Panasonic announces AG-HMC71 AVCHD camcorder

Panasonic has introduced the AG-HMC71 AVCHD camcorder, a shoulder-mount unit that records high-quality 1080i images onto SD/SDHC memory cards.

The AG-HMC71 AVCHD camcorder eliminates the need for a special deck as well as the time needed to transfer content from a tape to a PC for editing or content distribution.

The AG-HMC71 uses the H.264-based AVCHD video format to deliver HD images. AVCHD delivers twice the recording efficiency of older MPEG-2 codec technologies like HDV, and it is supported by a growing number of nonlinear editing packages, including Apple's Final Cut Pro Version 6.0.1 and iMovie; Grass Valley EDIUS Software Version 4.5; Pinnacle Studio Plus 11; Nero 7 Premium Reloaded; Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus; and Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus.

The AG-HMC71 features three native 16:9 progressive 1/4in CCDs to record or provide a live feed of widescreen 1440 x 1080 HD images. The camcorder is equipped with a 12X 38.5mm-462mm Leica wide-angle zoom lens, one-push auto focus and integrated Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.).

For more information, visit www.panasonic-broadcast.com.