The Digital Video Information Network - Panasonic AVCCAM Camcorders

HMC40 Visits Billion Dollar Ghost Town

Dan Carter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:49:15 GMT

Took the HMC40 to visit Jerome. Arizona's billion dollar ghost town. The theater segment was a good test of a modified version of Barry Green's LoNoiz scene file.

The Billion Dollar Ghost Town on Vimeo

Performance of AVCCAM Transcoding....

Kaleem Maxwell — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:32:38 GMT

The 150 is one of the cameras I'm thinking of buying and I know there's a bit of a time cost when transcoding into an Intra-Frame codec for use with FCP?

How is it when doing that with a MacBook Pro Core2 2.4 ghz and which Intra-Frame Codec do you use that gives you a good balance between speed and quality when it comes to editing?

As far as I heard, there's Apple ProRes, DVCProHD and NeoScene.

So for an hour of AVCCAM footage, how long would I expect it would take to convert to these three?

Thanks!

HMC-40 at VNA Air Show

Sherri Nestico — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:18:37 GMT

Hey everyone,

Today was a day I was wishing my Manfrotto 561b monopod would hurry up and arrive from B&H. I sure did need it at the air show.

It was a beautiful day: bright and clear, low 80s but windy! So I had more shake than usual with the camcorder.

As ya'll can tell, I tried to follow the action of the aerobatics. That was definitely a challenge, especially when you're trying to dodge a gazillion people walking past you. I'm moderately pleased with how I did, considering I've never even been to an air show before.

Here's the result:

Videos: VNA Air Show flying high in Stuart - Treasure Coast, FL | TCPalm.com

Hmc 40 gain settings

Brian Rhodes — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:53:06 GMT

I have an HMC 40 on loan from my dealer.. Is there a way to change the IRIS and Gain independently . I do not have the manual.

HMC-40 at cattle auction

Sherri Nestico — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:33:12 GMT

I covered the 31st annual cattle auction at a local ranch today. It was very overcast and I was shooting outdoors and under an open-air cattle barn. I fiddled a bit with the scene file settings and shot most of the auction at +1db gain.

When I was using the camcorder on auto under the cattle barn enclosure, I noticed that the auto white balance was very slow to adjust. I'd start videotaping a scene with a tungsten blue tint and it would gradually fade to a brighter, more natural color. Is that normal?

Videos: Adams Ranch hosts annual cattle auction - Treasure Coast, FL | TCPalm.com

HMC40 Visits Grand Canyon

Dan Carter — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:27:06 GMT

First outing with Panasonic AG-HMC40. With the exception of timelapse (interval), shot in PH 720/60p, Detail +2, Chroma Level +3, DRS +2.

The camera did well in some low-light conditions and not in others, but with experience I should be able to improve results.

Grand Canyon South, November 2009 on Vimeo

HMC-40 at Navy UDT-SEAL Museum

Sherri Nestico — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:47:17 GMT

Today was the annual Muster Drill Veteran's Day celebration at our local museum. The Panny got another workout.

I didn't get to put a lot of the video I shot of the actual SEALS demonstrations rappelling out of the helicopters. Some of it was overexposed because I was shooting into direct sunlight as the helicopters were moving out with the men dangling from the rappelling line. I left it on 1/60 shutter and shot at 1080/60i. I didn't notice any motion smear with the helicopter blades spinning, but of course I'm almost half asleep after a 12-hour day...:)

Here's the URL:

Videos: Muster XXIV packs in the crowds - Treasure Coast, FL | TCPalm.com

Quicker encode ??

Mike Moncrief — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:51:36 GMT

Hi all,

Been editing footage from a couple HMC 150's for a couple months now.. Image quality is quite nice.. Editing using FCP 6.06 and have been using log and transfer to import and encode to Prores files... My question is, are there any quicker solutions to import, or even use the native files from the SD cards ?? Any third party solutions ??
The encode times just take a long time to import the footage..

Thanks !!

Cruising with my HMC-40

Sherri Nestico — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:28:27 GMT

Hi all,

I'm back from an eight-day cruise where I tried to learn more about my HMC-40. I did some experimentation with setting the white balance, adjusting the shutter speed, adjusting the iris and using my Comer 1800 on-board light. I took baby steps with the adjustments, though, because I had to use the footage in a work assignment.

Here is the result, converted to SD and then mp4:

Videos: Singles cruises offer fun, safety for solo travelers - Treasure Coast, FL | TCPalm.com

I know I overexposed the opening clip and I have some dark footage from inside the ship because I didn't take my Comer light with me all the time. But I'm a lot happier with the video from this trip than I was with the video referenced in my previous thread from last month. I'm going on another cruise in February so any suggestions on how I can improve are welcome.

HMC-150 must have accessories

John Sconiers — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:47:56 GMT

What are some must have accessories fro the HMC-150? I'm talking lights, shotgun mics, the works.

Light for the HMC-150:

Simon Zimmer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:39:48 GMT

Hello,

What type of light are people using to mount on their HCM-150?

I would like to add one for interviews and indoor scenarios.

Thanks,

Simon

hmc150 in nyc metro area?

Rob Katz — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:49:27 GMT

hmc150 in nyc metro area?

anyone w/a hmc150 in the nyc metro area care to share?

(i'm willing to drive 90miles away)

i'm looking to "test drive" so will gladly rent for a few hours with u in attendance.

i'm even willing to meet in your neighborhood if u have a morning to spare.

1st coffee my buy!

thanks in advance

be well

rob

1st shoot with HMC-150

Robert Turchick — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:55:12 GMT

Been renting various HDV cams for a while and finally decided to stop giving money to the rental companies!

A few weeks ago I shot a music vid with the 170 and was blown away. The only hassle was we had 2 16 gig cards which at the resolution we shot gave us about 40 minutes. (or 10 takes of the 3:30 tune!)
So after much research, the 150 was in my budget range and 16 gig card yields 100 minutes at full quality? AWESOME!

Bought it last week and got to use it for real today and what a dream! shot about 60 minutes of vid with all sorts of subject matter.

Got back home and did the log&transfer in FCP...super fast, 20 minutes! (not even enough time to finish my lunch!) And the footage is stunning! Shot with the default 1080 60i. Even in the lower light footage, a couple of clicks of brightness in FCP and no discernible noise!

This camera simply rocks!!

I haven't been this excited over a new piece of gear since my first computer 20 years ago!!

HMC150- Water Housing-rental

Greg Harris — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:41:07 GMT

Does anyone know a place I can rent a water housing unit for my hmc150? I think next summer I'll want to film some surfing off the outer banks. I live in Northern VA so if anyone knows of something from Baltimore down to the outer banks who rents this type of equipment that would be great!!!

Thanks

2in1Q: Cinegamma-V, Cinegamma-D and/or Cineform

Ben Tolosa — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:51:35 GMT

Friends,

I've got a HMC-150 and I am trying to achieve 'film look' to my footage (short movie [1080p/24p]). Looking at the 150's settings, I discovered two dynamic range settings called 'Cinegamma-V' and 'Cinegamma-D'.

The manual description of 'Cinegamma-V' is that is for video out and 'Cinegamma-D' is for film out.

Besides what the description suggest, what's the different between both? I surfed the web for answers and I couldn't find anything. Even Wikipedia doesn't have a good detailed description between both.

So, I was wondering if you can please explain me the difference with some more detail than just the manual's description.

I've also heard about Cineform. I went to wikipedia and to their website and learned they have all these different products:

neoscene
prospecthd
prospect4k
neohd
neo4k
neo3d
cineddr

My second question is: Do I need or want to use Cineform even tough I have 'Cinegamma-D' and 'Cinegamma-D' as dynamic range settings on my HMC-150?

If so,.. why?

And which one of their products then?

I am using Final Cut Studio.

Thank you very much in advantage!!

Kind regards,

Ben Tolosa