The Panasonic AG HMC41E Notes

Task 1 - Preparing the camera

• Insert the battery
• Turn on the camera (the red light will flash)
• Quick Start mode allows you to begin recording more quickly
• The "tally lamp" will flash when receiving commands from the remote control; this allows people around the camera to see when it is recording
• The menus and other displays can be accessed via the touch panel (self-explanatory)
• The camera has two viewfinders; a miniature LCD, and a retractable 2.7-inch LCD. The LCD gives us a frame.
• EVF DTL is assigned to one of the USER buttons 1-3.
• Setting the calendar - set the CLOCK SET and TIME ZONE to the correct time/date.

Task 2 - AUTO Mode

• An SD Memory Card must be fully inserted to the card slot.
• Switch the AUTOMANUAL switch to AUTO to select auto mode.
• Press the REC CHECK/PHOTO button while in record standby mode to check photos taken.
• The SD Card can be formatted by selecting YES for CARD FORMAT.
• The higher the capacity of the SD Memory Card, the higher the total available recording time.
• The camera is capable of continuous recording for a maximum of 12 hours.
• When the SD Memory Card is out of the camera, move the write-protect switch on the SD Memory Card to the "LOCK" position to prevent recorded contents being accidentally erased from the card.
• To zoom in, press T:, and to zoom out, press W:. Zoom volume buttons are located on the remote control, whilst the zoom lever is located on the camera.

Task 3 - Progressive Scan

• "Progressive Scan" is one of two methods (the other being "Interlaced Scan") used for "painting" an image on a screen, where the lines are drawn in one at a time in sequential order. Twice the detail is sent in the same amount of time, due to the entire single frame image being painted every 1/60th of a second.
• We record with progressive scan, because it greatly reduces the flickering that people notice when watching a video recording.

Task 4 - Manual Mode

• Move the AUTOMANUAL switch to the MANUAL position.
• Use the FOCUS button to switch the focus mode.
• FOCUS ASSIST makes aligning the focus easier, and is particularly useful in manual focus mode.
• Pressing the FOCUS ASSIST button will automatically zoom in on your target, whilst allowing you to keep your original frame.
• Press the IRIS dial to switch the method of adjustment for the aperture of the lens (make sure you are in MANUAL MODE).
• Turn the IRIS dial to adjust the aperture of lens when in the manual Iris mode.
• Place a white pattern in a location with the same lighting conditions and light source as the subject, then zoom in and fill the whole screen with white (this will create WHITE BALANCE).
• BLACK BALANCE cannot be adjusted during recording.