Panasonic AG-DS840P: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:17, 11 March 2026

Description

The Panasonic AG-DS840P is a professional-grade S-VHS source VTR from Panasonic's industrial/broadcast line, designed primarily for use as a player in editing systems alongside the AG-DS850 editing recorder. It was a premium deck originally retailing for approximately $6,000.

The AG-DS840P features a built-in digital TBC with a full proc amp, providing front-panel-accessible controls for video level, setup (pedestal), chroma level, hue, and Y/C delay, as well as system H phase and SC phase fine/coarse adjustments. Unlike the prosumer AG-1980P, the TBC on the DS840 processes both luminance and chrominance. A DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) circuit is also included, with Y and C levels configurable through the dial menu.

The deck supports VITC and LTC timecode readout natively. An optional internal timecode generator/reader board (AG-F700) can be installed for timecode striping and generation. Timecode is output as LTC on a dedicated BNC connector. Time code information can be superimposed on the monitor output via the on-screen display system.

The RS-422A (9-pin) remote interface allows integration with most professional edit controllers. An optional 34-pin remote connector (AG-IA834) enables connection to Panasonic 34-pin editing controllers such as the AG-A800, AG-A770, and AG-A750.

Video inputs are selectable via a front-panel INPUT switch between LINE (composite), YC (S-Video), and COMPONENT/YC (Y/Pb/Pr component). Video outputs include two composite BNC outputs, two S-Video outputs, component Y/Pb/Pr outputs, a 7-pin Hirose dub output, and a separate video monitor output with on-screen superimpose capability. Audio outputs are provided on XLR connectors (both switchable NORM/Hi-Fi and dedicated Hi-Fi), with a separate RCA monitor output and a front-panel 1/4" headphone jack.

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 |device_type=VCR
 |format_family=VHS
-|supported_formats=VHS, S-VHS
+|supported_formats=VHS,S-VHS
-|recording_formats=VHS, S-VHS
+|recording_formats=VHS,S-VHS
-|features=Professional S-VHS editing deck, servo-driven large-diameter capstan, dual reel motor drive, DD cylinder, digital S-VHS circuitry, high-quality amorphous video heads, Hi-Fi stereo audio, jog/shuttle controls
+|year_released=1993
-|description=The Panasonic AG-DS840P is a high-end professional S-VHS VCR originally developed for broadcast and industrial editing applications. It features a full array of high-quality mechanisms including a servo-driven large-diameter capstan, dual reel motor drive, and DD cylinder for stable, high-grade editing performance. The deck delivers well-contrasted, high-definition pictures through its S-VHS system combined with digital S-VHS circuitry. This was a premium deck that originally retailed for approximately $6,000.
+|market=USA
+|msrp=6000
+|features=Built-in digital TBC with full proc amp (video level, setup, chroma level, hue, Y/C delay, system H phase, system SC phase), Digital Noise Reduction (DNR, Y and C levels adjustable via setup menu), VITC/LTC timecode reader (built-in) with optional timecode generator board (AG-F700), RS-422A (9-pin) serial control interface, optional 34-pin remote connector (AG-IA834), jog/shuttle search dial (variable speed 0–20×), component video output (Y/Pb/Pr), 7-pin Hirose dub output, 4-track audio (2 Hi-Fi + 2 normal linear), Dolby NR on normal audio tracks, servo-driven large-diameter capstan, dual reel motor drive, DD cylinder, amorphous video heads, on-screen superimpose display with time code overlay
+|description=The Panasonic AG-DS840P is a professional-grade S-VHS source VTR from Panasonic's industrial/broadcast line, designed primarily for use as a player in editing systems alongside the [[Panasonic AG-DS850|AG-DS850]] editing recorder. It was a premium deck originally retailing for approximately $6,000.
+The AG-DS840P features a built-in digital TBC with a full proc amp, providing front-panel-accessible controls for video level, setup (pedestal), chroma level, hue, and Y/C delay, as well as system H phase and SC phase fine/coarse adjustments. Unlike the prosumer [[Panasonic AG-1980P|AG-1980P]], the TBC on the DS840 processes both luminance and chrominance. A DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) circuit is also included, with Y and C levels configurable through the dial menu.
+The deck supports VITC and LTC timecode readout natively. An optional internal timecode generator/reader board (AG-F700) can be installed for timecode striping and generation. Timecode is output as LTC on a dedicated BNC connector. Time code information can be superimposed on the monitor output via the on-screen display system.
+The RS-422A (9-pin) remote interface allows integration with most professional edit controllers. An optional 34-pin remote connector (AG-IA834) enables connection to Panasonic 34-pin editing controllers such as the AG-A800, AG-A770, and AG-A750.
+Video inputs are selectable via a front-panel INPUT switch between LINE (composite), YC (S-Video), and COMPONENT/YC (Y/Pb/Pr component). Video outputs include two composite BNC outputs, two S-Video outputs, component Y/Pb/Pr outputs, a 7-pin Hirose dub output, and a separate video monitor output with on-screen superimpose capability. Audio outputs are provided on XLR connectors (both switchable NORM/Hi-Fi and dedicated Hi-Fi), with a separate RCA monitor output and a front-panel 1/4" headphone jack.
+|height=5.1875 in
+|width=16.6875 in
+|depth=16.0625 in
+|weight=26.4 lb
 |av_system=NTSC
-|frequency=60Hz
+|frequency=50Hz,60Hz
+|power_avg=65
 }}
 {{AV voltage range
 |voltage_min=120
 |voltage_max=120
+}}
+{{AV TBC
+|type=Line TBC
+|notes=Full Y/C digital TBC with integrated proc amp. Front-panel controls for video level, setup (pedestal), chroma level, hue, Y/C delay, system H phase, and system SC phase (fine and coarse). Processes both luminance and chrominance signals.
+}}
+{{AV input
+|label=REF IN
+|signal=Composite (CVBS)
+|connector=BNC
+|count=1
+|audio=None
+|location=rear
+|notes=External reference signal input for genlock/sync. Has loop-through 75Ω termination switch.
 }}
 {{AV input
-|label=Line 1
+|label=Video In
+|signal=Composite (CVBS)
+|connector=BNC
+|count=1
+|audio=None
+|location=rear
+|notes=Selected via front-panel INPUT switch (LINE position).
+}}
+{{AV input
+|label=S-Video In
 |signal=S-Video (Y/C)
 |connector=Mini-DIN-4
 |count=1
-|audio=Stereo
+|audio=None
-|audio_connector=RCA (connector)
 |location=rear
+|notes=Selected via front-panel INPUT switch (YC position).
 }}
 {{AV input
-|label=Line 1
+|label=Component In
-|signal=Composite (CVBS)
+|signal=Component (YPbPr)
 |connector=BNC
 |count=1
-|audio=Stereo
+|audio=None
-|audio_connector=RCA (connector)
-|audio_shared_with=Line 1
 |location=rear
+|notes=Y/Pb/Pr via 3 BNC connectors. Selected via front-panel INPUT switch (CMPNT/YC position).
 }}
 {{AV output
 |label=Video Out
+|output_type=Video
+|signal=Composite (CVBS)
+|connector=BNC
+|count=2
+|location=rear
+|notes=1.0 Vp-p, 75Ω
+}}
+{{AV output
+|label=S1-Video Out
 |output_type=Video
 |signal=S-Video (Y/C)
 |connector=Mini-DIN-4
+|count=2
+|location=rear
+|notes=Y: 1.0 Vp-p, 75Ω; C: 0.286 Vp-p, 75Ω (burst)
+}}
+{{AV output
+|label=Component Out
+|output_type=Video
+|signal=Component (YPbPr)
+|connector=BNC
 |count=1
 |location=rear
+|notes=Y: 1.0 Vp-p, 75Ω; Pb: 486 mVp-p, 75Ω; Pr: 486 mVp-p, 75Ω. Uses 3 BNC connectors.
 }}
 {{AV output
-|label=Video Out
+|label=Dub Out
+|output_type=Video
+|signal=Y/C DUB color-under
+|connector=Hirose 7-pin DUB
+|count=1
+|location=rear
+}}
+{{AV output
+|label=Video Monitor Out
 |output_type=Video
 |signal=Composite (CVBS)
 |connector=BNC
+|count=1
+|location=rear
+|notes=Carries on-screen superimpose display (time code, VTR status) when ON SCREEN is enabled.
+}}
+{{AV output
+|label=NORM/Hi-Fi Line Out
+|output_type=Audio
+|signal=Analog stereo
+|connector=XLR
 |count=2
 |location=rear
+|notes=CH1 and CH2. +4/0/−6 dBs, 50Ω unbalanced. Output type (normal linear or Hi-Fi) switchable via AUDIO OUT SELECT switch. Output level selectable via switch on AUDIO2 circuit board.
 }}
 {{AV output
-|label=Audio Out
+|label=Hi-Fi Line Out
+|output_type=Audio
+|signal=Analog stereo
+|connector=XLR
+|count=2
+|location=rear
+|notes=CH1 and CH2. Hi-Fi audio only. +4/0/−6 dBs, 50Ω unbalanced.
+}}
+{{AV output
+|label=Audio Monitor Out
 |output_type=Audio
 |signal=Analog stereo
 |connector=RCA (connector)
-|count=2
+|count=1
+|location=rear
+|notes=0 dBV, 600Ω unbalanced. Channel selected via AUDIO MONITOR switch.
+}}
+{{AV output
+|label=Time Code Out
+|output_type=Audio
+|signal=Analog mono
+|connector=BNC
+|count=1
 |location=rear
+|notes=LTC time code output. 2.4 Vp-p, low impedance, unbalanced. Also carries linear audio CH2 when CH2 is configured for LTC via dial menu.
+}}
+{{AV output
+|label=Headphone
+|output_type=Audio
+|signal=Analog stereo
+|connector=6.35mm TRS
+|count=1
+|location=front
+|notes=−60 to −20 dBV, 8Ω. Level adjustable via front-panel HEADPHONE LEVEL control.
+}}
+{{AV link
+|link_type=Database
+|link_source=Radiomuseum
+|link_url=https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/panasonic_video_cassette_recorder_a.html
 }}