03 Enjoy Interval Recording, hints for long time recordings

The "Interval recording" function captures one frame at a set time interval. It is an effective way to enjoy time-lapse scenes covering a long time span (quickly changing sky, fast-blooming flower, etc.).

> What's Interval recording?

This application note introduces utilization examples with AVCCAM camera recorder AG-HMC40 series.

▌Application 1 : Capturing nature footage with Manual controls (for observation, watching etc.)

In AG-HMC40 series, picture level, focus, and color tone can automatically be adjusted with AUTO control mode. And MANUAL controls are also available for fine adjustments in various conditions.

Recording in darker places by adding a maximum +34dB of gain

For recording scenes such as "flowering", "emergence of insects", etc. in dark places, the picture level can finely be adjusted with manual gain control from 0dB to +34dB in units of 1dB.

Example : Picture level difference of leaves under moon-light
The surface of the leaves is difficult to see at 0dB, but becomes more clear, and even drops of water are visible after adding gain.

Monitoring video level with a built-in Waveform monitor

The picture level can be monitored with a built-in waveform monitor (WFM).
It would be useful for equalizing levels in different recording situations.

Adjusting shutter speeds in interval recording mode

The interval recording function allows for capture over extra-long times and shooters do not need to worry about the time of remaining on the recording media even in "extended surveillance" or "a chance in a million" recording situation.
If you need to look at a picture frame or watch the video in a frame-by-frame advance playback for analysis or investigation purpose, recording with high speed shutter would help capturing moving objects in a higher resolution.
AG-HMC40 series is equipped with a wide range of shutter speeds from "half-second" slow shutter to "1/2000 sec." high speed shutter.

The picture level will be decreased when a high speed shutter is used so, adjust the manual iris control to have an appropriate picture level in different recording conditions.

Using a slow shutter, 1/60 seconds or slower, in the case of the recordings of a starlit sky (light source is far in the distance), stars can more clearly be recorded without increasing the noise level as much as using gain.

▌Application 2 : Utilize "Time stamp" for progress management & surveillance

Burn date & time on picture and use as a variation monitor, evidential video

Recording the date and the time is important for surveillance and progress management purpose. Use the "time stamp" function which burns "date and time" on picture frames with the interval recording together.
Time stamp information is recorded as a video image, therefore it does not change even when a copy is made unlike computer's time stamp.

[Usage example:]
- Driving pattern analysis (record outside view from a car, measure split time, passed time etc.)
- Variation of the water level, volume of traffic etc.
- Variation of weather, climate conditions etc.
- Ecology observation (flowering, emergence of insects etc.)

Time stamp contents and format can be changed

Time stamp contents : "Time only" , "Calendar only" , "Calendar & time"
Date format : "Y/M/D" , "M/D/Y" , "D/M/Y"

Y : Year
M : Month (displayed in English)
D : Date

▌ How to use this feature on the AG-HMC40 series

1. Open the MENU and select the "INTERVAL REC" item.
2. Choose the interval time(*) from;

1sec / 10sec / 30sec / 1min / 2min

3. Press REC button to start recording.

* What does "Interval time" mean?

When you set the Interval time to "30sec", the camera recorder captures a frame every 30 seconds. The camera will continue interval recording until it is stopped, to a maximum of 24 hours.

Approximate clip's duration (for AG-HMC40P, playback at 24fps)

Recording time	[MENU] INTERVAL REC item
Recording time	1sec.	10sec.	30sec.	1min.	2min.
1hour	2m30s	15s	5s	2s	1s
2hours	5m00s	30s	10s	5s	2s
3hours	7m30s	45s	15s	7s	3s
4hours	10m00s	1m00s	20s	10s	5s
5hours	12m30s	1m15s	25s	12s	6s
10hours	25m00s	2m30s	50s	25s	12s
20hours	50m00s	5m00s	1m40s	50s	25s
24hours	60m00s	6m00s	2m00s	1m00s	30s

Approximate clip's duration (for AG-HMC41E & AG-HMC43MC, playback at 25fps)

Recording time	[MENU] INTERVAL REC item
Recording time	1sec.	10sec.	30sec.	1min.	2min.
1hour	2m24s	14s	4s	2s	1s
2hours	4m48s	28s	9s	4s	2s
3hours	7m12s	43s	14s	7s	3s
4hours	9m36s	57s	19s	9s	4s
5hours	12m00s	1m12s	24s	12s	6s
10hours	24m00s	2m24s	48s	24s	12s
20hours	48m00s	4m48s	1m36s	48s	24s
24hours	57m36s	5m45s	1m55s	57s	28s

The above table shows "approximate clip's duration" in each parameter in the INTERVAL REC time
setting (1sec, 10sec, 30sec, 1min and 2min), playback at 1080/24p and 1080/25p.

Setting example:
Set INTERVAL REC menu item to "1sec." and record for 10hours. The things that happened over 10hours
can be recorded as a time-lapsed clip in approx. 25 minutes.

Example: typical recording time
Sunset: 30minutes to 1hour , Flowering of a morning glory: 1 to 3hours , Emergence of cicada: 2 to 4hours

▌ What's Interval recording?

The "Interval recording" function captures one frame at a set time interval. It is an effective way to enjoy time-lapse scenes covering a long time span (quickly changing sky, fast-blooming flower, etc.).

Example: Set INTERVAL TIME to "10sec." and record for four hours.

- Time and date can be burned on the picture frames with the "Time date stamp" function.
- Record up to 24-hours.

For more details about the equipment & application
AG-HMC40 series [New]	AVCCAM viewer for Mac/Win Available for free in "Library" in PASS	Reserved