Digital Video - November 2008 - (Page 8)

IN REVIEW PANASONIC AG-HMC150 CAMCORDER ADVANCING AVCHD PANASONIC COMBINES HD CAPABILITY WITH FAMILIAR FEEL. BY CHUCK GLOMAN A SCORE 1⁄3" PANASONIC AG-HMC150 AWARD OF quality down to 6Mbps to increase recording time, but VCHD just got serious. Panasonic’s new AGyou’ll sacrifice image quality, particularly with regard to HMC150 camcorder (MSRP $3,995) looks very motion. EXCELLENCE much like the company’s six-year-old AGWith no tape transport or moving parts (except the DVX100 SD workhorse. Under the familiar die-cast magnezoom lens motor), the HMC150 weighs less than 5 lb. sium chassis, however, there are some very big improvements. when equipped with the supplied battery and microphone. The Leica Part of the AVCCAM product line, the HMC150 only records in optics open to 3.9mm (30mm still camera equivalent) — wider than HD using the AVCHD format, which is based on MPEG-4 compresthe DVX100 — and the HMC150 incorporates a 13x zoom with sion. Three progressive 1⁄3" CCDs — the same ones found in three fixed speeds, accessible from the handle or variable speed from Panasonic’s more expensive AG-HPX170 and AG-HVX200A camthe zoom rocker. corders — offer 1920x1080 image capture. You can Control layout is very similar to the DVX100, though the left record in 1080i/60, 1080i/30, 720p/60 and and right audio level controls are recessed under a clear plastic 720p/30, as well as native 720p/24 and screen to protect against inadvertent changes. The dual XLR 1080p/24. inputs are also covered with plastic caps. Another big change is a tapeless workThere is no FireWire port; instead, you can flow. The HMC150 records to SD or SDHC choose between HDMI, USB 2.0 and compomemory cards, not Mini DV tape. You can record nent out for file transfer. Also, you can output up to 90 minutes at the highest quality (21Mbps) downconverted SD in side crop, letterbox or on a 16GB SDHC card. You can reduce your squeeze via RCA or component. Other features for the HMC150 include a waveform monitor and vectorscope available on command, three ND filters, and Dynamic Range Stretch, DV which allows you to see detail in darkness. Top: The HMC150 offers both a 3.5-inch LCD screen and a color viewfinder. Left: Based on the chassis of Panasonic’s popular DVX100 camcorder, the new HMC150 is lightweight and well balanced, with three built-in ND filters and image stabilization. PROS: Tapeless, excellent AVCHD image, CCDs, lightweight, great low-light performance. CONS: Fixed lens, no FireWire port, complex menus with tiny control, AVCHD must be supported. BOTTOM LINE: AVCHD just got serious. MSRP: $3,995 CONTACT: www.panasonic.com 8 dv november 2008 www.dv.com http://www.panasonic.com http://www.dv.com

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Digital Video - November 2008 Contents AG-HMC150 Camcorder I-Cuff Eyepiece Protector Instant Expert Avid Media Composer 3.0 DT-B9L 1DU Monitor Flolight LCD500 Dark Red Close-Up: Chop Shop Socky Prime Mover Tools & Technology: DV Expo Toolkit Click to Play DV101 Production Diary

Digital Video - November 2008

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