Panasonic AG-HMC41E

Panasonic AG-HMC41E

Panasonic unveils AG-HMC41E, low cost professional AVCCAM handheld with 10.6 megapixel still capability

3-megapixel ?? 3-mos imagers with full HD resolution 1080 and 720 recording

Panasonic has expanded its professional AVCCAM line with the introduction of a more compact, lighter handheld camcorder ? the AG-HMC41E. Weighing less than 2.2 pounds , the new AVCCAM camcorder is packed with an impressive range of professional features including full HD 3MOS imagers, high-resolution 10.6-megapixal still photo capture, 12X optical zoom and high-quality, solid-state AVCHD recording on widely-available SD cards.

The HMC41E is an AVCHD format based camcorder that uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 high profile encoding, which provides a near doubling of bandwidth efficiency and improved video performance over the older MPEG-2 compression formats (e.g. HDV, DVD, etc.). AVCHD high definition recordings look clean and crisp, even during fast motion, reducing the image degradation or dropout associated with older HDV recordings.

The HMC41E features a full resolution 3-megapixel, 1/4.1-inch 3MOS imager that produces stunning 1920x1080 HD images with high sensitivity. The camera captures still images with 10.6-megapixel resolution directly onto the SD card as a JPEG image. The handheld offers a 12X optical zoom (includes 2X, 5X, 10X) and professional image functions like Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) that helps compensate for wide variations in lighting, and a Cine-Like Gamma mode which gives recordings a more film-like aesthetic.

The HD camcorder records in all four professional AVCCAM recording modes, including the high-quality PH mode (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), the HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), the HG mode (approx.13 Mbps) and the extended recording HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps). It supports 1080/50i(in all mode) and 1080/25P,720/50P,720/25P(in PH mode only).

Using just one 32GB SDHC memory card, a user can record three hours of full resolution 1920x1080 video and audio in PH mode, four hours at HA mode and 5.3 hours at HG mode. In the HE mode, the camera can record up to 12 hours of 1440x1080 HD content ? all on a single 32GB SDHC card.

The HMC41E comes standard with HDMI output, USB 2.0 (miniB-type devices), composite output (AV multi/ch1, ch2), analog component (mini-D), detachable XLR audio input and audio REC level adjustment dials. Users also have the choice of expanding the camera?s audio capability with 2-channel input, mic/line switchable and +48V options that are available for purchase separately. The camera?s 2.7-inch LCD monitor offers simple touch-panel operation and access to various solid-state recording functions such as pre-record, interval recording, shot marker and metadata capture.

In addition, this lightweight handheld offers invaluable professional features including waveform monitor display, focus assists such as focus bar display and enlarged display, time date stamp, user assignable focus ring, auto focus with face detection, zebra display, synchro-scan shutter function, three programmable user buttons, time code/UB recording, remote control terminal (for zoom, focus, aperture, REC start/stop controls).

AVCCAM content recorded on the SD card can be played back directly on a growing number of low cost consumer devices including solid-state HD players, Blu-ray players, game machines, laptop computers, and widescreen plasma displays with SD card slots. For editing or playback, professionals can transfer content from the SD Card to Mac or PC computers or by connecting the camera directly via its USB 2.0 interface.

AVCHD is supported by a wide range of editing options including Apple Final Cut Pro 6.0.5, , Adobe Premier Pro CS4 , EDIUS Pro 5, EDIUS Neo 2, . In addition, a free transcoder, available for download at www.panasonic-broadcast.com , will convert AVCHD files to DVCPRO HD P2 and downconverted DV files for use with most existing professional editing packages.

Panasonic?s AVCCAM series brings the benefits of solid-state HD recording to budget-conscious professionals with a range of affordable camera and recorder products. In addition to HMC41E, the AVCCAM line includes the popular AG-HMC151E handheld, the shoulder-mount AG-HMC71E and the new AG-HMR10E AVCCAM recorder and AG-HCK10E camera head. AVCCAM products record stunning professional AVCHD video onto inexpensive, reusable SD/SDHC cards, like digital still photography. As AVCHD files are digital, they can be transferred and stored on affordable, high-capacity hard disk drives (HDD) or optical storage media and transferred to future storage media as technology advances.

The AG-HMC41E will be available in August this year at a suggested list price of 2950? RRP.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business and industrial needs. Based in Osaka , Japan , the company recorded consolidated net sales of 9.07 trillion yen (US $90.7 billion) for the year ended 31 March 2008. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo , Osaka , Nagoya and New York (NYSE Symbol: PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.

About PBITS

Panasonic?s Professional & Broadcast IT Systems Business Unit is part of Panasonic Audio Visual and Computer Systems Europe (PAVCSE), a division of Panasonic Marketing Europe GmbH. The company is a leader in the development of video formats and core products for broadcast and professional AV, including camera-recorders, video recorders, monitors and mixers. Panasonic?s P2 systems provide the reliability of solid-state production with immediate connectivity to existing IT infrastructures, allowing for completely tapeless workflows. www.panasonic-broadcast.com

About P2 HD

P2 HD all-solid-state products offer high-definition recording without the mechanical wear and environmental limitations of tape, hard disk and optical disc based systems. P2 HD ensures the highest reliability, especially in challenging conditions of extreme temperature range, shock and vibration. P2 HD products provide a significant reduction in maintenance costs, longer useful product life and immediate access to recorded video (no need to digitize, ingest or create proxy video files) and metadata. P2 HD provides the reliability of solid-state production; the immediate connectivity to existing IT infrastructures; the speed, ease-of-use and portability of P2 cards; and interoperability with leading NLE systems.