Archive notice: This article was originally published on July 23, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Panasonic Broadcast and IT Systems (PBITS) today announced that the affordable, lightweight AG-HMC41E camcorder for professional users will be available in Europe from the end of August 2009. As part of Panasonic’s continually expanding range of professional handheld AVCCAM camcorders, the AG-HMC41E can store high-quality HD recordings on easy-to-handle, commercially available SD/SDHC memory cards, paving the way for tapeless recording technology. Until March 2010, the camcorder will be offered to users together with Edius Neo 2 software from Thomson Canopus, making the transition to Panasonic’s AVCHD system and tapeless HD recording highly cost-effective.
One of the company’s latest AVCCAM-series AVCHD products, the AG-HMC41E was first unveiled in April this year. Offered at an attractive price and intended to drive the introduction of tapeless technology in the industry, the product allows users of tape-based media to make a seamless, economical transition to Panasonic’s AVCHD system and a fully tapeless working environment. Bundling it with Edius Neo 2 video software makes it even easier for professional users to adopt the AVCHD system by removing the final cost barriers previously associated with switching to tapeless recording.
Nela Pertl, Market Intelligence Manager at Panasonic PBITS, explains: “Tapeless recording is becoming increasingly established in the industry. This camcorder demonstrates Panasonic’s commitment to making tapeless technology accessible to the broadest possible range of professional users, while the included software can reduce the entry cost even further. Users can now benefit from the many workflow advantages of direct recording to SD and SDHC cards with minimal capital expenditure; there really is no better time to switch to a high-quality tapeless HD recording method.”
With a 32 GB SDHC card, the AG-HMC41E camcorder records up to 180 minutes of high-quality HD video at a full-pixel sampling rate of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. It uses three 1/4.1-inch Progressive MOS sensors with a total of 3.05 million pixels (effective video pixels: approximately 2 million) and a PH mode for professional-user quality (maximum bit rate: 24 Mbit/s). Alternatively, the AG-HMC41E can record up to 720 minutes of video in HE mode (average bit rate: 6 Mbit/s). Still images are captured at a resolution of approximately 10.6 million pixels, comparable to the resolution of powerful digital cameras.
The AG-HMC41E camcorder features a compact design and weighs less than 1 kg. Despite its small size, the new camcorder offers several professional features, including fully HD-capable 3MOS imagers, high-resolution 10.6-megapixel still-image recording and 12x optical zoom. Further features include Panasonic’s colour-reproduction system developed for broadcast and professional applications, various focus aids such as face detection and touch autofocus, and professional functions including waveform monitoring. A detachable handle and an optional detachable XLR microphone adapter are offered as accessories.
Unlike tape-based systems, video and/or audio recording in the high-resolution digital AVCHD camcorder format takes the form of digital files that require no further digitisation. The files can be transferred directly to a Windows PC or Mac, simplifying the use of video recordings in various applications, including content production, internet distribution and source-material archiving. Users can also edit the AVCHD files, saving time and work in television-programme production. Low maintenance and servicing requirements make AVCHD technology an extremely cost-effective recording method.
Panasonic’s AG-HMC41E camcorder is offered at a recommended retail price of €2,470 excluding VAT.
