Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HMC150P Operating Instructions

							
101
Reference
 
Recording
Cannot record even 
through the SD Memory 
Card is inserted correctly.Is the write-protect switch on the SD Memory Card in the “LOCK” 
position? The card cannot be recorded to if the switch is in the 
“LOCK” position.
Is the remaining memory available on the SD Memory Card 
extremely low? Please save contents onto different media and 
delete unneeded data from the card, or use a new card instead.
Has the SD Memory Card been correctly formatted? Alternatively, is 
the card of a format that is incompatible with this camera? Reformat 
the card with the camera.
8 MB - 16 MB SD Memory Cards cannot be used.
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• P33
P32
P9
Recording stops by itself. Is your SD Memory Card compatible with use for video recording?
Always use an SD Memory Card compatible with use for video 
recording.
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P9
Editing
Cannot read the data on the 
SD Memory Card.Make sure the SD Memory Card is formatted correctly.
If it is not, format the card in the unit.
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P32
Cannot perform nonlinear 
editing. Check the specifications of your computer and connecting cable.
• P75
Cannot dub onto an
external device. Make sure the external device is connected correctly.
• P72
Displays
Something is wrong with
the time code display.The time code display may not register a regular count if a clip is 
played in the reverse slow mode. This is normal.
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Playback
Cannot play even when I
press the play button.Make sure the PB lamp is on (press the mode button).
No kind of playback operation can be performed unless this lamp 
is on.
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P59
Mosaic-like noise appears 
when I cue or review a clip. This noise is inherent to digital video technology. This is normal.
• —
Images do not appear on 
the television even though 
I have connected the 
camera-recorder properly. Make sure the input selector on your television is set to video input.
Read the television’s instructions carefully and select the correct 
video input connector for the camera-recorder.
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Cannot hear any sound 
from the camera-recorder’s 
speaker. You may have turned down the camera-recorder’s volume control 
too far.
Adjust the volume level using the AUDIO MON/ADV button +.
•
P70
(Continued on the next page) 
						

							
102
PC connection
Computer does not 
recognize camera when 
USB connection cable is 
connected.Check the operating environment.
Is the camera’s operating mode setting correct? The camera will 
not be recognized when in CAM mode or PB mode. Please set the 
camera to PC mode.
If your computer has multiple USB terminals, please try connecting 
the camera to a different USB terminal.
Switch the camera’s power off and back on again, and reconnect 
the USB connection cable.
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P75
An error message appears 
on the computer when the 
USB connection cable is 
disconnected. To disconnect the USB connection cable safely, double-click the 
icon in the task tray, and follow the instructions on the screen.
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Other
The remote control does
not work.The battery in the remote control may have run out. 
If the remote control fails to work even if it is operated close to the \
remote control sensor of the camera-recorder, it means that the 
battery has run out. Replace it with new one.
Is the IR REMOTE item on the setting menu OTHER FUNCTIONS 
screen set to OFF?
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P22
There is a rattling sound 
when the camera-recorder 
is tilted back and forth. This is the sound of the lens moving. This is not a fault. No sound 
should be heard when the camera’s power is switched on.
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A clicking sound is heard 
when the power is turned 
on or when the PB mode is 
switched to the CAM mode.This initialization operation is performed when the camera starts up. 
It occurs due to the construction of the camera and is not indicative 
of any trouble.
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The SD Memory Card 
screen appears strange. The data on the card could be corrupted. Data can be corrupted by 
static electricity and electromagnetic waves. Please always save 
important data to a computer or other storage media.
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The SD Memory Card 
cannot be used even after 
formatting. There could be a fault with the camera or with the SD Memory 
Card. Please consult the place of purchase. Always use only SD 
Memory Cards of 512 MB - 32 GB with this camera.
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The camera does not 
recognize the SD Memory 
Card even though it is 
inserted correctly. Was the inserted SD Memory Card originally formatted with a 
computer? Always use this camera to format SD Memory Cards. 
Please be aware that, when an SD Memory Card is formatted, all 
data recorded on the card will be erased and will not be restorable.
•
P32
The SD Memory Card is not 
recognized when inserted 
into other devices. Please check that the device is compatible with the capacity or type 
(SD Memory Card/SDHC Memory Card) of the SD Memory Card 
that you are using. 
For details, please consult the device’s own operating instructions.
•
P10
Before calling for service (continued) 
						

							
103
Reference
 
The changeover between clips may not always be smooth when playing back \
multiple clips in succession.
Video may momentarily pause when playing back multiple clips in successio\
n in circumstances such as those 
detailed below.
Mixture of different recording formats
  Recording mode = PH mode
  Playback format = 1080/60i(30P)
Recording format PH 1080/60iRecording format PH 1080/60iRecording formatPH 1080/60i
Playback is smooth. Not played back as clip is  of different format.Video pauses 
momentarily during clip 
changeover.
Recording formatPH 720/60P
Mixture of different recording modes
  Recording format = 1080/60i
  Playback format = 1080/60i(30P)
Video pauses momentarily during clip changeover.Playback is smooth when changing 
from HA mode to HG mode, or from 
HG mode to HA mode.
Recording format HA 1080/60iRecording formatHG 1080/60iRecording formatHE 1080/60iRecording format HA 1080/60iRecording format  PH 1080/60i
Some clips have been recorded using PRE REC function
PRE REC recordingNormal recording
Video pauses momentarily during clip changeover.Playback is smooth when changing 
from PRE REC-recorded clip to 
normally-recorded clip.
PRE REC recordingNormal recording
Some clips have a recording time of less than 3 seconds
Recording time is 
more than 3 seconds
Playback is smooth.Video pauses momentarily during clip changeover.
Recording time is 
more than 3 secondsRecording time is 
less than 3 seconds
 
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104
Operating precautions
Do not allow any water to get into the camera-
recorder when using it in the rain or snow or at 
the beach.Failure to heed this caution will cause the 
camera-recorder or a card to malfunction (and 
may result in irreparable damage).
Keep the camera-recorder away from 
equipment (such as TV sets and video game 
machines) that generate magnetic fields. Using the camera-recorder on top of or near a 
TV set may cause distortion in the images and/or 
sound due to the electromagnetic waves that the 
set emits.
The powerful magnetic fields generated by 
speakers or large motors may damage your 
recordings or distort the images.
The electromagnetic waves emitted from a 
microcomputer will adversely affect the camera-
recorder, causing the images and/or sound to be 
distorted.
If the camera-recorder is so adversely affected by 
products that generate magnetic fields that it no 
longer operates properly, turn it off and remove 
the battery or unplug the AC adapter from the 
power outlet. Then install the battery again or 
reconnect the AC adapter. After this, turn the 
camera-recorder back on.
Do not use the camera-recorder near radio 
transmitters or high-voltage equipment. Using the camera-recorder near a radio 
transmitter or high-voltage equipment may 
adversely affect the recorded images and/or 
sound.
Do not allow any sand or dust to get into the 
camera-recorder when using it at the beach 
and other similar places. Sand and dust can damage the camera-recorder 
or a card. (Be especially careful when inserting or 
removing a card.)
AC adapter and battery If the CHARGE lamp continues to blink even 
when the battery temperature is normal, there 
may be something wrong with the battery or AC 
adapter. Contact your dealer.
The battery takes longer to charge when it is 
warm.
The AC adapter can interfere with radio reception 
so keep radios at least 1 meter away from it.
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• The AC adapter may make some noise when you 
are using it, but this is normal.
Take precautions not to drop the camera when 
moving it. Strong impacts may damage the camera and 
cause it to stop working.
Handle the camera with care, using the hand 
strap or shoulder strap to carry it.
Do not spray the camera with insect sprays or 
other volatile substances. These can warp the camera or cause the finish 
to come off.
Do not leave the camera-recorder in contact with 
rubber or PVC products for extended periods of 
time.
After use, remove the battery and disconnect 
the AC power supply cord.
Battery characteristics
This camera-recorder uses a rechargeable 
lithiumion battery that uses its internal chemical 
reaction to generate electrical energy. This reaction 
is easily influenced by the ambient temperature 
and humidity, and the battery’s effective operating 
time is reduced as the temperature rises or falls. In 
very low temperatures, the battery may last only 5 
minutes.
Protective circuitry functions if you use the battery 
where it is very hot and you will have to wait before 
you can use it again.
Remove the battery after use.
Completely remove the battery. (The battery 
continues to be used even if you have turned 
the camera off.) The battery can over discharge 
if you leave it in the camera and it may become 
impossible to recharge it.
Disposing of spent batteries
The battery will become unchargeable. Rather than 
throwing the battery into the garbage, take it to a 
store that can assist in recycling it. •
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105
Reference
What to remember when throwing memory 
cards away or transferring them to others
Formatting memory cards or deleting data using 
the functions of the unit or a computer will merely 
change the file management information: it will 
not completely erase the data on the cards. When 
throwing these cards away or transferring them 
to others, either physically destroy them or use a 
data deletion program for computers (commercially 
available) to completely erase the data. Users are 
responsible for managing the data on their memory 
cards.
Liquid crystal displaysImages or letters can get burned onto the screen 
of the LCD or viewfinder if they are displayed for 
a long time, but you can fix this by leaving the 
camera off for several hours.
The liquid crystal parts are highly precise with 
99.99% of the pixels effective. This leaves less 
than 0.01% of pixels that may not light or may 
remain on all the time. These phenomena are 
normal and will have no effect on the images you 
shoot.
Condensation may form if you use the camera 
where temperatures fluctuate. Wipe dry with a 
soft, dry cloth.
The LCD may appear dim after immediately 
turning on a cold camera, but will brighten as the 
camera warms up.
Do not point the lens or viewfinder at the sun.
Doing so may damage the parts inside.
Protective caps for the connectors
Keep the protective caps fitted over any 
connectors that are not being used.  •
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106
Updating the driver in the camera
For the latest information or the updating procedure on drivers, visit t\
he Support Desk at the following Web 
sites.
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/
Cleaning
When cleaning, do not use benzene or thinner.Using benzine or paint thinners may deform the 
camera-recorder and/or cause the surface finish 
to peel off.
Before proceeding with maintenance, remove the 
battery or disconnect the AC cord from the power 
outlet.
Use a soft, clean cloth to wipe the camera-
recorder. To remove stubborn dirt, wipe the 
camera-recorder with a cloth moistened with 
kitchen detergent that has been diluted with 
water and then use a dry cloth to take up the 
remaining moisture.
Cleaning the Viewfinder
If there is dust inside the viewfinder, remove the 
eye cup holder and get rid of the dust. The interior of the eye cup holder is specially 
finished, so do not ever wipe it. If there is dust on 
it, blow it off with an air blower.
Remove the eye cup holder with the eye cup 
attached by rotating it counterclockwise. (It will 
be tightly screwed on.) When you do this, tilt the 
viewfinder slightly upward.
To mount the eye cup holder, align the ridges 
and grooves of the eye cup holder and camera-
recorder, and turn clockwise until the holder 
clicks into place.
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Eye cup holder
Eye cup
Projections 
						

							
107
Reference
Storage Precautions
Before storing the camera-recorder, remove both 
the SD Memory Card and battery.
Store all of these items in a place with low humidity 
and relatively constant temperature.
[Recommended temperature range: 15°C to 25°C 
(59 °F to 77 °F )]
[Recommended relative humidity: 40% to 60%]
Camera-recorderWrap the camera-recorder in a soft cloth to keep 
the dust off.
Battery The battery life is shortened in places with 
extreme temperatures.
Storing the battery in a location with oily vapors 
or high dust concentrations may corrode the 
terminals or cause other damage, leading to 
malfunction.
Keep metal objects (such as necklaces and 
hairpins) away from the terminals. 
Short-circuiting may occur across the 
terminals, causing the battery to heat up, and 
you may seriously burn yourself if you touch 
the battery in this state.
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• SD Memory Cards
After ejecting an SD Memory Card from the unit, 
be absolutely sure to stow it in its own case.
Do not leave SD Memory Cards in areas where 
corrosive gases, etc. are present.
Do not leave the cards inside vehicles, in places 
exposed to direct sunlight or in other places 
where the temperature is high.
Do not leave the cards where the humidity level 
is high or where there are high concentrations 
of dust.
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108
Recording format
Recording modeFrame rate
60 30P 24P
PH 1080/60i 1080/60i
1080/30P
(over 60i) 1080/24P
(Native recording)
720/60P 720/60P 720/30P
(over 60P) 720/24P
(Native recording)
HA 1080/60i 1080/60i – –
HG 1080/60i 1080/60i – – HE 1080/60i 1080/60i – – 
						

							
109
Reference
How to handle data recorded on SD Memory Card
Data recorded in AVCHD format offers excellent 
compatibility with computers due to the file type, 
but since this format includes not only video 
and audio data, but also a variety of important 
information, the folder structure will consist of file 
associations as illustrated in the diagram on the 
right. If even part of this information is modified or 
deleted, the data may no longer be recognized as 
AVCHD data, or the memory card may not longer 
be able to be used with AVCHD devices.
To prevent the loss of information when copying 
data from the SD Memory Card to a computer, 
or when copying data stored on a computer 
back onto the SD Memory Card, be sure to use 
the AVCCAM Viewer specialist software, which 
can be downloaded from the following website. 
(Compatible OS: Windows XP/Windows Vista)
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/ Drive: \
PRIVATE
AVCHD
AVCHDTN
BDMV
CLIPINF
PLAYLIST
STREAM
Concerning the handling of the camera’s metadata
  
 A special manufacturer area in the control file area under the AVCHD standard is employed for the 
metadata which is supported by this camera.
   If files are deleted or copied, if clip protection is added or removed o\
r if other such editing operations 
have been performed using editing software or a camera recorder which do\
es not support this camera’s 
metadata, the special area for the metadata will be erased, and the shot\
 marks and indexes added by 
the camera as well as the PH mode information and other information will\
 be lost. Therefore, before 
proceeding with these kinds of editing operations, check whether the cam\
era’s metadata is supported.■ 
						

							
11 0
Specifications
[General]
Supply voltage: DC 7.2 V 
(when the battery is used)/
7.3 V 
(when the AC adapter is used)
Power consumption:  Recording: 9.8 W 
indicates safety information.
Ambient operating temperature
  0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F)
Ambient operating humidity
  10% to 80% (no condensation)
Weight
  Approx. 1.7 k
 (3.7 lb) 
(excluding battery and accessories)
Dimensions (W x H x D)
  154 mm × 164 mm × 397 mm
  (6-1/16 inches × 6-15/32 inches × 15-5/8 inches)  (excluding the projection part)
[Camera]
Pickup devices
  CCD image sensor (× 3) (1/3-inch, interline transfer, progressive-capable)
Lens
  LEICA DICOMAR Optical image stabilizer lens,  Motorized/Manual selectable 13 x zoom, 
F1.6 to F3.0 (f=3.9 mm to 51 mm)
(35 mm equivalent: 28 mm to 368 mm)
Color separation optical system
 Prism system
ND filter
  1/4, 1/16, 1/64
Gain settings
 
0/+3/+6/+9/+12/+18 dB (60i/60P mode)  • 1/15 (0 dB) (in slow shutter mode)
  0/+3/+6/+9/+12 dB (30P/24P mode)
  • 1/15 (0 dB) (in slow shutter mode)
Shutter speed settings
 Preset
  60i/60P mode:
    
1/60(OFF), 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 
1/1000, 1/2000 seconds
  30P mode:
     1/30, 1/50 (OFF), 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 
1/500, 1/1000 
seconds  24P mode:
    1/24, 1/50 (OFF), 1/60, 1/120, 1/250, 
1/500, 1/1000 
seconds  Synchronous scan settings
  60i/60P mode:   1/60.0 seconds to 1/249.8 
seconds
  30P mode: 1/30.0 seconds to 1/249.8 seconds  24P mode: 1/24.0 seconds to 1/249.8 seconds
  Slow shutter speed settings
   60i/60P mode: 1/15, 1/30 seconds  30P mode: 1/15 secondsMinimum subject luminance
  3 lx (F1.6, gain +12 dB, with a shutter speed of 
1/24)
Digital zoom
  2 x /5 x /10 x (Assigned to the USER button, for  switching zoom levels)
  Operation with the 1080/60i and 720/60P  formats only
Lens hood
  Large-sized lens hood with wide angle of view
Filter diameter
 72 mm
[Recording/playback]
Recording Format
 AVCHD specifications
Compression method
 MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Recording media
  SD Memory Card:
    512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB 
(FAT12 and FAT16 format)
  SDHC Memory Card:
    4 GB, 6 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB 
(FAT32 format)
  SD/SDHC Memory Cards with a memory size  from 8 MB to 32 GB can be used to record 
and read scene files and user files and to read 
metadata.
Recording format (Recording mode: resolution)
 PH mode:
    1080/60i
1080/30P (over 60i)
1080/24P (Native recording)
720/60P
720/30P (over 60P)
720/24P (Native recording)
 HA mode:
  1080/60i
 HG mode:
  1080/60i
 HE mode:
  1080/60i
Transmission rate
  PH mode: Approx. 21 Mbps (VBR)
  HA mode: Approx. 17 Mbps (VBR)
  HG mode: Approx. 13 Mbps (VBR)
  HE mode: Approx. 6 Mbps (VBR)