Panasonic AG-HMC70 User Manual

AG-HMC70series

Memory Card Camera-Recorder

(AG-HMC71/AG-HMC72/AG-HMC74)

AG-HMC150 series

Highly mobile handheld model to be
released in fourth quarter of year 2008.

A Professional

Shoulder-Mount

HD Camera-Recorder

*The SDHC card shown in the
photo is an option.
The AG-HMC70 series comes
with a 2GB SD card.

AG-HMC70 series

The AG-HMC70 series camcorder uses
the AVCHD format and memory card
media to offer high reliability,
superb mobility, and advanced IT
functions at low cost to meet
diverse needs in video
production.

Equipped with a 12x zoom
lens and progressive 3CCD, this camcorder uses the AVCHD format (H.264 compatible) to
record up to 360 minutes* of high-quality High Definition (HD) video onto a low-cost
SD/SDHC card. Because the AG-HMC70 series solid-state recording system uses no tape
or moving parts, it starts operating immediately, provides silent operation and offers
excellent reliability against vibration, impacts and temperature changes. The powerful
features ensure easy, powerful HD recording.
With Shoulder stability, a full size Zoom Rocker control, and a Headphone output with
Volume control, the AG-HMC70 has professional features that help you shoot like a Pro.
A recessed trigger and zoom control on the oversized handle enable accurate framing even at
low angles or when using a tripod.
Two XLR locking audio input terminals (phantom mic supported) and four BNC's for
component/composite video output equip the AG-HMC70 series for video recording and
production use.

*When recording in HE mode using a 16GB SDHC card.

: As Easy to Use As a Digital Camera

Leica Dicomar Lens with Wide-Angle
and 12x Zoom Range

The glass-molded, ultra high refractive index, aspherical lens
enables wide-angle shots with a wide end of 38.5mm
(35mm conversion) from a compact unit. So even with 12x
optical zoom*, you can shoot with superb HD image quality.
Featuring 13 individual lens elements arranged in 10 groups,
the Leica Dicomar lens is specifically designed for HD
shooting. The lens elements are made of low dispersion glass
to assure low chromatic aberration and high resolution.
A total of 21 multi-coated lens surfaces minimize flare
and ghosting.

* Digital zoom goes up to 700x.

• Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.Dicomar is a registered trademark of
Leica Camera AG. Leica Dicomar products are manufactured using Leica-certified measuring
instruments and quality assurance systems based on rigorous quality standards approved by Leica
Camera AG.

Optical Image Stabilizer Compensates for Hand-Shake

The AG-HMC70 series advanced Optical Image Stabilizer
(OIS) compensates for hand shaking that occurs as you shoot.
Gyro sensors detect hand-shake and send signals to a linear
motor, which adjusts the lens to compensate. Because this
process takes place prior to the CCD image capture
(rather than in the downstream electronic processing), it
virtually eliminates any effect of hand-shake on resolution and
screen angle.

The OIS can also be helpful when zooming or shooting in dim
lighting. It's perfect for those Run & Gun applications.

* Due to particularly large vibrations caused by hand-shake or other conditions, blurring may not be
eliminated. * Depending on shooting conditions, no large difference may appear.

1/4-inch Progressive CCD Faithfully Reproduces Colours

To assure high sensitivity,
Panasonic developed a 1/4­inch progressive CCD.
Enlarging the area of each
CCD pixel enables high­sensitivity shots in light as
low 6 lux. This lets you shoot
dark scenes with minimal noise.

High-Precision Progressive Scan

In the AG-HMC70 series camera section, the progressive CCD
creates native progressive images with outstanding vertical
resolution. Progressive interlace conversion is then used to
provide image quality that is higher than you get with
conventional electronic interpolation of interlaced signals.
Progressive 3D noise reduction also dramatically reduces
noise and after-images.

21 multi-coated lens surfaces

Leica Dicomar Lens

(13 lenses in 10 groups)

3CCD

Multi-coating

EXTENDED, HIGH-QUALITY HD RECORDING ONTO A MEMORY CARD WITH

Progressive Image Interlaced Image

Professional Tuning for Superb Colour Reproduction

Colour reproduction with features like colour matrix, chroma
gain and gamma curve creates the same look as that achieved
by other Panasonic professional models.
These features combine to produce the lifelike images that
professionals demand.

Auto/Manual Selector

Auto mode provides quick and easy shooting, while manual
mode lets you adjust the white balance, brightness (IRIS and
gain up to +18 dB) and shutter speed (1/50 to 1/8000 second).
Manual focusing is also possible by setting the selector to the
Focus position.

Focus Assist

In manual focus mode, the MF Assist function enlarges the
image at the center of the frame for easier focusing.
The AG-HMC70 series also has a one-push auto function.
Simply press the Push Auto button to temporarily activate the
AF system for quick focusing.

Guidelines (Markers)

The LCD and viewfinder can display three types (horizontal,
grid, 4:3) of guidelines. The horizontal and grid guidelines
enable easy confirmation of camera tilt for stable framing. The
4:3 guidelines let you check images as they will display in
Standard Definition (SD) format.

Other Shooting Functions

•2.1-megapixel still image recording lets you take stills while
shooting video.

•Two-step selection of maximum 30x or 700x digital zoom.

•Black fade or white fade selectable for fade-in/out.

•Zebra pattern (white washout warning) on the LCD monitor
and viewfinder.

•Five scene modes (Sports, Portrait, Low Light, Spot Light and
Surf & Snow) speed up shooting under various situations.

Small, Lightweight and Reliable SD/SDHC Card

The AG-HMC70 series records onto an
SD/SDHC card. Because there is no motor to
drive the recording media, the
AG-HMC70 series starts recording
immediately with no need for cueing.
The SD/SDHC card also resists the effects of
dust particles, temperature changes, and
impacts, and is equally unaffected by condensation, dropout,
and head clogging. This solid-state recording media
contributes to the AG-HMC70 series silent operation, compact
size, and light weight.

AVCHD Format for High-Quality, Efficient HD Recording

The AG-HMC70 series uses the AVCHD format for 8-bit 4:2:0
digital component recording of high-resolution 1080i
(1440 x 1080) HD video. It complies with the latest H.264
motion image compression standard, which forms the basis of
the AVC-Intra codec used by P2 HD broadcast systems,
and employs the High Profile standard to improve
compression efficiency. Featuring twice the compression
efficiency of HDV (MPEG-2), the AG-HMC70 series achieves
extended HD recording.

Up to 360 Minutes* of HD Recording

The high compression efficiency of the AVCHD format makes
it possible to record up to 360 minutes* of HD video onto a
single SDHC card.

* When recording in HE mode using a 16GB SDHC card.

Fast Scene Searches with Thumbnail View

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.

AVCHD Files Transfer Directly to IT Systems

Unlike tape, AVCHD files require no digitizing and can be
directly accessed by a PC (Windows/Macintosh).
This makes it easier to use motion images in new IT
applications, like content production, Internet distribution and
source material archiving.

*1: An SDHC card reader is required if the SDHC card is not recognized by the PC.
*2: AVCHD-compatible software is required. The Minimum System Requirements for using the software
must also be satisfied.

PC (Win/Mac)*

2

USB 2.0

SD/SDHC Memory Card*

1

AG-HMC70

series

Nonlinear Editing System

DVD Production

Web Image

MANUAL FOCUS AUTO FOCUS MANUAL FOCUS

Press the

Push Auto button

Recording Mode

Recording Time

16GB SDHC Card 2GB SD Card
HF Mode (13Mbps) Approx. 160 min. Approx. 20 min.
HN Mode (9Mbps) Approx. 240 min. Approx. 30 min.
HE Mode (6Mbps) Approx. 360 min. Approx. 45 min.

OUTSTANDING RELIABILITY AND MOBILITY

One-push Auto Function

horizontal grid 4:3

Shoulder-Mount Design

The AG-HMC70 series is compact
and lightweight, yet features a large
shoulder pad, hand grip and
viewfinder for the same kind of
shoulder-mounted operation as a
broadcast camera.
The 3-point system keeps shooting
stable even when zooming and
panning.

Professional-Level Audio with
XLR Line/Mic In

The AG-HMC70 series comes
equipped with a built-in stereo
microphone and with XLR-type
audio input terminals (2 channels,
mic/line switchable, +48V
compatible) on the rear panel. You
can switch audio channels 1 and 2
separately to either line or front mic
input, which is especially useful
when recording interviews or narration.

Pro-Type Analogue A/V Outputs

A host of outputs, including component HD/SD video
output (BNC x 3), composite SD video output (BNC), and
audio output (RCA x 2 channels), let you connect to an
external monitor for viewing, video equipment for dubbing,
and various other devices.

Large Viewfinder

The AG-HMC70 series
viewfinder is as large as
those offered on many
broadcast cameras.
A slide mechanism lets you
shift the viewfinder to the
left or right for maximum
comfort. You can also use
the viewfinder and LCD
monitor at the same time.

Recessed Trigger and Zoom Control
on Upper Handle Grip

In addition to the lens grip,
the upper part of the handle
grip contains both the Rec
Start/Stop button and a lens
zoom control. This design
assures easy shooting even at
low angles or when using a
tripod. The zoom speed can
be set to any of three speed
levels.

HDMI Digital HD Output Terminal

The AG-HMC70 series is equipped with a next-generation
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output terminal.
It connects to HDMI-compatible systems to allow direct digital
transferring of high-quality HD video and audio signals.

PC Connection via USB 2.0

The standard USB terminal (typeB) allows the
AG-HMC70 series to connect to a PC in device mode. This
lets a Windows PC installed with the provided HD Writer
Version 2.5 software to upload, copy, and write HD video
files, as well as transfer them to AVCHD-compatible editing
software for HD production.

Other Professional Specifications

•Tally lamps on the front and rear

•Large-capacity (5800 mAh) battery pack optional

•Colour bar signal output

*The battery shown in the photo is an option.
The AG-HMC70 series comes with a VW-VBG260 battery.

PROFESSIONAL DESIGN AND INTERFACES

Component Video

Output

(Y/P

B/P

R)

Composite Video

Output

USB

Playback on compatible components

*need to be compatible with AVCHD. Not available in some areas.

SD/SDHC

Memory Card

BD/DVD Player*

PC

BD/DVD

Display*

Compatibility with Existing HD Editing Environments

By using an HDMI/HD-SDI conversion box to convert data to an
uncompressed HD stream, the AG-HMC70 series can be linked to
existing linear/non-linear HD production environments using the
DVCPRO HD format.

HDMI HD-SDI

AG-HMC70

series

Tape

HD VTR

Conversion

Box

HD-SDI compatible

Nonlinear Editing System

AVCHD Nonlinear Editing

The AG-HMC70 series can be connected to an AVCHD nonlinear
editing system by means of the USB interface or an SDHC card reader.
This reduces production time by allowing high-speed data transfers
without the need for digitizing.

* Panasonic has confirmed AG-HMC70 series compatibility with the following AVCHD nonlinear
editing software (as of February 2008). Apple: Final Cut Pro Version 6.0.1, GrassValley EDIUS
Software Version 4.5. For information on the compatibility of other nonlinear editing software,
please contact the manufacturer. For further information, we recommend that you refer to software
that supports the Panasonic Consumer model HDC-SD1.
Free transcoder software (from AVCHD to P2-DVCPRO HD) is available. For details, please visit
the Panasonic website at <https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/>.

AVCHD compatible

Nonlinear

Editing System*

USB 2.0

USB 2.0

HD-SDI
IEEE 1394

SD/SDHC

Memory Card

SDHC

Card Reader

AG-HMC70

series

DVD-Video

(Standard Definition)

TapeHD VTR

DVD

(AVCHD)

BD

(BD-Video)

Uploading to a PC and Writing to DVDs (Using
Provided PC Software: HD Writer 2.5E for HDC)

The HD Writer 2.5E software for
Windows PCs that comes standard
with the AG-HMC70 series lets you
play video files; upload them to a PC;
divide, delete and merge scenes; and
write files to an SD/SDHC card or
DVD. This software also has an
AVCHD-to-MPEG-2 conversion
function for producing standard-definition DVD-Video.

[PC Minimum System Requirement]

•CPU: Intel® Pentium III 1.0 GHz or better (for use of motion image playback and MPEG-2 output

function, Intel® Core™ Duo 2.16 GHz or Pentium® D 3.2 GHz, or better is recommended)

•OS: Microsoft® Windows Vista® (Home Basic/Home Premium/Ultimate/ Business),
Windows® XP (Home Edition/Professional SP2), Windows® 2000 Professional SP4 (Japanese
version) (* Macintosh not supported)

•RAM: 1024 MB or more for Windows Vista, 512 MB or more for Windows XP/2000 (1024 MB or
more recommended)
*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.

AG-HMC70

series

SD/SDHC

Memory card

DVD (AVCHD)*

DVD-Video

(Standard Definition)

Windows

(HD Writer 2.5E for HDC)

SYSTEM APPLICATIONS

VW-VBG260

Battery Pack

• 7.2V 2,640mAh

(Supplied with the AG-HMC70 series)

VW-VBG6

Battery Pack

• 7.2V 5,800mAh

VW-W4307H

Wide Conversion Lens

VW-T4314H

Tele Conversion Lens

VW-LF43N

Filter Kit

VW-AD20

AC Adaptor

(Supplied with the AG-HMC70 series)

VW-LDC102

Video DC Light

*The battery pack is necessary for the
use of video DC light. The battery pack
that can be used is VW-VBG260.

OPTIONS

[GENERAL]

Supply Voltage: DC 7.3 V (when AC adapter is used)

DC 7.2 V (when battery is used)
Power Consumption: 8.5 W (when recording)
Operating Temperature:

0°C to +40°C
Operating Humidity: 10% to 80% (no condensation)
Weight: Approx. 2.7 kg
Dimensions (WxHxD): 233 mm x 233 mm x 434 mm

[CAMERA]

Signal method: 1080/50i
Recording Format: AVCHD format compliant
Pick-up Device: Interline transfer type CCD x 3
Picture Elements: Total: 560,000 x 3 pixels

Effective: 520,000 x3 pixels (Motion Picture/Still Picture)
Lens: 12x Variable Speed Zoom

F1.8 to F2.8 (f=4.0 to 48.0 mm)

(35 mm equivalant: 38.5 mm to 462 mm)
Filter Diameter: 43 mm
Zoom: Optical: 12x, Digital: 30x, Super Digital: 700x
White Balance: Auto/white set/Indoor/Outdoor (with IR Sensor)
Standard Illumination: 1400 lx
Minimum luminance: Approx. 6 lx (Low Light Mode, 1/50)

[Moving Picture]

Recording Media: SD Memory card: 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB

(FAT12, FAT16)

SDHC Memory card: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB (FAT32)
Compression method: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Recording Mode: HF: Approx. 13 Mbps (CBR),

HN: Approx. 9 Mbps (VBR),

HE: Approx. 6 Mbps (VBR)
Audio Recording Format:

Dolby Digital (Dolby AC3)/2ch recording

[Still Picture]

Recording Media: SD Memory card: 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB,

256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB
(FAT12, FAT16)

SDHC Memory card: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB (FAT32)
Compression method: JPEG (DCF/Exif2.2 standard), DPOF
Recording Image Size: 1920 x 1080

[Input/Output]

Video Out: BNC 1.0 Vp-p 75Ω
Component Video Out:BNC Y: 1.0 Vp-p 75Ω, P

B: 0.7Vp-p 75Ω, P

R: 0.7Vp-p 75Ω

HDMI Video Out: HDMI [1125i (1080i) /625p (576p)]
Audio Out: Pin Jack x 2 (CH1, CH2), 316 mV, Impedance 600Ω
MIC IN: Stereo Mini jack (3.5 mm diameter), –70 dBV
XLR IN: XLR (3 pin) x 2 (CH1, CH2), High impedance,

LINE/MIC/+48V selectable,
LINE: 0dBu, MIC/+48V: –50dBu/–60dBu

USB: Card Reader/Write Function

(No Copyright Protection support)
PictBridge Compatible

2.0 high Speed USB, TYPE B USB terminal

[Monitor/Microphone/Speaker]

LCD Monitor: 3-inch LCD colour monitor, 251,000 pixels
Viewfinder: 0.44-inch LCD colour wide viewfinder, 183,000 pixels
Internal Microphone: Stereo microphone
Internal Speaker: 20mm round shape
Headphone Output: Stereo Mini jack (3.5 mm diameter)

[Standard Accessories]

Remote controller, Button-type battery, Battery pack, AC adaptor, AC cable,
DC cable, CD-ROM x 2 (Operating instructions, HD Writer 2.5E for HDC),
Shoulder strap, SD memory card (2GB), Eye cup, Lens hood cap, Ferrite core,
Operating instructions

Weight and dimensions shown are approximate.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.

40K803ZM-1 Printed in Japan

SP-HMC70E1

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/index.html

Please refer to the latest Non-linear Compatibilty Information, AVCHD
Support and Downlord and Service Information, etc. at panasonic web site.

SPECIFICATIONS

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Systems Business Group

2-15 Matsuba-cho, Kadoma, Osaka 571-8503
Japan
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/

Argentina [phone]
Australia [phone]
Bahrain [phone]
Belgium [phone]
Bulgaria [phone]
China [phone]
(Hong Kong [phone])
Czech Republic [phone]/511
Denmark [phone]
Egypt [phone]
Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia

[phone]
France [phone]
Germany, Austria

[phone]
Greece [phone]
Hungary [phone]
India [phone]
Indonesia [phone]
Iran [phone]
Italy [phone]
Kazakhstan [phone]

Malaysia [phone] (PSE)

[phone] (PM)

Montenegro, Serbia

[phone]
Netherlands [phone]
New Zealand [phone]
Norway [phone]
Pakistan [phone]
Philippines [phone]
Poland [phone]
Portugal [phone]
Romania [phone]
Russia & CIS [phone]

Singapore [phone]
Slovak Republic [phone]
Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia

[phone]
South Africa [phone]
Spain [phone]
Sweden [phone]
Switzerland [phone]

Thailand [phone]
Turkey [phone]
U.A.E. (for All Middle East)

[phone]

Ukraine [phone]

[phone]

[ext. 112]
U.K [phone]
Vietnam [phone]

[Countries and Regions]

Factories of Systems Business Group have received
ISO14001:2004-the Environmental Management
System certification. (Except for 3rd party's peripherals.)