Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HMC70P Operating Instructions

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111
Troubleshooting
ªUnit operations
ProblemCheck points
This unit cannot be 
turned on.≥Is the battery fully charged?
#Charge it with the AC adaptor. (l29)
≥The battery protection circuit may have operated. Attach the battery 
to the AC adaptor for 5 to 10 seconds. If the unit still cannot be 
used, the battery is faulty.
This unit is turned off 
automatically.≥Did you set the power save function to [5 MINUTES]?
#If the power save function is set to [5 MINUTES], then when the 
camera is not operated for approximately 5 minutes, the power is 
automatically shut off to save the battery.
To resume recording, turn the power back on.
The power will not turn off automatically when the power save 
function (l104) is set to [OFF].
This unit does not stay 
on long enough.≥Is the battery low?
#If the remaining battery power indication is flashing or the 
message “LOW BATTERY.” is displayed, the battery has run 
down. Charge the battery. (l29)
A clicking sound is heard 
when the unit is shaken.≥This is the sound of the lens moving and is not a defect. This sound 
will no longer be heard when the unit’s power is turned on. 
Battery runs down 
quickly.≥Is the battery fully charged?
#Charge it with the AC adaptor. (l29)
≥Are you using the battery in an extremely cold place?
#The battery is affected by ambient temperature. In cold places, 
the operating time of the battery becomes shorter.
≥Has the battery worn out?
#The battery has a limited life. If the operating time is still too short 
even after the battery is fully charged, the battery has worn out 
and can no longer be used. 
The minute display of the 
remaining battery power 
indication is not 
displayed correctly.≥The remaining battery capacity indication is an approximation.
If you think the remaining battery capacity indication is not displayed 
correctly, fully charge the battery, discharge it and then charge it 
again. (Even if this operation is performed, it may not be possible to 
display the remaining battery capacity correctly if the battery was 
used for a long period of time where the temperature was low or 
high or if the battery was repeatedly charged.)
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11 2
ProblemCheck points
This unit cannot be 
operated though 
powered up.
This unit does not 
operate normally.≥Press the RESET button. (l115) If normal conditions are not 
restored yet, remove the battery or AC adaptor, wait about 1 minute 
and then reconnect the battery or AC adaptor. Then about 1 minute 
later, turn on the power again. (Conducting the above operation 
while the card is being accessed may damage the data on the 
SD card.)
The remote control does 
not function.≥Does the grip belt not hide the remote controller receiver sensor?
#Please take care so that the grip belt does not hide the remote 
controller receiver sensor.
≥Has the button-type battery of the remote control run out?
#Replace it with a new button-type battery. (l25) 
A function indication 
such as the remaining 
time indication or the 
elapsed time indication is 
not shown.≥If you set [SETUP] > [DISPLAY] > [OFF], indications other than 
warnings and date indications disappear.
Recording does not start 
although power is 
supplied to this unit and 
the SD card is correctly 
inserted.≥Has the SD card’s write protect switch been set to LOCK?
#No recording is possible while the write protect switch is set to 
LOCK. (l28)
≥Is the memory of the SD card full?
#If there is no more available memory, free up some memory by 
deleting unnecessary scenes or use a new SD card. (l34, 73, 
75)
≥Is the unit set to recording mode?
#No recording is possible if the mode dial is set to other than  .
≥Is the card slot cover open?
#If the card slot cover is open, this unit may not operate normally. 
Close the card slot cover.
The unit arbitrarily stops 
recording.≥Can the SD card be used for motion picture recording?
#Use an SD card that can be used for motion picture recording. 
(l27)
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113
ProblemCheck points
Auto focus function does 
not work.≥Is manual focus mode selected?
#Set the AUTO/MANUAL/FOCUS switch to AUTO, or press the 
PUSH AUTO button.
≥Are you trying to record a scene which is hard to bring into focus in 
auto focus mode?
#There are some recording subjects and surroundings for which 
the auto focus does not operate correctly. (l118) If so, use the 
manual focus mode to adjust the focus. (l62)
Recorded still pictures 
are not clear.≥Are you trying to record small or finely detailed objects with 
[PICT. QUALITY] set at [ ]?
#If you try to record small or finely detailed objects with 
[PICT. QUALITY] set at [ ], the images may break up into a 
mosaic-like pattern. Record with [PICT. QUALITY] set at [ ] 
instead. (l51)
Sound is not played back 
from the built-in speaker 
of this unit.≥Is the volume too low?
#The sound volume can be adjusted by moving the MONITOR 
LEVEL knob during playback. (l68)
Although this unit is 
correctly connected to a 
TV, images cannot be 
seen.
The images are squeezed 
horizontally.≥Does the input switch on the TV match the connected terminal?
#Please read the operating instructions of your TV and select the 
channel that matches the input used for the connection.
≥Is the [TV ASPECT] setting correct? 
#Change the setting to match the aspect ratio of the TV.
Press the MENU button, then select [SETUP] # [TV ASPECT] 
# [16:9] or [4:3] and press the center of the cursor button.
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11 4
ProblemCheck points
Scenes cannot be 
deleted.≥Is the scene on the SD card protected?
#Protected scenes cannot be deleted. Release the protect setting. 
(l74)
≥Scene which cannot be displayed as thumbnails (the thumbnails are 
displayed as  ) cannot be deleted. If the scenes are 
unnecessary, format the card to erase the data. (l78) Please be 
aware that if a card is formatted then all the data recorded on the 
card will be erased.
≥Is the file on the SD card protected?
#Protected files cannot be deleted. Release the protect setting. 
(l76)
≥If the SD card’s write protect switch is set to LOCK, then deletion is 
disabled. (l28)
The images on the SD 
card do not look normal.≥The data may be destroyed. It may have been destroyed by static or 
electromagnetic waves. Store important data on a computer or other 
products as well.
Even if an SD card is 
formatted, it cannot be 
used.≥Either this unit or the SD card may be damaged. Please consult a 
dealer. Use an SD card from 8 MB to 16 GB with this unit.
If the SD card is inserted 
in this unit, it is not 
recognized.≥Is the SD card formatted on a computer inserted?
#Use this unit to format SD cards. Please be aware that if an SD 
card is formatted, then all the data recorded on the card will be 
erased. (l78)
If the SD card is inserted 
in another device, it is not 
recognized.≥Check that the device is compatible with the capacity or type of SD 
card (SD Memory Card/SDHC Memory Card) that you inserted. 
(l27)
#Refer to the operating instructions of the device for details.
The indication 
disappears.
The screen is frozen.
No operation can be 
performed.≥Is this unit connected to a computer?
#No operation can be performed on this unit when it is connected 
to a computer.
≥Turn off the power to this unit. If the power cannot be turned off, 
press the RESET button, or remove the battery or AC adaptor and 
then reattach it. After that, turn on the power again. If normal 
operation is still not restored, detach the power connected, and 
consult the dealer who you purchased this unit from.
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115
ªWith a computer
ProblemCheck points
“PUSH THE RESET 
SWITCH.” is displayed.≥The unit detects an abnormal condition. Press the RESET button. 
The unit restarts.
≥If you do not press the RESET button, the power to this unit is 
turned off automatically about 1 minute later.
≥Even after you press the RESET button, the indication may still 
appear repeatedly. If so, this unit needs repair. Detach the power 
connected, and consult the dealer who you purchased this unit 
from. Do not attempt to repair the unit by yourself.
Part of the AUDIO LEVEL 
meter flashes.≥Part of the AUDIO LEVEL meter may flash when the power is 
turned on or when the menu screen is closed. This is not a 
malfunction.
A white stripe appears on 
the right of the screen.≥When the center of the cursor key is pressed to display control 
icons, a white stripe appears on the right of the screen. This is not a 
malfunction.
ProblemCheck points
Even if connected by the 
USB cable, this unit is not 
recognized by the 
computer.≥Have you set this unit to the correct mode?
#This unit is not recognized in recording/playback mode. Set it to 
PC connection mode.
≥Select another USB terminal on the computer.
≥Check the operating environment. (l91)
≥Turn the power to the unit off and then back on again and reconnect 
the USB cable.
When the USB cable is 
disconnected, an error 
message will appear on 
the computer.≥To disconnect the USB cable safely, double-click the  icon in the 
task tray and follow the instructions on the screen.
Cannot see the PDF 
operating instructions for 
HD Writer Ver2.5.≥Is Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or later installed in the computer you 
are using? 
#To read the operating instructions (a PDF file) for the HD Writer 
Ver. 2.5, Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0, Adobe Reader 7.0 or later 
must be installed.
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11 6
ªFor switching scenes
When multiple scenes are played back successively, playback may pause for a period of several 
frames or for several seconds when switching scenes.
≥Whether successive scenes play back smoothly or not depends on the player. On some players, 
scenes may pause for a moment even if the following conditions are not applicable.
≥Recording with a different date
≥When scenes of more than 99 parts are recorded on the same date
≥When a scene of less than 3 seconds is recorded
2008.1.1 2008.1.2 2008.1.3 
... SCENESCENESCENESCENESCENESCENE... ... 
Images pause for several seconds when the date 
changes.
Scenes with the same date will play back smoothly.
... SCENESCENE2SCENE99... ... SCENE100SCENE198SCENE199
Images pause for several seconds where scenes are switching
every time 99 scenes are recorded.
Ninety-nine successive scenes will play back smoothly.
...3 seconds or more...Less than 3 seconds3 seconds or more
Images pause for several seconds at the end of the scene when the length is less than 3 seconds
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≥When a scene is deleted
Example 1: To delete a scene in the middle
Example 2: Recording after deleting the last scene
SCENE1SCENE2... 
... SCENE3SCENE4
SCENE4 SCENE1SCENE2
Images pause for several seconds where a
scene is deleted.
Switched scenes without deleting a scene will play back
smoothly.Delete
... 
SCENE1SCENE2
SCENE1SCENE2
SCENE1SCENE2SCENE4 SCENE3
Delete
Recording
Images pause for several seconds where a
scene is deleted.
Switched scenes without deleting a scene will play back
smoothly.
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Others
Explanation of terms
Automatic white balance
White balance adjustment recognizes the color 
of light and adjusts so the white color will 
become a purer white. The unit determines the 
hue of light that comes through the lens and 
white balance sensor, thereby judging the 
recording condition, and selects the closest hue 
setting.
This is called automatic white balance 
adjustment.
However, since the unit only stores white color 
information under several light sources, 
automatic white balance adjustment does not 
function normally under other light sources.
The illustration above shows the range over 
which the auto white balance functions. 
1) The effective range of automatic white 
balance adjustment on this unit
2) Blue sky
3) Cloudy sky (rain)
4) TV screen 
5) Sunlight
6) White fluorescent lamp
7) Halogen light bulb
8) Incandescent light bulb
9) Sunrise or sunset
10) CandlelightOutside of the effective range of automatic white 
balance adjustment, the image will become 
reddish or bluish. Even within the effective range 
of automatic white balance adjustment, the 
automatic white balance adjustment may not 
function properly if there is more than one light 
source. For light outside the functional automatic 
white balance adjustment range, use the manual 
white balance adjustment mode.
White balance
The images recorded by the unit may become 
bluish or reddish under the influence of certain 
light sources. To avoid such phenomena, adjust 
the white balance.
White balance adjustment determines the white 
color under different light sources. By 
recognizing which is the white color under 
sunlight and which is the white color under a 
fluorescent light, the unit can adjust the balance 
among the other colors.
Since the white color is the reference for all the 
colors (that make up light), the unit can record 
pictures in a natural hue if it can recognize the 
reference color white.
Auto focus
The lens is moved forward or backward 
automatically to bring the subject into focus.
Auto focus has the following characteristics.
≥Adjusts so that the vertical lines of a subject are 
seen more clearly.
≥Attempts to bring an object with higher contrast 
into focus.
≥Focuses on the screen center only.
Due to these characteristics, auto focus does not 
work correctly in the following situations. Record 
pictures in the manual focus mode.
Recording distant and close-up objects at the 
same time
Since the unit focuses on whatever is at the 
center of the screen, it is difficult to bring the 
background into focus when close-up objects are 
placed in focus. When recording people with 
distant mountains in the background, you cannot 
focus on both the subject which is close-up and 
the objects which are in the distance.
10 000K
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Others
Recording a subject behind dirty or dusty 
window
The subject behind the window will not be 
focused because the focus is on the dirty 
window.
Similarly, when recording something on the 
opposite side of a road with heavy traffic, a 
vehicle that happens to pass by may be brought 
into focus.
Recording a subject that is surrounded by 
objects with glossy surfaces or by highly 
reflective objects
Since whatever is shiny or glistens is brought into 
focus, it is hard to focus on the subject to be 
recorded. The focus may become blurry when 
recording subjects at the beach, in night views or 
in scenes involving fireworks or special lights.
Recording a subject in dark surroundings
The unit cannot focus correctly because the light 
information that comes through the lens 
decreases considerably.
Recording a fast-moving subject
As the focus lens-inside moves mechanically, it 
cannot keep up with a fast-moving subject.
When, for example, recording a sports event with 
fast moving subjects, the focus may lose its 
sharpness.
Recording a subject with little contrast
It is easy to bring subjects with a sharp contrast 
or vertical lines or stripes into focus. This means 
that a subject with little contrast, such as a white 
wall, may become blurry because the unit 
achieves focus based upon the vertical lines of 
an image.
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Specifications
Memory Card Camera-Recorder
Power source:
Power consumption:DC 7.3 V (When using AC adaptor)
DC 7.2 V (When using battery)
Recording: 8.5 W
Signal system1080/60i
Recording formatAVCHD format compliant
Image sensor1/4-inch 3CCD image sensor
Total: 560 Kk3
Effective pixels:
Motion picture: 520 Kk3
Still picture: 520 Kk3
LensAuto Iris, F1.8 to F2.8
Focal length:
4.0 mm to 48.0 mm
Filter diameter43 mm
Zoom12k optical zoom, 30k/700k digital zoom
Monitor3-inch wide LCD monitor (approx. 251 K pixels)
Finder0.44-inch Wide EVF (approx. 183 K pixels)
Built-in microphoneStereo microphone
Speaker1 round speaker 20 mm
Head phone3.5 mm stereo mini jack
White balance 
adjustmentAuto tracking white balance system
Standard illumination1,400 lx
Minimum required 
illuminationApprox. 6 lx (1/60 in Low light mode)
Video output level1.0 Vp-p, 75h
indicates safety information. 
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