AG-HSC1 supports H.264 compression which is the newest compression technology.
H.264 compression scheme is twice as efficient as MPEG2. SD memory card are used as the recording media. Thanks to this high effeciency compression, you can record around 90 min on a small 4Gb SD memory card. Faster ingest to PCs is one of the big advantages of using Solid State Memory as the recording Media.
AG-HSC1 has professional colour reproduction for professional people.

Equipped with a 12x zoom lens and progressive 3CCD, this camcorder uses the AVCHD format (H.264 compatible) to record up to 360 minutes* of high-quality High Definition (HD) video onto a low-cost SD/SDHC card. Because the AG-HSC1 series solid-state recording system uses no tape or moving parts, it starts operating immediately, provides silent operation and offers excellent reliability against vibration, impacts and temperature changes. The powerful features ensure easy, powerful HD recording. With Shoulder stability, a full size Zoom Rocker control and a Headphone output with Volume control, the AG-HSC1 has professional features that help you shoot like a Pro. A recessed trigger and zoom control on the oversized handle enable accurate framing even at low angles or when using a tripod. Two XLR locking audio input terminals (phantom mic supported) and four BNC's for component/composite video output equip the AG-HSC1 series for video recording and production use.

AVCHD
The AG-HSC1 utilises the industry-standard H.264-based AVCHD video format to deliver crisp HD images. AVCHD delivers twice the recording efficiency of older MPEG-2 codec technologies like HDV, and it is supported by a growing number of nonlinear editing packages including Apple’s Final Cut Pro® Version 6.0.1 and iMovie®, Grass Valley™ EDIUS®  Version 4.5 & EDIUS®  NEO Software, Pinnacle Studio™ Plus 11, Nero® 7 Premium Reloaded, Ulead VideoStudio® 11 Plus, and Ulead DVD MovieFactory™ 6 Plus and others.

The AG-HSC1 features three native 16:9 progressive ¼-inch CCDs to record or provide a live feed of widescreen 1440 x 1080 HD resolution images of education, weddings, sports, concerts, or other events. It can be used by law enforcement agencies for training or surveillance; by schools for video production, live staging, and documentation; or by broadcasters and newspapers for Web journalism.

The camcorder is equipped with a 12X 38.5mm to 462mm (35mm film camera equivalent) Leica® wide-angle zoom lens, one-push auto focus, and integrated Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) that ensures stable images, which are most critical when displaying HD video. The camera also provides excellent colour reproduction and inherits the exceptional colour rendition of Panasonic’s other professional HD cameras.

The camcorder brings the benefits of solid-state recording to budget-conscious professionals. Like digital still photography, recording onto an SD/SDHC card offers a fast and simple IT-compatible workflow and ensures ultra-reliable performance because the AG-HSC1 uses no moving parts (unlike tape or disc-based camcorders) in the recording process. The AG-HSC1 is resistant to shock, vibration, temperature change, and extreme weather conditions, and because it is solid-state, users have instant access to the recorded footage without the need to ingest or digitise.

In addition, SD and SDHC memory cards are inexpensive, widely available, and can be reused repeatedly. Because AVCHD records video as digital data files, content can be transferred and stored on affordable, high-capacity hard-disk drives (HDD) and optical storage media and transferred to new ones as advanced technology is introduced in the future.

The AG-HSC1 provides professionals with continuous record time for long-form HD video production. With just the touch of a button, users can choose to shoot in one of the camera’s three recording modes: 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, or 13 Mbps. Using the new 16-GB SDHC memory card, the AG-HSC1 can record for up to 360 minutes at 6-Mbps quality and up to 160 minutes at 13 Mbps, the camera’s highest quality mode.

*When recording in HE mode using a 16GB SDHC card.