Panasonic ag-hpx300p User Manual

This product is eligible for the P2HD

5 Year Warranty Repair Program. For
details, see page 163.

Operating Instructions

Memory Card Camera-Recorder

Model No. AG-HPX300P

Before operating this product, please read the instructions carefully and save this manual for
future use.

S0109T3059 -P
Printed in Japan

D

ENGLISH

VQT2C25-3

Read this first!

indicates safety information.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER TO SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead
symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the presence
of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within
the product’s enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to
the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.

WARNING:

• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, KEEP THIS EQUIPMENT AWAY
FROM ALL LIQUIDS. USE AND STORE ONLY
IN LOCATIONS WHICH ARE NOT EXPOSED
TO THE RISK OF DRIPPING OR SPLASHING
LIQUIDS, AND DO NOT PLACE ANY LIQUID
CONTAINERS ON TOP OF THE EQUIPMENT.

WARNING:

Always keep memory cards (optional
accessory) or accessories (FRONT AUDIO
LEVEL knob, knob screw, BNC cap, XLR
connector cap, rear lens cap, zoom lever,
connector cap) out of the reach of babies and
small children.

CAUTION:

Do not jar, swing, or shake the unit by its handle while
the conversion lens or another accessory is attached.
Due to the added weight of the conversion lens, any
strong jolt to the handle may damage the unit or
result in personal injury.

CAUTION:

In order to maintain adequate ventilation, do
not install or place this unit in a bookcase,
built-in cabinet or any other confined space.
To prevent risk of electric shock or fire hazard
due to overheating, ensure that curtains
and any other materials do not obstruct the
ventilation.

CAUTION:

Do not lift the unit by its handle while
the tripod is attached. When the tripod is
attached, its weight will also affect the unit’s
handle, possibly causing the handle to break
and hurting the user. To carry the unit while
the tripod is attached, take hold of the tripod.

CAUTION:

EXCESSIVE SOUND PRESSURE FROM
EARPHONES AND HEADPHONES CAN
CAUSE HEARING LOSS.

CAUTION:

Do not leave the unit in direct contact with
the skin for long periods of time when in use.
Low temperature burn injuries may be
suffered if the high temperature parts of this
unit are in direct contact with the skin for
long periods of time.
When using the equipment for long periods
of time, make use of the tripod.

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD AND ANNOYING INTERFERENCE, USE
THE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES ONLY.

2

indicates safety information.

FCC NOTICE (USA)

Declaration of Conformity

Model Number: AG-HPX300P
Trade Name: Panasonic
Responsible Party: Panasonic Corporation of North America One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ

07094
Support contact: Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company 1-800-524-1448
This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
To assure continued compliance, follow the attached installation instructions and do not make any
unauthorized modifications.

CAUTION:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is

connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The user may find the booklet “Something About Interference”
available from FCC local regional offices helpful.

FCC Warning:

To assure continued FCC emission limit compliance, follow the attached installation instructions and
the user must use only shielded interface cables when connecting to host computer or peripheral
devices. Also, any unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment could void the user’s
authority to operate this device.

NOTIFICATION (Canada)

This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

IMPORTANT

“Unauthorized recording of copyrighted television programs, video tapes and other materials may infringe the
right of copyright owners and be contrary to copyright laws.”

For USA-California Only

This product contains a CR Coin Cell Lithium Battery which contains Perchlorate Material – special handling
may apply.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

A rechargeable battery that is recyclable powers the product you have perchased.

3

Precautions for Use

Caution regarding laser beams

The MOS sensor may be damaged if it is exposed to laser light.
When using the camera-recorder in locations where laser irradiation equipment is used, be careful not to allow the laser
beam to shine directly on the lens.

PLEASE NOTE:

 When preparing to record important events, always shoot some advance test footage, to verify that both pictures and

sound are being recorded normally.

 Should video or audio recording fail due to a malfunction of this camera-recorder or the P2 cards used, we will not

assume liability for such failure.

Disposing and transferring ownership of memory card devices

Formatting or deleting a memory card device in this camera or a PC will only change file management data and leave
data on the card intact. It is recommended that the card either be physically destroyed or that commercially sold software
be used to completely delete any data on the card. Note that managing card data is the owner’s responsibility.

Information on software for this product

1. Included with this product is software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and GNU Lesser
General Public License (LGPL), and users are hereby informed that they have the right to obtain, change and
redistribute the source codes of this software.
Details on GPL and LGPL can be found on the installation CD provided with the unit. Refer to the folder called
“LDOC”. (Details are given in the original (English-language) text.)
To obtain the source codes, go to the following home page:

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/

The manufacturer asks users to refrain from directing inquiries concerning the source codes they have obtained and
other details to its representatives.

2. Included with this product is software which is licensed under MIT-License.
Details on MIT-License can be found on the installation CD provided with the unit. Refer to the folder called “LDOC”.
(Details are given in the original (English-language) text.)

This product is licensed under the AVC Patent Portfolio License for the personal and
non-commercial use of the following activities of a consumer but no license is granted
or implied for any other use.

 Encode video in compliance with the AVC standard (“AVC video”)
 Decode AVC video that was encoded by a consumer engaged in a personal and non-commercial activity.
 Decode AVC video that was obtained from a video provider licensed to provide AVC video

Additional information may be obtained from MPEG LA, LLC (http://www.mpegla.com).

Trademarks

 The SD and SDHC logos are trademarks.
 Multi Media Card (MMC) is a registered trademark of Infineon Technologies AG.
 Apple, Macintosh, Mac OS are registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple, Inc. in the United States and/or other

countries.

 Unislot is a registered trademark of Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd.
 Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or

other countries.

 Other names of companies and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies.

4

Contents

Read this first! ................................................................................................................. 2

Precautions for Use .........................................................................................................

Chapter 1 Overview

Camera Unit Features ..................................................................................................... 8

Recording and Playback Features ............................................................................... 1

Outline of operations ..................................................................................................... 1

Saving and editing on external devices

System Configuration .................................................................................................... 1

Standard accessories ................................................................................................... 1

Chapter 2 Parts and Their Functions

Power Supply and Accessory Mounting Section .................................................. 15

Audio (input) Function Section .............................................................................. 1

Audio (output) Function Section ........................................................................... 1

Shooting and Recording/Playback Functions Section .......................................... 1

Menu/Thumbnail Operation Section ..................................................................... 2

Time Code Section ................................................................................................ 2

Warning and Status Display Functions ................................................................. 2

LCD Monitor .......................................................................................................... 2

Viewfinder ............................................................................................................. 2

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

Setting Date and Time of Internal Clock ....................................................................... 26

P2 Cards ....................................................................................................................... 2

Inserting P2 Cards ................................................................................................ 2

Removing P2 Cards .............................................................................................. 2

To Prevent Accidental Erasure of P2 Card Content .............................................. 2

P2 CARD ACCESS LED and status of P2 cards ................................................... 2

P2 card recording times ........................................................................................ 3

Handling P2 Card Recording ................................................................................ 3

Basic Procedures .......................................................................................................... 3

Shooting ................................................................................................................ 3

Normal Recording ................................................................................................. 3

Standard and Native Recording ................................................................................... 3

Standard recording (pull-down recording) ........................................................... 3

Native recording

Variable Frame Rate (VFR) Recording .......................................................................... 3

Native VFR Recording ........................................................................................... 3

Standard VFR recording(pulldown recording) ...................................................... 3

Using VFR Recording Function ............................................................................. 3

Special Recording Modes ............................................................................................ 3

Pre-recording (PRE REC) ...................................................................................... 3

Interval recording (INTERVAL REC) ...................................................................... 3

One-shot recording (ONE SHOT REC) ................................................................. 3

Loop recording (LOOP REC) ................................................................................ 4

PROXY Recording Function (Optional) ................................................................. 4

Hot Swap Recording ............................................................................................. 4

REC REVIEW Function .......................................................................................... 4

Shot Marker (SHOT MARK) Recording Function .................................................. 4

Text Memo Recording Function ............................................................................ 4

Normal and Variable Speed Playback .......................................................................... 4

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Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Selecting recording signals .................................................................................. 43

List of recording formats and functions ................................................................ 4

Recording settings and recording function table ................................................. 4

Selecting video output .......................................................................................... 4

List of recording, playback and output formats .................................................... 4

Adjusting the White Balance and Black Balance ......................................................... 4

Adjusting the White Balance ................................................................................. 4

Adjusting the Black Balance ................................................................................. 4

Setting the Electronic Shutter ........................................................................................ 5

Setting the Shutter Mode and Speed .................................................................... 5

Placing the Camera-recorder in SYNCHRO SCAN Mode .................................... 5

FBC (Flash Band Compensation) Function .................................................................. 5

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Setting FBC function ............................................................................................. 52

Assigning functions to USER buttons ........................................................................... 5

Selecting Audio Input Signals and Adjusting Recording Levels .................................. 5

Selecting Audio Input Signals ............................................................................... 5

Adjusting Recording Levels .................................................................................. 5

Selecting Function for the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL Control .................................... 5

CH3 and CH4 Recording Levels .......................................................................... 5

Setting Time Data

Recording time codes and user bits ..................................................................... 5

Setting user bits .................................................................................................... 5

Entering the User Bits ........................................................................................... 5

Setting the Time Code .......................................................................................... 6

Externally Locking the Time Code ........................................................................ 6

Outputting the time code externally ...................................................................... 6

GENLOCK and time code input/output connection and setup ............................ 6

Counter Setting and Display ................................................................................. 6

Viewfinder Screen Status Displays ............................................................................... 6

Viewfinder Status Indication Layout ...................................................................... 6

Selecting Viewfinder Display Information ............................................................. 6

Screen displays .................................................................................................... 6

Center Information Display ................................................................................... 6

Checking and displaying shooting status ............................................................. 7

MODE CHECK indication ...................................................................................... 7

Center marker display ........................................................................................... 7

Safety zone markers ............................................................................................. 7

Audio level meter magnification ............................................................................ 7

Zebra pattern display

Focus assist function ............................................................................................ 7

Adjusting and setting the LCD monitor ......................................................................... 7

Waveform monitor function ................................................................................... 7

Adjusting and Setting up the Viewfinder ....................................................................... 7

Adjusting Right and Left Viewfinder Position ........................................................ 7

Diopter Adjustment ............................................................................................... 7

Using the Viewfinder ............................................................................................. 7

Emphasizing Image Outlines ................................................................................ 7

Setting the viewfinder to monochrome mode ....................................................... 7

Handling setup data ..................................................................................................... 8

Configuration of setup data files ........................................................................... 8

Handling SD memory cards .................................................................................. 8

Formatting, Writing and Reading an SD memory card ......................................... 8

How to Use Scene File Data ................................................................................. 8

Saving scene files and other settings on SD memory cards ................................ 8

.......................................................................................................... 56

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Chapter 5 Preparation

Power Supply ................................................................................................................ 86

Mounting the Battery and Setting the Battery Type .............................................. 8

Use of the external DC power supply ................................................................... 8

Mounting and Adjusting the Lens ................................................................................. 8

Mounting the Lens ................................................................................................ 8

Adjusting the Lens Flange Back ........................................................................... 9

White Shading Compensation .............................................................................. 9

Setting Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) ........................................... 9

Preparing for Audio Input .............................................................................................. 9

When Using the Front Microphone ....................................................................... 9

Using a wireless receiver ...................................................................................... 9

When Using Audio Devices .................................................................................. 9

Attaching Accessories .................................................................................................. 9

Mounting the Camera on a Tripod ........................................................................ 9

Attaching the Shoulder Strap ................................................................................ 9

Attaching the Rain Cover ...................................................................................... 9

Attaching the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL Control Knob .............................................. 9

Attaching the Eye Cup .......................................................................................... 9

DC OUT Connector and External REC Start/Stop Switch Connection ......................... 9

Connecting the AJ-RC10G Remote Controller ........................................................... 10

Chapter 6 Manipulating Clips with Thumbnails

Thumbnail Operations ................................................................................................. 101

Thumbnail Manipulations Overview .................................................................... 10

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Chapter 7 Menu Operations

Viewfinder and LCD Menus ........................................................................................ 120

Setup menu structure .................................................................................................. 12

Setup menu list ........................................................................................................... 12

Thumbnail Screen ............................................................................................... 102

Selecting Thumbnails .......................................................................................... 10

Playing back Clips .............................................................................................. 10

Switching the Thumbnail Display ........................................................................ 10

Changing thumbnails .......................................................................................... 10

Shot Mark ............................................................................................................ 10

Text Memo ........................................................................................................... 10

Deleting Clips ...................................................................................................... 10

Restoring Clips .................................................................................................... 10

Reconnection of Incomplete Clips ...................................................................... 10

Copying Clips ..................................................................................................... 10

Setting of Clip Meta Data .................................................................................... 11

Setting of Proxy (optional) ................................................................................... 11

Formatting a P2 Card .......................................................................................... 11

Formatting SD memory cards ............................................................................. 11

Setting the Thumbnail Display Mode .................................................................. 11

Properties ............................................................................................................ 11

Using the menus ................................................................................................. 12

Initializing the menu settings ............................................................................... 12

SCENE FILE screen ............................................................................................ 12

SYSTEM SETUP screen ...................................................................................... 12

SW MODE screen ............................................................................................... 12

RECORDING SETUP screen ............................................................................... 12

AUDIO SETUP screen ......................................................................................... 13

OUTPUT SEL screen ........................................................................................... 13

DISPLAY SETUP screen ...................................................................................... 13

BATTERY SETUP screen ..................................................................................... 13

CARD FUNCTIONS screen ................................................................................. 13

LENS SETUP screen ........................................................................................... 13

OTHER FUNCTIONS screen ............................................................................... 13

DIAGNOSTIC screen .......................................................................................... 13

OPTION MENU screen ....................................................................................... 13

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Chapter 8 Connecting to External Devices

Functionality Provided by Connections to USB 2.0 Connector .................................. 139

Connecting to a computer in USB device mode ................................................ 13

USB host mode .................................................................................................. 14

Connections to the DVCPRO/DV Connector

Recording signals input to the DVCPRO/DV connector ..................................... 14

Control of external devices through 1394 connection ........................................ 14

Chapter 9 Maintenance and Inspections

Inspections Before Shooting ....................................................................................... 147

Preparing for Inspections .................................................................................... 14

Inspecting the Camera Unit ................................................................................ 14

Inspecting the Memory Recording Functions ..................................................... 14

Maintenance ............................................................................................................... 15

Eyepiece Care .................................................................................................... 15

Cleaning Inside the Viewfinder ........................................................................... 15

Charging the internal battery .............................................................................. 15

Warning System .......................................................................................................... 15

Warning Description Tables ................................................................................ 15

Warning and Error Display for Thumbnail Operation and USB HOST MODE .... 15

Updating the firmware incorporated into the unit ....................................................... 15

Chapter 10 Index

Chapter 11 Specification

s

Dimensions and specifications ................................................................................... 160

Dimensions ......................................................................................................... 16

Specifications ...................................................................................................... 16

Connector signal description ...................................................................................... 16

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Chapter 1 Overview

Chapter 1 Overview

The AG-HPX300P P2 memory card camera-recorder features a camera unit equipped with a 1/3 inch 2.2 megapixel 3MOS
sensor and a recording and playback unit that provides AVC-Intra 100 compression recording as standard to offer HD full
pixel and full sampling for superb image quality and high-quality video.
It handles multiple HD and SD formats: AVC-Intra, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV compression recording.
The P2 card provides a reliability, speed and IT functionality that no other media can match and is destined to revolutionize
recording and editing paradigms.

 Multiple HD/SD formats

The camera supports both the HD and SD video formats making it ready for news gathering, program production
and film making in a wide range of professional applications and content production. In 1080i/720P HD recording for
broadcasting, the camera uses the highly reliable AVC-Intra or DVCPRO HD codec while also supporting SD multi­codec (DVCPRO50, DVCPRO or DV) recording capability.
The AG-HPX300P provides high quality and uncompressed, 16-bit, 48 kHz, 4-channel recording of audio in all formats.

 Variable frame rate makes speed effects possible (in the 720P format)

The AG-HPX300P comes with the variable frame rate feature developed for the VariCam HD Cinema camera. In 720P

*1

mode
(dropping frames) and overcranking (high frame rate) for quick motion and slow motion cine-like effects at the disposal
of the camera crew.

 Native mode/over 60P mode selectable

 Native mode:

 720P over 60P mode:

, the frame rate can be set to any of 20 steps between 12P and 60P. This puts features such as undercranking

Playing back a recording made at a frame rate set in the camera at the normal rate provides speed effects without
using a frame rate converter. Native mode also extends the recording time of a P2 card.

Use of a DVCPRO HD recorder such as the AJ-HD1400 or the FOCUS FS-100 hard disk recorder enables the AG­HPX300P to make backup recordings with a DVCPRO HD stream from the DVCPRO/DV connector.

*2

 1080/480 24P advanced mode

Recording 1080/24P or 480/24P makes it possible to select 24PA (advanced) mode
mode performs 60i conversion to enable nonlinear editing
(2:3 pulldown). Recording at 30P applies a 2:2 pulldown.

*4

maintaining an image quality that is better than normal 24P

*3

. Using 2:3:3:2 pulldown, the 24PA

Camera Unit Features

 Progressive 3MOS sensor

The AG-HPX300P is equipped with a 1/3 inch 2.2 megapixel 3MOS sensor that enables HD full pixel recording for high­resolution video.

 14-bit digital circuit

The high-performance DSP (Digital Signal Processor) in the camera offers 14-bit signal input and 20-bit internal
processing. It handles gamma settings and other adjustments for each R/G/B color in 1080/60i video as well as
conversion to all HD/SD formats (P/I conversion, line conversion and down conversion). Because of this high-quality
images can be produced in all video formats.

 Seven gamma curves including cine-like gamma

To expand camera capabilities, the AG-HPX300P offers seven gamma curves including cine-like gamma to easily
produce recordings with the characteristic warm tone of film.

*1 1080 and 480 recording is performed at a fixed frame rate of 24P/30P.
*2 The AVC-Intra mode does not allow the output of a DVCPRO HD stream from the DVCPRO/DV connector.
*3 Not available with the AVC-Intra codec.
*4 For details on compatible systems, visit the Web site listed below.
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/
24P and 30P indicate recording at 23.98P and 29.97P, respectively, while 60P and 60i indicate recording at 59.94P and

59.94i, respectively.

 Slow, synchro and high speed shutter

The shutter speed can be set from a slow speed of 1/6 s up to a maximum speed of 1/7200 s
variable frame rate functions, this allows you to create blurring or stop motion effects. The AG-HPX300P also features a
synchro scan function that is ideal for capturing screen shots from a computer monitor.

*1

. Combined with the

 Scene file dial

This dial allows you to instantly retrieve settings that suit shooting conditions. Six preset files are provided, and you can
change the file names and their settings as desired. You can also save up to four files to an SD or SDHC memory card
(both referred to as “SD memory card” below) and load files from an SD memory card.

 Shooting assist functions

 USER buttons:

Three USER buttons each of which can be assigned a frequently used function for immediate access.

 Focus assist:

Magnifies the center portion of the image and displays a focus bar to facilitate focusing.

 Eight files for compensating lens chromatic aberration and four files for correcting shading for interchangeable lenses

are provided.

 Variable color temperature:

Allows fine adjustment after setting the white balance.

 REC REVIEW:

Provides a quick check of the last few seconds of the most recently recorded clip.

 4-position optical ND filter provided.

Chapter 1 Overview

 Chromatic aberration compensation (CAC)

This function automatically corrects the registration error caused by the slight chromatic aberration that the lens cannot
compensate for, in order to minimize color bleeding into surrounding image areas.

 Remote control support

The camera supports the AJ-RC10G (optional accessory) remote control unit. The remote control allows you to adjust
camera image and recording controls at a distance while viewing what you are shooting.

 Auto Tracking White Balance (ATW)

Automatically adjusts the white balance of the subject in real-time, a convenient function for quick adjustment in
recording situations where there is no time for normal white balance adjustment.

 DRS (Dynamic Range Stretcher) function

This function compresses the video signal level while maintaining contrast to extend the dynamic range making it
possible to correctly render highlight areas without overexposure and loss of detail that would otherwise occur.

*2

*1 This is the shutter speed value when 3.0d is configured for the synchro scan mode.
*2 The DRS function is not available in 1080/30P, 1080/24P modes.

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Chapter 1 Overview

Recording and Playback Features

 A variety of interfaces

 USB 2.0 connector (HOST/DEVICE)

A USB 2.0 connection to a computer or other device allows you to use P2 cards in the camera as mass storage.
The USB host function makes it possible to save P2 card data to an external hard disk connected via USB 2.0 and
clips stored on the hard disk can be viewed and written back to a P2 card.

 DVCPRO/DV input and output provided as standard feature

IEEE1394 compliant external devices can be connected to enable output and input via the digital interface.
Connect a 6-pin plug to this connector. Note that the connector does not support bus power.
Input and output via IEEE1394 is not available when the AVC-Intra codec is selected.

 P2 cards for high capacity, high speed and high reliability

In addition to exceptional resistance to shock, vibration and temperature fluctuations, the P2 (Professional Plug-in) card
has a reliability that guarantees long-term repeated recording/initialization that a tape or hard disk system with their
moving parts could never match.
The connectors are professional grade to withstand long-term continual insertion and removal.
The P2 card stores the AV data for each shooting session as a single file that is immediately accessible for nonlinear
editing or transfer over a network without digitizing. Transfer speeds far surpassing those of optical disks also help to
speed up production processes. The P2 card complies with PC card standards and can be directly plugged into the PC
card slot on a computer.
The two P2 card slots allow continuous recording on two P2 cards and also offer the following recording capabilities in a
memory card camera-recorder.

 Card selection:

In standby status, you can instantly select (switch to) the slot of the card you wish to record on
can be quickly passed on to editing or transferred to minimize interruptions in recording making it far more efficient
than systems where tapes or disks have to be exchanged.

 Hot-swap recording:

Cards can be replaced during recording. A full memory card can be replaced while recording is made on another
card. Successively swapping cards in this way gives you virtually unlimited recording capacity.

 Loop recording:

Setting the camera for consecutive overwriting, you can repeatedly rerecord on the inserted P2 cards, always
maintaining a recording of the most recent, specific period of time.

*1

*2

Recorded content

 Immediate startup and reliable data protection

When you press the REC button in standby mode, the camera instantly finds a blank area on the P2 card and begins
recording. Unlike a VTR system, there is no need to locate a blank section before recording. It can begin recording
immediately even when you are using it to preview video. In normal use, there is no chance of accidentally deleting a
recording. Recordings will not be erased unless you intentionally delete a file or initialize the card.

*1 This requires the installation of a P2 card driver (provided with each device). The P2 card driver runs under Windows®

Vista, Windows® XP or Windows® 2000.

*2 This assumes that the SLOT SEL function is assigned to a USER button (USER MAIN, USER1 or USER2).

 Other features

 Pre-rec:

This function provides a way to capture moments you otherwise would have missed. In the standby mode, the
camera will store video and audio for up to 3 seconds in HD and 7 seconds in SD. When you press the REC button,
the three or seven seconds of immediately prior video data stored in internal memory is added at the beginning of
the clip you record.

 One-shot REC:

Convenient for producing animation, this mode records for a set time (from 1 frame to 1 second) each time you
press the REC button.

 Interval REC:

Recording one frame at a time at set intervals (from 2 frames to 10 minutes), this mode is useful for monitoring,
supervision and special ultra undercranking effects.

 Proxy recording (with AJ-YAX800G installed)

Installing an optional video encoder card (AJ-YAX800G) in P2 slot number 2 makes it possible to record MPEG4
format video, time code data and other real-time data to P2 cards or SD memory cards simultaneous with camera
recording of video and audio. This is a convenient feature for checking clip content and speeding up editing work
flow.

 Clip thumbnail preview

The camera records each cut as a clip (file) and automatically attaches a thumbnail image and file information to it. To
preview a clip on the LCD monitor or to check clip data, simply choose the clip you want from the list of thumbnails.
These thumbnails and the file data can be viewed on a PC (P2 Viewer

*1

) or processed in a nonlinear editing program.

Chapter 1 Overview

 Shot marker and text memo

If desired, you can add a simple OK/reject shot marker to each clip either during or after recording. When a P2 card is
mounted in a PC (P2 Viewer), the PC will display only marked clips.
A text memo function is also provided. Pressing the USER button to which the text memo function has been assigned
anywhere in a clip during recording or in preview mode allows you to attach empty post-it like text memos (up to 100)
that can later be filled with text on a PC (P2 Viewer).
Using the camera copy function, you can create a new clip by stripping out the desired frames from a clip by copying
data between text memo labels.

 SD memory card slot

The camera provides an SD memory card slot for saving and loading scene files and user settings. A metadata upload
file (created using P2 Viewer) containing the name of the person who shot the video, the name of the reporter, the
shooting location or a text memo and other information can be saved to an SD memory card. This data file can be
loaded as clip metadata.

 HD/SD SDI output and downconverter supported

Video line outputs (3 BNC connectors) are provided as standard. These outputs can flexibly handle both monitor and
line recording. A down-converter is also built-in. Aspect mode can also be selected.

 SDI OUT (HD/SD) 1 system, 2 outputs:

The HD-SDI outputs allow you to make backups on an external VTR (with HD-SDI input) in synch with REC button
operation. SD-SDI can also down convert and output HD content.

 VIDEO OUT:

Outputs down converted SD video (composite video).

 Fine adjustment of sound recording level

The camera features a front-mounted control for fine adjustment of the sound recording level. This control is particularly
useful for adjusting the sound level when you have to control both video and audio recording. The control can be
disabled.

 Unislot wireless receiver compatible

The AG-HPX300P is designed to work with optional slot wireless receivers. (page 95)
The camera supports 2-channel wireless receivers.

*1 “P2 Viewer” is a Windows® PC viewing software that can be downloaded free of charge by P2 card users.

11

12

Chapter 1 Overview

Using USB DEVICE mode to connect an external

device via the USB 2.0 connector (Page 139)

Computer/Memory card recorder

External hard disk

Computer

P2 card

USB2.0 (DEVICE)

USB2.0 (HOST)

DVCPRO/DV
(Windows/Macintosh)

Using USB HOST mode to connect an external

device via the USB 2.0 connector (Page 140)

Connecting an external device via the

DVCPRO/DV connector (Page 145)

Video equipment/Monitor

BNC cable
(composite/SDI)

The contents can be transferred as a
data stream (digital dubbing).

The data (file) is transferred for nonlinear editing on your computer
or other unit.

The unit directly controls the external hard disk drive, and transfers
the data (file) to it.

Outline of operations

The AG-HPX300P records video on P2 cards. Excelling at high transfer speeds, the P2 card enables high vision recording
and smooth editing and dubbing.

Saving and editing on external devices

AG-HPX300P

External power supply

NP-L7

Remote control cable

AJ-C10050G

BT-LH80W, BT-LH900 etc.

USB2.0 compatible devices

DVCPRO/DV standard device

complying with

the IEEE1394 standard

AJ-RC10G

FUJINON, CANON

SD Memory cards

*3

P2 Cards

*3

AG-MC200G

AJ-MC700P

AJ-HT901G

SHAN-RC700

AJ-SC900

SHAN-TM700

Shotgun microphone

(Phantom +48 V)

Lens

*2

(Bayonet type)

Rain cover

Battery

Soft carrying case

Hard carrying case

Tripod adapter

Video encoder card

AJ-YAX800G

*4

Remote control unit

*5

*1

Unislot wireless

microphone receiver

PROPAC14, TRIMPAC14
HYTRON50/140
DIONIC90/160

V-mount
type
battery
plate

Holder
plate

*6

NP battery holder

LCD monitor

ENDURA E-7/7S
ENDURA E-10/10S

System Configuration

Chapter 1 Overview

*1 The camera is equipped with a battery holder as standard.
*2 The camera comes with a Fujinon lens.
*3 For the latest information on P2 cards and SD memory cards not available in the operating Instructions, visit the P2

Support Desk at the following Web sites.

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/
*4 For details, refer to the AJ-YAX800G User’s Guide on the supplied CD-ROM.
*5 For details, refer to the AJ-RC10G User’s Guide on the supplied CD-ROM.
*6 Attach the NP battery holder to the holder plate before fixing it to the V-mount type battery plate.

13

14

Chapter 1 Overview

Standard accessories

*1

Lens

For details, refer to
[Mounting the Lens]
(page 89).

Connector cap

*1 *2

Shoulder belt

Front lens cap

Lens hood

*1 *2

*1

FRONT AUDIO LEVEL knob
(screw included)

Rear lens cap

Lens hood cap

Mount cap

*4

*1 *2

*1 *3

Zoom lever

*1 *2

Eye cup

For details, refer to
[Attaching the Eye Cup]
(page 98)

XLR connector cap

*4

For details, refer to
For details, refer to
[Attaching the Shoulder
Strap] (page 97).

BNC cap

*4

[Attaching the FRONT

AUDIO LEVEL Control

Knob] (page 98).

CD-ROM

*1 Manufactured by Fujinon Co., Ltd.
*2 This component is part of the lens.
*3 This component is part of the lens hood.
*4 This component is part of the camera.

 NOTE

• Be sure to appropriately dispose of the packing material when you have unpacked the product.

• Consult your supplier regarding purchases of accessories.

Chapter 2 Parts and Their Functions

Power Supply and Accessory Mounting Section

213617

16 5 14 8

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

6

1 4 3 15

1 POWER switch

Use to turn the power on and off.

2 Battery holder

A battery from Anton/Bauer is mounted here.
For details, refer to [Mounting the Battery and Setting
the Battery Type] (page 86).

3 DC IN (external power input) socket (XLR, 4P)

Connect this camera to an external DC power supply.
For details, refer to [Use of the external DC power
supply] (page 88).

4 BREAKER switch

This switch is located on the camera base.
When an excessive amount of current is fed through
the video camera recorder, due to a malfunction, the
breaker automatically turns off the power to protect the
device. Press this button after conducting an internal
inspection or repair. The camera will power up if it is
working normally.

5 Light shoe

A video light or similar accessory can be attached here.
(Size of holes for securing screws)

• 1/4-20UNC (6 mm or shorter screws)

6 Shoulder strap fittings

The shoulder strap is attached here.
For details, refer to [Attaching the Shoulder Strap]
(page 97).

7 Lens mount (1/3-bayonet mount)

The lens is attached here.
For details, refer to [Mounting the Lens] (page 89).

8 Lens lever

Tighten this lever to lock the lens to the lens mount.
For details, refer to [Mounting the Lens] (page 89).

97111210

9 Mount cap

To remove the cap, raise the lens lever. Replace the
cap when a lens is not mounted.

10 Lens cable/microphone cable clamp

This clamp secures the lens and microphone cables.
For details, refer to [Mounting the Lens] (page 89).

11 Tripod mount

To mount the camera on a tripod, attach the optional
tripod adapter (SHAN-TM700) here.
For details, refer to [Mounting the Camera on a Tripod]
(page 97).

12 Lens jack (12-pin)

The lens connection cord is connected here. For
a detailed description of your lens, refer to the
manufacturer’s instruction manual.

13 Battery release lever

Pull down the release lever to release the battery.

14 Viewfinder left-right positioning ring

For details, see [Adjusting Right and Left Viewfinder
Position] (page 78).

15 Light control switch

For details, refer to [Power Supply] (page 86).

16 Cable holder

Used to secure the light and microphone cables.

17 Accessory mounting hole

Accessories can be attached here. Do not use this hole
for purposes other than attaching accessories.
(Size of holes for securing screws)

• 1/4-20UNC (10 mm or shorter screws)

• 3/8-16UNC (10 mm or shorter screws)

15

16

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

Audio (input) Function Section

627

8

1

1 MIC IN (microphone input) jack (XLR, 3-pin)

• Connect a microphone (optional accessory) to this
jack.

• A phantom-powered microphone may be connected.
To use a phantom-powered microphone, set the menu
option F.MIC POWER to ON in the AUDIO SETUP
screen.

For details, refer to [Preparing for Audio Input]
(page 95).

2 AUDIO LEVEL CH1/CH2 (audio channel 1/2

recording level adjustment) controls

• With the AUDIO SELECT CH1/CH2 switch positioned
to MAN, these controls can be used to adjust the
recording levels for audio channels 1 and 2.

• Note that the controls are designed to be locked. For
adjustment, each control must be depressed while
turning.

3 AUDIO SELECT CH1/CH2 (audio channel 1/2

automatic/manual level adjustment selector) switch

Use this switch to select recording level control mode
for Audio Channels 1 and 2.

AUTO: Recording level automatically controlled.
MAN: Recording level manually controlled.

For details, refer to [Adjusting Recording Levels]
(page 54)

4 AUDIO IN (audio input selector) switch

Use this switch to select signals recorded through
audio channels 1 – 4.
FRONT: Records signals from a microphone

connected to the MIC IN jack.

W.L.(WIRELESS):
Records signals from a wireless receiver.
REAR: Records signals from audio devices or

microphones connected to the AUDIO IN
CH1/CH2 connectors.

4

3 5

 NOTE

To record 2-channel wireless input, switch both CH1 and
CH2 to W.L. position and set the menu option WIRELESS
TYPE in the AUDIO SETUP screen to DUAL.

5 AUDIO IN CH1/CH2 (audio channel 1/2) connectors

(XLR, 3-pin)

Audio devices or microphones may be connected here.
For details, refer to [When Using Audio Devices]
(page 96).

6 LINE/MIC/+48V (line input/mic input/mic input +48V)

selector switch

Use to select audio signals input to the AUDIO IN CH1/
CH2 connectors.
LINE: Line input for audio signals input from an

audio device

MIC: Audio signal input from microphone with

internal power supply (the camera does not
supply power to a phantom microphone).

+ 48V: Audio signal input from a microphone that

requires an external power supply (The
camera supplies power to a phantom
microphone).

 NOTE

Power is supplied when the menu option
R.MICPOWER in the AUDIO SETUP screen is
set to ON.

7 FRONT AUDIO LEVEL (audio recording level

adjustment) control

• This control adjusts the recording level of audio
channels 1 and 2.

• With the AUDIO SELECT CH1/CH2 switch positioned
to MAN, this control can be used to adjust the
recording levels for audio channels 1 and 2.

• Use the menu options FRONT VR CH1 and FRONT
VR CH2 in the AUDIO SETUP screen to select the
input connector this control will be used for.

8 Wireless slot

A Unislot wireless receiver (optional accessory) may be
attached here.

Audio (output) Function Section

3 4

1 MONITOR SELECT (audio channel) CH1/2, CH3/4

selector switch

Use this switch to select the audio channel whose
signals are output to the speaker, earphones or AUDIO
OUT connectors.

CH1/2: Signal output of audio channels 1 and 2.
CH3/4: Signal output of audio channels 3 and 4.

The channel indications of the audio level meters in the
viewfinder and on the LCD monitor show the channels
selected with this switch.

2 MONITOR SELECT (audio selection) CH1/3, ST,

CH2/4 selector switch

This switch and the MONITOR SELECT CH1/2, CH3/4
switch select the audio signal output to the speaker,
earphones and AUDIO OUT connectors.

MONITOR SELECT

switch (left)

CH1/3 Audio Channel 1 Audio Channel 3

MONITOR

SELECT

*1 MIX in the menu option MONITOR SELECT in the

AUDIO SETUP screen allows you to change stereo
signals to a mixed signal.

3 MONITOR (volume) control

Use to control the alarm sound volume and volume of
sound output from the monitor speaker and earphones.

ST

CH2/4 Audio Channel 2 Audio Channel 4

MONITOR SELECT switch (right)

CH1/2 CH3/4

Stereo signals

from Audio

Channels 1 and 2

1

5 7

2 6

Stereo signals

from Audio

*1

Channels 3 and 4

4 Speaker

The speaker outputs EE sound during recording and
reproduced sound during playback. The speaker emits
an alarm sound when the warning lamp and indicator
light or blink. EE sound and reproduced sound are not
output during alarm sound output.
When earphones are connected to the PHONES
connector, the sound from the speaker is automatically
muted.

5 PHONES (earphones) jack (mini jack)

This connector is designed for audio monitoring (stereo)
earphones.

6 DC OUT (DC power supply) output socket.

This is a 12 V DC output socket that provides a
maximum current of 1.5 A.

 NOTE

Be sure to check polarity before connecting an external
device as incorrect connection could lead to damage.

7 AUDIO OUT connector

*1

• This connector outputs audio signals recorded on
audio channels 1/2 and 3/4.

• Use the MONITOR SELECT CH1/2, CH3/4 selector
switch to select output signals.

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

17

18

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

Shooting and Recording/Playback Functions Section

 Shooting and Recording (camera unit)

1 ND FILTER (filter switching) control

Use this control to adjust the amount of light entering
the MOS sensor during shooting in strong outdoor
lighting.

Control

position

2 USER MAIN, USER1 and USER2 buttons

These buttons can be assigned user-selected functions
in a setting menu. Each button, when pressed,
performs the assigned function.
For details, refer to [Assigning functions to USER
buttons] (page 53).

3 SHUTTER switch

Use to turn the electronic shutter on and off.

OFF: The electronic shutter is off.
ON: The electronic shutter is on.
SEL: Changes the speed of the electronic shutter.

This dial switch returns to its original position when
released. Each push in the SEL direction changes the
shutter speed.
For details, refer to [Setting the Electronic Shutter]
(page 51).

Setting Description

1 CLEAR Does not use the ND filter.

2 1/4ND

3 1/16ND

4 1/64ND

Reduces the amount of light

entering the MOS sensor to 1/4.

Reduces the amount of light

entering the MOS sensor to 1/16.

Reduces the amount of light

entering the MOS sensor to 1/64.

1

9 8

10

5 6 743 211

4 AUTO W/B (white/black) BAL switch

AWB: Automatically adjusts the white balance. Set

the WHITE BAL switch on the side to [A] or
[B] and use this switch to adjust the white
balance, which takes a few seconds. The
adjusted value is stored in memory.
When the WHITE BAL switch is set to PRST
and the AUTO W/B BAL switch is set to AWB
to indicate the color temperature, pushing
the AUTO W/B BAL switch towards AWB a
second time allows you to change the preset

color temperature.
ABB: Automatically adjusts the black balance.
For details, refer to [Adjusting the White Balance and
Black Balance] (page 48).

5 GAIN selector switch

• This switch adjusts video amplifier gain to suit

ambient lighting conditions at the time of shooting.

• Use the menu options LOW GAIN, MID GAIN and

HIGH GAIN in the SW MODE screen to set the L/M/H
position gain values.

• The factory settings for L, M and H positions are 0 dB,

6 dB and 12 dB, respectively.

6 OUTPUT/AUTO KNEE selector switch

This switch selects the video signals sent from
the camera unit to the memory card recorder unit,
viewfinder and video monitor.

CAM. AUTO KNEE ON:

Video being recorded through the camera is
output with the Auto knee circuit activated. A
DRS (Dynamic Range Stretcher) function can
be used instead of the AUTO KNEE function.
For details, refer to [DRS (Dynamic Range
Stretcher) function] (page 9).

CAM. AUTO KNEE OFF:

Video being recorded through the camera is
output with the Auto knee circuit turned off.
The KNEE point is locked to the level set in
the menu.

BARS: Color bar signals are output with the AUTO

KNEE circuit turned off.

 NOTE

AUTO KNEE function

Usually, when you shoot people or scenery against a
strongly lit background and adjust the level to the subject,
the background will be totally whited-out, with buildings
and other objects blurred. Use of the AUTO KNEE function
in situations like these will reproduce the background
clearly.
The AUTO KNEE function is effective when:

• The subject is a person positioned in the shade under a
clear sky.

• The subject is a person in a vehicle or building and you
also want to capture the background visible through a
window.

• The subject is a high-contrast scene.

7 WHITE BAL (white balance memory selector) switch

Use to select method of white balance adjustment.
PRST: Use PRST when you have no time to adjust

the white balance.

• The factory default setting is 3200 K.

• Use a setting menu or push the AUTO
W/B BAL switch towards AWB to display
the color temperature. While the color
temperature is still indicated, push the
AUTO W/B BAL switch once again towards
AWB to switch between 3200 K and
5600 K.

A • B: Pushing the AUTO W/B BAL towards AWB

will automatically adjust the white balance
and save the adjusted value in memory A or
memory B.
For details, refer to [Adjusting the White

Balance] (page 48).
The setting menu also allows you to assign Auto
Tracking White balance (ATW) to B. For details, refer to
(page 49).

8 DISP/MODE CHK button

• Press this button to turn off the viewfinder and LCD
display. (The time code indication stays on.)

• A second press of the button turns the display back
on and holding it down displays shooting conditions
and functions assigned to USER switches.

• It also serves to turn off the alarm sound.

9 SYNCHRO SCAN switch

This function adjusts the synchro scan speed when
the SHUTTER switch is set to ON and synchro scan is
selected.
Pressing the – switch sets a slower shutter speed and
pressing the + switch sets a faster one.
For example, to record a computer screen, make
adjustments to minimize horizontal bar noise in the
viewfinder.
In VFR (Variable Frame Rate) mode, press the JOG dial
button and this switch to change the frame rate.
For details, refer to [2. JOG dial button] in [Menu/
Thumbnail Operation Section] (Page 22).

10 ZEBRA (zebra pattern) switch

Use this switch to display a zebra pattern in the
viewfinder and on the LCD monitor.
For details, refer to [Zebra pattern display] (page 74).

11 Focal plane index (

)

This symbol indicates the focal plane of the MOS
sensor.
It provides a reference for making accurate focal
distance measurements from the subject.

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

19

20

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

2420 25

12311819

17151614

22 2627

13

 Shooting and Recording/Playback

Function Section (Recorder Unit)

12 REC button

Press this button to start recording and press once
again to stop it.
This button operates in the same way as the VTR button
on the lens.

13 SDI OUT CHARACTER switch

Use this switch to control the superimposition of
character data onto SDI OUT to indicate status or
setting menus.

ON: Superimposes characters.
OFF: Does not superimpose characters.

 NOTE

In addition to SDI OUT, a setting menu allows you to
superimpose characters on VIDEO OUT video.

14 t REW (rewind) button

In stop mode, press this button for fast-reverse
playback.
During playback, press this button for fast-reverse
playback at about 4x normal speed.
If this button is pressed when playback is paused, the
beginning of the clip being played is located in pause
mode (cue-up mode).

28 23 21

y FF (fast forward) button

15

In stop mode, press this button for fast playback.
During playback, press this button for fast playback at
about 4x normal speed.
If this button is pressed when playback is paused, the
beginning of the next clip is located in pause mode
(cue-up mode).

g STOP button

16

Press this button to stop playback.
Press this button to stop interval recording and one-shot
recording.

17 PLAY/PAUSE button

Press this button to view playback in the viewfinder or
on a color video monitor.
Press it during playback to pause playback.

18 USB 2.0 connector (DEVICE)

19 USB 2.0 connector (HOST)

Connect a USB 2.0 cable to this connector.
To enable transfer of data via USB 2.0, set the menu
option PC MODE in the SYSTEM SETUP screen to ON.
This setting restricts recording, playback and clip
operations with the camera. For details, refer to
page 140.

30 29 32

20 P2 CARD ACCESS LED

This LED indicates the recording and playback status of
each card.
For details, refer to [P2 CARD ACCESS LED and status
of P2 cards]. (Page 29)

21 GENLOCK IN connector

This connector inputs a reference signal when the
camera unit is gen-locked, or when the time code is
externally locked.

 NOTE

• Supply an HD Y signal (1080/59.94i, 720/59.94P) or
a composite signal (480/59.94i) as input reference
signal. The subcarrier of VIDEO OUT connector output
(composite signal) cannot be externally locked. In SD
mode, the signal will not lock to the HD signal.

22 REMOTE connector

Some functions can be remote controlled when the
remote control unit AJ-RC10G (optional accessory) is
connected to the camera.
For details, refer to [Connecting the AJ-RC10G Remote
Controller] (page 100).

23 VIDEO OUT connector

This connector outputs video signals.

• In HD mode, down-converted composite video

signals are output.

• Use the menu option DOWNCON MODE in the

OUTPUT SEL screen to set signal output. (The factory
setting is LETTER BOX.)

24 SD memory card slot

Insert an SD memory card (optional accessory) in this
slot. It is used for recording and loading camera setting
menus or lens files, uploading meta data and recording
proxies (optional).

 NOTE

SD memory card precautions

• Use only SD memory cards that conform to the SD
standard or the SDHC standard in this camera.

• MultiMediaCards (MMC) cannot be used. (Use of such
cards may prevent recording.)

• Be sure to use mini SD card adapters when using mini
SD cards with this camera. (Note that this camera will
not operate normally when a mini SD adapter is installed
without inserting a card. Be sure to insert a card when an
adapter is installed.)

• Use of Panasonic SD memory cards and mini SD cards
is recommended. Be sure to format such cards in this
camera.

• This unit supports the following SD and SDHC memory

card capacities.

8MB/16MB/32MB/64MB/

SD memory cards

SDHC memory

cards

For proxy (optional) recording, use 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB,
2 GB SD memory cards labeled “High Speed” or SDHC
memory cards.

128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB/

2GB

4GB/6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB/

32GB

• For the latest information not available in the Operating
Instructions, visit the P2 Support Sites at the following
Web site.

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

About SD and SDHC memory cards

• The SDHC card is a new standard, established by the

SD Card Association in 2006, for memory cards with
capacities of 2 GB or more.

• The SD logo is a registered trademark.

• MMC (MultiMediaCard) is a registered trademark of
Infineon Technologies AG.

25 BUSY (operation mode display) lamp

This lamp indicates the active status of the SD memory
card. It stays illuminated when the card is active.

 NOTE

Do not remove the card while the lamp is on.
The SD memory card could be damaged.

26 DVCPRO/DV connector

An IEEE1394 standard connector for input and output of
video, audio and data.
For details, refer to [Connections to the DVCPRO/DV
Connector] (page 145).

27 SDI OUT 1 connector

28 SDI OUT 2 connector

• This connector outputs SDI signals.

• Use the menu option SDI SELECT in the OUTPUT SEL

screen to select AUTO, 1080i or 480i. This connector
does not support up-conversion.
It outputs the same signals as SDI OUT 1 connector.

29 SCENE FILE dial

This dial allows you to select and load shooting
conditions from the scene files prerecorded to each of
the six positions.

 NOTE

During recording, selecting a position with a different
frame rate will not change the frame rate until the camera
is set to recording standby mode.

For details, refer to [How to use Scene File Data] (page 82).

30 FOCUS ASSIST button

Turns magnification of the center portion of the image
on and off.
For details, refer to [Focus assist function] (page 75).

31 REC switch

Switches functions of the REC button on the handle.

ON: Enables the REC button.
OFF: Disables the REC button.

32 USB lamp

This lamp lights when the camera is in USB mode (PC
mode).

21

22

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

Menu/Thumbnail Operation Section

57346

12

1 MENU button

• Hold down the button to open a setting menu screen.
A second press of the button returns the previous
image.

• This function is not available in the thumbnail display
and during recording.

2 JOG dial button

• Use this button to go between setting menus and to
select and set items in open setting menus.

• In a setting menu, turning the JOG dial button
downwards moves the menu cursor downwards and
turning it upwards moves the menu cursor upwards.
Press the JOG dial button to confirm made settings.

For more information, see [Using the menus]
(page 120).

• In VFR (Variable Frame Rate) mode, press this button
and use the SYNCHRO SCAN switch to change frame
rates.

 NOTE

Use the JOG dial button to go between setting menus and
select items.

For details, refer to [Viewfinder and LCD Menus] (page 120).

3 Thumbnail button

Press this button to open the thumbnail screen. Note
that this switchover cannot be performed during
recording or playback.

4 Thumbnail menu button

In thumbnail display mode, use this button to access
thumbnail menu functions to delete clips, for example.

5 CURSOR and SET buttons

Use these buttons to manipulate setting menus, the
menu bar and thumbnails.
The four triangular buttons are cursor buttons and the
square center button is the SET button.

6 EXIT/CANCEL button

Press this button to exit an open thumbnail menu or
property window to return to the previous image.
Pressing this button while holding down the SHIFT
button turns it into a cancel function allowing you to
cancel clip selections at one time.

7 SHIFT button

Use this button together with other buttons.

• Hold down the SHIFT button and press the cursor

button ([ ]) in a thumbnail screen to move the
pointer to the thumbnail at the beginning or end of a
clip.

• Hold down the SHIFT button and press the SET button
to select all clips from a previously selected clip to the
clip at the cursor location.

• SHIFT button + EXIT/CANCEL button
This button combination operates like the cancel
function.

For details, refer to [6. EXIT/CANCEL button].
Operations while the SHIFT button is pressed are
shown blow each button.

 NOTE

Use the cursor, SET and EXIT/CANCEL buttons to select
thumbnails and access menu functions.

For details, see [Manipulating Clips with Thumbnails]
(page 101).

Time Code Section

1 3 2

1 GENLOCK IN connector (BNC)

Use this connector to input a reference signal to
genlock the camera unit or externally lock the time
code. The subcarrier of the VBS signal output by
the VIDEO OUT connector of the camera cannot be
externally locked.
For details, refer to [Externally Locking the Time Code]
(page 62).

2 TC IN connector (BNC)

To externally lock the time code, input a reference time
code to this connector.
For details, refer to [Externally Locking the Time Code]
(page 62).

3 TC OUT connector (BNC)

Connect this connector to the time code input (TC IN) of
the external device to lock the time code of that device
to the time code of the AG-HPX300P.
For details, refer to [Outputting the time code externally]
(page 63).

4 HOLD button

Pressing this button instantly freezes the time data
indication on the counter. Note that time code
generation continues. Pressing the button again restarts
the counter.
This function allows you to check the time code or
counter value of a recorded scene.

5 RESET button

Use this button to reset the counter value on the time
code display to 0.
Pressing this button with the TCG switch positioned at
[SET] when the TC PRESET screen and UB PRESET
screen are open, resets all set values to 0. Use the
Cursor SET button to PRESET.

6 54

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

78

6 COUNTER (counter display selector) button

Each press of the button displays the counter value,
time code, user bit and frame rate data in the viewfinder
and LCD display.

7 TCG (time code selector) switch

Use this switch to set the running mode of the built-in
time code generator.
F-RUN: Select this position to continuously advance

the time code independently of P2 card
recording status. Use this position to
synchronize the time code with the time of
day, or to externally lock the time code.

SET: Select this position to set the time code or

user bits.

R-RUN: Select this position to advance the time

code only during recording. The time code
is continuously recorded during normal
recording. But deleting clips and setting a
24P/24PA frame rate to continue recording of
clips that are not 24P/24PA clips may break
the sequence of time code recording.

 NOTE

Always use the CURSOR and SET buttons to set the time
code and user bits. The JOG dial button cannot be used for
this purpose.

8 CURSOR and SET buttons

Use these buttons to set the time code and user bits.
The four triangular buttons are cursor buttons and the
square center button is the SET button.
For details, refer to [Setting Time Data] (page 56).

23

Warning and Status Display Functions

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

1 Back tally lamp

When the BACK TALLY switch is set to ON, this lamp
behaves in the same way as the front tally lamp.

2 Rear tally lamp

When the BACK TALLY switch is set to ON, the rear tally
lamp behaves in the same way as the back tally lamp.

3 BACK TALLY switch

Use this switch to control the back and rear tally lamps.

ON: Enables the back and rear tally lamps.
OFF: Disables the back and rear tally lamps.

4 WARNING lamp

This lamp starts blinking or lights when an error is
detected in the memory card recorder unit.

LCD Monitor

123 4

21

1 LCD Monitor

The LCD monitor displays the video in the viewfinder.
Alternatively, it can show clips on the P2 card in a
thumbnail format.
For details on the LCD monitor, refer to [Viewfinder and
LCD Menus] (page 120).
In thumbnail display mode, you can use the thumbnail
menu buttons, CURSOR and SET buttons to manipulate
or delete clips, or format P2 cards.
For details, refer to [Manipulating Clips with
Thumbnails] (page 101).

2 OPEN button

Use to open the LCD monitor.

24

Viewfinder

Chapter 2 Parts and their Functions

3 1 5 4

2

1 Viewfinder

The viewfinder displays the video image in color during
recording or playback. It also displays warnings and
messages – indicating camera operating status and
settings – zebra patterns and markers (safety zone and
center markers, etc.).

8

7

6

 NOTE

The menu option EVF COLOR can be set to monochrome
in the DISPLAY SETUP screen.

2 TALLY switch

Use to control the front tally lamp.

ON: Tally lamp goes on
OFF: Tally lamp goes out.

3 Front tally lamp

This lamp goes on during recording when the TALLY
switch is set to the [ON] . It blinks to indicate warnings.

4 Eyepiece

5 Diopter adjusting ring

Adjust this ring to suit your vision so that the image in
the viewfinder is as clear as possible.

6 Eyepiece lock button

For details, refer to [Detaching the eyepiece]
(page 150).

7 Microphone holder

8 Right and left viewfinder positioning rings

Loosen the rings to adjust right and left position, and
tighten the ring after completing the adjustment.

25

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

1394 CONTROL
1394 CMD SEL
ACCESS LED
ALARM
CLOCK SETTING

GL PHASE

TIME ZONE

>>>

OFF

REC P

ON

HIGH

>>>

HD SDI

+9:00

USER FILE

OTH E R FUNCTI O N S

Setting Date and Time of Internal Clock

The CLOCK SETTING value is recorded in the contents
(clip), and affects the sequence of playback of the
thumbnails. Before carrying out recording, be sure to check
and set CLOCK SETTING and TIME ZONE.

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

 This shows you how to adjust the calendar

to 5:20 PM on April 1, 2009.

Set the POWER switch to ON.

1

Select TIME ZONE item in OTHER

2

FUNCTIONS, then press the JOG dial button.

• For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Use the JOG dial button to set the time

3

difference from Greenwich Mean Time.

• Check what time zone you are in and set
accordingly.

Time zone

Time

difference

00:00 Greenwich +01:00 Central Europe

-00:30 +01:30

-01:00 Azores Islands +02:00

-01:30 +02:30

-02:00 Mid-Atlantic +03:00 Moscow

-02:30 +03:30 Tehran

-03:00 Buenos Aires +04:00 Abu Dhabi

-03:30

-04:00 Halifax +05:00 Islamabad

-04:30 +05:30 Bombay

-05:00 New York +06:00 Dacca

-05:30 +06:30 Yangon

-06:00 Chicago +07:00 Bangkok

-06:30 +07:30

-07:00 Denver +08:00 Beijing

-07:30 +08:30

-08:00 Los Angeles +09:00 Tokyo

-08:30 +09:30 Darwin

-09:00 Alaska +10:00 Guam

-09:30

-10:00 Hawaii +11:00

-10:30 +11:30 Norfolk Island

-11:00 Midway Island +12:00 New Zealand

-11:30 +12:45

-12:00 Kwajalein +13:00

+00:30

Area

Newfoundland

Island

Marquesas

Islands

Time

difference

Eastern

Europe

+04:30 Kabul

+10:30

Lord Howe

Island

Solomon

Islands

Chatham

Islands

Area

26

 NOTE

• The clock is accurate to within about ±30 seconds a month
with the power turned off.

• Check and set the time when accurate time is required. After

setting the time, change the setting menu TIME ZONE item
and the display and the recorded local time will be reset
accordingly.

Select CHANGE at the CLOCK SETTING item

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

1394 CONTROL
1394 CMD SEL
ACCESS LED
ALARM

CLOCK SETTING

TIME ZONE

>>>

OFF

REC P

ON
ON

RETURN

GL PHASE HD SDI

CHANGE

USER FILE

OTH E R FUNCTI O N S

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

2009
MONTH APR
DAY 1
HOUR 13
MINUTE 7

YEAR

CLO C K SETTING

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

2009
MONTH APR
DAY 1
HOUR 17

MINUTE 20

YEAR

CLO C K SETTING

4

in OTHER FUNCTIONS, then press the JOG
dial button.

• The CLOCK SET screen appears.

Turn the JOG dial button to select YEAR, then

5

press the JOG dial button.

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

Turn the JOG dial button to set YEAR to 2009,

6

then press the JOG dial button.

• A year between 2000 to 2037 can be set.

Turn the JOG dial button to select MONTH,

7

then press the JOG dial button.

Turn the JOG dial button to set MONTH to

8

APR, then press the JOG dial button.

Set DAY, HOUR and MINUTE in the same way

9

as setting YEAR and MONTH.

• This is a 24-hour clock.

27

P2 Cards

Inserting P2 Cards

 NOTE

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

When using the camera recorder for the first time, be sure to
set the time data beforehand.

For details, refer to [Setting Date and Time of Internal Clock]
(page 26).

Turn on the POWER switch.

1

Open the card slot cover.

2

Slot cover

Push the eject button that pops up to the right.

4

• Insert a P2 card into the AG-HPX300P. The P2
CARD ACCESS LED for the appropriate slot
indicates the status of the P2 card.

For details, refer to [P2 CARD ACCESS LED and
status of P2 cards] (page 29).

P2 CARD ACCESS LED

Close the card slot cover.

5

 NOTE

• To prevent cards from falling out, dust from entering and
reduce the risk of exposure to static electricity, close the card
slot cover before moving the camera.

• Format P2 cards only on a P2 card device.

Insert a P2 card in a P2 card slot.

3

• Press in the card until the eject button pops up.

EJECT button

Insert the card with the
logo facing up.

Removing P2 Cards

Open the card slot cover.

1

Raise the eject button.

2

Then depress the eject button to release the P2

3

card.

Raise the eject button. Press the raised eject

button to remove a P2
card.

28

 NOTE

• When a P2 card is being accessed or recognised after
insertion (P2 CARD ACCESS LED blinks in orange), do not
remove the P2 card. Removing a P2 card during access could
damage it.

• If a P2 card being accessed is removed, the viewfinder

displays “TURN POWER OFF” and the AG-HPX300P gives a
warning using an alarm and the WARNING LED. In addition,
all P2 CARD ACCESS LEDs blink rapidly in orange. If this is
the case, turn the power off.

For details, refer to [Warning System] (page 151).

• Removing a P2 card during access may corrupt clip data.

Check the clips and restore them if required.

For details, refer to [Restoring Clips] (page 109).

• If a P2 card being formatted is removed, it may be not be

formatted properly. In this case, the viewfinder displays
“TURN POWER OFF”. If this message appears, turn off the
power, then restart the AG-HPX300P to reformat the card.

• If a P2 card is inserted while another P2 card is being played

back, the inserted P2 card is not recognised and the P2
CARD ACCESS LED for that card does not come on. Card
recognition starts when playback ends.

• A P2 card inserted in an empty slot during recording may not

be immediately recognized during the following events.

• Immediately following PRE REC operation

• The CARD ACCESS LED can be set to stay off in the menu
option ACCESS LED in the OTHER FUNCTIONS screen.
When the camera is used in this way, remove cards when the
camera has been powered down or a sufficiently long time
after terminating recording, playback and other operating
modes.

• Removing a P2 card during thumbnail display terminates the

thumbnail display.

To Prevent Accidental Erasure of P2 Card Content

To prevent the content of a P2 card being accidentally
erased, position the write-protect switch on the P2 card at
[Protect].

P2 CARD ACCESS LED and status of P2 cards

P2

CARD

ACCESS

LED

Stays on

in green

Stays on

in orange

Blinks in

*2

orange

Quickly

blinks in

orange

Blinks in

green

Stays off

Status of P2 Card

Recording

enabled

Selected for

recording

Being

accessed

Being

recognized

Card full

Write-

protected

Card not

supported

Incorrect

format

Card not
inserted

Writing and

reading enabled.

Writing and

reading enabled

for current

recording mode

(loop, interval

or one-shot

recording).
Writing or reading
being performed.

The P2 card is

being recognised.

The P2 card has

no free space.

Only reading is

enabled.

The write-protect

switch on the P2

card is positioned

at [PROTECT].

Only reading is

enabled.

The card is not

supported by your

AG-HPX300P.

Replace the card.

The P2 card

is not properly

formatted.

Reformat the card.

No P2 card is

inserted.

Card recognition

standby.

indication

ACCESSING

PROTECTED

SUPPORTED

NO CARD

MODE

CHECK

ACTIVE

ACTIVE

INFO

READING

FULL

NOT

FORMAT

ERROR

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

*1

Write-protect switch

 NOTE

Write-protect switchover can be performed while the card is
being accessed (during recording or playback), but does not
take effect until access to the card ceases.

*1 MODE CHECK appears in the viewfinder and on the

LCD monitor.

For details, see [Viewfinder Screen Status Displays]
(page 65)

*2 Blinks orange also when a PROXY card (optional

accessory) is inserted in slot 2.

29

P2 card recording times

P2 cards available to the AG-HPX300P

This camera supports the following P2 cards.

• AJ-P2C004HG (4 GB)

• AJ-P2C008HG (8 GB)

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

• AJ-P2C016AG (16 GB)

• AJ-P2C016RG (16 GB)

• AJ-P2C032AG (32 GB)

• AJ-P2C032RG (32 GB)

• AJ-P2C064AG (64 GB)

 NOTE

• Card model numbers and capacities above will become
available as of January 2009. Greater capacities and technical
innovation may extend the recording time.

• This unit cannot use AJ-P2C002SG (2 GB) cards.

• Use of cards other than those listed above may require
updating the camera driver.

For details, refer to [Updating the firmware incorporated into the
unit] (page 155).

• For the latest information not available in the Operating
Instructions, visit the P2 Support Desk at the following Web
site.

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/

Splitting clips recorded on P2 cards

This camera will automatically generate additional clips
for a continuous recording on an 8 GB or higher capacity
P2 card when the recording exceeds the durations given
below. Even so, a P2 device will handle such clips as a
single clip in thumbnail operations (display, delete, recover,
copy, etc.). Such recordings may be handled as separate
clips by nonlinear editing software or a PC.

Recording format

(excluding Native format)

AVC-I 100

DVCPRO HD

AVC-I 50

DVCPRO50

DVCPRO

DV

Continuous recording time

Approx. 5 min.

Approx. 10 min.

Approx. 20 min.

P2 card recording times

(When using one 64 GB card)

System mode

Recording format

(codec)

AVC-I 100

HD (1080i, 720P)

DVCPRO HD

AVC-I 50

DVCPRO50

SD (480i)

DVCPRO

DV

 NOTE

• The above recording time is for normal recording. Recording
in native mode will extend recording time depending on
system mode.

For details, refer to [List of recording formats and functions]
(page 44).

• Use of 32 GB, 16 GB and 8 GB P2 cards will provide 1/2, 1/4
and 1/8, respectively of above recording times.

• The indicated capacities include a management area so the
total area available for recording is somewhat smaller.

Recording

time

Approx. 64 min.

Approx. 128

min.

Approx. 128

min.

Approx. 256

min.

30

Handling P2 Card Recording

The P2 card is a semiconductor memory card designed
for the DVCPRO P2 series, Panasonic’s line of professional
video and broadcast equipment.

• Since the DVCPRO P2 format and AVC-Intra record data
as files, it is ideally suited for computer processing. The
file structure is in a proprietary format that includes audio
and video data recorded in the MXF file format as well as
various other essential data forming an interrelated folder
structure as shown below.

Drive:\

CONTENTS

AUDIO
CLIP
ICON
PROXY
VIDEO
VOICE

LASTCLIP.TXT.

All these folders are required.
* This file contains the last clip data recorded

on a P2 device.

*

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

 NOTE

If any of this data is changed or lost, it will not be recognized
as P2 data or the P2 card may no longer be possible to use in
a P2 device.

• To prevent data loss in transferring P2 card data to a
PC or write back PC data on a P2 card, use P2 Viewer,
which can be downloaded from the Web site listed below.
(Supported operating systems: Windows 2000, Windows
XP, Windows Vista)

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/
desk/e/index.htm

• Follow the steps below to use general software such as
Microsoft Windows Explorer or Apple Finder to transfer
the data to a PC. Be sure to use P2 Viewer to write data
back to a P2 card.

• Treat the CONTENTS folder and the LASTCLIP.TXT file
as a unit.

• Do not modify the data below the CONTENTS folder.

• In copying, be sure to copy both the CONTENTS folder
and the LASTCLIP.TXT file together.

• When transferring data from multiple P2 cards,
create separate folders for each P2 card to prevent
overwriting clips with identical names.

• Do not delete data on a P2 card.

• Format P2 cards only on a P2 card device.

31

Basic Procedures

1

2

This section describes the basic procedure for shooting
and recording.
Before you embark on a shoot, pre-inspect your system to
ensure that it works properly.

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

For directions on inspecting your memory card camera­recorder, see [Inspections Before Shooting] (page 147).

Battery Set-up to P2 card Insertion

Insert a charged battery.

1

Turn the POWER switch to ON to check the

2

battery remaining level in the viewfinder.

• When battery capacity is low, replace it with a fully
charged battery.

 NOTE

When low battery capacity is indicated after replacing
a battery with a fully charged battery, check battery
installation.

For details, refer to [BATTERY SETUP screen] (page 134).

Insert a P2 card, check that the P2 CARD

3

ACCESS LED lights orange or green before
closing the slot cover.

• When more than one P2 card slot contains a P2
card, the card in the slot with the lowest number
is used first. However, regardless of slot number,
a P2 card inserted later will not be accessed until
the other cards have been used.

Example:

If the two slots contain P2 cards, the cards are
used in order of slot numbers 12. However, if
the P2 card in Slot 1 is removed and then re­inserted, the cards will be used in the following
order: 21.

Setting the switches before shooting and
recording

When a battery and P2 cards are installed, set the switches
as detailed below, before starting to use your AG-HPX300P.

f

e

a b c d b

a Iris

The iris is automatically adjusted when the lens is set to
the auto iris mode.

b USER MAIN/USER1/USER2

Assigning the SLOT SEL function to a USER button
allows you to select one of the two inserted P2 cards for
recording.
The P2 card selected for recording switches with each
press of the USER button, and the P2 CARD ACCESS
LED of the selected P2 card lights orange. The slot
number of the card to be recorded appears in green in
the LCD monitor and the viewfinder.
For more information on viewfinder displays, see
[Viewfinder Screen Status Displays] (page 65).

 NOTE

• The slot selected for recording cannot be changed when
recording has started. Perform this operation during
recording standby.

• Use the USER MAIN/USER1/USER2 item in setting menu

SW MODE screen to assign functions to the USER MAIN/
USER1/USER2 button.

c GAIN switch

Normally, this should be set to L (0 dB). If conditions are
too dark, an appropriate gain level should be set.

d AUTO KNEE selector switch

Set to ON or OFF. Selecting BARS turns off this function
and outputs a color bar signal.

e TCG

Note that the recording order is retained even if the power
is turned off. When the power is next turned on, the last
card written before powering-down will be the target card.

32

Set to F-RUN or R-RUN.

f AUDIO SELECT CH 1/CH 2

Set to AUTO.

Shooting

White/Black Balance Adjustment to
Recording Completion

For shooting, follow the steps below.

1

Point the camera at your subject to adjust the

3

focus, and zoom.

To use the electronic shutter, set the shutter

4

speed and shutter mode.

For more information, see [Setting the Electronic
Shutter] (page 51).

Press the REC button to start recording.

5

To stop recording, press the REC button.

6

 NOTE

• Shooting the sun and other very bright subjects may produce

a color cast in surrounding areas.

Operation Buttons
During recording, all operation buttons (REW, FF, PLAY/PAUSE,
STOP) are disabled.

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

3

Use the ND FILTER control to select a filter

1

according to ambient light conditions.

 When the white balance is saved:

2

• Position the WHITE BAL switch to [A] or [B].

 When the white or black balance is not saved

and you have no time to adjust the white
balance:

• Position the WHITE BAL switch to [PRST].

• The color temperature can be set to 3200K or
5600K.

 If the white balance is adjusted on the spot:

• Select a filter according to ambient light
conditions. Then, position the WHITE BAL
switch to [A] or [B] and shoot a white test
subject so that it appears at the center of the
screen. Then, follow the steps below to adjust
the white balance.

1. Turn the AUTO W/B BAL switch toward [AWB]

to adjust the white balance.

2. Turn the AUTO W/B BAL switch toward [ABB]

to adjust the black balance.

3. Turn the AUTO W/B BAL switch toward [AWB]

to adjust the white balance again.
For directions on making adjustments, see
[Adjusting the White Balance] (page 48) and
[Adjusting the Black Balance] (page 49).

4 25, 6

Normal Recording

• Pressing the REC button starts recording of video and
sound on the P2 card.

• The video and audio (including additional information)
recorded in one session is referred to as a clip.

REC button

 NOTE

Pressing the REC button will not immediately stop data write
operations to a P2 card in the following situations. And the
REC button operation is not recognized.

• When terminating a short recording

• When terminating a recording that has just continued onto a

second P2 card

33

Standard and Native Recording

A

Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co De Do De

B C D

A

A� A B� B B C� C D� D D

B C D

A

Ao

A B

Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co De Do De

B C D

C D

A

A� A B� B B C� C D�

A B C D

D D

B C D

This camera is capable both of native recording, when it
records video data at the frame rate used by the camera,
and is also capable of standard recording or recording

59.94 frames with a pulldown.

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

Standard recording (pull-down recording)

In 24P and 30P mode, 59.94i or 59.94P will be recorded
with 2:3 and 2:2 pulldown, respectively.
The camera can also handle video shot in the 24PA mode
(2:3:3:2 advanced pulldown).
Note that AVC-Intra does not support pulldown recording.

Camera recording
(1080/24P over 60i)
2:3 pull-down recording

Camera recording
(720/24P over 60P)
2:3 pull-down recording

Active frame

Native recording

Native recording extracts only the active frames during
1080i AVC-Intra recording as well as 720P DVCPRO HD
and AVC-Intra recording.
At 720P, this lengthens the recording time 2 to 2.5 times
over pull-down recording.
Also in native recording, the output of camera video and
playback video is a 59.94 frame rate.

Camera recording

(1080/24PN)

2:3 pull-down

Recording

Camera recording

(720/24PN)

2:3 pull-down

Recording

 Active frame

 NOTE

• In 24P/24PA, 24PN (native recording) and in 30PN (native recording) at 720P, the camera starts recording in 5-frame, 4-frame
and 2-frame segments, respectively. For this reason, to continue recording clips in a system mode using a different recording
segmentation may break the continuity of the time code.

• The camera uses internal memory for recording, when recording starts as soon as a P2 card is inserted or the camera is powered
up. In this situation, recording cannot be stopped until P2 card recognition ends.

To check P2 card status, press the DISP/MODE CHK button and check the row for SLOT 1 and 2.

• An editing system that supports 24PA (2:3:3:2 advanced pulldown) will enable editing with less quality loss than 24P (2:3

pulldown).

• Record at standard 24P if a 24PA compatible editing system will not be used.

34

Variable Frame Rate (VFR) Recording

In 720P mode, this camera is capable of frame skipping
(undercranking) and high-speed (overcranking) recording.
The camera operator can select between native (PN)
recording mode and standard (OVER) recording.

Standard VFR recording (pulldown recording)

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

Native VFR Recording

In the SYSTEM SETUP screen, set the menu

1

option SYSTEM MODE to 720-59.94P and
the menu option REC FORMAT to AVC-I
100/24PN.

In the SCENE FILE screen, set the menu

2

option VFR to ON and the menu option FRAME
RATE to suit shooting purposes.

• The frame rate can be set to a value between 12
(12P) to 60 frames (60P).

 NOTE

Pressing the SYNCHRO SCAN switch while the JOG
dial button is held down and the frame rate indication
is blinking allows you to change the frame rate as long
as recording is not in progress.

Press the REC button.

3

This starts recording in the VFR mode (native VFR).

This mode can be combined with the AVC-I 100, AVC-I 50,
DVCPRO HD, 30PN, and 24PN recording formats.
For details, refer to [List of recording, playback and output
formats] (page 46).
For details, refer to [SYSTEM SETUP screen] (page 126).

 NOTE

Note the following about native VFR recording.

- The P2 card that is being recorded cannot be changed
during recording.

- Pre-recording, loop recording, interval recording and one-

shot recording are not available.

- 1394 output is not available during recording and recording

standby.

- Changing Scene Dial position during recording does not

change VFR on and off position.

- Sound cannot be recorded.

- The time code is locked to Rec Run.

- Thumbnail screens are created 1 frame later than video
recorded on a P2 card, but this is not a malfunction.

*1 In 24PN/30PN recording modes, when the frame rate is 24

and 30 frames per second, respectively, audio can also be
recorded. The time code can be set to Free Run (F-RUN).

*1

*1

In the SYSTEM SETUP screen, set the menu

1

option SYSTEM MODE to 720-59.94P and the
menu option REC FORMAT to AVC-I 100/60P.

In the SCENE FILE screen, set the menu

2

option VFR to ON and the menu option FRAME
RATE to suit shooting purposes.

• The frame rate can be set to a value between 12
(12P) to 60 frames (60P).

 NOTE

Pressing the SYNCHRO SCAN switch while the JOG
dial button is held down and the frame rate indication
is blinking allows you to change the frame rate without
opening a setting menu as long as recording is not in
progress.

Press the REC button.

3

This starts recording in the VFR mode (OVER 60P).

This mode can be combined with the AVC-I 100/60P, AVC-I
50/60P and DVCPRO HD/60P recording formats.
For details, refer to [List of recording, playback and output
formats] (page 46).
For details, refer to [SYSTEM SETUP screen] (page 126).

Setting a low frame rate and recording a fast-moving
subject at 60P will produce a smoothly flowing sequence at
playback.

 NOTE

• Audio playback is disabled when a frame rate converter is
used to extract active frames for over and under-cranking.

• Note the following about standard VFR recording.

- The P2 card that is being recorded cannot be changed
during recording.

- Pre-recording, loop recording, interval recording and one-

shot recording are not available.

- 1394 output is available during recording and recording

standby, but not in AVC Intra mode.

- Changing Scene Dial position during recording does not

change VFR on and off position.

- Sound is recorded.

35

Using VFR Recording Function

Standard speed for film production

Screen production normally requires a 24 fps (24 frames per second) frame rate (normal speed) for screening a film.
Making the settings described below will provide film-quality playback. The 720P progressive mode and cine-like gamma

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

will make video look like it was shot with a film camera.

Standard setting for film production

SYSTEM MODE settings

SYSTEM MODE Other settings

AVC-I 100/24PN

720 - 59.94P

1080 - 59.94i

*1 Only when the menu option REC FORMAT is set to DVCPRO HD/60i in the SYSTEM SETUP screen.

REC FORMAT

VFR OFF

REC FORMAT

CAMERA MODE

*1

(AVC-I 50/24PN)

(DVCPRO HD/24PN)

AVC-I 100/24PN

(AVC-I 50/24PN)

(DVCPRO HD/60i)

24P

Shooting at standard speed for producing commercials and TV programs

Production aimed at HDTV and SDTV broadcasts for TV audiences must use the frame rate (x1) of 30fps (30 frames/s). The
settings below allow you to obtain the kind of playback used for broadcast programs. This permits film-like video recording
of commercials and music clips that also provide a frame rate suitable for broadcasting.

Recording frame rate

24 frames

Standard settings for producing commercials and dramas

SYSTEM MODE settings

SYSTEM MODE Other settings

AVC-I 100/30PN

720 - 59.94P

1080 - 59.94i

*2 Only when the menu option REC FORMAT is set to DVCPRO HD/60i in the SYSTEM SETUP screen.

REC FORMAT

VFR OFF

REC FORMAT

CAMERA MODE

*2

(AVC-I 50/30PN)

(DVCPRO HD/30PN)

AVC-I 100/30PN

(AVC-I 50/30PN)

(DVCPRO HD/60i)

30P

Recording frame rate

30 frame

36

Undercranking effects

This effect produces the quick motion often used for showing clouds drifting across the sky, crowds of people swarming

past a solitary standing individual, a kung fu demonstration and other performances. For example, selecting a VFR
recording frame rate of 12 fps when shooting at a 24P recording format yields a fast-motion effect of 2x normal speed.

Standard setup for undercranking effects

SYSTEM MODE setup

SYSTEM MODE Other settings

AVC-I 100/24PN

REC FORMAT

720-59.94P

VFR ON

FRAME RATE Set to 22 frames or less

• With the menu option REC FORMAT set to DVCPRO HD/60P, you can use a nonlinear editing system to generate quick
motion effects from the resulting footage.

(AVC-I 50/24PN)

(DVCPRO HD/24PN)

Recording frame rate

12 to 22 frames

Overcranking effects

Overcranking produces slow-motion playback, which is frequently used in climax scenes, or for dramatic effects like car
chases and action scenes. For example, selecting a recording frame rate of 60 fps when shooting a 24P recording format
yields a slow-motion effect that is 2.5 times normal speed. Shooting 720P progressive video will produce smooth and high­quality slow-motion.

Standard setup for overcranking effects

SYSTEM MODE setup

SYSTEM MODE Other settings

REC FORMAT

720-59.94P

VFR ON

FRAME RATE Set to 25 frames or more

(DVCPRO HD/24PN)

AVC-I 100/24PN
(AVC-I 50/24PN)

Recording frame rate

25 to 60 frames

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

• With the menu option REC FORMAT set to DVCPRO HD/60P, you can use a nonlinear editing system to generate slow
motion effects from the resulting footage.

37

Special Recording Modes

During P2 card recording, setting items in the menu option
RECORDING SETUP screen provides the following special
recording modes: pre-recording, interval recording, one­shot recording, and loop recording.

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

These recording modes are available only with the
following settings.

SYSTEM MODE REC FORMAT Other conditions

1080 - 59.94i

720 - 59.94P

480 - 59.94i

DVCPRO HD/60i

AVC-I 100/60i

AVC-I 50/60i

DVCPRO HD/60P

AVC-I 100/60P

AVC-I 50/60P

DVCPRO 50/60i

DVCPRO/60i

DV/60i

Set CAMERA

MODE to 60i or

Turn VFR OFF

Set CAMERA

MODE to 60i or

Pre-recording (PRE REC)

This function is used to start recording a certain number of
seconds (approx. 3 seconds for HD recordings or approx.
7 seconds for SD recordings) before actual recording
starts.

30P

30P

Press the REC button.

3

This setting will record audio and video a time
period prior to start of recording.

• The following recording modes will disable the
pre-recording function and start respective
recording function when selected.

• Recording of video input via the IEEE1394
connector

• When changing recording formats

• After a change from playback to recording

• During interval recording

• During one-shot recording

• During loop recording

• There may be a short delay in start of audio and
video recording when the REC button is pressed
directly after switching from thumbnail display
or playback to view what you are shooting, after
turning the power on and after changing the
PREREC MODE.

Starting recording Stopping recording

(time)

Actual recording time

PRE REC time

Check that the SYSTEM SETUP screen is set

1

up as described above.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Set the menu option PREREC MODE to ON in

2

the RECORDING SETUP screen.

• The following indications appear in the special
recording display area in the viewfinder.

Recording: P-REC lights
Pause: P-PAUSE lights

For details, refer to [Screen displays] (page 66).

38

Interval recording (INTERVAL REC)

One-shot recording

This function is used to record 1 frame at the time interval
set in the INTERVAL TIME item.

1 frame

recording

Set INTERVAL

TIME setting

Check that the SYSTEM SETUP screen is set

1

up as described on page 38.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Select INTERVAL in the menu option REC

2

FUNCTION in the RECORDING SETUP
screen.

Set the time in the menu option INTERVAL

3

TIME in the RECORDING SETUP screen.

Press the REC button.

4

• The camera will repeat 1-frame recording for the
time interval set in the INTERVAL TIME option.

• Press the STOP button to stop recording.

• To cancel this function, turn the camera off or
select NORMAL in the REC FUNCTION option.

• The following indications appear to the left of the
operation status display.

• During recording: “I-REC” stays lit.

• During a pause: “I-PAUSE” stays lit.
When a setting of less than 2 seconds is made
in step 3, “I-REC” blinks according to time
setting during recording.

• When stopped: “I-” in “I-PAUSE” blinks.

1 frame

recording

Set INTERVAL

TIME setting

1 frame

recording

(time)

(ONE SHOT REC)

This function records a single shot at each unit of time
which has been set.

Check that the SYSTEM SETUP screen is set

1

up as described on page 38.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Select ONE SHOT in the menu option REC

2

FUNCTION in the RECORDING SETUP
screen.

Set the time in the menu option ONE SHOT

3

TIME in the RECORDING SETUP screen.

Press the REC button.

4

• The camera will pause recording after making a
recording that lasts the duration set in step 3.

• Press the STOP button to stop recording.

• To cancel this function, turn the camera off or
select NORMAL in the REC FUNCTION option.

• The following indications appear to the left of the
operation status display.

• During recording: “I-REC” stays lit.

• During a pause: “I-PAUSE” stays lit.

• When stopped: ”I-“ in “I-PAUSE” blinks.

 NOTE

• No other functions are available during operation.

• The pre-recording function is not available.

• Sound is not recorded.

• Data recorded (until the STOP button is pressed) in

this mode is recorded as a single file.

• There is no output from the DVCPRO/DV connector.

• During continuous one-shot recording, recording

operation speed may be decreased.

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

 NOTE

• The pre-recording function is not available.

• Sound is not recorded.

• Data recorded (until the STOP button is pressed) in
this mode is recorded as a single file.

• There is no output from the DVCPRO/DV connector.

39

Loop recording (LOOP REC)

BA

BC

• When two P2 cards are inserted in the P2 card slots,
each card is recorded in succession.

• When there is no longer any space left on the cards,
recording starts over from the first card by recording new

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

clips over saved old clips.

For the clip recording time, see [Splitting clips recorded
on P2 cards] (page 30).

Before starting

loop recording

First loop
recording

1st card 2nd card

No recording Recorded

Recording start

• During loop recording, the access LEDs for all P2
cards used in the recording light orange or blinks.
Note that removing any of the P2 cards will terminate
loop recording.

• Irregularity in the input GENLOCK reference signal
during loop recording may terminate recording.

PROXY Recording Function (Optional)

Installing an optional video encoder card (AJ-YAX800G) in
P2 card slot 2 makes it possible to record MPEG4 format
video, time code data and other real-time data to P2 cards
or SD memory cards simultaneous with camera recording
of video and audio.

Second loop

recording

Recording will be made on the areas with no recording
consecutively (A, B, then C). When all areas on all cards are
recorded, new recording (C) will be made by overwriting the
area A.

Check that the SYSTEM SETUP screen is set

1

up as described on page 38.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Select LOOP in the menu option REC

2

FUNCTION in the RECORDING SETUP
screen.

Press the REC button.

3

• Recording starts.

• Press the REC button to stop recording.

• To cancel this function, turn the camera off or
select NORMAL in the REC FUNCTION item.

• The following indications appear to the left of the
operation status display.

• During recording: “L-REC” stays lit.

• During a pause: “L-PAUSE” stays lit.

• When remaining memory is low: “P2 LACK L-”
blinks.

 NOTE

• Use two P2 cards with at least one minute of
remaining recording time.

• The mode check screen shows standard recording

time depending on recording format as remaining P2
card time. When loop recording is stopped right after
deleting old data, the time of recordings on the card
may be shorter than indicated.

• This function is not available during IEEE1394 input.

• The pre-recording function is not available.

• Canceling this function may take some time. The
succeeding operations are not available until the P2
CARD ACCESS LED goes from blinking to steady
lighting.

 NOTE

Insert the video encoder card when the camera is turned off.

For details, refer to the supplied User’s Guide of the video
encoder card.

Hot Swap Recording

With a P2 card in each card slot it is possible to make
one continuous recording that spans two cards. And by
removing any card other than that being recorded, you can
make continuous recording on 2 or more cards (hot swap
recording).
Note that recognition of a P2 card may be delayed
depending on when it is inserted in an empty card slot
(for example, immediately after pre-recording or when a
recording continues from one card to the next). P2 cards
should be inserted when there is still 1 minute or more time
left on the card that is being recorded.

 NOTE

This function is not compatible with hot-swap playback.

REC REVIEW Function

• Pressing the RET button on the lens after a recording will
automatically locate and play back the last two seconds
of the most recent clip. Holding down the RET button on
the lens will allow you to play back up to 10 seconds.
Use this function to check that recording is performed
normally. The camera returns to recording standby mode
after playback. If the clip is short, holding down the RET
button after a return to the beginning of the clip will not
result in playback of the clip before the current clip.

• You can use menu options USER MAIN, USER1 and
USER2 to assign the REC REVIEW function to a user
button. Select these options from the SW MODE screen.

 NOTE

Note that a backup recording performed on a backup device
connected to the DVCPRO/DV or SDI OUT connector will also
record video played back using the REC REVIEW function.

40

Shot Marker (SHOT MARK)

Text Memo Recording Function

Recording Function

This function can be used to distinguish a clip from other
clips by adding a thumbnail to each clip.
This also makes possible to display or play back the
marked clips only.

To add shot marks

In the SW MODE screen, assign SHOT MARK

1

to a user button (USER MAIN, USER1 or
USER2) or the RET button on the lens.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Press the user button (or the RET button on the

2

lens) to which SHOT MARK has been assigned
during recording or when recording is paused.

• SHOT MARK ON is displayed as a shot mark is
inserted in the currently recorded clip.

• Pressing this key a second time displays SHOT
MARK OFF and the shot mark is deleted.

Use this function to add text memos anywhere in the video
during clip recording or playback.
This makes it possible to display thumbnails only of clips
with text memos, or to display thumbnails and time codes
of text memo positions in order, to play back clips from text
memo points and select and copy only the sections you
want.
For details, refer to [Text Memo] (page 107).

To add text memos

In the SW MODE screen, assign TEXT MEMO

1

to a user button (USER MAIN, USER1 or
USER2) or the RET button on the lens.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Press the user button (or the RET button on the

2

lens) to which TEXT MEMO has been assigned
during recording or playback.

• “TEXT MEMO” is displayed and a text memo is
inserted at the point the button is pressed.

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

 NOTE

• A shot mark added during a pause after recording is added to
the most recently recorded clip.

• Shot marks can be added also in the thumbnail display.

• The shot mark function is not available during loop recording,

interval recording and one-shot recording. When this function
is not available, pressing this button displays SHOT MARK
INVALID.

• Shot marks can be set or cancelled in playback pause mode
but not during playback.

• Shot marks cannot be set or deleted for video data created
in a single hot-swap recording session consisting of multiple
clips unless all the P2 cards that contain the video data
for the entire session are inserted. In clips that consist of
multiple clips like the one above, shot marks can be added
only to the first clip of video data.

 NOTE

• You can insert up to 100 text memos per clip.

• Text memos cannot be added during loop recording, interval
recording and one-shot recording. When this function is not
available, pressing this button displays TEXT MEMO INVALID.

41

Normal and Variable Speed Playback

Normal speed playback

Press the PLAY/PAUSE button to view playback in the
viewfinder and on the LCD monitor in color. Connecting a

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

color video monitor to the VIDEO OUT connector or SDI
OUT connector will enable playback of color video.
The PLAY/PAUSE button can be used to pause playback.

Fast-forward/fast-reverse playback

The FF and REW buttons provide 32× and 4× fast
playbacks and fast reverse playbacks. In stop mode, this
function will play back video at 32× speed and in playback
mode, it will play back video at 4× speed.

Clip cue up

When playback is paused, the FF button locates the
beginning of the next clip while staying in pause mode.
When playback is paused, the REW button locates the
beginning of the current clip while staying in pause mode.

 NOTE

• It may take some time to load clip data if playback is started
or a thumbnail screen is opened right after removing or
inserting a P2 card or turning the power on. The thumbnail
screen displays UPDATING at such times.

• If a P2 card is inserted while another P2 card is being played
back, the clips on the inserted P2 card will not be played
back. A P2 card inserted during playback will be recognised
after playback ends.

• If you perform variable speed playback on a clip split across
more than one P2 card, sound may disappear for a moment.
This is not a malfunction.

• To play back a clip in a different SYSTEM MODE, adjust
the SYSTEM MODE to the clip to reset the camera before
playback.

• Playback of the audio channels CH5 to CH8 recorded on
another device is not possible.

42

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Selecting recording signals

This camera records HD (1080i, 720P) signals using AVC-Intra or DVCPRO HD codecs and use a combination of
DVCPRO50, DVCPRO or DV codecs for recording SD (480i) signals.
It provides a variety of capture frame rates and recording frame rates (native recording) to suit specific applications.
Select recording and recording signal in the setting menus listed below.

Screen Setting menu Setting

Selects the 1080i, 720P or 480i signal format.

SYSTEM MODE

REC SIGNAL Selects to record using this camera or from the DVCPRO/DV connector.

SYSTEM SETUP screen

REC FORMAT

CAMERA MODE Selects 60i, 30P, 24P or 24PA pulldown recording in 1080i or 480i mode.
ASPECT CONV Selects the video aspect ratio for recording and output in SD mode (480i).

VFR

SCENE FILE screen

FRAME RATE

To change this setting, wait until TURN POWER OFF appears before
turning the power off and then turn it back on again.

Selects AVC-Intra or DVCPRO HD codec and 60i, 60P, 30PN or 24PN
native recording in HD mode.
Selects DVCPRO50, DVCPRO or DV codec in SD mode.

Setting this function to ON in 720P mode starts variable frame rate capture
which records at the frame rate set in the FRAME RATE option.
For details, refer to [Variable Frame Rate (VFR) Recording] (page 35)
When the VFR option is set to ON, select the frame rate for variable frame
rate recording.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

 NOTE

• Changing the menu options SYSTEM MODE, REC SIGNAL, REC FORMAT and CAMERA MODE may distort video and audio, but
this is not a malfunction.

43

List of recording formats and functions

The table below lists the recording formats and recording functions that the camera supports.

Camera recording modes (When the menu option REC SIGNAL is set to CAMERA)

Setting

SYSTEM

MODE

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

1080-59.94i

720-59.94P

480-59.94i

REC FORMAT

AVC-I 100/60i

(AVC-I 50/60i)

AVC-I 100/30PN

(AVC-I 50/30PN)

AVC-I 100/24PN

(AVC-I 50/24PN)

DVCPRO HD/60i

AVC-I 100/60P

(AVC-I 50/60P)

AVC-I 100/30PN

(AVC-I 50/30PN)

AVC-I 100/24PN

(AVC-I 50/24PN)

DVCPRO HD/60P

DVCPRO HD/30PN

DVCPRO HD/24PN

DVCPRO 50/60i

DVCPRO/60i

DV/60i

CAMERA

FRAME

MODE

Disabled

60i 1080/60i

30P

24P

24PA

Disabled

60i

30P

24P

24PA

VFR

Disabled Disabled

OFF Disabled

OFF Disabled

OFF Disabled

OFF Disabled

OFF Disabled

OFF Disabled

Disabled Disabled

RATE

[FRAME]

ON 12-60

30

ON

Other than

30

24

ON

Other than

24

60

30

ON

ON

ON

24

Other than

above

30

Other than

30

24

Other than

24

Recording format

1080/60i

1080/30PN

Native

1080/24PN

Native

1080/30P Over60i

2:2 Pull Down

1080/24P Over60i

2:3 Pull Down

1080/24PA Over60i

2:3:3:2 Pull Down

720/60P

720/30PN Native

720/30PN Native VFR

(Audio cannot be

recorded)

720/24PN Native

720/24PN Native VFR

(Audio cannot be

recorded)

720/60P

720/30P Over60P

2:2 Pull Down

720/24P Over60P

2:3 Pull Down

720/60P VFR

720/30PN Native

720/30PN Native VFR

(Audio cannot be

recorded)

720/24PN Native

720/24PN Native VFR

(Audio cannot be

recorded)

480/60i

480/30P Over60i

2:2 Pull Down

480/24P Over60i

2:3 Pull Down

480/24PA Over60i

2:3:3:2 Pull Down

*1

Recording time

Approx. 64 min.

DV

*3

*4

(Approx. 128 min.)

Approx. 80 min.

(Approx. 160 min.)

Approx. 64 min.

(Approx. 128 min.)

Approx. 128 min.

(Approx. 256 min.)

Approx. 160 min.

(Approx. 320 min.)

Approx. 64 min.

Approx. 128 min.

Approx. 160 min.

Approx. 128 min.
Approx. 256 min.
Approx. 256 min.

AVC-I 100

(AVC-I 50)

DVCPRO HD Approx. 64 min.

AVC-I 100

(AVC-I 50)

DVCPRO HD

DVCPRO50

DVCPRO

*2

*3

*4

Recording function

PRE

PROXY

REC

(optional)

   

– – – –

– – – –

   

   

– – – –

– – – –

   

– – – –
– – – –
– – – –

– – – –

– – – –
– – – –

– – – –

   

– – – –

– – – –

– – – –

– – – –

– – – –
– – – –

– – – –

– – – –
– – – –

– – – –

   

   

– – – –

– – – –

INTERVAL,
ONE SHOT

LOOP

REC

*1 24P and 30P indicate recording at 23.98P and 29.97P, respectively, while 60P and 60i indicate recording at 59.94P and

59.94i, respectively. Native mode records active frames only.

*2 Recording times are indicated for a single 64 GB P2 card. Two cards double the recording time.

Since native VFR mode records only active frames, the recording time and actual shooting time differ.
Example: In 24PN recording, shooting at a frame rate of 60 frames will result in a shooting time of 24/60 (0.4 times).

In 24PN recording, shooting at a frame rate of 12 frames will result in a shooting time of 24/12 (2 times).
*3 For DVCPRO/60i
*4 For DV/60i

44

1394 input recording mode (when the REC SIGNAL option is set to 1394)

Setting

SYSTEM

MODE

REC

FORMAT

CAMERA

MODE

VFR

FRAME

RATE

[FRAME]

Recording format

1080-59.94i Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled 1080/60i

720-59.94P Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled 720/60P

DVCPRO50/60i

480-59.94i

DVCPRO/60i DVCPRO

Disabled Disabled Disabled 480/60i

DV/60i DV

DVCPRO HD

DVCPRO50

*1

Approx. 128

Approx. 256

Recording

*2

time

Approx. 64

min.

min.

min.

PRE
REC

− − − −

− − − −

− − − −

− − − −

− − − −

*1 60P and 60i is recorded at 59.94P and 59.94i, respectively.
*2 Recording times are indicated for a single 64 GB P2 card. Two cards double the recording time.

Recording function

PROXY

(optional)

Recording settings and recording function table

The recording modes of the camera can be made to operate as described below using the setting menus.

Recording setting Enabled and disabled functions and operations

Proxy

Operating

mode

Recording via

1394 input

INTERVAL REC

ONE SHOT REC ONE SHOT

LOOP REC LOOP Enabled
Native VFR

Native recording

(VFR OFF)

Standard VFR

Standerd
recording

(VFR OFF)

REC

SIGNAL

(MENU)

REC

FUNCTION

(MENU)

1394 Disabled

INTERVAL

CAMERA

NORMAL

REC FORMAT,

CAMERA MODE

(MENU)

(MENU)

*5

Disabled

(enabled at 480i)

Disabled

60i, 60P, 30P only

24PN, 30PN

Other than 24PN and

30PN

VFR

PRE REC

function

recording

(Thumbnail

menu)

1394

output

(optional)

Disabled Enabled Enabled

Disabled

(Enabled at

Disabled Disabled

ON

OFF

playback *3)

Disabled

(Enabled at

playback *3)

ON Enabled

OFF Enabled Enabled Enabled

*3

*3

*3

INTERVAL,
ONE SHOT

TEXT

MEMO

Disabled

LOOP

REC

SHOT

MARK

Disabled

Disabled

Enabled Enabled

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

*4

*3 DV/DVCPRO only. Disabled in AVC-Intra mode.
*4 Enabled in PAUSE mode after LOOP REC.
*5 24P and 30P indicate recording at 23.98P and 29.97P, respectively, while 60P and 60i indicate recording at 59.94P and

59.94i, respectively. Native mode records active frames only.

Selecting video output

The table below lists available video output formats.
Use the setting menus listed below to select video output.

Setting menu Setting

SDI SELECT
(OUTPUT SEL screen)

SETUP
(SYSTEM SETUP screen)

DOWNCON MODE
(OUTPUT SEL screen)

*6 HD (1080i, 720P) output cannot display thumbnails and SDI OUT outputs black screen.

Select the signal format (from AUTO, 1080i, 480i) to be output via
the SDI OUT connector *6.
Select the setup level for the signal (composite) output via the VIDEO OUT connector.

 0%: 0% setup level for both output and recording
 7.5%A: 7.5% setup level for output only (0% for recording)
 The SETUP menu setting is enabled also during playback.

Select the screen type for down-converted output (VIDEO OUT and SDI SELECT output
as 480i) of HD mode (1080i, 720P).

45

List of recording, playback and output formats

Camera recording mode (when the REC SIGNAL option is set to CAMERA)

Setting

SYSTEM

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

1080-59.94i

720-59.94P

480-59.94i

MODE

REC

FORMAT

AVC-I 100/60i
(AVC-I 50/60i)

AVC-I 100/30PN
(AVC-I 50/30PN)

AVC-I 100/24PN
(AVC-I 50/24PN)

DVCPRO HD/60i

AVC-I 100/60P

(AVC-I 50/60P)

AVC-I 100/30PN
(AVC-I 50/30PN)

AVC-I 100/24PN
(AVC-I 50/24PN)

DVCPRO HD/60P

DVCPRO HD/30PN

DVCPRO HD/24PN

DVCPRO50/60i

DVCPRO/60i

DV/60i

CAMERA

MODE

Disabled

60i 1080/60i

30P

24P

24PA

Disabled

60i

30P

24P

24PA

VFR

Disabled Disabled

OFF Disabled

ON 12-60 720-59.94P VFR

OFF Disabled

ON

OFF Disabled

ON

OFF Disabled

ON

OFF Disabled

ON

OFF Disabled

ON

Disabled Disabled

FRAME

RATE

[FRAME]

1080/60i

1080/30PN

Native

1080/24PN

Native

1080/30P Over60i

2:2 Pull Down

1080/24P Over60i

2:3 Pull Down

1080/24PA Over60i

2:3:3:2 Pull Down

720/60P

30

Other than 30720/30PN Native VFR

24

Other than 24720/24PN Native VFR

60

30

24

Other than

above

30

Other than 30720/30PN Native VFR

24

Other than 24720/24PN Native VFR

720/30PN Native

(Audio cannot be recorded)

720/24PN Native

(Audio cannot be recorded)

720/60P

720/30P Over60P

2:2 Pull Down

720/24P Over60P

2:3 Pull Down

720/60P VFR 720-59.94P VFR

720/30PN Native

(Audio cannot be recorded)

720/24PN Native

(Audio cannot be recorded)

480/60i

480/30P Over60i

2:2 Pull Down

480/24P Over60i

2:3 Pull Down

480/24PA Over60i

2:3:3:2 Pull Down

Recording format

*1

AVC-I 100
(AVC-I 50)

DVCPRO HD

AVC-I 100
(AVC-I 50)

DVCPRO HD

DVCPRO50

DVCPRO

DV

Over59.94i 2:3:3:2

*5

*6

Over59.94i 2:3:3:2

*2

SDI OUT

Video format Audio

1080-59.94i

1080-29.97PsF
Over59.94i 2:2

1080-23.98PsF
Over59.94i 2:3

1080-59.94i

1080-29.97PsF
Over59.94i 2:2

1080-23.98PsF
Over59.94i 2:3

1080-23.98PsF

720-59.94P

720-29.97P

Over59.94P 2:2

720-59.94P VFR Muted

720-23.98P

Over59.94P 2:3

720-59.94P VFR Muted

720-59.94P

720-29.97P

Over59.94P 2:2

720-23.98P

Over59.94P 2:3

720-29.97P

Over59.94P 2:2

720-59.94P VFR Muted

720-23.98P

Over59.94P 2:3

720-59.94P VFR Muted

480-59.94i

480-29.97PsF

Over59.94i 2:2

480-23.98PsF

Over59.94i 2:3

480-23.98PsF

4ch No output

4ch

4ch

4ch

4ch

4ch

4ch

4ch or

*3

2ch

1394 output

1080-59.94i

DVCPRO HD

No output

720-59.94P

DVCPRO HD

*4

No output

480-59.94i

DVCPRO50

*5

DVCPRO

*6

DV

*1 24P and 30P indicate recording at 23.98P and 29.97P, respectively, while 60P and 60i indicate recording at 59.94P and

59.94i, respectively. Native mode records active frames only.

*2 Varies with SDI SELECT option. In the table above the SDI SELECT option is set to AUTO.

AUTO: depends on SYSTEM MODE
1080i: outputs 1080i also when the SYSTEM MODE is 720P.
480i: outputs as 480i at all times

*3 Uses a 4ch setting for DVCPRO50 and observes the 2CH or 4CH setting in the menu option 25M REC CH SEL in the

AUDIO SETUP screen for DVCPRO and DV.
*4 Outputs 720-59.94P DVCPRO HD during playback.
*5 For DVCPRO/60i
*6 For DV/60i

 NOTE

VIDEO OUT outputs SD signals (480i) at all times.

46

1394 input recording mode (when the REC SIGNALoption is set to 1394)

Setting

SYSTEM

MODE

REC

FORMAT

CAMERA

MODE

VFR

FRAME

RATE

[FRAME]

1080-59.94i Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled 1080/60i

720-59.94P Disabled Disabled Disabled Disabled 720/60P 720-59.94P 4ch

DVCPRO50/60i

480-59.94i

DVCPRO/60i DVCPRO 2ch

Disabled Disabled Disabled 480/60i

Recording format

DVCPRO HD

DVCPRO50

*1

Video format Audio

SDI OUT

1080-59.94i 4ch

480-59.94i

DV/60i DV 2ch or 4ch

*1 60P and 60i is recorded at 59.94P and 59.94i, respectively.

*2 Varies with the SDI SELECT option. The table above shows operating conditions when the SDI SELECT option is set to

AUTO.
AUTO: depends on SYSTEM MODE
1080i: outputs 1080i also when the SYSTEM MODE is 720P.
480i: outputs as 480i at all times

*3 32 kHz 4ch input is converted and recorded at 48 kHz 4ch.

*2

4ch

*3

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

47

Adjusting the White Balance and Black Balance

AWB Ach ACTIVE

AWB A OK 3.2K

To record high-quality video with the AG-HPX300P, the
black and white balances must be adjusted according to
conditions.
For higher quality, it is recommended that the adjustments
should be made in this order AWB (white balance
adjustment)  ABB (black balance adjustment)  AWB

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

(white balance adjustment).

Adjusting the White Balance

Whenever light conditions change, the white balance must
be readjusted.
To adjust the white balance, follow the steps below.

Place a white pattern at a point where the light

3

conditions match those for the light source of
the subject. Then zoom-in on the white pattern
so that white colour appears in the screen.

• A white object (cloth or wall) may be used instead
of a white pattern. The illustration below shows the
required size for the white space.

 NOTE

• Do not point the camera at a high-brightness area.

• The white object must appear at the center of the

screen.

1/3 or more of the screen in width

1/3 or more of the
screen in height

Adjust the lens iris.

4

• Use the YGET function (for details, refer to
page 53) and adjust the iris to a approximately
70% of incoming light.

c d eba

a ND FILTER control

This control adjusts the amount of light entering the
MOS sensor.

b AUTO W/B BAL switch

Use for automatic control of white balance.

c GAIN selector switch

Normally set to 0 dB. If this is too dark, adjust gain as
necessary.

d OUTPUT selector switch

Set to CAM.

e WHITE BAL switch

Set to A or B.

Set the GAIN, OUTPUT and WHITE BAL

1

switches.

Adjust the ND FILTER control according to the

2

light conditions.

For examples of ND FILTER adjustments, see
[Shooting and Recording/Playback Functions
Section] (page 18).

Turn the AUTO W/B BAL switch toward AWB

5

and release it.

• The switch returns to the central position with the
white balance automatically adjusted.

During an adjustment, the viewfinder displays

6

the following message:

The adjustment will take effect in a few

7

seconds, and the following message will
appear:

• The adjusted value is automatically stored in the
selected memory (A or B).

• “C TEMP+7” to “C TEMP-7” will appear when
COLOR TEMP of the scene file is set to the value
other than 0.

48

If the subject’s colour temperature is lower

AWB A OK 2.3K

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

MID GAIN
HIGH GAIN

ATW

ATW TYPE
W.BAL.PRESET
USER MAIN

0dB
6dB
9dB
Bch

1

USER1 REC REVIEW

3.2K
DRS

LOW GAIN

SW M ODE

ABB ACTIVE

8

than 2300K or higher than 9900K the following
message appears:

• If the arrow points down (  ) the actual colour
temperature is lower than the temperature
indicated. If the arrow points up (
temperature is higher than the temperature
indicated.

 ) the actual

Cancelling auto tracking white balance

Press the USER button to which ATW was assigned a
second time or change the WHITE BAL switch position. If
ATW was assigned to the WHITE BAL switch B, the USER
button cannot be used to cancel the function.

 NOTE

This function does not provide a 100% accurate white balance.
The tracking performance relative to changes in ambient
lighting and white balance performance have been given a
degree of latitude.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

When you have no time to adjust the
white balance

Position the WHITE BAL switch at PRST.

• Turning the AUTO W/B BAL switch to AWB toggles the
color temperature between 3200K and 5600K.

When the white balance has not been
automatically adjusted

When the white balance has not been successfully
adjusted, the viewfinder displays an error message.

Error message Description

AWB Ach
(or Bch) NG
LOW LIGHT There is insufficient light.
LEVEL OVER There is too much light.

The color temperature is too high or
too low.

Viewfinder displays related to white
balance

See [Viewfinder Screen Status Displays] (page 65).

Adjusting the Black Balance

The black balance must be adjusted when:

• You use your AG-HPX300P the first time.

• Your AG-HPX300P has not been used for some time.

• The ambient temperature has changed substantially.

• The gain switchover value has been changed.

• The menu options SYSTEM MODE and REC FORMAT in
the SYSTEM SETUP screen.

Adjust the black balance before shooting to ensure
optimum video quality.

Setting auto tracking white balance (ATW)

This camera is equipped with an auto tracking white
balance (ATW) function that automatically adjusts the white
balance of images in accordance with lighting conditions.
The ATW function can be assigned to the WHITE BAL
switch B by setting the menu option ATW in the SW MODE
screen to B ch.
It can also be assigned to the USER MAIN, USER1, USER2
buttons.
For details, refer to [Assigning functions to USER buttons]
(page 53).

ba

a AUTO W/B BAL switch

Use for automatic control of white balance.

b OUTPUT selector switch

Set to CAM.

Tilt the AUTO W/B BAL switch so that it is

1

positioned at [ABB], then release it.

• The switch returns to the central position with the
black balance automatically adjusted.

During adjustment, the viewfinder displays the

2

following message:

 NOTE

During adjustment, the lens iris automatically
becomes CLOSE.

49

The adjustment will take effect in a few seconds

ABB END

3

and the following message will appear:

• The adjusted value is automatically stored in the
memory.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

 NOTE

• Ensure that the lens connector is connected and the lens iris
is CLOSE.

• During a black balance adjustment, light is automatically cut
off.

• ABB NG appears when the lens connector has come loose.

• Black balance adjustment is not available during recording.

• Pressing the REC button during ABB adjustment will not
start recording on a P2 card.

50

Setting the Electronic Shutter

(1/15)

(1/30)

1/60 1/100

1/250

S/S

1/120

1/500 1/1000 1/2000

(1/7.5)

(1/15)

1/60 1/100

1/250

S/S

1/120

1/500 1/1000 1/2000

(1/6)

(1/12)

1/60 1/100

1/250

S/S

1/120

1/500 1/1000 1/2000

Setting the Shutter Mode and Speed

Press the SHUTTER switch positioned at OFF

1

towards ON.

SHUTTER switch

Press the SHUTTER switch towards [SEL].

2

Repeat this switchover until the desired mode
or speed appears in the viewfinder screen.

• If all modes and speeds are available, the display
changes in the following order:

For 60i and 60P recording

Viewfinder displays relating to the shutter

See [Vie wfinder Screen Status Displays] (page 65).

Placing the Camera-recorder in SYNCHRO SCAN Mode

To place the camera-recorder in SYNCHRO SCAN mode,
follow the steps below.

Press the SHUTTER switch positioned at ON

1

towards SEL, to place the camera-recorder in
SYNCHRO SCAN (S/S) mode.

SHUTTER switch

SYNCHRO SCAN switch

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

For 30P recording

For 24P recording

• The bracketed ( ) speeds cannot be selected
when VFR is ON.

 NOTE

• In any electronic shutter mode, a slower shutter speed will
reduce camera sensitivity.

• In auto iris mode, a faster shutter speed will increase the
aperture and lower the depth of field.

• Changes in synchro scan and shutter speed settings may
cause screen flicker.

• Under fluorescent lighting and other discharge lighting
systems, horizontal stripes may appear on the screen.
Changing the shutter speed may correct this problem.

• A subject that is captured when moving quickly across the
field of view may appear distorted. This is due to the signal
read out format of the image sensor (MOS sensor) and is not
a malfunction.

• The red, blue and green dots that may appear on the screen

at low shutter speeds do not indicate a malfunction.

In SYNCHRO SCAN mode, use the SYNCHRO

2

SCAN switch to make stepless changes in the
range between 1/60.0 s and 1/249.8 s (for 60i
mode).

• Hold down the SYNCHRO SCAN switch to speed
up the rate of shutter speed changes.
If shutter speed changes stop before the desired
shutter speed has been reached, press again to
continue changing shutter speeds.

Range of variation in each mode

• 60P/60i mode: 1/60.0 to 1/249.8

• 30P/30PN mode: 1/30.0 to 1/249.8

• 24P/24PA/24PN mode: 1/24.0 to 1/249.8

• When the SYNC SCAN DISP option in DISPLAY SETUP is
set to deg: 3.0d to 359.5d

• If SYSTEM MODE setting is changed, shutter speed may
also be changed.

Setting the menu option SYNC SCAN DISP in the DISPLAY
SETUP screen to deg provides a guide to setting and
displaying shutter angle.

51

FBC (Flash Band Compensation) Function

T C 1 2 : 3 4 : 5 6 : 2 3 1 12 9 9 9 min B 9 0 %

P 2

L A C K I - P A U S E U S E R - 1

1394

PROXY

C A C
F B C

1 0 8 0 i
AVC-I

100

P 3 .2 K

L T . B O X

0

dB

N D 1

8 3 % N D 1

F E B 2 5 2 0 0 8 2

S P O T

F 5 . 6

3 : 5 9 :Z599

9

6 0 : 2 4 P N D R S

1
2

= = = = = = = = 1/ 2 5 0

C
H
C
H

This camera-recorder comes with a function to compensate
for and minimize light band (flash band) interference
that occurs with the MOS imager when shooting in an
environment where flash photography is taking place.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Flash light

Image recorded
(FBC off)

Flash band

Setting FBC function

Assign the FBC function to a USER button.
Press the USER button to which the FBC function has
been assigned to turn it on and automatically detect and
compensate for flash light from still cameras.
For details, refer to [Assigning functions to USER buttons]
(page 53).

Time flow

 NOTE

The following phenomena that may occur in video that
includes flash light is due to FBC compensation and not
indicative of a malfunction.

• Moving subjects may appear to be stationary for an instant.

• Resolution decreases in video exposed to flash light.

• Horizontal lines appear in video footage exposed to flash
light.

Using FBC

FBC goes on when the brightness of the lower half of the
image differs markedly from the previous half, which could
be caused by light from a camera flash or other strong light
source. Since FBC may be incorrectly activated in certain
shooting environments, for example, in zooming that includes
a bright window, be sure to use the function only for shooting
footage exposed to flash light.
In some shooting environments adequate FBC effect may not
be obtained even when a flash goes off.

FBC requirements

• The FBC function is available in the 1080/60i, 720/60P (VFR

OFF) and 480/60i modes when the shutter off.

• Switching to an operating mode other than 1080/60i, 720/60P
(VFR OFF) and 480/60i turns FBC off if on.
To turn on FBC after returning to 1080/60i, 720/60P (VFR OFF)
and 480/60i, press the USER button to which the function is
assigned.

• Turning the shutter on when the FBC function is engaged

temporarily turns it off.
The FBC function goes back on when the shutter is later
turned off.

• Turning the power off disengages the FBC function.

USER MAIN, USER1 and USER2 buttons

The status display indicates “FBC” when the FBC function

*1

is on.

*1 Not displayed when the menu option OTHER DISPLAY in

the DISPLAY SETUP screen is set to OFF.

52

Assigning functions to USER buttons

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

MID GAIN
HIGH GAIN
ATW
ATW TYPE
W.BAL.PRESET

USER MAIN

0dB
6dB

12dB

OFF

1

USER1 BACKLIGHT

3.2K

Y GET

LOW GAIN

SW M O DE

The USER MAIN, USER1, and USER2 buttons can be
assigned user-selected functions.
Use the menu options USER MAIN, USER1, and USER2 to
assign functions to respective button. Select these items
from the setting menu SW MODE screen.

Selectable Functions

• REC REVIEW:

Assigns REC REVIEW.

• SPOTLIGHT:

Assigns auto iris control on/off for spotlight.

• BACKLIGHT:

Assigns auto iris control on/off for backlight

compensation.

• ATW:

Turns the ATW function on or off.

• ATW LOCK:

Pressing this lock during ATW operation locks

the white balance. Press again to start the ATW
function again.

• GAIN:24 dB:

Assigns a function that raises gain by 24 dB.

• Y GET:

Assigns a function that displays the brightness

level at the center of the image.

• DRS:

Assigns a function that stretches the dynamic

range. A function that magnifies the dynamic
range by compressing the video level in high­brightness areas.

• TEXT MEMO:

Assigns text memory recording.

• SLOT SEL:

Assigns P2 card slot selection.

• SHOT MARK:

Assigns the shot marker function.

• MAG A. LVL:

Assigns a function that magnifies the audio level

meter.

• PRE REC:

Assigns a function that turns the PRE REC

function on and off.

• PC MODE:

Assigns a function that switches the USB

device mode or the USB host mode on and off.
Switching the USB device mode and USB host
mode on and off is set by the menu option PC
MODE SELECT in the SYSTEM SETUP screen.

• WFM:

Assigns a function that switches WAVE FORM

display. The WAVE FORM display is selected
using the menu option WFM (page 128) in the
SW MODE screen.

• FBC:

Turns the FBC function on or off.

 NOTE

The default settings are listed below.

• USER MAIN: Y GET

• USER1: BACKLIGHT

• USER2: TEXT MEMO

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

53

Selecting Audio Input Signals and Adjusting Recording Levels

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

FRONT VR CH2
MIC LOWCUT CH1
MIC LOWCUT CH2
MIC LOWCUT CH3
MIC LOWCUT CH4
LIMITER CH1

OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

LIMITER CH2 OFF

OFF
OFF

FRONT VR CH1

AUD I O SETUP

C
H

1

C
H

2

This AG-HPX300P supports independent four-channel
audio recording in any format (HD or SD).
When the AUDIO SELECT CH1/CH2 switch is positioned
at [AUTO], the recording levels for Audio Channels 1
and 2 are automatically adjusted. To manually adjust the
recording levels, position the switch at [MAN].

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

A setting menu allows you set the recording levels for
Audio Channels 3 and 4 either to automatic adjustment or
manual mode.

Selecting Audio Input Signals

The input signals to be recorded on Audio Channels 1, 2,
3, and 4 are selected with the AUDIO IN switch. For more
information, see [Audio (input) Function Section] (page 16).

a

Use the AUDIO SETUP screen in the setting menu to make
detailed audio settings.

Adjusting Recording Levels

To adjust the recording levels for Audio Channels 1 and 2,
follow the steps below.

Position the MONITOR SELECT CH1/2, CH3/4-

1

selector switch at CH1/2 so that the audio level
meter on the display window will provide CH1
and CH2 indications. Ensure that the channel
indications displayed in the window are 1 and 2.

cbd

a AUDIO LEVEL CH1/CH2 controls

b AUDIO SELECT CH1/CH2 switch

c MONITOR SELECT CH1/3, ST, CH2/4 selector switch

d MONITOR SELECT CH1/2, CH3/4 selector switch

e AUDIO IN switch

Your AG-HPX300P is factory-set to perform no recording on
Audio Channels 3 and 4 in the DVCPRO and DV formats.
To enable four-channel recording, the menu option 25M
REC CH SEL on the AUDIO SETUP screen must be set to
4CH.
For details on switch settings and the input system, see
[AUDIO IN switch] (page 16).

 NOTE

• The audio signals recorded on the four channels are output
as is (SDI).

54

Position the AUDIO SELECT CH1/CH2 switch

2

at [MAN].

While checking the audio channel level meter in

3

the display window or the audio level meter in

e

the viewfinder, adjust the AUDIO LEVEL CH1/
CH2 control.

• Note that if the level exceeds the top bar (0 dB),
the word OVER illuminates to show that the input
level is excessive. Adjust so that maximum sound
levels do not reach the 0 dB bar.

OVER indication

 NOTE

Pressing the USER button to which the magnification of the
audio level meters (MAG A.LVL) has been assigned magnifies
the audio level meters.

For details, refer to [Audio level meter magnification] (page 73).

When operating the AG-HPX300P without a sound

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

FRONT VR CH2
MIC LOWCUT CH1
MIC LOWCUT CH2
MIC LOWCUT CH3
MIC LOWCUT CH4
LIMITER CH1

OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF

LIMITER CH2 OFF

OFF
OFF

FRONT VR CH1

AUD I O SETUP

recordist, it is recommended that the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL
control should be used to adjust the audio level.
In advance, check the level meter in the viewfinder screen
and use the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL control to adjust the
appropriate audio channel to prevent input of excessive
audio signals.

Selecting Function for the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL Control

Use the menu options FRONT VR CH1 and FRONT VR
CH2 in the AUDIO SETUP screen to determine whether or
not the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL control should be enabled.
Selecting an input signal in the menu will enable FRONT
AUDIO LEVEL control operations for that input signal.

• When the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL control is set to level 10,
it controls AUDIO LEVEL CH1 and CH2.

CH3 and CH4 Recording Levels

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Conditions and input levels set in the menu options AUTO
LEVEL CH3 and the AUTO LEVEL CH4 in the AUDIO
SETUP screen change the operation of the audio level of
channels 3 and 4 as shown below. These functions cannot
be manually adjusted.
Each option can be selected in the AUDIO SETUP screen.

AUTO LEVEL

CH3/CH4

ON AGC * ON AGC ON

OFF AGC/LIMITER OFF LIMITER ON

* AGC: Audio Gain Control

Input level

LINE MIC

55

Setting Time Data

The camera provides time data such as time codes, user
bits, time of day (real-time) data, which is recorded on each
frame alongside video data. It is also recorded as as data
in clip metadata files.

Time data overview

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Time code

Use the TCG switch to select Rec Run or Free Run mode.

• Free Run: The time code advances constantly whether
the camera is on or not just like time itself. Recording
using a slave-locked time code input to the TC IN or
DVCPRO/DV connectors is also possible.

• Rec Run: The time code advances only during recording.
This will enable continuation of time codes in previously
recorded clips and when the power is turned off or new
P2 cards are inserted to continue recording.

 NOTE

The following events will disrupt time code continuity.

• When clips are deleted

• When a 24P or 24PA frame rate is selected

• When 24PN or 30PN is selected

• When a recording is interrupted by a REC WARNING or other

abnormality

User bits

• Two types of user bits are provided internally: (LTC UB:
recorded as LTC, output via the TC OUT connector
as LTC embedded in HD SDI) and VITC (in DVCPRO
recorded in the VIDEO AUX area and output as VITC
embedded in HD SDI).

• LTC UB enables the recording of user settings, time,
date, time codes and similar values, the frame rate data
for camera capture and external input values (via TC IN
or DVCPRO/DV connector input).

• VITC user bits record the frame rate data of camera
capture.

• The user bits in clip metadata record the LTC UB value at
the start of recording.

Date (real time)

• The built-in clock calculates the year, month, day and
time from the internal clock to display on video in the
LCD, viewfinder and VIDEO OUT and other video output.

• The internal clock is not only used to calculate the free
run time code when the power is off and to set the user
bit year, date and time, but also to set file creation dates
when clips are recorded that determine the order of
thumbnails and playback order.

• It is also used for generating clip metadata and UMID
(Unique Material Identifier).
For details, see [Setting Date and Time of Internal Clock]
(page 26).

56

Recording time codes and user bits

System setting status Recorded TC Output TC Displayed TC Recorded UB Output UB

SYSTEM

REC

SIGNAL

REC FORMAT

MODE

DVCPROHD/60i

AVC-I100/60i

AVC-I50/60i

AVC-I100/30PN

AVC-I50/30PN

AVC-I100/24PN

AVC-I50/24PN

1080

-59.94i

CAMERA

1394 DVCPROHD/60i — —

DVCPROHD/60P

AVC-I100/60P

AVC-I50/60P

DVCPROHD/30PN

AVC-I100/30PN

AVC-I50/30PN

CAMERA

720

-59.94P

DVCPROHD/24PN

AVC-I100/24PN

AVC-I50/24PN

1394 DVCPROHD/60P — —

CAMERA

480

-59.94i

DVCPRO50/60i

DVCPRO/60i

DV/60i

1394 — —

CAMERA

FRAME

MODE

RATE

60i,

30P

24P, 24PA —

— —

— —

Other than

—

24 frames

— 24 frames

— 30 frames

Other than

—

30 frames

— 24 frames

Other than

—

24 frames

60i, 30P —

24P, 24PA —

R-RUN/F-RUN

—

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN locked

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN locked

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN/F-RUN

R-RUN/F-RUN

LTC VITC TC OUT

*3

DF/NDF

30 frames

*5

NDF locked

30 frames

*3

DF/NDF

30 frames

*7

NDF locked

24 frames

Records VAUX

*2

DF/NDF

30 frames

*3

DF/NDF

30 frames

*5

NDF locked

30 frames

*4

DF/NDF

Every active

frame

30 frames

DF/NDF

Every active

frame

30 frames

*7

NDF locked
Every active

frame

24 frames

NDF

Every active

frame

24 frames

Records VAUX

*2

DF/NDF

30 frames

*3

DF/NDF

30 frames

*5

NDF locked

30 frames

DF/NDF

30 frames

(but not for DV)

Records VAUX

*2

times (No DV)

Same as LTC

value

TC in 1394
input at all

*6

times

Same as LTC

value

TC in 1394
input at all

*6

times

Same as LTC

value

TC in 1394
input at all

LTC and VITC
embedded in

HD SDI

Outputs LTC Outputs LTC

Converted

to 30 frames

based on

LTC

Converted

to 30 frames

based on LTC

Outputs LTC Outputs LTC

Outputs LTC Outputs LTC

Matches

recorder TC

at start of
recording

30 frames/s

Converts

and outputs

LTC to 30

frames

Matches

recorder TC

at start of
recording

30 frames/s

Matches

recorder TC

at start of
recording

30 frames/s

Ouputs LTC

Matches

recorder TC

at start of
recording

30 frames/s

Ouputs LTC Ouputs LTC

Outputs LTC No input

*6

TC tc

(24/30

conversion)

TC: 30 frames

tc: 24 frames

UB in TC IN

Recording

TC: 24 frames

Playback

TC: 24 frames

tc: 30 frames

TC: 30 frames

tc: 24 frames

TC: 30 frames

tc: 24 frames

slaves to LTC

UB in TC IN

Recording

TC: 24 frames

Playback

TC: 24 frames

tc: 30 frames

TC: 30 frames

tc: 24 frames

slaves to LTC

UB in TC IN

TC: 30 frames

tc: 24 frames

slaves to LTC

LTC UB VITC UB

Follows UB

MODE.

In ‘EXT’

Frame rate

slaves to

data

connector

Follows UB

MODE.

input

MODE.

Records

VITC UB in

1394 input

at all times

Frame rate

data

In ‘EXT’

UB in 1394

Follows UB

In ‘EXT’

slaves to

connector

Follows UB

MODE.

input

MODE.

Records

VITC UB in

1394 input

at all times

Frame rate

data

In ‘EXT’

UB in 1394

Follows UB

In ‘EXT’

slaves to

connector

Follows UB

MODE.

input

Records

VITC UB in

1394 input

at all times

In ‘EXT’

UB in 1394

TC OUT

connector

*1

UB

Outputs

LTC UB

Output

adjusted

to Over 60i

based on

LTC UB

Outputs

LTC UB

Outputs

LTC UB

Output

adjusted to

Over 60P
based on

LTC UB

Outputs

LTC UB

Outputs

LTC UB

Ouputs
LTC UB

LTC UB

Outputs
LTC UB

Output

LTC UB

Outputs
LTC UB

Outputs
LTC UB

Output

LTC UB

Outputs
LTC UB

VITC UB

embedded

*1

in HD SDI

Frame rate

data

Outputs

VITC UB

Frame rate

data

Outputs

VITC UB

embedded

in HD SDI

adjusted

to Over 60i

based on

adjusted to

Over 60P
based on

No input No input

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

*1 When UB MODE is FRM. RATE, playback of native clips is the pulldown frame rate read from VITC UB.
*2 In free run mode, it is slaved to the value input to the DVCPRO/DV connector. It does not slave it to the time code from

the TC IN connector.
*3 In Free Run mode, it is slaved to the time code input to the TC IN connector.
*4 In Free Run mode, it is slaved to the time code input to the TC IN connector. But not slaved to it during recording.
*5 In Free Run mode, it is slaved when TC input to the TC IN connector is non-drop frame. But not slaved to it during

recording.
*6 VAUX TC is time code recorded in the video AUX area in the DVC format.
*7 In Free Run mode, it is slaved to the time code input to the TC IN connector, whose value is converted to 24 frames

when it was NDF 30 frames. But not slaved to it during recording.

57

Setting user bits

Entering the User Bits

Use the setting menu UB MODE on the RECORDING
SETUP screen to select the user bits to record in the
subcode area.

• USER:

Records internal user values.
To set user values, set the TCG switch to SET to open

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

the setting menu UB PRESET screen.
Set values are retained after the power is turned off.
See also [Entering the User Bits] (this page).

• TIME:

Records the time calculated by the internal clock.

• DATE:

Records the year, month and day time digits from the
internal clock.

• EXT:

Records the user bits input to the TC IN connector.
Recording of 1394 input also records user bits input to
the DVCPRO/DV connector.

• TCG:

Records the time code value.

• FRM. RATE:

Records the frame rate information of camera capture.
A native recorded clip is played back at the same frame
rate as the VITC UB regardless of recorded values. Use
this setting when a PC or other editing device is to use
the user bit frame rate.
For details, see [Frame rate information recorded in
user bits] (page 59).

The user bits allow information, including memos that use
up to eight-digit hexadecimal numbers (date and time), to
be recorded in the Subcode area.

bda

c

a RESET button

b COUNTER button

c TCG switch

d CURSOR and SET buttons

• To slave lock to the user bits input to the TC IN connector,
set to EXT.

• In slave mode, the UB indicator is highlighted.

• A slave relationship, once started, continues even after
input from the TC IN or DVCPRO/DV connector ends.
Note that the following events release user bit slave
status.

• When a UB MODE option is set to something other than
EXT.

• When UB PRESET is performed

• Switching to 1394 in the menu option REC SIGNAL in
the SYSTEM SETUP screen.

• Turning the power off.

The internal user value retains the slave values even after
slave release.

Set the COUNTER button to UB.

1

Position the TCG switch at SET.

2

58

Use CURSOR buttons to set the user bits.

SEL : PUSH /

+/- : PUSH

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0

UB PRESET

/

PRESET : PUSH SET

02 2500 01 03 04 05 06 23 24 26 27 28 29

Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co De Do De Ao Ae Bo Be Co De Do De Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co De Do De

2 00 1 3 4 0 1 3 4 1 2 3 4

01 1010 10 01 00 10 10 01 00 10 01 01 00

02 2500 01 03 04 05 06 23 24 26 27 28 29

Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co Ce Do De Ao Ae Bo Be Co Ce Do De Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co Ce Do De

2 00 1 3 4 0 1 3 4 1 2 3 4

01 1010 10 00 10 10 10 00 10 10 01 00 10

3

q button: Shifts the target (highlighted) digit to the

right.

w button: Shifts the target (highlighted) digit to the

left.

e button: Increases the highlighted number by one.
r button: Decreases the highlighted number by

one.

SET button: Confirms the set user bits.

• Pressing the RESET button while setting the user
bits will reset any user bit setting to 0.

Press the SET button to confirm the user bit

4

value, and position the TCG switch at F-RUN or
R-RUN.

 NOTE

Changing the TCG switch setting without pressing the
SET button disables the set value.

Open the setting menu RECORDING SETUP

5

screen and set the menu option UB MODE to
USER.

Frame rate information recorded in user
bits

The frame rate value of video data captured and recorded
at a frame rate set in the menu option FRAME RATE
or other options in the SYSTEM SETUP screen can be
recorded in the user bits and be used in editing equipment
(computer editing software).
This type of data is recorded in VITC UB at all times.
Setting the setting menu UB MODE to FRM RATE, records
the information also to the user bits.
In playback of clips recorded in native mode, the same
frame rate information as that obtained in playing back the
user bits in the VIDEO AUX area is also output to the user
bits in the subcode area.

Frame rate information

Frame rate, video pull-down and time code user bits are
related as described below.

Verification
information on
the right-hand
six digits

When 1080i or 480i

Fixed
value

Sequence No. 24P, 24PA: 0-4
Other than above: locked at F

Camera capture mode
Example:

•

60i: 600

•

60P: 608

•

30P: 308

•

24P: 248

•

24PA: 24C

•

24PN: 24C (recording)

•

P: 9 (720P/30PN or 60P VFR)

•

P: D (720P/24PN VFR recording)

Media management data

•

Update frame flag, active
frame flag

•

REC mark

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Retaining the user bits

The data set for the user bits are automatically saved and
retained even if the video camera-recorder is turned off.

Frame rate: 24P over 60i (2:3)

First field of updated frame rate

Time code digit

Video

Sequence No.

Updated frame information

Frame rate: 24PA over 60i (2:3:3:2)

Time code digit

Video

Sequence No.

Updated frame information

59

Frame rate: 30P over 60i (2:2)

0200 01

Ao Ae Bo Be Co Ce

1010 10

02 2500 01 03 04 05 06 23 24 26 27 28 29

A A B B B C C CD D D D A A B B B C C D D DD D A A B B

01 1010 10 01 00 10 10 01 00 10 01 01 00

0200 01

A A B B C C

1010 10

00

h 00

m

00

s

00

h

min

s frm

TC PRESET

SEL : PUSH /

+/- : PUSH

REC RUN

/

PRESET : PUSH SET

Time code digit

Video

Updated frame information

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

720P mode

Frame rate: 24P over 60P (2:3)

Time code digit

Updated frame

Use the CURSOR buttons to set the time code.

4

• Range of available time code settings:
00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:29 (other than 24PN),
00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:23 (24PN)

Video

Updated frame information

Frame rate: 30P over 60P (2:2)

Time code digit

Video

Updated frame information

Setting the Time Code

Switch the menu option TC MODE on the

1

RECORDING SETUP screen to DF or NDF
using the menus.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

• Select DF to advance time code in drop frame
mode and NDF in non-drop frame mode. Note that
24P, 24PA and 24PN are always recorded in NDF
mode.

Use the COUNTER button to switch to time

2

code display.

q button: Shifts the target (highlighted) digit to the

right.

w button: Shifts the target (highlighted) digit to the

left.

e button: Increases the highlighted number by one.
r button: Decreases the highlighted number by

one.

SET button: Use to confirm set time code value.

• Pressing the RESET button will reset any time
code setting to 0.

Press the SET button to confirm the time code

5

setting, and use the TCG switch to select a time
code.

• F-RUN steps the time code in free run mode, and
R-RUN set it in recording run mode.

 NOTE

• When 24P or 24PA is used, the time code is adjusted

every 5 frames. It is adjusted to multiples of four for
24PN and to even numbers for 720/30PN. The time
code cannot be set during recording.

• The set value is not valid if you change the TCG

switch position without pressing the SET button.

Time code function during battery
replacement

Even during battery replacement the backup mechanism
keeps the time code generator functioning.

Position the TCG switch at SET.

3

60

 NOTE

When the POWER switch has been switched ON  OFF 
ON, the backup accuracy of the time code in free run mode is
about ±2 frames.

VFR (variable frame rate) time code

Video output

0

1 2 3 22 23 24 25 58 59 60 61 62 63 67 68

Rec start Rec stop

Skips

Rec start

Output time code

00:00 00:00 00:00 00:01 00:11 00:12 00:29 01:00 01:01 02:20 02:20

Recorded video

0

1 2 3 22 23 24 25 58 59 60 61 62 63 67 68

Recorded time code

00:00 00:01 00:02 00:03 00:22 00:23 01:00 01:01 02:10 02:11 02:12 02:13 02:14 02:15

02:16

02:16 02:17

24/30

conversion

Video output

0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 20 20 20 20 21 21

Rec start Rec stop

Skips

Rec start

Output time code

00:00 00:00 00:01 00:02 00:03 00:29 00:28 01:00 00:16 00:16 00:17

Recorded video

0

1 14 15

Recorded time code

00:00 00:01 00:14 00:15

21

00:16

00:16

• At 24PN, recording is performed at 24 frames and output uses a 2:3 pull-down scheme to produce 30 frames.

• At a frame rate (capture frame rate) of 24P the speed of recording and the output time code matches actual time, but not
at any speed other than 24P. (Example: at 60P recording progresses at 60/24 speed)

• Then the camera operates in Rec Run mode and the time code output at start of recording matches the recording time
code.

• This is true also for frame rates other than 30P capture in 30PN mode

24PN recording at 60P capture

30PN recording at 15P capture

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

61

Externally Locking the Time Code

The time code generator built into your AG-HPX300P may
be locked to an external generator. It is also possible
to lock an external time code generator to the internal
generator.

Connections for externally locking the

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

time code (examples)

As illustrated, both the reference video signals and the time
code must be input.

Example 1: Locking the time code to

external signals

Reference time

code

Reference video

signal

GENLOCK IN

TC IN

Example 2: Connecting two or more AG-

HPX300Ps with one another,
with one being used as the
reference device.

Reference device

VIDEO OUT

TC OUT

TC IN

GENLOCK IN

VIDEO OUT

TC OUT

TC IN

GENLOCK IN

VIDEO OUT

TC OUT

 NOTE

• In addition to an HD Y reference signal, a composite video
signal can also be input as reference signal.

• Input composite video signals when the system mode is 480i
(SD) and 720P.

• During HD-Y signal input in 720P system mode, GENLOCK
input for the video signal is applied but the time code is
delayed by 1 field.

• If the reference GENLOCK input signal becomes irregular
and recording cannot be normally performed, “TEMPORARY
PAUSE IRREGULAR FRM SIG” blinks in red in the viewfinder
and on the LCD screen and the current clip is divided. The
continuity of the time code cannot be guaranteed. Recording
resumes when the signal returns to normal. Recording
will not resume if interval, one-shot or loop recording is in
progress.

 NOTE

• Set the menu option TC VIDEO SYNCHRO to TC IN in the
OUTPUT SEL screen and the menu option GL PHASE to
COMPOSITE in the OTHER FUNCTIONS screen on both units.

• Setting TC VIDEO SYNCHRO in the OUTPUT SEL screen to TC
IN will supply the time code via TC IN to the next slave device
without delay.

• The subcarrier in the VBS signal of the VIDEO OUT connector

of the camera cannot be externally locked.

To externally lock the time code

Follow the steps below.

Turn on the POWER switch.

1

Position the TCG switch at [F-RUN].

2

Set the COUNTER button to TC.

3

Supply a phase-relationship reference

4

time code (that conforms to the time code
requirements) and reference video signals
to the TC IN and GENLOCK IN connectors,
respectively.

62

• Now the built-in time code generator is locked to the

TC OUT

VIDEO IN

SDI IN

HD SDI IN

TC IN

reference time code.

• When locked to an external time code generator, the
time code is at all times locked to the external time code,
which is displayed as a highlighted value on the counter
indicator. Do not engage the recording mode during the
few seconds it takes for the sync generator to stabilize.

• Once a slave relationship is established, the TC IN and
GENLOCK IN connectors stay in slave status.*
Note that the following events release slave status.

• When TC PRESET is performed

• When the REC SIGNAL option in the SYSTEM SETUP
screen is set to 1394.

• The power is turned off

• The time code mode is switched

• The TCG switch is set to R-RUN

• When REC FORMAT and CAMERA MODE have been
switched

* The slave function locks the time code to the TC IN

input and the device will use this time code even if time
code input should subsequently cease.

External synchronisation of the camera
when the time code is externally locked

When the time code is externally locked, the reference
video signals input through the GENLOCK IN connector
gen-lock the camera.

 NOTE

• To lock other devices externally to the AG-HPX300P, as the
master device, make sure that the other devices are in the
same camera mode as the AG-HPX300P. Note that if some of
the connected devices use interlaced scanning while other
devices use progressive scanning, there may be breaks in the
video and time code.

• When 24P, 24PA or 24PN (native) is selected and the time
code is externally locked, be sure to select a non-drop frame
time code. The time code cannot be externally locked when
drop frame mode is selected. When the time code is externally
locked, the video may be distorted, but this is because of
adjustment to 5-frame segments and not a malfunction.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Setting the user bits when the time code
is externally locked

To externally lock user bits, set the setting menu UB MODE
(RECORDING SETUP screen) to EXT.
Regardless of an F-RUN or R-RUN setting of the TCG
switch, the time code is slaved to user bit values input to
the TC IN connector.
For details, refer to [Setting Time Data] (page 56) and
[Setting user bits] (page 58).

To unlock the externally locked time code

Discontinue external time code supply, then position the
TCG switch at [R-RUN].

Cautions in switching the power source
from battery to external power supply

Connect the DC IN socket with the external power supply
before removing the battery, in order to keep the time code
generator energized. If the battery is removed first, there is
no guarantee that the time code will stay externally locked.

Outputting the time code externally

To output time code from the camera’s TC OUT connector
to a VTR or other recording device in sync with camera
picture or playback picture, set the setting menu TC VIDEO
SYNCRO (OUTPUT SEL) to VIDEO OUT.
Set the menu option GL SELECT to SDI or COMPOSITE
as required by supplied video output in the OTHER
FUNCTIONS screen and the menu option TC OUT to TCG/
TCR in the OUTPUT SEL screen.

AG-HPX300P

or

VTR, etc.

SDI OUT

VIDEO OUT

 NOTE

When the setting menu TC VIDEO SYNCRO is set to VIDEO
OUT, the time code is output via TC OUT in tune with VIDEO
OUT delay.

63

GENLOCK and time code input/output connection and setup

GENLOCK input and camera output phase

(In phase:  Out of phase: ×)

VIDEO OUT,

SDI OUT (SD)







120H

advance



120H

advance

90H delay

 

90H delay

 

120H delay ×



90H delay

 

 

Recording

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

format

1080i

720P

480i

Camera operating conditions Camera setup

Video and reference

signal to be output

externally

SDI OUT (1080i)

VIDEO OUT COMPOSITE 90H advance

SDI OUT (1080i)

VIDEO OUT COMPOSITE 90H advance

SDI OUT (720P)

VIDEO OUT COMPOSITE

SDI OUT (720P)

VIDEO OUT COMPOSITE

SDI OUT (480i)

VIDEO OUT

GENLOCK input GL PHASE SDI OUT (HD)

1080i

SD (480i)

720P

SD (480i)

SD (480i) Disabled No output

SDI

SDI

SDI

SDI

Counter Setting and Display

Pressing the COUNTER button to view the counter displays the counter value on the time code indicator in the LCD and in
the viewfinder. The counter value is indicated in “Hour : Minute : Second” format. The counter value is not displayed during
playback.
The menu option REC COUNTER in the DISPLAY SETUP screen can be set to display two types of counters.
TOTAL: provides a continuous count until reset by pressing the COUNTER RESET button. The counter value is retained

when P2 cards are replaced and when the power is turned off.

CLIP: The counter is reset to 0 at the start of each recording and allows you to keep track of clip recording time while

shooting the current clip.

TC OUT





×



 NOTE

• Pressing the RESET button when the counter value is displayed resets the counter to 0.

• The counter value indicates values in the range between 0:00:00 and 9:59:59 in 1-second steps.

64

Viewfinder Screen Status Displays

T C 1 2 : 3 4 : 5 6 : 2 3 1 12 9 9 9 min B 9 0 %

P 2

L A C K I - P A U S E U S E R - 1

1394

PROXY

C A C
F B C

1 0 8 0 i
AVC-I

100

P 3 .2 K

L T . B O X

0

dB

N D 1

8 3 % N D 1

F E B 2 5 2 0 0 8 2

S P O T

F 5 . 6

3 : 5 9 :Z599

9

6 0 : 2 4 P N D R S

1
2

= = = = = = = = 1/ 2 5 0

C
H
C
H

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

EVF PEAK FREQ
EVF SETTING
EVF B. LIGHT
EVF COLOR
ZEBRA1 DETECT
ZEBRA2 DETECT

0

LOW

>>>

NORMAL

ON

ZEBRA2 SPOT

70%
85%

EVF PEAK LEVEL

DIS P L AY SETUP

In addition to video, the viewfinder shows messages
indicating camera settings and operating status, center
markers, safety zone markers, zebra patterns and other
indications.

Viewfinder Status Indication Layout

The illustration below shows the indications (except MODE
CHECK) that are displayed in the viewfinder.

For more information, see the following pages:

Selecting Viewfinder Display
Information

To select items in the viewfinder screen, open the DISPLAY
SETUP screen and turn on or off each item or type.
Refer to the section [Using the menus] (page 120).

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

65

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

T C 1 2 : 3 4 : 5 6 : 2 3 1 12 9 9 9 min B 9 0 %

P 2

L A C K I - P A U S E US E R - 1

1394

PROXY

C A C

F B C

1 0 8 0 i
AVC-I

100

P 3 .2 K

L T . B O X

0

dB

N D 1

8 3 % N D 1

F E B 2 5 2 0 0 8 2

S P O T
F 5 . 6

3 : 5 9 :Z599

9

6 0 : 2 4 P N D R S

1
2

= = = = = = = = 1/ 2 5 0

C
H
C
H

P2

P2

Screen displays

2425261

2
3

4

5

6
7

8
9

10
11

1 Time code displays

Each press of the COUNTER button displays (or turns
off) the indications listed below.

• (No indication)

• Counter:

Counter value (during recording only)

• TC: Time code value
TC* is indicated when the time code value

cannot be correctly read from DVCPRO/DV
connector input.

The colon between the seconds and the

frames changes to a period ( . ) in drop
frame mode.

• tc: Time code value (frame digits are indicated
in 24 frames)

tc* is indicated when the time code value

cannot be correctly read from DVCPRO/DV
connector input.

The colon between the seconds and the

frames changes to a period (.) in drop frame
mode.

• UB: User bit values

UB* is indicated when the user bit value

cannot be correctly read from DVCPRO/DV
connector input.

23
22
21

20
19

18
17

132714 1512

• FR: Frame rate information for recording

• FR60I -: 60i interlace mode (60 fields/s)

• FR60P -: 60P progressive mode (60 frames/s)

• FR30P -: 30P progressive mode (30 frames/s)

• FR24P*: 24P progressive mode (24 frames/s)

• FR24PA*: 24P advanced mode (24 frames/s)
* In FR24P and FR24PA modes, the last digit contains

the frame conversion sequence information.

 NOTE

When TC, tc and UB are locked to TC IN input, the characters in
their icons change to outline characters TC  TC .
When the HOLD button is used to temporarily freeze
indications, the HOLD indication blinks.

2 Warnings

• P2 : Blinks when no P2 card is inserted or the

card is write protected.

•

FULL:

Blinks when there is no more space left on

the P2 card.

•

LACK:

Blinks in loop rec mode when there is not

enough space left on the P2 card.

• : Lights when the battery for the internal clock
is depleted.
For details, refer to [Charging the internal
battery] (page 150).

16

66

3 Backup unit displays

Month:

Year: 2000 – 2037

Seconds

Hours

Day of the month

Minutes

mmm dd yyyy hh:mm:ss

JAN (January), FEB (February),
MAR (March), APR (April), MAY (May),
JUN (June), JUL(July), AUG (August),
SEP (September), OCT (October),
NOV (November), DEC (December)

C
H

1

-20dB 0dB

C
H

2

C
H

1

-18dB 0dB

C
H

2

• The following indications show the status of backup
units connected to the DVCPRO/DV connector.

• The following indications are not displayed when
the menu option 1394 CONTROL in the OTHER
FUNCTIONS screen is set to OFF.

• 1394

*: Recording

• 1394

h: Recording standby

• 1394

:

The backup unit cannot be controlled.

• 1394: No backup unit is connected.

• 1394 – –:

A backup unit is connected but is not in

recording or recording standby status.

4 Recording format and system frequency indication

• System mode

• 1080i

• 720P

• 480i

• Recording format

(In 1080i, 720P system mode)

• AVC-I 100: AVC-Intra 100 format

• AVC-I 50: AVC-Intra 50 format

• DVCPRO HD: DVCPRO HD format
(in 480i system mode)

• DVCPRO50, DVCPRO, DV

5 Information display

The following information is displayed depending on the
situation.

• Performance of auto white balance and auto black
balance

• Warning and error indication

• Information on switch and button operations

For details, refer to [Center Information Display]
(page 69).

6 Proxy information display (optional)

This display provides information on proxy card errors
and time remaining in proxy recording on an SD
memory card.

7 Letter box recording display

This display appears in the 480i recording format when
LETTER BOX is selected in the menu option ASPECT
CONV in the SYSTEM SETUP screen.

8 Y GET brightness display

When the Y GET function is used, the image level at the
center of the image is indicated in a range between 0%
and 109%

9 Calendar

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

10 Recording/playback frame rate display

In native recording, the capture frame rate and
recording and playback frame rates are displayed.
Example: 60:24PN (recording 60P with the camera

frame rate set to a variable frame rate of

24PN)
Playback applies a 2:3 pull-down to perform 24P over
60P, indicating that 24/60 speed slow playback is
performed.
In standard recording only the capture frame rate is
indicated.
Example: 24PA (recording 24PA using 2:3:3:2 pulldown

for over60i recording)

11 Audio level meter display

HEAD ROOM at -20 dB

HEAD ROOM at -18 dB

By assigning MAG A. LVL (level meter magnification)
to a user button makes it possible to switch to display
magnification.
For details, refer to [Audio level meter magnification]
(page 73).

12 Shutter speed

The shutter speed is displayed here.
In synchro scan mode, the display (time (minutes)
display or shutter angle icon display) made in the menu
option SYNC SCAN DISP in the DISPLAY SETUP screen
is used.

13 DRS display

This indicates operation of the dynamic range stretcher
function.

14 Iris display

Displays F values.

• NC appears when the lens connector is not

connected.

15 Auto-iris control displays

• SPOT: Auto iris control for spot light

• BACK: Auto iris control for backlight compensation

This indication also appears when the lens is set to
manual iris, but is not active.

67

16 Zoom position display

Zoom positions are indicated in a range from Z00
(maximum wide angle) to Z99 (maximum zoom).

17 Recommended ND filter display

This indicates the most suitable ND filter to use under
current shooting conditions.

18 ND filter display

• This indicates the selected ND filter.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

• An ND -- indication means that the ND FILTER switch
is incorrectly set (a position other than ND1 to ND4).
Check ND FILTER switch position.

19 Gain display

Indicates the gain value set using the video amplifier.

20 WHITE BAL switch position indication

Indicates the currently selected switch position and
also white balance operation when AWB is preset. In
ATW (Auto Tracking White Balance) mode, ATW is also
indicated and LOCK is displayed when the function is
locked.

21 FBC indication

Appears when the FBC function is engaged.

22 CAC indicator

Indicates that the chromatic aberration function of the
lens is operating.

23 Scene file name display

Indicates the name of currently selected SCENE FILE
(F1 to F6).

24 Remaining battery charge

As the remaining battery charge drops, the display
changes as follows:    

.
When the battery is completely discharged,
(

) blinks.
(When the AC adapter is being used, a display
other than may appear: this is not a sign of
malfunctioning.)

Batteries that indicate battery level in % (percent)

Such batteries indicate remaining battery level as
follows.

• B%: 10%~99%
Indicates the remaining battery level in %.

• MAX: Indicates that the battery is fully charged.

• EMP: Indicates that the remaining battery level

is less than 10%.

Batteries that do not indicate capacity in % (percent)

Such batteries indicate the battery level in voltages.

• 13.5 V: Indication of current battery voltage.

25 Media remaining memory display

• Set the menu option P2CARD REMAIN in the DISPLAY
SETUP screen to ONE-CARD to display the remaining
time on the P2 card being recorded and show the
number of the slot it resides in on the left. TOTAL
displays the remaining time on both cards.

• In a mode check, ONE-CARD and TOTAL are
alternately displayed.

• This display does not appear while remaining memory
is calculated and when the camera is in USB device
mode.

• A mode check during loop recording displays the
standard recording time available to loop recording.

• Indicates remaining time in 1-minute increments
from 0 to 999 minutes. 999 minutes and longer time
periods are also indicated as 999 minutes

• The display blinks when 2 minutes or less time is left.

26 Media information display

Indicates the slots that contain P2 cards and general
information on the media.

• 1 On:

P2 card ready for recording

• 1 lights green:

P2 card selected for recording

• 1 flashes:

The card is being recognized

• - : No card inserted

• P : Write-protected

• F : Full

• X : Cannot recognize

• E : P2 card in an invalid format (formatting will

take care of this problem)

• o : P2 card slot contains a PROXY card.

27 Recording and playback

• REC: Recording

• PAUSE:

Recording standby

• h : Playback pause

• q : Play

• y (t ) :

Fast-forward/fast-forward playback (fast-

reverse/fast-reverse playback)

• 4X y (4X t ) :

4x speed search

• CLIP h q (CLIP hw ) :

Clip forward (clip reverse), cue up of single

clips
In DISPLAY OFF, only REC display is shown at top
right. (Also displayed at top right, when pre-recording,
interval recording or one-shot recording is set.)

Special recording display

This display appears when the menu option REC
FUNCTION in the RECORDING SETUP screen is set to
INTERVAL, ONE SHOT or LOOP and when PRE REC is
set to ON.

• L – : LOOP (loop recording)

• I – : INTERVAL, ONE SHOT

• P – : PRE REC

68

Center Information Display

The following information displays (for details, refer to
page 67) are provided.

P2 card recording and playback data
indications

• BOS

Beginning of stream. No more data is available in the
rearward playback direction.

• CANNOT PLAY

Appears when playback is disabled.

• CARD ERR (1) (2) (1/2) :

The number identifies the P2 card that is giving
trouble.

• UPDATING: Reading card data

• CANNOT REC

Appears when recording cannot be started by pressing
the REC button.

• EOS

End of stream. No more data is available in the forward
playback direction.

• PRE REC ON (OFF) (INVALID)

Appears when the user button to which pre-recording
has been assigned is pressed.

• SHOT MARK ON (OFF) (INVALID)

SHOT MARK appears when the user button or the lens
RET button to which it has been assigned is pressed.

• SLOT SEL (INVALID)

Appears when pressing the user button to which SLOT
SEL is assigned.

• TEXTMEMO (INVALID)

TEXT MEMO appears when the user button or the lens
RET button to which it has been assigned is pressed.

Errors and warnings

Errors and warnings appear when something goes wrong
with the camera or a P2 card malfunctions. If the problem
cannot be solved by turning off the camera and turning it
back on, try replacing the card and if that does not help, it
may be necessary to consult your supplier.

• 1394

This error occurs in a 1394 connection or when signal
faults occur.

• 1394 INITIAL ERROR: a connection error

• 1394 INPUT ERROR: an input error

• 1394 INPUT ERROR (OTHER FORMAT):
(different input format)

• COPY INHIBITED:
This indicates that a copy-guarded signal

entered DV format input from the DVCPRO/
DV connector.

• DIR ENTRY NG CARD

This message indicates that the directory on the card
has become corrupted and that normal recording
cannot be guaranteed if operation continues. Make a
quick backup of card data and reformat the card.

• EXTERNAL1394 DISCONNECT

This message appears when the menu option 1394
CONTROL in the OTHER FUNCTIONS screen is set to
EXT and recording is attempted without connecting an
external device to the DVCPRO/DV connector.

• FORMAT ERR !

This indicates a P2 card that does not meet the P2 card
standard

• INCOMPATIBLE CARD

This message indicates that the inserted card does not
meet required standards and cannot be used.
It may also appear when a proxy card is inserted when
the power is on.

• LOW BATTERY

This message indicates that the battery is depleted.

• REC WARNING

This is displayed during a recording error. Do the
recording over. If this does not solve the problem,
consult your supplier.

• CARD ERR (1) (2) (1/2): The number indicates the P2
card that is giving trouble.

• Turn the power off if the warning continues.

• If the warning persists after rerecording, replace
the card with another card.

• ERROR: Other causes (This indicates that an attempt
was made to record 1000 or more clips on
one card, for example.)

• PULL DOWN ERROR: Video pull-down sequence
error in a mode such as 24P

• REC RAM OVERFLOW: Overflow of recording memory

• RUN DOWN CARD

This message indicates that a P2 card has been
overwritten the maximum number of times and that
normal recording cannot be guaranteed if operation
continues.
It is best to replace such P2 cards with a new card.

• SYSTEM ERROR

This message indicates that a system error has
occurred. This type of error can often be corrected by
turning off the power and turning it back on again.

• CAM MICON ERROR: The microprocessor in the

camera is not responding.

• P2 CONTROL ERROR: a P2 control error has

occurred.

• P2 MICON ERROR: The P2 microprocessor does not

respond

• TEMPORARY PAUSE
IRREGULAR FRM SIG:

This message indicates that input GENLOCK
reference signal is irregular and that recording
has been terminated.

• TURN POWER OFF

This message indicates that an abnormal event has
occurred, for example, that a card was removed during
access or that a system mode change was made.
Turn the power off and then turn it back on again.

• WIRELESS RF

This message indicates that reception from the wireless
receiver is poor.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

69

Camera status display

• ABB

ABB indicator

• ATW ACTIVE

Appears when the AUTO W/B BAL switch is set to AWB
and ATW is running.

• ATW (ATW LOCK)

Appears when the WHITE BAL switch is set to B and

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

ATW has been assigned.

• AUTO KNEE (ON/OFF)

Displayed when changing the AUTO KNEE switch
position.

• AWB

AWB indicator

• AWB P3.2K/AWB P5.6K

Displays the color temperature assigned to PRST when
the WHITE BAL switch is set to PRST. Also displayed
when AWB is performed in the PRST position.

• BACK LIGHT (OFF)

Displayed during iris control when back light status is
changed by pressing the user button to which BACK
LIGHT is assigned.

• DRS ON (OFF)

Displayed when DRS operation has been changed.

• GAIN**dB

Displayed when GAIN is switched.

• ND NG

Displayed when the ND filter is not positioned correctly.

• SCENE******

Displays the name of a scene file selected by turning
the SCENE FILE dial.

• SHUTTER 1/**** (OFF)

Displayed when the shutter speed is changed.

• SPOT LIGHT (OFF)

Displayed during iris control when back light status is
changed by pressing the user button to which SPOT
LIGHT is assigned.

• FBC ON (OFF)

Displayed when FBC operation has been changed.

70

Checking and displaying shooting status

• Hold down the DISP/MODE CHK button in recording
standby or during recording to display the settings of
each shooting function, the list of functions assigned
to USER buttons and all other information. Release the
button to return to the regular screen.

• Press the DISP/MODE CHK button during recording
standby or recording clears all displays. Press again to
return to the regular display.

• These settings are maintained when the unit is turned off
and also when switching media and operating mode.

• The following items can be displayed in the viewfinder
and on the LCD monitor by pressing the DISPMODE
CHK button or by configuring the menu option OTHER
DISPLAY in the DISPLAY SETUP screen.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

DISP/MODE CHK button

Displays that

No Displays

1 Time code displays
2 Warnings
3 Backup unit displays

Recording format and

4

system frequency indication

5 Information display

Proxy information

6

display (optional)

Letter box recording

7

8

9 Calendar

10

11
12 Shutter speed
13 DRS display
14 Iris display
15
16 Zoom position display

17

18 ND filter display

19 Gain display

20

21 FBC indication
22 CAC indicator
23 Scene file name display

24

25

26

27

display

Y GET brightness

display

Recording/playback

frame rate display

Audio level meter display

Auto-iris control displays

Recommended ND

filter display

WHITE BAL switch
position indication

Remaining battery

charge

Media remaining

memory display

Media information

display

Recording and

playback

MODE CHECK

brings up 

Displays opened or hidden by settings in the

Displays that DISPLAY

OFF clears 

ALL PARTIAL OFF





  

×



 



 

   

 
   
   
   
   
 

   

  

  

  

   
 
  









Is not cleared
Is not cleared
Is not cleared

Is not cleared

Is not cleared

Is not cleared



Goes on when battery

charge drops



Goes on when battery

charge drops



Lights when SLOT SEL is

performed



Appears at top right only

during recording and in

special recording modes

– – – –
– – –
– – – –

– – – –

– – – –

– – – –

– – – –

– – –

– – –

– – –

– – – –

– – –

– – –

 

 

OTHER DISPLAY option

–

: Not affected, : Opens, ×: Clears

Does not indicate 0 dB



Displays only ATW.

LOCK, P3.2K and

P5.6K

Other menus that clear

displays

–

: Not affected

CARD/BATT

× × –

Date/Time

× –

LEVEL METER
× –
× –
× –
× –

Zoom

× –

× × –



× × –

×

× –

× –

× –

×

Lights when SLOT

SEL is performed

Appears at top right

only during recording

and in special

recording modes

CARD/BATT

CARD/BATT

CARD/BATT

*1

–

*1 Only the warning that a P2 card has not been inserted is not displayed.

71

MODE CHECK indication

T C 1 2 : 3 4 : 5 6 : 2 3 1 12 9 9 9 min B 9 0 %

P 2

L A C K I - P A U S E D I O N C 1 6 0 U S E R - 1

1394

PROXY

C A C

1 0 8 0 i
AVC-I

100

A B B N G
AWB NG

P 3 .2 K

L T . B O X

0

dB

N D 1

8 3 % ND 1

F E B 2 5 2 0 0 8 2

S P O T

F 5 . 6

3 : 5 9 :Z599

9

6 0 : 2 4 P N D R S

1
2

= = = = = = = = 1/ 2 5 0

C
H
C
H

ER T : HS O T M A R K

E C

MEMO

S E L

U

R

Y

S

T

T

X

E

X

O

O

T

R

E

L

R

O

P

T

S

P

N

:

:

:

:

:

N

2

1

2

1

I

T

T

A

O

O

M

LLS

S P P O R T E D

MODE CHECK provides an almost complete set of camera information.
Items 1 to 4 below are provided only by MODE CHECK.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

1

2

1 P2 card slot status display

Displays status for P2 card slots 1 and 2.

• ACTIVE:

Indicates cards that are ready for read and write operations (includes cards selected for recording)

• ACCESSING:

Indicates a card that is currently read or being written to

• INFO READING:

Card in the recognition phase

• FULL:

No more space available on the P2 card

• PROTECTED:

The P2 card is write-protected.

• NOT SUPPORTED:

The P2 card cannot be used or recognized.

• FORMAT ERROR:

The P2 card is not properly formatted.

• NO CARD:

No card has been inserted.

• PROXY: (optional)

Proxy card

• No indication:

The camera is in the USB DEVICE mode

2 Information on user button and lens RET button assignment

Information to check what functions are assigned to user buttons and the lens RET button are provided in the following
sections.
For details, refer to [Assigning functions to USER buttons] (page 53).
For details, refer to [RET SW] (page 128).

3 AWB, ABB error display

A mode check indicates when AWB and ABB fail to operate normally.

4 Battery type

This indicates the battery type selected for detection of remaining battery charge.

72

4

3

Center marker display

T C 1 2 : 3 4 : 5 6 : 2 3 1 12 9 9 9 min B 9 0%

P 2

L�A C K I - P A U S E D I ON C 1 6 0 U S E R - 1

1394

PROXY

1 0 8 0 i
AVC-I 100

P 3 .2 K

L T . B

REAR

W.L.::CCHH21

O X 0

dB

N D 1

-30 -20 -10 0

dB

Audio level meter magnification

A center marker is displayed when the menu option
MARKER in the DISPLAY SETUP screen is set to ON.

 NOTE

The center marker display appears only on the LCD monitor
and in the viewfinder. It is not superimposed on signals output
via the VIDEO OUT and SDI OUT connectors.

Safety zone markers

A safety zone marker is displayed when the menu option
SAFETY ZONE is selected in the DISPLAY SETUP screen.

• OFF: Not displayed

• 90%: indicates the display area on a normal household
TV

• 4:3: Indicates display area available at a 4:3 aspect ratio.

• 13:9: Indicates the display area available at a 13:9 aspect
ratio.

• 14:9: Indicates the display area available at a 14:9 aspect
ratio.

Press the user button to which MAG A. LVL has been
assigned to display a magnification of the audio level meter
(available also when LEVEL METER in the DISPLAY SETUP
menu is set to OFF).
Press the button again to return to normal audio level meter
size.
Turning on MODE CHECK during audio level meter
magnification clears the audio level meter display. After
MODE CHECK use, the audio level meter reappears at
normal size.

2 1 3 4 5

1 Channel display

This displays the currently monitored audio channel.

2 Input system display

This displays the audio input system (AUDIO IN switch).

• FRONT

• W.L. (WIRELESS)

• REAR

3 Standard level bar

This bar indicates a -20 dB or -18 dB headroom level
depending on the menu option HEADROOM setting in
the AUDIO SETUP menu.

4 Peak hold display

Holds the audio peak level indication for 1 second.

5 Excessive level indicator

An audio level that is set too high is indicated in red.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

 NOTE

• The safety zone is not displayed when 4:3, 13:9 or 14:9

is selected when SYSTEM MODE is set to 480-59.94i and
ASPECT CONV is set to SIDE CROP or LETTER BOX.

• Safety zone markers appear only on the LCD monitor and in

the viewfinder. They are not superimposed on signals output
via the VIDEO OUT and SDI OUT connectors.

73

Zebra pattern display

SPOTOFFON

109%

0%

ZEBRA 2
DETECT

ZEBRA 2

ZEBRA 1
DETECT

The AG-HPX300P can display two zebra patterns.
Turning the ZEBRA switch on displays the zebra pattern
set in the menu in the viewfinder and LCD monitor. A menu
setting makes it possible to also display the zebra pattern
on video output via the VIDEO OUT connector.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

ZEBRA switch

Use the DISPLAY SETUP screen to set the level of zebra
pattern display.

Item Setting Description

ZEBRA1
DETECT

ZEBRA2
DETECT

ZEBRA2 ON, SPOT, OFF

50%…70%…109%

50%…85%…109%

Sets the level of the

right-leaning zebra

pattern 1.

Sets the level of the

left-leaning zebra

pattern 2.

Selects the ZEBRA2

type.

OUTPUTSEL screen

Item Setting Description

ON:

Displays the zebra pattern

VIDEO OUT

ZEBRA

shown on the LCD monitor
and viewfinder of this
camera also in video
output via the VIDEO OUT
connector.

OFF:

The zebra pattern is not
displayed in video output
from the VIDEO OUT
connector.

Specifies
whether or
not the zebra
pattern is
superimposed
on VIDEO OUT
signals.

Underlined values indicate factory defaults.
SPOT: A video level between ZEBRA1 and ZEBRA2

displays a zebra pattern.

Image level

To display a zebra pattern on video output via the VIDEO
OUT connector, make the required settings in the OUTPUT
SEL screen.

74

Focus assist function

EXPANDED EXPANDED

Pressing the FOCUS ASSIST button magnifies the image at
the center to facilitate focusing.
Set the menu option FOCUS BAR to ON in the DISPLAY
SET UP screen to display the FOCUS BAR.

FOCUS ASSIST button

 NOTE

This function magnifies only the image at the center of the
LCD monitor and viewfinder. It is not superimposed on signals
output via the VIDEO OUT and SDI OUT connectors.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

EXPANDED: (FOCUS ASSIST button)

Trebles the size of the center of the image.
The status indication and the zebra pattern disappears
and EXPANDED appears at the top of the screen.

• The EXPANDED display is available only during
recording and does not work in external input mode.

 NOTE

In VIDEO OUT and SDI OUT, the center of the image is not
magnified and status indications do not appear.

FOCUS BAR: (DISPLAY SETUP menu)

The length of the bar indicates whether the image is in
focus.
The FOCUS BAR extends to the far right when the
image is in focus.

Out of focus The bar extends to the

right when the image is

in focus.

75

Adjusting and setting the LCD monitor

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SAFETY ZONE
FOCUS BAR

LCD SETTING

SELF SHOOT
LCD BACKLIGHT
SYNC SCAN DISP

ON

90%

ON
RETURN

CHANGE

DATE/TIME OFF

NORMAL

sec

MARKER

DIS P L AY SETUP

[ ]

LCD COLOR LEVEL

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

LCD SETTING

[+]

LCD BRIGHTNESS

LCD CONTRAST

[ ]

[+]

[ ]

[+]

[ ]

LCD COLOR LEVEL

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

LCD SETTING

[+]

LCD BRIGHTNESS

LCD CONTRAST

[ ]

[+]

[ ]

[+]

Using the LCD Monitor

Turn on the POWER switch of the AG-

1

HPX300P.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Slide the OPEN button in the arrow A direction

2

to open the LCD monitor.

Use the subscreen in the menu option LCD

4

SETTING in the DISPLAY SETUP screen
to adjust screen color level, brightness and
contrast.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

• At LCD SETTING of the DISPLAY SETUP screen,
select CHANGE.

Use the JOG dial button to select an item.

5

 NOTE

The LCD monitor opens to an angle of 120 degrees.
Attempts to open it further will damage the monitor.

Adjust the angle of the LCD monitor for most

3

convenient viewing.

• The monitor can turn up to 180 degrees towards
the lens and up to 90 degrees towards you.

 NOTE

To prevent camera-recorder failure, do not use force
when adjusting the monitor (when open).

76

Press the JOG dial button, and turn the JOG

6

dial button to adjust the selected item.

 NOTE

• Pressing the RESET button when a value that can be
adjusted is selected in the setting menu LCD SETTING will
return the setting to its factory default.

• When closing the LCD monitor make sure that it is shut tight.

• In an environment with sudden temperature changes,
condensation may form on the liquid crystal surface of the
monitor. If this happens, wipe off the moisture with a soft, dry
cloth.

• When a cloth is used to wipe dew or dirt off the LCD monitor,
discoloration may appear on the screen. This is not a
malfunction. The discoloration disappears in a few minutes.

• When the camera-recorder is very cold, the video image
in the LCD monitor will appear slightly darker immediately
after the power is turned on. Once the interior of the camera­recorder warms up, the LCD monitor delivers normal
brightness.

• The image on the LCD monitor may remain if the battery or
the power plug of an external DC power supply is removed
when the camera is on. This is normal and not a malfunction.
This image will disappear if the camera is left idle.

• Image lag may increase at low temperatures, but this is not a

malfunction.

Self-portrait Shooting

When shooting with the LCD display angled 180 degrees
towards the lens, you can set the menu option SELF
SHOOT to MIRROR, to horizontally flip the video image on
the LCD display, and allow you to view a mirror image while
shooting.
Note that only the video image on the LCD monitor is
horizontally flipped, not the actual video being recorded.
This function clears any status display, waveform and
vectorscope display on the LCD monitor. Setting menus
and thumbnail displays are not flipped horizontally.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Waveform monitor function

Assign the WFM function to a user button and press that
user button to display a waveform for an image in the
LCD monitor. Another press of the WFM button closes the
waveform display.

• The menu option WFM (Page 128) in the SW MODE

screen allows you to switch between the waveform and
vectorscope displays.

• The waveform display does not appear in the viewfinder.

• The waveform display does not appear when the focus

assist (EXPANDED) function is used.

• The waveform display cannot be recorded.

77

Adjusting and Setting up the Viewfinder

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

EVF PEAK FREQ

EVF SETTING

EVF B. LIGHT
EVF COLOR
ZEBRA1 DETECT
ZEBRA2 DETECT

0

LOW
RETURN

CHANGE

ON

ZEBRA2 SPOT

100%

85%

EVF PEAK LEVEL

DIS P L AY SETUP

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

EVF SETTING

EVF BRIGHTNESS

EVF CONTRAST

[ ]

[+]

[ ]

[+]

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

EVF SETTING

EVF BRIGHTNESS

EVF CONTRAST

[ ]

[+]

[ ]

[+]

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Loosen the viewfinder left-right positioning

1

Slide the viewfinder right and left to find a

2

Tighten the viewfinder left-right positioning

3

Adjusting Right and Left Viewfinder
Position

rings.

position that facilitates viewing.

Tighten

Viewfinder left-right positioning ring

rings.

Using the Viewfinder

Turn on the POWER switch.

1

Use the subscreen in the menu option EVF

2

SETTING in the DISPLAY SETUP screen to
adjust screen brightness and contrast.

For details on menu operations, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

• Select CHANGE in the EVF SETTING.

Diopter Adjustment

Turn on the POWER switch on the camera.

1

• Look at the image in the viewfinder.

Turn the diopter adjusting ring until you get the

2

sharpest possible image in the viewfinder.

Diopter adjusting ring

Use the JOG dial Button to select items to set.

3

Press the JOG dial button to select an item and

4

turn the button to make adjustments.

78

 NOTE

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

EVF PEAK FREQ

EVF SETTING
EVF B. LIGHT
EVF COLOR
ZEBRA1 DETECT
ZEBRA2 DETECT

0

LOW

>>>

NORMAL

ON

ZEBRA2 SPOT

100%

85%

EVF PEAK LEVEL

DIS P L AY SETUP

• Pressing the RESET button when an adjustable value is
selected in the setting menu EVF SETTING will return that
setting to its factory default.

• The LCD monitor will appear darker than usual if the camera

recorder is cold when it is turned on. The display will return to
its normal brightness as it warms up.

• The issues described below are viewfinder phenomena that

may occur under certain conditions but do not indicate a
malfunction. Nor do they affect recording or output signals.

- Primary colors (red, blue and green) may be seen when
moving eye position in the viewfinder.

- At low temperature, the screen image may have an irregular
pink cast.

- When the camera is off, there may be black stripes across

the screen. They disappear when the camera is turned on.

• Image lag may increase at low temperatures, but this is not a
malfunction.

Emphasizing Image Outlines

Emphasizing outlines of images in the viewfinder and on
the LCD monitor makes it easier to focus.
This function does not affect video output from the camera
or video recorded by the camera.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Adjust EVF PEAK LEVEL and EVF PEAK

1

FREQ in the DISPLAY SETUP screen.

Setting the viewfinder to
monochrome mode

Set the menu option EVF COLOR to OFF in the DISPLAY
SETUP screen to change the viewfinder to monochrome
mode.

79

Handling setup data

F1 Default value

SCENE FILE

(Factory defaults)

SCENE FILE
screen INTIAL

*1

SCENE FILE screen
LOAD/SAVE

*1

F2 Default value

F3 Default value

F4 Default value

F5 Default value

F6 Default value

F1 Current value

SCENE FILE

(Current operating status values)

F2 Current value

F3 Current value

F4 Current value

F5 Current value

F6 Current value

F1 Saved value

SCENE FILE

(Saved camera values)

F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6

SCENE

FILE 1

F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6

SCENE

FILE 2

F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6

SCENE

FILE 3

F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6

SCENE

FILE 4

USER FILE1

USER FILE2

USER FILE3

USER FILE4

USER FILE initial value

USER FILE

(Factory defaults)

OTHER FUNCTIONS screen
USER FILE � INTIAL

OTHER FUNCTIONS screen
USER FILE � LOAD/SAVE

CARD FUNCTIONS screen
SCENE FILE � LOAD/SAVE

*2

*1: SCENE FILE dial unit
*2: All files F1 to F6

Current USER FILE values

USER FILE

(Current operating status values)

Saved USER FILE values

USER FILE

(Saved camera values)

SCENE FILE

(SD CARD)

USER FILE

(SD CARD)

F2 Saved value

F3 Saved value

F4 Saved value

F5 Saved value

F6 Saved value

CARD FUNCTIONS screen
USER FILE � LOAD/SAVE

AG-HPX300P

SD CARD

Configuration of setup data files

This camera makes it possible to save a scene file to each of the F1 to F6 positions on the SCENE FILE dial.
Use of an SD memory card makes it possible to save up to four of the F1 to F6 files on an SD card for later retrieval.
The setting menu values can be stored as a user file in the camera and up to four files can be stored on the SD memory
card.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

The setting data files are configured as shown below.

 NOTE

• Running the menu option MENU INIT in the OTHER FUNCTIONS screen returns all current operating status values and saved
camera values in the F1 to F6 scene files as well as in the user file to their factory defaults. This function does not return the
TIMEZONE setting to its factory default.

• Setting data file operations may end in error during playback or when the menu option PC MODE is set to ON in the SYSTEM
SETUP screen. Set PC MODE to OFF before performing file operations.

80

Setting Data Using an SD memory card

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

USER FILE
SD CARD FORMAT

RETURN

CHANGE

>>>

SCENE FILE

CAR D FUNCTION S

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

USER FILE

SD CARD FORMAT

>>>
>>>

RETURN

EXECUTE

SCENE FINE

CAR D FUNCTION S

By saving up to four files of setup menu settings on an
SD or SDHC memory card (optional accessory), you can
create a setup card that will allow you to quickly configure
camera settings before recording.

Handling SD memory cards

An SD memory card may be inserted or removed, either
before or after the power is turned on.

To insert an SD memory card

Open the slot cover, insert the SD memory card (optional
accessory) in the slot with the label side of the card facing
upwards and close the slot cover.

Formatting, Writing and Reading an SD memory card

Open the CARD FUNCTIONS screen from the setting
menu to format SD memory cards, write setting data to SD
memory cards and to read data stored on an SD memory
card.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Use of SD memory cards in a non-SD/SDHC format
formatted on a device other than this camera will display
a FORMAT ERROR message at the top right of the screen.
Reformat such SD cards in the camera before use.
See [To format an SD memory card] (this page).

 NOTE

• An SD memory card must be inserted with the right side
facing the slot. If the card cannot be inserted, it may the
wrong side up or back-to-front. Do not force it into the slot.
Check the card before reinserting it.

• Use only SD memory cards that conform to the SD standard
or the SDHC standard in this camera.

Be sure to read [SD memory card precautions] (page 21)
regarding SD memory handling.

To remove the SD memory card

Open the slot cover and make sure that the BUSY lamp is
not on before pushing the SD memory card further into the
slot and releasing it. This will cause the SD memory card to
pop out of the slot. Remove the SD memory card and close
the slot cover.

To format an SD memory card

 NOTE

SD memory cards may be formatted via the thumbnail screen.

For more information, see [Formatting SD memory cards]
(page 115).

Select SD CARD FORMAT item in CARD

1

FUNCTIONS, then press the JOG dial button.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Select EXCUTE, then press the JOG dial

2

button.

SD memory cards must not be used or stored
in an environment where they may be

• Exposed to high temperatures/humidities;

• Exposed to water droplets; or

• Electrically charged.

For storage, the SD memory card must be kept inserted
into the AG-HPX300P with the lid closed.

Select YES in the confirmation screen and

3

press the JOG dial button.

• “SD CARD FORMAT OK” appears and the SD
memory card is formatted.

 NOTE

Check that no important data remains on a card before
formatting since data erased by formatting cannot be
recovered.

81

The card will not be formatted if the following message
appears when the JOG dial button is pressed:

Error message Remedy

SD CARD FORMAT NG
NO CARD
(No SD memory card
inserted.)

SD CARD FORMAT NG
ERROR

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

(SD memory card cannot be
formatted.)

SD CARD FORMAT NG
WRITE PROTECT
(SD memory card is write­protected.)

SD CARD FORMAT NG
CANNOT ACCESS
(SD memory card not
accessible).

Insert an SD memory card.

The card may be defective.
Replace the card.

Remove the card and
cancel the protect.

The SD memory card is
not accessible. When the
current access operation
ends, reformat the card.

How to Use Scene File Data

• Each position of the SCENE FILE dial stores settings for
specific shooting situations.

• When shooting, you can retrieve the necessary file
instantly using scene file dial.

• You can also use menu options to change set scene file
values. A modified scene file can be saved to each scene
file dial position.

SCENE FILE dial

• Note that changing scene files during recording will
not change VFR and frame rate settings. To make such
changes, set the camera to recording standby status.

 Factory setting

• F1: SCENE

File suitable for normal shooting.

• F2: SCENE FLUO.

File suitable for shooting under fluorescent lights, ie.
indoors.

• F3: SCENE SPARK

File suitable for SD shooting with a greater range of
resolution, coloring and contrast.

• F4: SCENE B-STR

File for increasing the contrast of dark areas, such as
when shooting sunsets.

• F5: SCENE CINE V

File suitable for shooting movie-like scenes where the
contrast is to be emphasized.

• F6: SCENE CINE D

File suitable for shooting movie-like scenes where the
dynamic range is to be emphasized.

 NOTE

Changes to scene files do not affect SYSTEM MODE settings.
Use the SYSTEM SETUP screen to make such changes.

82

Changing scene file settings

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SKIN TONE DTL
V DETAIL FREQ

NAME EDIT

NORM1

OFF

THIN

RETURN

CHANGE

MATRIX

SCE N E FILE F3 : S PARK

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SKIN TONE DTL
V DETAIL FREQ

NAME EDIT

NORM1

OFF

THIN
RETURN

CHANGE

MATRIX

SCE N E FILE F3 : S PARK

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

S P A R K

SW POSITION F3

NAM E EDIT

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

VFR
FRAME RATE
(SYNCHRO SCAN)
DETAIL LEVEL
V DETAIL LEVEL
DETAIL CORING

RETURN

LOAD

SAVE

INITIAL

0

CHROMA LEVEL 0

0
0

LOAD SAVE INIT

SCE N E FILE

 Example1: Change the name of the scene

file.

Turn the scene file dial, then select the scene

1

file to be changed.

Select the menu option NAME EDIT in the

2

SCENE FILE screen, then press the JOG dial
button.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

When the screen shown below appears, use

4

the JOG dial button to enter a 6-character file
name.

• Turning the JOG dial button changes the character

display in the following order: space () 
alphabet (A to Z)  numerics (0 to 9)  symbols (;
: < = > ? @ [ \ ] ^_-./).

• If the RESET button is pressed when the filename
has been set, the characters are cleared.

• After you finish setting the filename, press the
MENU button. This completes the NAME EDIT
change. A change that has been confirmed is
retained after a power down and is not affected by
dial position. Items set for the scene file are also
retained.

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Select CHANGE and press the JOG dial button.

3

 Example2: Save the F1 scene file to the

camera.

Select the menu option LOAD/SAVE/INT in the

1

SCENE FILE screen, then press the JOG dial
button.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

83

Select SAVE and press the JOG dial button.

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

VFR
FRAME RATE
(SYNCHRO SCAN)
DETAIL LEVEL
V DETAIL LEVEL
DETAIL CORING

RETURN

LOAD

SAVE

INITIAL

0

CHROMA LEVEL 0

0
0

LOAD SAVE INIT

SCE N E FILE

YES

NO

SAVE ?

SCENE FILE

PUSH SET

SAVE

COMPLETED !

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

USER FILE
SD CARD FORMAT

RETURN

CHANGE

>>>

SCENE FILE

CAR D FUNCTION S

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

READ
WRITE

FILE 1
FILE 2
FILE 3
FILE 4

1
>>>
>>>
NO FILE
NO FILE

TITLE RELOAD >>>

NO FILE
NO FILE

FILE SELECT

SCE N E FILE(SD C ARD)

2

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

Select YES and press the JOG dial button.

3

• To return to the menu level above, press the
MENU button.

Saving scene files and other
settings on SD memory cards

You can save up to four scene file settings or other settings
as files on an SD memory card, and you can also load
them from the card.

• Current scene file settings are automatically saved in the
camera and written to an SD memory card. When data
has been read from an SD memory card, the current
settings are rewritten at the same time as the data saved
inside the unit.

• The data in all the scene files, F1 to F6, is rewritten.

Be sure to read [Handling SD memory cards] (page 81)
regarding SD memory handling.

The following procedure shows how to save scene files.

Set the unit’s POWER switch to ON.

1

Select the menu option SCENE FILE in the

2

CARD FUNCTIONS screen, then press the
JOG dial button.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

• “PROCESSING” appears and the following
message is shown when all settings have been
completed.

• After changing the scene file settings, to return to the
settings to the previously saved values, select LOAD in
step 2 and perform the operation described in step 3.

• To return the scene file settings to their factory defaults,
select INITIAL in step 2 and perform the operation
described in step 3.

• To save and read user file settings or return them to
their factory defaults, open the setting menu OTHER
FUNCTIONS screen and run USER FILE in the same way
as when handling scene files.

Select CHANGE and press the JOG dial button.

3

• Select the menu option USER FILE for other
settings.

Select the file number (1 to 4) using the JOG

4

dial button.

• Press the JOG dial button again to confirm the
setting.

84

Select WRITE and press the JOG dial button,

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

READ
WRITE

FILE 1
FILE 2
FILE 3
FILE 4

1
>>>
RETURN

EXECUTE

NO FILE

TITLE RELOAD >>>

NO FILE
NO FILE

FILE SELECT

SCE N E FILE(SD C ARD)

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

YES

NO

TITLE EDIT

T I T L E 1

PUSH SET

WRITE FILE 1

SCE N E FILE(SD C ARD)

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

YES

NO

TITLE EDIT

T I T L E 1

PUSH SET

WRITE FILE 1

SCE N E FILE(SD C ARD)

5

then select EXECUTE and press the JOG dial
button.

Press the cursor button, turn the JOG dial

6

button to move to YES and again press the
JOG dial button.

• In the following example, TITLE 1 is the filename.

• When writing is completed, WRITE OK appears.

To title a file

Perform steps 1 to 5.

1

Use the JOG dial button to select characters,

2

then press the JOG dial button to move to the
next character.

• You can input any of the following characters:
Space, A to Z, 0 to 9, : ; < = > ? @ [ \ ] ^_-./

• You can erase all characters using the RESET
button.

When all entries have been made, move the

3

cursor to the right of the entered title.

Select YES and press the JOG dial button.

4

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording

To load a file

Perform steps 1 to 4. Select READ in step 5, select
EXECUTE and press the JOG dial button. READ OK
appears when loading completes.
Like scene files, process user files by using the menu
option USER FILE in the CARD FUNCTION screen.

Reloading Files From an SD Memory Card

Perform steps 1 to 3, move to TITLE RELOAD so that YES
is displayed in step 5, and press the JOG dial button.
The file is reloaded.

• “WRITE OK” appears when the title is written.

 NOTE

• If WRITE NG FORMAT ERROR appears, format the SD
memory card.

• If WRITE NG WRITE PROTECT appears, change the lock tab
position to enable writing.

• If WRITE NG CANNOT ACCESS appears, quit all other
operations (such as playback) before proceeding.

• If WRITE NG ERROR appears, the SD memory card may be
defective. Replace it.

85

Chapter 5 Preparation

Power Supply

A battery or an external DC power supply can be used as
the power supply for the camera-recorder.

Using a Battery

The following is a list of batteries that have been tested and
verified to work with the camera.
Anton/Bauer batteries
PROPAC14, TRIMPACK14

Chapter 5 Preparation

HYTRON50, HYTRON140
DIONIC90, DIONIC160
IDX batteries
NP-L7, ENDURA7, ENDURA10
Sony batteries
BP-GL65/95
PAG batteries
PAGL95

 NOTE

• Although other batteries may be used by changing the menu
setting, it is recommended that you use batteries that have
been tested and verified to work with camera.

• Charge the battery with the battery charger before using it.
(Please refer to the battery charger’s instruction manual for
information about charging.)

Insert the battery and slide it in the direction of

2

the arrow.

Release lever

 NOTE

Removing the battery

Completely push down and hold the release lever
on the battery holder. Then, slide the battery in the
opposite direction to the arrow while holding the lever
down.

Mounting the Battery and Setting the Battery Type

Using an Anton/Bauer Battery

Mount an Anton/Bauer battery.

1

Power supply output connector for lighting

Anton/Bauer Battery

Lighting control switch

Set the battery type.

3

• Select the battery type listed under BATTERY
SELECT. Select the menu option BATTERY
SELECT from the setting menu BATTERY SETUP
screen.

 NOTE

The Anton/Bauer battery holder includes both a power
supply output connector for lighting and a lighting
control switch, which are convenient when attaching a
light. Please contact Anton/Bauer for information about

the lighting system.

86

When using a V-mount type battery





 



Mount the V-mount adapter plate. Insert the plate and slide
it as shown below.

• To remove the plate, slide the release lever downwards.

Release lever

When using an NP battery

Mount a V-mount adapter plate on the camera.

1

Refer to [When using a V-mount type battery] (this
page).

Attach a holder plate on the NP battery case.

2

• When the battery plate comes with a packing, first
insert the packing in the battery case.

(1) Remove the screw at the bottom of the cover

and remove the cover.

(2) Line up the openings in the battery case and

battery plate and use the supplied screws to

fasten the case to the plate.
(3) Tighten the power supply connector screw.
(4) Insert the removed top cover in the direction of

the arrow.
(5) Line up the openings in the lower cover (metal

part) and the case and use the securing screw

to fasten them together.

Chapter 5 Preparation

Setting the battery type

• Select the battery type listed under BATTERY SELECT.
Select the menu option BATTERY SELECT from the
setting menu BATTERY SETUP screen.

• When using a battery not listed under BATTERY SELECT:
If it is a NiCd battery, select “NiCd14(14V)” and set each
item according to the battery characteristics. If it is not a
NiCd battery, select TYPE A or TYPE B and set each item
according to the battery characteristics. For details, refer
to [BATTERY SETUP screen] (page 134).

 NOTE

• For information about the V-mount adapter plate, please

contact the store where you purchased the camera-recorder.

• With the V-mount adapter plate installed, % (percent) values

cannot be displayed when using batteries that show the
remaining battery capacity.

87

Chapter 5 Preparation

1

2

3

4

Use of the external DC power supply

Connect the external DC power supply to the

1

DC IN socket on the unit.

DC cable

DC IN Socket

Use of external DC power supply
Make sure that the output voltage of the external DC
power supply meets the rated voltage of the camera before
making a connection.
The output current of the external DC power supply should
be large enough to provide the connected camera with its
total amperage needs with a reasonable margin.
Use the following formula to calculate the total amperage
of the camera.

total power consumption ÷ voltage

When the power is turned on, a rush current occurs. If the
power supply is insufficient during this time, the camera
may be damaged. Therefore, we recommend using an
external DC power supply that provides at least twice
the total power consumed by the camera and all the
devices connected to the unit that power on when the
camera powers on (example: lens, wireless microphone
receiver). We also recommend using the proper DC cable
recommended for your external DC power supply.

External DC

power supply

Turn “ON” the power switch of the external DC

2

power supply. (If the power switch is available
on the external DC power supply)

Turn the camera-recorder power switch ON.

3

• When using an external power supply other than the
AC adapter, check the DC IN socket pin information
to ensure correct polarity. If a +12 V power supply is
accidentally connected to the GND terminal, this could
cause a fire or personal injury.

Pin No. Signal

1 GND

2, 3

4 +12V

—

 NOTE

• When both the battery and the external DC power supply are
connected, power is supplied from the external DC power
supply. The battery can be removed or mounted while using
an external DC power supply.

• When using an external DC power supply, make sure you
turn on the external DC power supply before turning on the
camera-recorder’s power switch. If this sequence is reversed,
the camera-recorder may malfunction due to slow rising of
the external DC power supply voltage.

• To connect a battery to the DC IN connector, select BATTERY
in the menu option EXT DC IN SEL, and select the battery
type in the menu option BATTERY SELECT in the BATTERY
SETUP screen. Note that with these settings, the “%”
indication cannot be displayed, even for batteries capable of
indicating remaining power.

88

Mounting and Adjusting the Lens

Mounting the Lens

Raise the lens clamping lever and remove the

1

mount cap.

Lens Clamping Lever

Mount Cap

To mount the lens, align the indentation at the

2

top center of the lens mount with the center
mark of the lens.

Lower the lens lever to firmly tighten the lens.

3

Secure the cable through the cable clamp, and

4

plug it into the LENS connector.

Cable
clamp

Chapter 5 Preparation

Mark

LENS Connector

For details on the current provided by the lens
terminal, refer to page 165.

Adjust the lens flange back.

5

For details, refer to [Adjusting the Lens Flange
Back] (page 90).

 NOTE

• Please refer to the lens instruction manual for
guidance on lens handling.

• When the lens is removed, install the mount cap to

protect the device.

89

Adjusting the Lens Flange Back

If images are not clearly focused at both telephoto and
wide-angle positions during zoom operations, adjust the
flange back (distance from the lens mounting surface to the
image formation surface).
Once adjusted, the flange back does not need to be
re-adjusted as long as the same lens is mounted on the
camera.

 NOTE

Chapter 5 Preparation

Please also refer to the lens instruction manual for directions
on adjustment and locations of individual lens parts.

Mount the lens on the camera.

1

• Make sure you connect the lens cable.

Set the lens iris to manual, and fully open the

2

iris.

Set the zoom ring to the wide-angle position

7

and turn the F.f (flange focus) ring to adjust
focus.

• Do not move the distance ring during focusing.

Repeat Steps 5 to 7 until the lens is in focus at

8

both the telephoto and wide-angle positions.

Firmly tighten the F.f ring clamping screw.

9

Approximately 3 m

Place the flange back adjustment chart about

3

3 m from the lens and adjust the lighting on
the chart to obtain an appropriate video output
level.

• If the video level is too high, use the filters or the
shutter.

Loosen the F.f (Flange focus) ring clamping

4

screw.

 NOTE

F.b (Flange back) may be indicated on some lenses.

Set the zoom ring to the telephoto position,

5

either manually or by electric drive.

Shoot the flange back adjustment chart and

6

turn the distance ring to adjust focus.

90

White Shading Compensation

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SHADING(USER)
CAC
CAC PROPERTY
CAC CARD READ
CAC FILE DELETE
CAC FILE INIT

DEFAULT

>>>

ON
>>>
>>>

IRIS ADJUST >>>

>>>
>>>

SHADING SELECT

LEN S SETUP

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SHADING(USER)
CAC
CAC PROPERTY
CAC CARD READ
CAC FILE DELETE
CAC FILE INIT

DEFAULT

USER1

USER2
USER3

OFF

IRIS ADJUST >>>

>>>
>>>

SHADING SELECT

LEN S SETUP

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SHADING(USER)

CAC
CAC PROPERTY
CAC CARD READ
CAC FILE DELETE
CAC FILE INIT

USER1

RETURN

EXECUTE

>>>
>>>

IRIS ADJUST >>>

>>>
>>>

SHADING SELECT

LEN S SETUP

YES

NO

CHECK LUMINANCE LEVEL

PUSH SET

ZEBRA ON VF

SHADING: USER1 SET OK?

White Shading Adjustment

The camera can use DEFAULT (fixed value) and three user
adjustable functions (USER1, USER2, USER3) to store
white shading compensation data.
Select SHADING SELECT in the setting menu LENS SETUP
screen to set compensation data. Selecting OFF turns off
shading compensation.

Selecting White Shading Compensation
Data

Select SHADING SELECT in LENS SETUP,

1

then press the JOG dial button.

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

 NOTE

Coloring may occur in the vertical direction near the open
setting of the lens iris even when the white shading has been
adjusted. This is an optical characteristic and not indicative of
a failure.

Place the camera in the adjustment mode.

1

(1) Mount a lens on the camera.

• Do not forget to connect the lens cable.
(2) Turn the shutter switch off and set 0 dB gain.
(3) If the lens comes with an extender, disengage it.
(4) Open the setting menu LENS SETUP screen

and select USER1, USER2 or USER3 under
SHADING SELECT.

(5) Use the JOG dial button to select SHADING

(USER), select EXECUTE and press the JOG dial
button.

• The message “CHECK LUMINANCE LEVEL

ZEBRA ON VF” appears.

Chapter 5 Preparation

Use the JOG dial button to select DEFAULT,

2

USER1, USER2, USER3 or OFF and press the
JOG dial button.

• To adjust the white shading, select USER1, USER2
or USER3.

• The USER1, USER2 or USER3 settings do not
contain any compensation data by default.

• DEFAULT stores compensation data that suits
XT17x4.5BRM-K14. For lenses other than those
above, perform the “White Shading Adjustment”
described below.

91

Chapter 5 Preparation

YES

NO

CHECK LUMINANCE LEVEL

PUSH SET

ZEBRA ON VF

SHADING: USER1 SET OK?

Set the image.

2

(1) Shoot a solid white sheet of paper.
(2) Set the lens iris to manual and adjust the iris so

that a zebra pattern fills the entire viewfinder
screen.

• When the piece of paper is unevenly lit, the
zebra pattern will not cover the entire screen.
Adjust as required.

• Make sure that the white paper is not exposed
to multiple light sources (example, fluorescent
lighting or halogen lamps) of different color
temperatures.

If the lens is provided with an extender, turn on

6

the extender function and perform steps 2 to 5
again.

• The white shading adjustment need not be
readjusted when the extender is later turned off.

Setting Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC)

The CAC function of the camera corrects the registration
error caused by the slight chromatic aberration that the
lens cannot compensate for. This minimizes color bleeding
into the surrounding image areas.
Lenses compatible with the CAC function whose CAC data
is registered in the camera will automatically start CAC
operation.
CAC data for the following lenses have been stored in the
camera as default values.

Camera indication

XT17X4.5BRM-K14 XT17x4.5BRM-K14

Model numbers of
compatible lenses

 NOTE

• Adjust the white shading in sunlight, under halogen
lamp light or other light source that does not flicker.
Fluorescent light and mercury lamps tend to flicker
and should not be used for this adjustment.

• Adjust the light source if the lens iris is out of the
range between F4 and F11.

• Make sure the electronic shutter is set to off.

Adjust white and black balance.

3

(1) Set the WHITE BAL switch to A or B and use the

AUTO W/B BAL switch to make an automatic
white balance adjustment.

(2) Use the AUTO W/B BAL switch to make an

automatic black balance adjustment.

(3) Again, use the AUTO W/B BAL switch to make

an automatic white balance adjustment.

Repeat the operation in step 2-(2).

4

Adjust white shading.

5

(1) Use the JOG dial button to select YES and press

the JOG dial button.

(2) The message “SHADING ACTIVE” appears on

the screen during adjustment.

(3) When the adjustment ends after a few seconds,

the message “SHADING OK” appears.

• When an error message such as “SHADING NG
LEVEL OVER” or “SHADING NG LOW LIGHT”
appears, adjust the iris.

• The adjusted value is automatically stored in
memory (USER1, USER2, USER3).

92

 NOTE

• One of the lens model number appearing in the menu
represents the lens group.

• The CAC function in this camera operates in horizontal

direction only.

• The CAC function does not operate at +24 dB.

• The CAC function may not operate normally in macro

shooting.

• After the release of this camera, visit our Web site at the
address given below for details on new lenses compatible
with this function and any changes in this function.

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/

Checking CAC Operating Status

When the menu is not open, the CAC indication at the top
right of the screen indicates that the CAC function is on.

Checking CAC data number and CAC data

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SHADING(USER)
CAC

CAC PROPERTY

CAC CARD READ
CAC FILE DELETE
CAC FILE INIT

DEFAULT

>>>

ON

RETURN

DISPLAY

IRIS ADJUST >>>

>>>
>>>

SHADING SELECT

LEN S SETUP

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

FILE NO : 1

ACTIVE CAC FILE NO : 1

CAC PROPERTY

MAKER : FUJINON
TYPE :

XT17X4.5BRM-K14

VERSION : 1.00-00-0.00

DATA ERROR

PLEASE READ CAC CARD

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SHADING(USER)
CAC
CAC PROPERTY

CAC CARD READ

CAC FILE DELETE
CAC FILE INIT

DEFAULT

>>>

ON

>>>

RETURN

IRIS ADJUST >>>

EXECUTE

>>>

SHADING SELECT

LEN S SETUP

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

ZT17X4.5BRM-K1

CAC CARD READ

NO

YES

CAC FILE NO:1 READ?

CAC FILE READ

PUSH SET

during operation

Open the LENS SETUP screen.

1

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Turn the JOG dial button to select CAC

2

PROPERTY and select DISPLAY to open the
CAC PROPERTY screen.

• The CAC property list appears.

Loading CAC File From an SD Card

Open the LENS SETUP screen.

1

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Use the JOG dial button to select CAC CARD

2

READ. Then select EXECUTE to open the CAC
CARD READ screen.

Chapter 5 Preparation

CAC Property

a

a Current CAC data number

b Data number of CAC you wish to check

Turn the JOG dial to select.

c CAC data of the specified file (b)

d Error messages

The file cannot be used if an error message appears.
Initialize the CAC data or reload the CAC file from an
SD card.
For details, see [Initializing CAC File] (page 94) or
[Loading CAC File From an SD Card] (this page).

Use the JOG dial button to select the CAC file

3

to load. Then select YES and press the JOG
dial button.

b

c

d

93

 NOTE

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SHADING(USER)
CAC
CAC PROPERTY
CAC CARD READ

CAC FILE DELETE

CAC FILE INIT

DEFAULT

>>>

ON
>>>
>>>

IRIS ADJUST >>>

RETURN

EXECUTE

SHADING SELECT

LEN S SETUP

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

1:XT17X4.5BRM-K14

CAC FILE DELETE

2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:

NO

YES

CAC FILE NO:1 DELETE?

CAC FILE DELETE

PUSH SET

PUSH MENU TO RETURN

SHADING(USER)
CAC
CAC PROPERTY
CAC CARD READ
CAC FILE DELETE

CAC FILE INIT

DEFAULT

>>>

ON
>>>
>>>

IRIS ADJUST EXECUTE

>>>

RETURN

SHADING SELECT

LEN S SETUP

NO

YES

CAC FILE INITIAL?

CAC FILE INIT

PUSH SET

• The camera can load up to 8 files.
When an attempt is made to load a new file while 8 files have

already been loaded, “READ NG CAC FILE FULL” appears. To
load a new file, delete an existing file before loading the new
file.

For details, see [Deleting CAC File] (this page).

• “READ NG FORMAT ERROR” indicates the file cannot be
used and will not be loaded. Make sure the file is in a format
the camera supports and that the file on the SD card is not
corrupted.

Chapter 5 Preparation

Deleting CAC File

Open the LENS SETUP screen.

1

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Use the JOG dial button to select CAC FILE

2

DELETE, select EXECUTE and press the JOG
dial.

Initializing CAC File (Returning Data to
Their Factory Defaults)

Open the LENS SETUP screen.

1

For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the
menus] (page 120).

Use the JOG dial button to select CAC FILE

2

INIT, select EXECUTE and press the JOG dial.

Use the JOG dial to select the CAC file to be

3

deleted. Then select YES and press the JOG
dial button.

“-----” is indicated when deletion ends.

Select YES in the confirmation screen and

3

press the JOG dial button.

• CAC FILE INIT  PROCESSING  COMPLETED
(these three appear in succession) to indicate that
initialization has been completed.

• The LENS SET UP screen appears after
completion.

 NOTE

This operation deletes all files loaded into the camera and
returns the four CAC data files to their factory defaults.

94

Preparing for Audio Input

Take the following steps to prepare the camera for
connecting audio input devices.

When Using the Front Microphone

The AG-MC200G microphone kit (optional) includes a
microphone that can be mounted on the camera.

Open the microphone holder.

1

Viewfinder

Microphone holder

Mount the microphone and tighten the clamping

2

screw.

Set the AUDIO IN switch to [FRONT]

4

depending on the audio channel to be
recorded.

AUDIO IN Switch

Using a wireless receiver

Chapter 5 Preparation

Clamping Screw

Connect the microphone cable to the MIC IN

3

jack on the camera.

Remove the lid, install the wireless receiver and

1

screw it down.

MIC IN Jack

95

Chapter 5 Preparation

Set the AUDIO IN switch to W.L. for the audio

2

channels that will be recorded.

AUDIO IN Switch

• Set the menu option WIRELESS TYPE in the
AUDIO SETUP screen to DUAL for a 2-channel
wireless receiver.

When Using Audio Devices

Connect the audio device to the AUDIO IN jack

1

with the XLR cable.

Set the AUDIO IN switch to [REAR] for the

2

channel to which the XLR cable is connected.

Set the LINE/MIC/+48V selector switch on the

3

rear panel to [LINE].

LINE/MIC/+48V Selector Switch

96

AUDIO IN Jack

AUDIO IN Switch

Attaching Accessories

Mounting the Camera on a Tripod

Use an optional (SHAN-TM700) tripod adapter to place the
camera on a tripod.

Attach the tripod adapter to the tripod.

1

Tripod adapter

Pan head

 NOTE

Use the holes in the tripod adapter that will make
it possible to position the camera over the tripod
adapter’s center of gravity.
Also, make sure that the diameter of the selected hole
matches the diameter of the pan head screw.

Removing the Camera from the Tripod
Adapter

While holding the red lever down, move the black lever in
the direction of the arrow, and slide the camera backward
to remove it.

Chapter 5 Preparation

Red Lever Black Lever

 NOTE

If the tripod adapter’s pin does not return to its original
position after the camera has been removed, hold the red lever
down and move the black lever in the direction of the arrow
again, in order to return the pin to its original position.
Please note that the camera cannot be mounted if the pin
remains in the center.

Attaching the Shoulder Strap

Attach the shoulder strap to the shoulder strap bracket.
To detach the shoulder strap, first open the hooks, then
detach the strap.

Shoulder Strap

Attach the camera to the tripod adapter.

2

• Slide the camera forward along the grooves until
you hear a “click”.

Press to open the
hook.

 NOTE

Make sure that the shoulder strap is securely attached.

97

Attaching the Rain Cover

When using the SHAN-RC700 Rain Cover

Chapter 5 Preparation

Tighten the cord

Secure with the surface fastener

Secure with the surface fastener

Attaching the Eye Cup

Attach the eye cup by aligning the projections on the eyepiece
and the eye cup.

Projections (4)

Eyepiece Eye cup

Attaching the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL Control Knob

If you use the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL control frequently,
attach the accessory knob so that it can be easily
operated.

FRONT AUDIO LEVEL Control Knob (Accessory)

Screw Marks

Screw (Accessory)

Remove the screw in the center of the FRONT AUDIO
LEVEL control, and attach the accessory knob using the
screw (included). When attaching the knob, be sure to
align the marks on the control with the marks on the knob.

98

DC OUT Connector and External REC Start/Stop Switch Connection

1234

The DC OUT connector on the camera can output a 1.5 A
current.
Connecting an external switch to this connector enables
REC Start and Stop control.
An LED can be connected and used as a tally lamp, which
is convenient when the camera is mounted on a crane
during recording.

DC OUT connector

(Connection example)

Cable connector
HR10A-7P-4P(73)
Hirose Electric Co.

(For details on connecting
the connector, refer to
page 164.)

Chapter 5 Preparation

LED

Resist­ance

REC

Start/Stop

1: GND

2: TALLY OUT

The AG-HPX300P has open collector output

TALLY ON:

Low impedance

TALLY OFF:

High impedance

3: REC Start/Stop switch

This pin is connected in parallel with the REC button
and the lens VTR button.

4: +12 V

 NOTE:

Be sure to check polarity before connecting an external device
as incorrect connection could lead to damage.

99

Connecting the AJ-RC10G Remote Controller

• Some functions can be remote-controlled when the
remote control unit AJ-RC10G (optional accessory) is
connected to the camera.

• When the AJ-RC10G is connected, the camera
automatically enters remote control mode after the power
switches of both the camera and the AJ-RC10G are
turned ON.

Chapter 5 Preparation

REMOTE connector AJ-RC10G

 NOTE

• Be sure to turn the POWER switches on the camera and

the AJ-RC10G off before connecting or disconnecting the
controller cable.

• Use only designated cables or optional cables to connect

the AJ-RC10G. Use of other cables could result in
equipment damage.

• The USER buttons and MENU button do not work when

the AJ-RC10G is connected.

• Refer to the Operating Instructions of the AJ-RC10G

included in the supplied CD-ROM.

• For details on the current provided by the REMOTE

terminal, refer to page 164.

100