Camera Section:

• Built-in 12:1 power zoom lens with continuously variable speed or manual zoom. Has full range auto focus, as well as manual focus capability.
• Auto Tracing White Balance system - maintains optimum white balance by continuously adjusting to changes in ambient light. Manual white balance control is also provided.
• Low-light capability down to 3 lux and one lux in Digital Gain-Up mode. Also features a 'Low-Light' function for shooting sunsets and evening scenes. When set to Low-Light, sensitivity is increased, while ensuring stable images with relatively weak contrast.
• Variable high speed sShutter from 1/60 to 1/8000 of a second in 8 intervals. The range of different high speed shutters makes it possible to shoot scenes with fast or slow movement.
• Auto Iris plus manual control for super fine adjustment. There are 18 f-stops that can be set incrementally.
• Sensitivity Switch (AGC: +10 dB, +20 dB)
• Audio and video fade-in/fade-out for smooth, professional transitions

Recorder Section:

• S-VHS system records and plays back 400 lines of horizontal resolution.
• Employs laminated amorphous video heads. The extremely high magnetic saturation level of the heads contributes to an exceptional picture with high resolution, superb color reproduction, stunning rendition of details and high signal-to-noise ratio
• Built-in VITC (Vertical Interval Time Code) time code generator for absolute frame accurate editing when used with professional VCRs.
• Offers a 10-second Self-Timer (recording delay), after which the AG-456 will automatically record for 20 seconds, or until the end of the tape.
• Interval Timer Function automatically makes recordings of approximately 1 second duration at 50 second intervals. Interval recordings can continue automatically for up to 10 hours.
• Equipped with 5-pin edit terminal, the AG-456 can be used in an editing system with a compatible controller like Panasonics AG-A96. Audio/video insert editing and audio dub can be also be done through the camera/mic input.

Audio:

• Hi-Fi stereo audio plus linear track for normal recording. Has an audio out select switch for Hi-Fi/Normal/Mix combinations.
• High performance stereo zoom microphone has three settings to handle any recording situation: Wide, Tele or Automatic Zoom.
• Built-in monitor speaker on the left side of the camera lets you monitor sound while shooting or playing back on-location.

Time Code:

• Built-in basic VITC time code generator is always enabled. When the AG-456 is powered up, the time code generator begins counting at 00:00:00:00 and continues counting each time the camera is placed in record. When the accumulated time code count reaches 23:59:59:29 (23 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds, 29 frames), the generator self-resets and counts from 00:00:00:00 again.

Digital Effects:

--Digital Still: Lets you freeze a scene for as long as you like, without interrupting sound recording.

--Digital Strobe: Continuously records 6 still images per second, making the image appear to jump. Strobe effect can also be increased by advancing to higher shutter speeds.

--Digital Wipe: This function allows a still image to be stored in memory and then gradually wiped from left to right, replacing the moving picture.

--Digital Mix: Similar to the digital wipe, except for a soft fade-over between the still and moving image. You store a still image in the memory and then gradually fade in, replacing the moving picture. You can also leave it in position, whereby the still image is actually superimposed over the moving image.

--Digital Tracer: Adds an after-image effect to moving subjects. Great feature for emphasizing the speed of movement in fast-action scenes, like racing, sports, etc.

--Digital Gain-Up: Delivers clear, distinct images in low-light levels - even down to 1 lux!

Note: This is a Display Model