Meet The Panasonic AG-AC160 HD Professional Handheld Camcorder – Samy’s DV & Edit
Meet The Panasonic AG-AC160 HD Handheld Camcorder…
AG-AC160 AVCCAM HD Handheld Camcorder
The Pansanic AG-AC160 AVCCAM HD handheld camcorder incorporates top production features including variable frame rate recording in 1080p, Linear PCM audio, an HD-SDI output, and switchability between 59.94Hz/50Hz for worldwide use. The AC160 is equipped with high-sensitivity 1/3″, full-HD 2.2 megapixel U.L.T. (Ultra Luminance Technology) 3-MOS imager as well as 22X HD zoom lens (the longest in its class), to offer a wide field of view and operability much like an interchangeable lens.
Offering high-quality HD recording utilizing MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 high-profile encoding, the AC160 records video in four professional AVCCAM HD recording modes at 60Hz, including the highest-quality PH mode (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), the HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), the extended recording HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps), and a PM mode (approx. 8 Mbps, 720p only). The AC160 has an additional feature that allows switching between 59.94 Hz or 50 Hz to support video production systems used around the world. At 50Hz, the AC160 also records in 1080/50i and 1080/25p, in 720/50p and 720/25p, and in 576/50i and 576/25p.
The AVCCAM handhelds offers useful solid-state recording functions including pre-record, interval recording, shot marker and metadata capture. Additional features include waveform and vectorscope display, focus assists, auto focus with face detection, white balance, mode display, zebra display, color bar, tally lamps, 4-position ND optical filter controls, slow shutter and synchro-scan shutter functions, a multi-language menu, and three programmable user buttons. A wireless remote is also included.
For editing or playback, professionals can transfer content by inserting the SD Memory Card into Mac or PC computers or by connecting the camera directly via its USB 2.0 interface. Panasonic recently announced AVCCAM Importer software, a QuickTime plug-in component that eliminates the need to convert AVCHD files to ProRES422 files before editing in Final Cut Pro as a free download from the company’s web site.
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