on-screen guidance. HD Writer AE 2.6T also enables easy uploading and sharing online without the need for any cumbersome processes, so that even an inexperienced user can post video clips on the web. When uploading 3D images from a PC onto the web, they must first be converted into 2D images.
Even without the 3D conversion lens attached, the Panasonic SDT750 is an innovative and high-performance Full HD camcorder that is equipped with a wide range of sophisticated functions, including the 3MOS System, which features improved noise reduction (NR) technologies, and a wide-variety of manual adjustments controlled by a manual ring for easy, creative shooting. The manual ring provides convenient, fingertip control of the focus, zoom, exposure (iris), shutter speed and white balance settings. Using the ring is extremely intuitive, comfortable, and user-friendly. Only the white balance setting is available when the 3D conversion lens is attached. The SDT750 can shoot 1,080/60p recording (Full-HD 1,920 x 1,080, 60 progressive recording) and produces rich expressive images, with no detail loss and flickering.
Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) function makes the SDT750 extremely easy to use. When the 3D lens is not attached and iA is engaged, the SDT750 automatically selects the most suitable shooting mode with the press of a button. While shooting HD video, the Panasonic SDT750's iA function offers the following six functions: Face Recognition, the new HYBRID O.I.S., AF/AE Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection and Intelligent Contrast Control. HYBRID O.I.S., a new feature, provides extremely accurate hand-shake correction with its four-axis blur detection, resulting in steady images while zooming or shooting on the move.
Other features of the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 include:
Auto Power LCD automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen according to the shooting environment for comfortable use in a variety of different lighting situations.
Large 3.0" touch-screen LCD allows icons to be easily operated by touching them with a fingertip. On the LCD, recorded 3D images are displayed only as the 2D images that were recorded with the left lens.
Eco Mode automatically turns off the power when the camcorder is not operated for five minutes, reducing wasteful energy use and saving battery power.
Pre-Rec allows for the camcorder to continuously record three seconds of content into internal memory. Then, when the record button is pressed, the three seconds immediately prior will have been recorded.
The Panasonic HDC-SDT750 will be available in October 2010 with a suggested retail price of $1,399.95. For more information on Panasonic camcorders, please visit: HYPERLINK "http://www.panasonic.com/dvc" www.panasonic.com/dvc.
3D is overrated, I like living in the real world.
@Adam Miarka Hmm... I hope that wasn't a serious comment.
@scots79 :-D
@Adam Miarka 2D film isn't the real world either.
@Adam Miarka
You know we see in 3d ...
@Adam Miarka Call me a Luddite, but I think 3D video is a fad like quadrophonic sound was.
@CRA1G You're comparing a specific implementation of an idea for audio with the whole idea of stereoscopic video? There is now something that's more than quadraphonic sound, we now have pentaphonic (and higher!) sound for home theaters. You might see it referred to as 5.1, 6.1, etc.
@JDM
We do, yet most people in 2010 still listen to music in stereo...
Stereoscopic pictures have been around since Victorian times, yet most photos taken in 2010 are plain old 2D. Nothing wrong with stereoscopic photos. You just have to squint hard and print the photos and use the viewer ... but the end result was not compelling enough for most people to consider it worth the effort. I'm reading the current fad for 3D the same way. Niche - probably. Mainstream - forget about it until the glasses aren't needed.
@CRA1G Don't be bringing down that sweet quadraphonic sound.
@Adam Miarka
that looks like a BFG.. :D
Is it just me, or are the lens not far enough apart?
@JeremyBenthem
I Think the Better question is Will it Blend?
@panckakes
No, that is not the better question. Have you ever watched those "will it blend" shows when they do some new fancy smancy gadget?
It's like a horror film, I feel hurt inside when I watched it get tipped out and he says "don't breath this!". Oh my, those poor little gadgets.
@JeremyBenthem
I agree, couldn't they put at least some distance between them? That huge housing serves absolutely no purpose if both of the lenses are next to eachother in the middle.
New Movie: My Empty Wallet in 3D
Wow, and a few years ago, i thought an HD Camera was state of the art..
@andrewwg94
I'm not saying you're wrong, but why is it correct to say "an HD" not "a HD", "an high definition" sounds wrong to me, yet "a high definition" sounds spot on?
@rysle
Perhaps because you're saying an "Ach Dee" not "high definition". You are reading the acronym and thinking about its meaning but not actually reading high definition. It's like saying an high definition multimedia interface cable or an HDMI cable. The meaning is implied but not pronounced. Just saying since you asked. :)
1. get Canon Vixia
2. get Canon Vixia
3. get duct tape
4. get some special software
5. ???
6. Profit
I want a compact canon digital camera that shoots 3d pictures and video
@MEH
It's not a canon, but this is what the FinePix REAL 3D W1 is.
The time of home made 3d porn will come.
Mark Twain is still dead.
I love how people who hate 3D always comment on 3D articles.
@Meekermoloko Yeah. They're standing athwart history yelling "Stop!"
@Meekermoloko maybe because they don't care about it in a consistent way. Just sayin...
@Meekermoloko - In truth, it's because so many people who aren't enamoured of 3D in the slightest are partially hoping that the current, rather poor, implementations of 3D fail miserably.
Two reasons, 1. They won't have to pay for what they view as mediocre implementations of the possibilities of 3D entertainment just to 'keep up', and 2. If the current formats die a swift death then perhaps the manufacturers will concentrate on better ideas for 3D, more holographic/interactive technologies. High definition still has plenty of juice left in it, and many people are all still paying off the credit card bills from the TV, Blu-ray, media players, etc.
To simulate stereo vision in adults, I would think you need maybe 6-8cm of center-to-center separation, I don't see that here, that looks like maybe 2cm at most, very small given the size of that attachment.
I also didn't see a line in the press release where they give the iris/aperture value is of this camcorder with the 3D attachment. I don't expect much with such a small lens.
@JDM This preview and analysis of the camcorder also pointed that out:
http://www.hotgirlsin3d.com/2010/07/panasonic-hdc-sdt750-preview-and-analysis/
hrm.... what a strange resolution....
My first 3D Camera was made 30 years ago.
My first digital 3D Camera rig I put together 7 years ago.
3 Years Ago I bought my first 3D Lens Cap for a Digital Camera.
I've been making 3D Video since 2002, and in HD for the past 2 years.
I played videogames in 3D back in 1998.
I was using shutter glasses that cost the same as they do now with a $120 CRT Monitor 10 years ago.
Everything 3D made in the past 10 years has been called "new".
Every time there's a story about a new 3D related product, it's touted as being "new". Every time.
There is nothing even remotely new about what any current 3DTV, 3D Camera, 3D Camcorder, or 3D Gaming Setup.
At all.
It's all rehashed technology from 10 years ago.
All of it.
I love 3D with a sick passion, but I'm tired of being sold the same thing over and over.
I bought shutterglasses in 1998, why should I buy new ones now?
Why should I pay a dime more for a TV that says "3D" on the box than any other 120Hz TV?
Why am I supposed to buy a 3D Camera that says it's "One-of-a-Kind" when I have one from the 80's, another from the 90's, a couple disposable ones, a couple homemade ones, a few rigged up digital ones, and a couple digital ones with special lenses that allow 3D?
Why should this camcorder impress me when all that's "3D" about it is a lens of which you could have bought the equivalent of 5 years ago, or I had already made nearly 10 years ago?
I love 3D, but I hate everything that's working SO HARD to make it seem like a revolution.
Lame. I thought there would be some active shutter like in 3D glasses.
Instead they're just splitting image (and resolution). And almost identical TM700 camcorder retails for about $750. You do the math.
Små grodorna? Why?
First hands on review is up here!
http://3dbabyblog.blospot.com
I like this, but I don't trust Panasonic camcorders, they have been consistently poor quality for me. Sony has always been my go to for consumer technology.