News Release - Panasonic



Press Release

Panasonic Latin America, S.A.

Panama City, Panama

July 20, 2009

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A low-cost AG-ＨＭＣ40PU*1 AVCHD handheld camera recorder for professional use

Panasonic Corporation will introduce the AG-HMC40PU camera recorder in August 2009. The latest model in the company’s AVCCAM*3 series of AVCHD*2 product lineup, the AG-HMC40PU records high quality HD video on convenient SD/SDHC memory cards. To allow users of tape media to smoothly transition to the AVCHD system, the AG-HMC40PU will be bundled with “EDIUS Neo 2” video editing software from Thomson Canopus for a limited time (August 2009 to March 2010).

The AG-HMC40PU records up to 180 minutes of high quality HD video at a full-pixel HD sampling rate of 1,920 x 1,080 dots, thanks to three 1/4.1-inch progressive MOS sensors with a total of 3.05 million pixels (effective number of video pixels: approximately 2 million) and a professional use-quality PH mode ( maximum bit rate: 24 Mbps*4). The AG-HMC40PU can record up to 720 minutes of video using the HE mode (average bit rate: 6 Mbps). The AG-HMC40PU also captures still images at a resolution of approximately 10.6 million pixels, which is comparable to the resolution of high-performance digital still cameras.

Its accessories include a removable grip and an optional removable XLR microphone adaptor. The camera incorporates Panasonic’s broadcast/professional-use color reproduction system, various focus-assist functions, such as facial recognition and touch-type auto-focusing, as well as professional functions, such as waveform monitoring. The AG-HMC40PU ´s compact and lightweight (less than 1 kg) body permits a variety of video-shooting styles and applications.

The AG-HMC40PU *5 will be exhibited at BIRTV2009, the International Broadcasting Equipment Exhibition which will be held in Beijing from Tuesday, August 26, to Friday, August 29, at the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC). Our booth will be located in CIEC Hall 3. The largest such exhibition in China, BIRTV2009 is sponsored by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television of China.

( Features

|1. Three three-megapixel MOS sensors and PH mode allow recording of high quality, full-pixel HD video. |

|2. Records on highly reliable and efficient SD/SDHC memory cards, eliminating the need for tapes. |

|3. Compact and lightweight (approx. 1 kg) main body with optional removable grip, with design and specifications for a variety of |

|video-shooting applications |

*1: For a limited time, the AG-ＨＭＣ40PU is bundled with a disc containing EDIUS Neo 2 video editing software from Thomson Canopus. AG-HMC40P is the model number of the camera recorder’s main body. “For details and operating requirements for the EDIUS Neo 2 software, please visit . The Bonus Contents CD is not included with the bundled software. The AG-MC200G directional microphone and AG-YMA30G XLR microphone adaptor are optional. *2: “AVCHD” and the “AVCHD” logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. *3: “AVCCAM” is the name of the series of AVCHD equipment for professional use of Panasonic Corporation.

*4: Average: 21 Mbps (VBR) *5: The product to be exhibited in the BIRTV2009 is the AG-HMC43U, which is the AG-HMC40PU’s model number for the Chinese market.

[Features]

1. Three three-mega-pixel MOS sensors and PH mode allow recording of high-quality, full-pixel HD video.

( Optical 12x Leica Dicomar zoom lens with OIS

The new Leica Dicomar lens features thirteen elements in ten groups, ideal for shooting high-quality, full-HD video. Low-dispersion glass and aspherical lenses reduce color aberration and increase image resolution. All twenty-one lens surfaces are multi-coated to reduce flare and ghosting. Excellent color reproduction and image definition, nuance, and shading ensure sharp video images. Optical 12x zoom lens with built-in optical image stabilization system (OIS). With its additional 10x digital zoom function, the lens becomes a 120x super-telephoto lens. Manual ring function can be set via a menu for zoom, aperture, or focus control.

( Three 3.05-megapixel progressive-scan MOS sensors

Three 1/4.1-inch, 3.05 million-pixel progressive-scan MOS sensors (effective number of motion picture pixels: approximately two million) provide high resolution and image quality for full-pixel HD video recording. Each image sensor captures a single primary color (red, green, or blue), providing greater detail and more faithfully reproducing colors than is possible using a single-MOS system.

• Records still images with a resolution of approximately 10.6 million pixels, which is comparable to that of high-performance digital still cameras.

The new 3MOS sensors also combine with Panasonic’s proprietary Quad-Density Pixel Distribution　 technology to achieve a resolution that is equivalent to 4times the normal level.

( Highly detailed image composition

Advanced pro tuning functions

Inherits the concept of image making of Panasonic’s camera recorders for professional use.

• Matrix settings: Lets you choose basic color hues that convey the desired overall image mood.

|NORM1 |For colors suited to shooting outdoors or under halogen lights. |

|NORM2 |For colors more vivid than NORM1. |

|FLUO |For colors suited to shooting indoors under fluorescent lights. |

|CINE-LIKE |To reproduce colors similar to those in movies. |

• Knee point settings: Controls the highlights within the frame. (AUTO/LOW/MID/HIGH)

• Two scene files: The AG-HMC40PU can save two sets of camera settings as scene files for instant recall later in similar shooting conditions.

• H detail level, V detail level, detail coring and skin detail: Corrects edges and removes image noise.

• Chroma level, chroma phase, color temp and master pedestal: Sets the basic levels for brightness and other signals.

(Highly nuanced, cine-like gamma curves

7-mode gamma for richer gradation

Panasonic’s unique gamma function is based on VARICAM technology originally developed for digital cinema HD camera recorders, letting you easily shoot video with the optimal tone for each application.

|HD NORM |Gamma setting suitable for general HD video applications |

|LOW |Gentle gradation for low-light situations, with stable tone and sharp contrast |

|SD NORM |Standard setting for the DVX100 series (SD) |

|HIGH |Steep gradation for low-light situations, with clear tone and soft contrast |

|B.PRESS |Sharper contrast than that of the LOW setting |

|CINE-LIKE_D |Cinema-like video, with priority on the D range |

|CINE-LIKE_V |The Cine-like mode shifted to prioritize contrast |

( Suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights

Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS)

A gamma curve and knee slope are estimated to match the contrast of each pixel, and applied in real time. When dark, bright, and intermediate shades are all contained in the same scene, this produces excellent gradation for each shade and minimizes blocked shadows and blown highlights.The images that result are enhanced by a visually wide dynamic range.

( High-end AVCHD image quality

High Bit Rate of the Pro-use PH Mode

The AG-HMC40PU features Panasonic’s image-enhancing mode (PH mode) originally developed for AVCCAM camcorders. The PH mode delivers a maximum AVCHD bit rate of 24 Mbps (average: 21 Mbps). Designed for professional video production, the PH mode lets you record 1080/30p, 1080/24p, and other progressive images, as well as 1080/60i using 1,920 x 1,080 full-raster HD images.

|( HD multi-format recording |

|Recording Format | |

|1080 |1080/60i |

|1080 |1080/30p |

|(only PH mode) |1080/24p (Native) |

|720 |720/60p |

|(only PH mode) |720/30p |

| |720/24 (Native) |

|( Recording mode |

|Recording |Image Size |Bit Rate |Max. Recording Time |

|Mode |(H x V) | |with a 32GB SDHC |

| | | |Memory Card |

|PH |1920×1080 |Approx. 21 Mbps (Average) |Approx. 180 minutes |

| |1280×720 |Max. 24Mbps | |

|HA |1920×1080 |Approx. 17 Mbps (Average) |Approx. 240 minutes |

|HG |1920×1080 |Approx. 13 Mbps (Average) |Approx. 320 minutes |

|HE |1440×1080 |Approx. 6 Mbps (Average) |Approx. 720 minutes |

2. Records on highly reliable and efficient SD memory cards, eliminating the need for tapes.

( 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.

• High efficiency and longer recording time: 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.

• High speed: Combined with a maximum data transfer speed of 22 MB/s,*2 this makes PC data transfers easy and effortless.

• Affordable: SDHC Memory Cards are inexpensive and can be easily purchased on location should the need arise.

*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.

( A variety of recording functions that can be achieved by the tapeless mechanism

• 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.

• Meta-data recording: The date, camera operator, location, title and other information can be added to the video data.

• Thumbnail display: The thumbnail display shows the recorded cuts as clips on the LCD monitor. It is easy to check or delete the cuts.

3. The compact, lightweight main body is approximately 1 kg and features a removable grip. Design and specifications for various applications

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( The compact main body is approximately 1 kg. The removable grip allows you to change the picture-taking style to meet any shooting need.

The body is compact and weighs only approximately 980 g (batteries and accessories excluded). Various optional accessories can be attached to the removable grip, allowing you to change the picture-taking style to quickly meet various shooting needs.

( Professional audio quality

Detachable XLR adapter (optional)

The AG-HMC40PU comes equipped with a built-in stereo microphone. Adding the optional AG-MYA30G XLR adapter provides compatibility with professional-use XLR terminals for audio output from microphones and PA systems in studios and auditoriums. Line recording and +48V Phantom microphone recording are possible from the XLR terminals. Featuring two XLR audio input terminals and level controls, the adapter lets you independently switch channel 1 or channel 2 to microphone or line input, with each having its own level adjustment.

( 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

Incorporates various support functions to ease focusing.

• Center zoom/Focus bar function: 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. A histogram is also displayed when shooting stills.

• Push auto function: Pressing the Push auto button in manual mode temporarily activates the AF system for quick focusing.

• Face detection function: The AG-HMC40PU 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 AF 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-ＨＭＣ40PU 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.

[Other features]

( Built-in two-channel microphone and speaker

( Tilting viewfinder with large eyecup

( Digital zoom (2x, 5x, and 10x)

( Zebra indicators, synchro-scan shutter function, and color bars

( Three USER buttons to which various functions can be assigned

( TC/UB recording, time stamp function

( USB 2.0 port (mini B)

( Ports for HDMI, analog component (mini-D), and AV multiple output (composite and audio CH1 and CH2)

( Camera remote terminal (focus and aperture controls/zooming, REC start/stop)

( 3.5 mm external microphone jack

( Down-conversion output (squeeze/letter box/side cropping)

[Applications]

The AVCHD format enables smooth production and internet distribution.

Unlike tape-based systems, the AVCHD system records video and/or audio as digital files that do not required digitizing*1. The files can be directly and quickly transmitted to a Windows PC or Mac*2, simplifying the use of the captured video in various applications, such as content production, Internet distribution, and source-material archiving*3. AVCHD files can be directly edited, saving time and effort for TV program production. Moreover, the AVCHD system is less expensive in terms of both media costs and equipment maintenance costs.

Load data to a PC to a Blu-ray Disc with AVCCAM viewer

(Download it for Free)

AVCCAM Viewer for Windows PC/Mac makes it easy to preview AVCCAM files and other AVCHD motion images, still image and meta-data, with very simple operation. 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 or deleted, meta-data can be displayed, and data can be written to an SD Memory Card or Blu-ray Disc. AVCCAM Restorer software can also be used to restore files that were damaged, for example, by a power interruption during recording.

EDIUS Neo 2 nonlinear editing software included

An Edius Neo 2 installation disc will be bundled with the AG-ＨＭＣ40PU camera recorder for a limited time (August 2009 to March 2010).

Creatively edit full-HD video, as well as burn Blu-ray and DVD discs

• AVCHD converter 3 (included) lets you convert AVCHD-format video into Canopus HQ (AVI) and other formats. Editing is easy.

• New 3D transition GPUfx system enables high-speed and high-quality effects processing.

• Bundled with richly expressive effects software.

• Real-time editing and conversion of HD/SD data

• A variety of image file formats for output, including AVI, H.264, and QuickTime.

( Minimum PC system requirements

( CPU: Intel® Pentium 4 2.8 GHz or faster (Centrino, Xeon, Core Duo with the same or better performance). *SSE2 or above required. Multicore/multi-CPU compatibility.

( OS: Microsoft® Windows® Vista SP1 (32-bit/64-bit) (Home Basic/Home Premium/Business/Ultimate), Windows XP SP2 or above (32-bit) (Home/Professional), Japanese Version

( RAM: 1,024 MB (2 GB or more recommended)

*1: Only the EDIUS Neo 2 installation disc is bundled with this package. The Bonus Contents CD is not included with the bundle version. Also, PASS registration is required to install the software. For more details, please visit our website, (Starting AVCCAM EDIUS Neo 2 Bundle Sales).

“Reuse” and “reduce” -- memory card-based recording system contributes to global environment conservation

The wear-free and dropout-free memory card recording system eliminates the tapes required by conventional video cameras. The memory card system also eliminates the amount of waste that is produced when the heads, tape drive mechanisms, etc., of a conventional video camera are replaced.

Special three-year, free-repair contract

After purchasing the AG-HMC40PU, simply register it through our website to add an additional two years of free repairs to the basic one-year warranty (for a total of three years).

[Specifications]

|[GENERAL] |

|Power Supply: |DC7.2V (using with battery), 7.3V (using |

| |with AC adaptor) |

|Power Consumption: |7.8W (when recording) |

|Operating Temperature:|0°C to 40°C |

|Operating Humidity: |10% to 85% (No condensation) |

|Weight: |Main body: approximately 980 g (batteries |

| |and accessories excluded) |

| |When taking pictures: approximately 1.4 kg |

| |(including an SD card, supplied battery |

| |(2640 mA), supplied microphone holder, and |

| |optional microphone AG-MC200) |

|Dimensions (W x H x |136 × 135 × 304 mm |

|D): | |

|[CAMERA] |

|Pick-up Device: |Three 1/4.1-inch progressive-scan MOS’ |

|Lens: |Leica Dicomar lens with optical image |

| |stabilization system |

| |40.8 to 490 mm for video (16:9), equivalent |

| |to 35 mm film camera |

| |41.3 to 496 mm (3:2), 40.8 to 490 mm (16:9),|

| |or 45.0 to 540 mm (4:3) for still images |

|Filter diameter: |43 mm |

|Zoom: |12x power/manual zooming |

|Optical Color |Prism system |

|Separation: | |

|ND filter: |Interlocked with aperture, automatic ON/OFF |

|Gain Selection: | 0 dB to +24 dB (Variable in |

| |1-dB steps; User button allocation; up to |

| |+34 dB using the High Gain setting) |

| | 0 dB to +18 dB (Variable in |

| |1-dB steps) |

|Shutter Speed: | 60i/60p mode: 1/60 sec. to |

|(Preset) |1/2000 sec. 30p mode: 1/50 sec. to 1/2000 |

| |sec.24p mode: 1/24 sec. to 1/2000 sec |

| | 1/2 sec. to 1/2000 sec |

|Shutter Speed: |60i/60p mode: 1/60.0 sec. to 1/250.0 sec. |

|(Synchro Scan) |30p mode: 1/30.0 sec. to 1/250.0 sec. |

| |24p mode: 1/24.0 sec. to 1/250.0 sec. |

|Slow Shutter Speed: |60i/60p mode: 1/2 sec. to 1/30 sec. |

| |30p mode: 1/2 sec. to 1/15 sec. |

| |24p mode: 1/2 sec. to 1/12 sec. |

|Minimum Luminance:1 |1 lx, (F1.8, Gain: +34dB, Slow Shutter: 1/2 |

| |sec.) |

|Lens hood: |Large lens hood with wide field of view |

|Digital Zoom: |2×/ 5×/ 10× |

| |(Can be assigned to a USER button; power |

| |factor can be set via the menu.) |

|[Recording] |

|Recording Format: |Compliant with AVCHD standards |

|Compression Method: |MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 |

|Recording Media: |SD memory card: |

| |512 MB, 1 GB, or 2 GB (FAT32 or FAT16 |

| |format) |

| |SDHC memory card: |

| |4 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB (FAT32 |

| |format) |

|Recording Video |PH 1080/60i |

|Format*1: |PH 1080/30P (over 60i) |

| |PH 1080/24P (native) |

| |PH 720/60P |

| |PH 720/30P (over 60P) |

| |PH 720/24P (native) |

| |HA 1080/60i |

| |HG 1080/60i |

| |HE 1080/60i |

|Transmission Rate: |PH: approximately 21 Mbps (VBR); HA: |

| |approximately 17 Mbps (VBR); HG: |

| |approximately 13 Mbps (VBR); HE: |

| |approximately 6 Mbps (VBR) |

|Maximum recording |Approximately 180 minutes on one SDHC memory|

|time: |card (PH mode, 1,920 x 1,080 pixels) |

|SD memory card: |Maximum number of continuous clips on one |

| |card: 900 |

| |(Recorded on freshly formatted SD card that |

| |is not removed.) |

| |Number of clips that can be played from a |

| |single SD card: 1,000 (Displays up to 1,000 |

| |clips) |

|Thumbnail display: |20, 9, or 1, screen/page switchable |

|Edit function |Deletion or protection |

|Format function |Provided |

|[Video System] |

|Video Signals: |1080/60i, 720/60p |

|Out|HDMI |1080/60i, 720/60p, 480/60p (Viera link not |

|put| |supported) |

| |Analog component |Y: 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω, Pb: 0.7 Vp-p, 75 Ω, Pr: |

| | |0.7 Vp-p, 75 Ω |

| | |Mini-D port |

| |Composite |1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω RCA terminals |

|[Audio System] |

|Compression Method: |Recording/Playback: Dolby Digital/2 ch |

|Sampling Frequency: |48 KHz |

|Quantization: |16 bit |

|Compression Bit-rate: |PH mode: 2 CH 384 kbps, HA, HG and HE mode: |

| |2 CH 256 kbps |

|[Video output] |

|HDMI terminal: |HDMI x 1, 1,80/60i, 720/60p, 480/60p, Viera |

| |link not supported |

|Analog component: |Y: 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω, PB: 0.7 Vp-p, 75 Ω, PR: |

| |0.7 Vp-p, 75 Ω |

| |Mini-D terminal |

|AV terminal: |1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω RCA terminals |

|[Audio IN/OUT] |

|XLR Input: |Exclusive terminal for AG-MYA30G |

|Line Output: |Output level: 600 Ω, 316 mV RCA terminal x 2|

| |(CH1 and CH2) |

|HDMI Output: |2 ch (Linear PCM), 5.1 ch (Dolby Digital) |

|[Monitor, microphone, speaker] |

|LCD monitor: |2.7-inch LCD monitor (approximately 230,000 |

| |pixels) |

|View finder: |0.26-inch LCD color viewfinder |

| |(approximately 113,000 pixels) |

|Built-in microphone |Stereo microphone |

|Headphone |Φ3.5 mm stereo mini jack x 1 |

|Speaker |Round shape, φ20 mm |

|[Other input/output] |

|USB: |USB port (mini B connector), USB 2.0 |

| |compliant |

|Camera remote control:|φ2.5 mm super-mini-jack x 1 (Zoom and |

| |Start/Stop) |

| |φ3.5 mm mini-jack x 1 (Focus and Aperture) |

|[Monitor, AC adapter, and other supplied accessories] |

|LCD monitor: |3.5-inch color LCD monitor (210,000 pixels) |

|Viewfinder: |0.44-inch color LCD viewfinder (235,000 |

| |pixels) |

|Supplied accessories: |Battery, AC adapter with charging function, |

| |AC cord, DC cord, wireless remote controller|

| |(with button batteries), eye cup, shoulder |

| |belt, component video cable, CD-ROM, grip, |

| |AV cable, touch pen (Lens hood/cap and input|

| |terminal caps are attached to the main body)|

|*1: 8 MB to 32 GB SD/SDHC cards can be used for saving/viewing |

|video and images or user files, or viewing metadata. |

|*2: When images are recorded immediately after the power is turned |

|on or a memory card is removed and re-inserted, more than 900 clips|

|can be recorded. |

[pic]

-----------------------

Compact and lightweight (1 kg) body records high quality, full-HD video using three 3-megapixel MOS sensors and a variety of professional functions.

Bundled for a limited time with EDIUS Neo 2 video editing software from Thomson Canopus*1.

*1: Some editing software may convert the original file to an intermediate codec file during editing. The conversion speed depends on the specifications of the Windows PC/MAC hardware being used, the editing software, and the file formats to be converted.

*2: 22 MB/s maximum when using a Class 10 SDHC memory card and optimum Windows PC/MAC hardware. Some PC/Mac systems may require the use of an SDHC memory card reader.

*3: Requires software that supports the AVCHD standards (available separately). The PC/Mac systems must meet the operating conditions recommended by the software.

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