Test: Panasonic AG-HMC40 w/Shotgun Mic

[orangefoxvideos]

This is awesome when your high lol.

[theapothem1]

BRAVO

[LatitudeVFX]

What do you use to capture the footage? It can't be imovie because that comes in at 29.97 no matter what.

[littlesegall]

@LatitudeVFX he probably just took it straight off the SD card, you can do that too

[235T1NGR4Y23]

Hey I'm having a bit of trouble using my ag-mc2006g. I plug it into the camera and turn it on... btu it's not picking up the sound. I'm using a dvx for my camera.

[jerryfudala]

ILL TAKE DAT CAMERA!! YEEHAW!! (doin a hambone...)

[igoriv837]

good job guys awesome!!!

[kittykatro]

Nerds!!!

[psycold]

haha great song!

[shaggywhite742449]

If you're wanting to view the footage on a windows machine... you can go to panasonic's support website and download their viewer and compressor for free. It isn't easy to navigate their site(it's actually insanely difficuly) but it is there... In Apple, you just use FCP and log and transfer... I've heard that Premiere pro cs4 will edit natively, but haven't tested. I've had my HMC40 for about 3 weeks. Very happy so far.

[MoviesByPiece]

hey i have a question... are you using windows based computer for transfer? If so, how did you get onto the computer? I cannot, the SDHC card only has a cpi file and an mts file, and neither will play on my computer... any advice?hey i have a question... are you using windows based computer for transfer? If so, how did you get onto the computer? I cannot, the SDHC card only has a cpi file and an mts file, and neither will play on my computer... any advice?v

[freshsqueezemedia]

@MoviesByPiece Sorry can't help you there, I'm a mac guy.

[Harrisabd]

@freshsqueezemedia Mac ftw

[StuartHaight]

@MoviesByPiece

What software are you using? Since AVCHD is truley a budget format and unless you're doing an edit that requires no effects then it's recommended you transcode to a higher quality more stable format.

My Q6600 quadcore 2.66ghz is ble when editing MTS files with Vegas 8, but I use avid, I transcode to DNxHD, and editing is a breeze when adding complicated effects.

Getting it off the computer? All you need is the .mts files, use TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress to convert for editing.

[g5bucket]

@MoviesByPiece I had the same problem when I first purchased my Canon HFS100. I learned that although your computer may not read the .MTS files, you can import them into editing programs with no problem. I cant view them on my computer but I can bring them into Adobe After Effects and Sony Vegas

[ChristopherJohnOgden]

@MoviesByPiece i have a mac too but i use vlc player to play my SDHC footage

[treebobjoe]

@MoviesByPiece Use an editing program such as After Effects or Sony Vegas. They'll read the files for sure. When you render it out in a .wmv, it'll play fine

[donkeyridersrock]

I need help about the XLR unit. In the HMC40 user manual concerning audio settings:

FIX: fixes imput level (thats like auto gain level)

MANUAL: Enables manual input level adjustment

The user manual says "When an XLR microphone adapter is connected, the camera's mic imput level is fixed. Adjust the volume on the microphone adapter to adjust the input level"

That doesnt make sense, the AG-MYA30G is an adapter but it doesnt have dials to turn.

This footage appears to have manual volume, how?

[freshsqueezemedia]

There are actually two dials on the adapter itself that are used to adjust volume in both channels. If you hold the camera as though you are shooting video, you will see two very small dials labeled 1 and 2 on the back side of the adapter. They should be set in the mid range area. Turn these to adjust the volume level. There are dots of varying sizes that indicate lower or higher volume.

[donkeyridersrock]

Excellent! It's funny because all the photos of the device online are at angles so that I cannot see the back side!  I actually just found an image but didn't notice the dials until you said it was on the back.

Thanks alot for the quick reply! I know now for sure what my next purchase is...

[StuartHaight]

@freshsqueezemedia

Hey forgot to thank you, I got the unit a while back, it's amazing the dials are in the perfect spot. At first I was thinking ok this will take a bit of time getting used to (different spot compared to the DVX/HDV) but no! when handheld shooting (like following a guy with a handmic) it's right there so re adjust my hand positioning bla bla bla

[235T1NGR4Y23]

I bought a AG-MC200G mic.. what do I use to mount it onto my Panasonic DVX? Thanks in advance!

[hookinupholy]

Sorry for the delay in response. You need to purchase the AG-MYA30G - XLR Microphone Adapter and Mount to attach everything.

[CINECAMARATV]

Is the HMC40 without the shotgun mic and maybe without the lens hood small enough to pass as an ordinary consumer camcorder? I have seen people been prohibited to use the small Sony A1U with its shotgun mic inside hotels, zoos and museums. Is the HMC40 stealth enough to film in this places without attracting much attention?

[freshsqueezemedia]

Yes. , but I think you would have to drop the lens hood too, or else it may give it away. Depending on how tech-savy folks are, you could possibly get away with leaving the lens hood on.

[mpgxsvcd]

Video quality is nothing special. Audio sounds great though.

[lvlik9]

about how many hours will a 16gb card hold....

[freshsqueezemedia]

1.5 hours on the highest quality.

[lvlik9]

So i guess the 32 gb sd cards that are for about $40 isn't a class 6.I Havent really pay attendtion to what class it was.I saw some on ebay for $40(32gb) and some other one for like $300(32gb)....

[freshsqueezemedia]

Most people don't need 3 hours of non-stop footage on one disk, so if I were you I'd save some money and go with the 16gb disks.

[lvlik9]

okay great, just keep me updated on the camera if you dont mind. I will be getting one with my income tax money, which editing software are you using, on the sd cards, will the one's from walmart work or will you have to get the ones from panasonic..thanks

[freshsqueezemedia]

I typically use Final Cut and Adobe to do my editing in, and as far as SD cards go, I would recommend sticking with a class 6 card, but brand really isn't too important. I use 16GB Transcend Class 6 cards. They are cheaper than the 32GB cards and work great. Amazon has a good price on them.

[lvlik9]

how is the camera doing so far, also do you know if it has a live audio headphone and video output..

[freshsqueezemedia]

It's doing good. I had some sort of a fluke "occurrence" on my first import and had to send it in for service, but Panasonic was great and sent me a loaner until they had it fixed. Since then I haven't had any issues with it and it has been great. yes it has both live audio headphone and video output. For the price, it's a great camera.

[jaredcicon]

Dude, I love the test footage, but I'm even more impressed with the musicians. Do you have access to these guys for soundtrack/music bed work?

[freshsqueezemedia]

Yes, they are the siblings of a friend of mine. They are quite amazing. I have some additional footage of them doing some other songs as well.