I just purchased the AG-HMC40 and when I put a 8GB memory card in it saids I have around 46 mins on the PH-1080/60i mode. But when I change the settings to PH-720/24 the cam still says I have 46 Mins of recording time. How come the recording time does not change when I change formats?

Gary

I went back to my (HMC150) manual to confirm. Both are considered native formats and are "full quality" PH mode. The data rate is 21-24 mbps.

You have to go down to one of the H* modes to get longer record time, while sacrificing data rate. HA is apparently 17 mbps. HE is the lowest quality, and is 6 mbps.

Hi Gary

The 150 and 80 and 40 are much the same as Brian has already said...All your 720 modes are in PH only and then you have 1080 modes in PH (24mbps), HA (17mbps) HG (13mbps) and lastly HE (6mbps)

If you switch to photo mode you will also see the battery change it's "hours left" and also in "playback" so don't get confused as you will have heaps more time left in photo mode compared to PH record time

Chris