High-end AVCHD Image Quality
High Bit Rate of the Pro-use PH Mode
The AG-HMC40 features the image-enhancing PH mode that Panasonic developed exclusively for AVCCAM camcorders. It delivers a maximum AVCHD bit rate of 24 Mbps (average: 21 Mbps). Designed for professional image production, this mode lets you record 1080/30p, 1080/24p and 720 progressive images in addition to 1080/60i from the AG-HMC40's 1920 x 1080 full-raster HD images.
Image with HDV | Image with AVCHD (PH mode) |
HD multi-format recording
Recording Format
| 1080 | 1080/59.94i |
| 1080 (only PH mode) | 1080/29.97p, 1080/23.98p (Native) |
| 720 (only PH mode) | 720/59.94p, 720/29.97p |
| 720/23.98p (Native) |
| |
*In the Native mode, AG-HMC40 record only active frames.
Records for 180 minutes (approx.) in the highest-quality (PH) mode
| Recording | Image Size | Bit Rate | Max. Recording Time with |
| Mode | (H x V) | a 32GB SDHC Memory Card |
| | |
| PH Mode | 1920 x 1080 | Approx. 21 | Mbps (Average), | Approx. 180 minutes |
| 1280 x 720 | Max. 24 Mbps |
| | |
| HA Mode | 1920 x 1080 | Approx. 17 | Mbps (Average) | Approx. 240 minutes |
| HG Mode | 1920 x 1080 | Approx. 13 | Mbps (Average) | Approx. 320 minutes |
| HE Mode | 1440 x 1080 | Approx. 6 Mbps (Average) | Approx. 720 minutes |
Intuitive, Easy Operation
2.7-inch Wide LCD Monitor with Touch Panel
The 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot (approx.) LCD monitor is especially convenient when shooting wide-screen images. Just use a finger on the touch panel screen to
start playback, make menu settings, and even focus the camera. You can rotate the LCD monitor 270 degrees for easier viewing when shooting low-angle or
other difficult shots. This lets you check the framing and parameter display on the LCD monitor as you shoot.
Quick, Easy Focusing
HD Focus Assist
•Center zoom/Focus bar function
Ease, Efficiency, Reliability
Large-capacity SDHC Memory Card
Unlike with videotape, there's no need for cueing with the SDHC memory card because recording automatically begins in a blank section of memory. Nor do you have to worry about accidentally recording over important footage. You can delete unwanted clips instantly right on the spot to preserve memory capacity. Editing after shooting is smooth and easy, with no need for digitizing. The tiny SDHC Memory Card is durable, too. Its operating range is from -13ºF to +185ºF (-25ºC to +85ºC), so you can stop worrying about harsh temperatures or condensation and just concentrate on your shooting. And of course, you never have to worry about problems with dropouts or clogged heads.
•Using the high compression efficiency of the AVCHD format, up to 720 minutes*1 of HD data can be recorded onto a single SDHC Memory Card.
•Combined with a maximum data transfer speed of 22 MB/s,*2 this makes data transfers to computers easy and effortless.
•SDHC Memory Cards are inexpensive and can be easily purchased on location when needed.
*1 In HE (extended time) mode using a 32GB SDHC Memory Card. A Class 4 or higher SDHC or SD Memory Card is required for PH and HA recording. Use a Class 2 or higher SDHC or SD Memory Card for other modes. (Panasonic SDHC or SD Memory Cards are recommended.)
*2 Data transfer speed varies depending on the usage of SD devices. The speed given here is the maximum speed according to Panasonic specifications.
AVCHD Format for High-quality,
Efficient HD Recording
This format complies with the latest H.264 motion image compression standard, and employs the High Profile standard to improve compression efficiency. Featuring twice the compression efficiency of HDV (MPEG-2), the AG-HMC40 achieves extended HD recording.
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Technologies
More Efficient than Tape
Versatile Solid-state Recording Functions
•Shot mark
To simplify shot selection, you can add a mark to the thumbnail images of each clip. You can then display and play only the clips that have shot marks.
•Pre-REC
This helps to ensure you always get the shot you want, by letting you continuously store, and subsequently record, images and sounds for three seconds before the REC button is pressed in standby mode.
•REC check
You can check the end of the most recently recorded clip with one-touch ease.
•Last clip delete
Only the most recently recorded clip is deleted with this one-touch function, adding practical convenience to everyday operation. It can be assigned as a User button function if desired.
•Meta-data recording
The date, camera operator, location, title and other information can be added to the video data.
Fast Scene Searches
LCD Monitor Thumbnail View
The center zoom function enlarges the center of the frame for better visibility, and HD focus assist displays a bar that grows and shrinks to indicate the degree of focusing.
Image with | Image with |
before center zoom | Focus Bar after center zoom |
•Push auto function
Pressing the Push auto button in manual mode temporarily activates the
Auto Focus (AF) system for quick focusing.
•Face detection function
The AG-HMC40 is the first professional model to include the Face detection function. It
"recognizes" faces near the center of
the screen and focuses on them.*1
•Touch Auto Focus (AF) function Image with Face detection function
This function lets you focus by
simply touching the subject on the LCD monitor. A green frame appears
around the subject for quick, easy focusing.*2
*1 The AG-HMC40 does not offer AF tracking.
*2 In manual focus mode, the focus frame disappears once the camera has locked onto the subject.
Adjust the Image Quality While
Watching the Signal Level
Waveform Monitor Display
A horizontal analysis of the input signal's brightness level can be displayed on the monitor. This lets you adjust the standard black and white levels while checking the Waveform Monitor (WFM), making it easy to get highly accurate adjustments.
Easy-to-see LCD
TC(time-code)Waveform Monitor Remaining Battery
Remaining
Memory
Zoom Number
Displayed from Z00 to Z99. Handy for
remembering the angle of view.
•Intra-frame Prediction
•Variable Block Size Motion Compensation
•Loop Filter Prevents the Propagation of Compression Distortion
•New Entropy Encoding ‘CABAC’
Comparison of HD Recording Formats
| HDV | AVCHD |
Pixel (H x V) | 1440 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Compression Method | MPEG-2 | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 |
Image data is recorded as a file for each scene. Thumbnail images and file information are automatically attached to each file to enable smooth, easy confirmation and deletion of files displayed on the LCD monitor.
Iris Adjustment and Zoom Operation
Manual Focus Ring
The manual focus ring can be used to control the iris too, by switching the Focus Ring (Focus/Iris) selector. Use it whichever way best fits the shooting situation. For example, you can set the camera to Auto Focus and use the manual focus ring to control the zooming. You can also add backlight correction or spotlight correction to the auto aperture function.
*Use the menu to select whether the ring controls the iris or the zoom.
Convenient for Low-angle Shooting Tilt-up Viewfinder
The viewfinder can be tilted upward about 70 degrees, and the large eyecup is excellent for blocking out light from the sun and other sources.
