Panasonic Aj Spc700p Operating Instructions Manual

							
31
4
Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
Detection area for the white balance
The detection area for the white balance is selectable
between 90%, 50% and 25%, using the menu option AWB
AREA.
This option can be found in the 
screen, which is accessible from the CAM OPERATION
page. 
The detection area is factory-set to 25%.
When you have no time to adjust the white balance
Position the WHITE BAL switch at [PRST].
This adjusts the white balance for the filter according to the
position of the CC/ND FILTER control.
When the white balance has not been 
automatically adjusted
When the white balance has not been successfully adjusted,
the viewfinder displays an error message.
If one of the error messages listed below appears, take the
appropriate steps, then adjust the white balance again. 
If the error message appears after repeated readjustments,
the interior of the unit must be inspected. For more
information, contact your distributor.
Retaining white balances
Each value in memory is retained even if the video camera-
recorder is turned off; it will not be lost until the white
balance is re-adjusted. White balances are stored in either of
two systems: A or B. 
When the menu option FILTER INH is set to “ON” (default),
each system stores only one value. If this is the case, the
values are not synchronised with the filters. This option can
be found in the  screen, which is
accessible from the CAM OPERATION page.
When the menu option FILTER INH is set to “OFF”, the
adjusted value for each filter can be automatically stored in
the memory that corresponds to the position of the WHITE
BAL switch (A or B). Your AJ-SPC700P has four built-in
filters; it stores eight (4 C 2) adjusted values.
Note that, when the menu options AWB A and AWB B are
set to “VAR”, the color temperatures specified through
COLOR TEMP A and COLOR TEMP B are used, meaning
that the white balances cannot be adjusted with the AWB
switch. The menu options are found in the  screen, which is accessible from the
CAM OPERATION page. 
Setting the auto-tracking white balance (ATW)
The AJ-SPC700P has an auto-tracking white balance (ATW)
feature that automatically tracks the white balance for
pictures according to lighting conditions.
The ATW feature can be assigned to Position [B] of the
WHITE BAL switch. To do so, the menu option AWB B must
be set to “ATW”. This option can be found in the  screen, which is accessible from the
CAM OPERATION page.
The ATW feature may be assigned to the USER MAIN,
USER1, or USER2 button. For more information, see [4-9-4
Assigning Functions to USER  MAIN, USER1 and USER2
Buttons].
To cancel the auto-tracking white balance
Press the user button that has the ATW feature assigned, or
change the position of the WHITE BAL switch. Note that,
when the ATW feature is assigned to [B] of the WHITE BAL
switch, the auto-tracking white balance cannot be cancelled
with a user button.

This function does not guarantee 100% accuracy of the
white balance.   When using the AJ-SPC700P, remember
that there will be some allowance in the trackability of
changes in lighting conditions and pull-in accuracy of white
balances.
Viewfinder displays related to white balance
See [4-7 Viewfinder Screen Status Displays].
Error message Description Remedies
COLOR TEMP. 
HIGH The color 
temperature is too 
high. Select an appropriate 
filter.
COLOR TEMP. 
LOW The color 
temperature is too 
low. Select an appropriate 
filter.
LOW LIGHT There is  insufficient light. Increase the light level 
or gain.
LEVEL OVER There is too much  light. Decrease the light level 
or gain.
CHECK FILTER The FILTER  control is 
displaced. Check the FILTER 
control.
TIME OVER AWB was not  completed within 
the time allowed. Shooting conditions 
may be unstable. If 
flicker occurs, press the 
shutter and readjust the 
AWB under stable 
conditions.
90%
50%
25%
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32
Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
4-1-2 Adjusting the Black Balance
The black balance must be adjusted when:
z You use your AJ-SPC700P the first time;
z Your AJ-SPC700P has not been used for some time;
z The ambient temperature has changed substantially;
z The gain switchover value has been changed; or
z S.GAIN (super gain) has been set with the USER MAIN/
USER1/USER2 button. 
1Set the switches as illustrated below.
2Tilt the AUTO W/B BAL switch so that it is positioned at
[ABB], then release it.
The switch returns to the central position with the black
balance automatically adjusted.
3During adjustment, the viewfinder displays the following
message:

During adjustment, the lens iris automatically becomes
CLOSE.
4The adjustment will take effect in a few seconds and the
following message will appear:
The adjusted value is automatically stored in the
memory.

zEnsure that the lens connector is connected and the
lens iris is CLOSE.
z During a black balance adjustment, light is
automatically cut off.
z During a black balance adjustment, the gain
switchover circuit is automatically switched.
The viewfinder screen may flicker and/or display
noise; this is not a failure.
z If you find the black shading annoying after
performing an auto black balance adjustment, adjust
the black shading. To do so, go to the menu option
DETECTION, move the cursor ( ), then press the
JOG dial button. The menu option DETECTION can
be found in the  screen, which is
accessible from the MAINTENANCE page.
Note that pressing the ABB switch for longer than five
seconds automatically performs an auto black
balance adjustment, followed by an automatic black
shading adjustment. (For more information, see the
menu option SHD. ABB SW CTL in [8-5-5 SW
MODE].)
z To cancel the automatic black balance adjustment in
process (the viewfinder displays “ABB ACTIVE”), flip
the AUTO W/B BAL switch down to [ABB] again.
If automatic adjustment is cancelled, the value in
effect before automatic adjustment will be used. 
Retaining black balances
Each value in memory is retained even if the video camera-
recorder is turned off.
AUTO W/B BAL switch:
Used to perform ABB. OUTPUT:
 CAM
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4
Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
4-2 Setting the Electronic Shutter
This section provides a description of the electronic shutter,
together with setting and handling directions. 
4-2-1 Shutter Modes
The table below shows the shutter modes and speeds for
the electronic shutter provided in your AJ-SPC700P.

zIn any mode, the higher the shutter speed the lower the
sensitivity of the camera.
z When the iris is automatically adjusted, the higher the
shutter speed the larger the iris, and the shorter the depth
of focus. 
4-2-2 Setting the Shutter Mode and Speed
The shutter speed in any shutter mode is set using the
SHUTTER switch. 
In SYNCHRO SCAN mode, shutter speed can be switched
easily, using the synchro-scan adjustment switches (+/–) on
the side panel. 
Note that the range of selectable shutter speeds may be pre-
defined; whether or not to use the SYNCHRO SCAN and
SUPER V modes may be determined through the
 and  screens.
These screens are accessible through the menu on the CAM
OPERATION page.
The selected shutter speed is retained even if the AJ-
SPC700P is turned off.
1Press the SHUTTER switch, positioned at [ON],
towards [SEL].
2Once more, press the SHUTTER switch towards [SEL].
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:

Your AJ-SPC700P is not factory-set to display the
SUPER V mode on the viewfinder screen. To display
this mode, set the menu option SUPER V found in the
 screen, which is accessible from
the CAM OPERATION page, to “ON”. 
Viewfinder displays relating to the shutter
See [4-7 Viewfinder Screen Status Displays].
Mode Shutter speed Application
Normal POSITIONS  1-6 Used to capture clear images  of a fast-moving subject
SYNCHRO 
SCAN Range of 60.3 
Hz to 249.7 Hz  Used to reduce the effect of 
horizontal lines when 
shooting a monitor screen 
that has a vertical scanning 
frequency of more than 60 
Hz
SUPER V Used to enhance vertical  resolution
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34
Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
4-2-3 Placing the Camera-recorder in  SYNCHRO SCAN Mode
To place the camera-recorder in SYNCHRO SCAN mode,
follow the steps below.
1Press the SHUTTER switch positioned at [ON] towards
[SEL], to place the camera-recorder in SYNCHRO
SCAN mode.
2In SYNCHRO SCAN mode, the speed can be switched
seamlessly between 1/60.3 and 1/249.7 seconds, using
the SYNCHRO SCAN ADJUSTMENT buttons (+/–).
4-3 Selecting Recording Signals and Recording System
The AJ-SPC700P is capable of utilising user-selected
recording signals and format.
4-3-1 Selecting the Recording Signals
Signals to be recorded are selected through the menu
options REC SIGNAL and CAMERA MODE. These options
are found in the  screen, which is
accessible from the SYSTEM SETTING page.
Setting options and usage
The option REC SIGNAL is used to select signals to be
recorded.
CAM: Signals from the camera are recorded.
VIDEO: Signals from the GENLOCK IN connector are
recorded.
1394: Signals from the DVCPRO/DV connector are
recorded. (when the IEEE1394 interface board
is attached).

When “VIDEO” is selected for the menu option REC
SIGNAL, non-standard signals output from the GENLOCK
IN connector, may degrade video quality.
4-3-2 Selecting the Recording System
The recording format is selected through the option menu
REC MODE.
The aspect ratio is selected through the menu option
ASPECT.
These options are found in the  screen,
which is accessible from the SYSTEM SETTING page.
Details of the option REC MODE
50M:Video is recorded in the DVCPRO50 format (50
Mbps).
25M: Video is recorded in the DVCPRO format (25
Mbps). 
DV: Video is recorded in the DV format.
Details of the option ASPECT
16:9:Video is recorded with an aspect ratio of 16:9. 
4:3: Video is recorded with an aspect ratio of 4:3.
SHUTTER switchSYNCHRO SCAN ADJUSTMENT buttons (+/–)
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35
4
Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
4-4 Selecting Audio Input Signals and Adjusting Recording 
Levels
In any format (DVCPRO50, DVCPRO or DV), the AJ-
SPC700P supports four-channel audio recording. 
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].
4-4-1 Selecting Audio Input Signals
The input signals to be recorded on Audio Channels 1 and 2
are selected with the AUDIO IN switch. For more
information, see [2-2 Audio (input) Function Section].
Your AJ-SPC700P 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  screen must be set to “4CH”
from the MAIN OPERATION page.

Audio Channels 1 and 2 always receive the signals selected
with the AUDIO IN CH1 and CH2 switches.  Specific audio settings are performed through the  and  screens, which are
accessible from the MAIN OPERATION page.
For more information, see [8-6 MAIN OPERATION].
During 4-channel recording, the same audio signals are
recorded onto Audio Channels 3 and 1, and Audio Channels
4 and 2. 
Attaching an IEEE1394 interface board (AJ-YAD800G,
optional accessory) and recording in the DVCPRO50 format
via the 1394 input enables independent audio signals to be
recorded onto each of four channels.
25M REC CH 
SEL
options Recording on CH3/4
DVCPRO50 format DV CPRO or
DV format
2CH Signals for Audio  Channel 3 are also 
recorded on Audio 
Channel 1, and 
signals for Audio 
Channel 4 are also 
recorded on Audio 
Channel 2. No recording is performed.
4CH Signals for Audio Channel 
3 are also recorded on 
Audio Channel 1, and 
signals for Audio Channel 4 
are also recorded on Audio 
Channel 2.
AUDIO LEVEL 
CH1/CH2 
controls
AUDIO SELECT 
CH1/CH2 switch
MONITOR CH1/3 
/ ST / CH2/4
selector switch
MONITOR SELECT 
CH1/2 / CH3/4
selector switchDisplay window
AUDIO IN CH1/CH2 
buttons
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Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
4-4-2 Adjusting Recording Levels
To adjust the recording levels for Audio Channels 1 and 2,
follow the steps below.
1Position the MONITOR SELECT  CH1/2 / CH3/4-
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. 
Whether to enable or disable the FRONT AUDIO
LEVEL control must be preset through menu options
FRONT VR CH1 and FRONT VR CH2. Note that this
control is factory-disabled.
The menu options are found in the MIC/AUDIO1
screen, which is accessible from the MAIN
OPERATION page.
2Position the AUDIO SELECT CH1/CH2 switch at
[MAN]. 
3While checking the audio channel level meter in the
display window or the audio level meter in 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. The adjustment made in such a way that the
maximum level will not reach the 0 dB bar. 
Audio level meter on the display window
Audio level meter in the viewfinder
When operating the AJ-SPC700P without a sound 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 AUDIO LEVEL control to adjust the appropriate
audio channel so that no excessive audio signals will be
admitted.
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4
Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
4-5 Setting Time Data
4-5-1 Setting the User Bits
The user bits allow information, including memos that use up
to eight-digit base 16 numbers (date and time), to be
recorded in the Subcode area.   
1Position the DISPLAY switch at [UB].
2Position the TCG switch at [SET].
When the left digit starts blinking you can change the
value. 
3Use CURSOR buttons to set the user bits.

 button: Shifts the target (blinking) digit to the right.

 button: Shifts the target (blinking) digit to the left.

 button: Advances the blinking number by one digit. 

button: Winds back the blinking number by one digit.
4Position the TCG at [F-RUN] or [R-RUN].
5Go to the  screen from the MAIN OPERATION
page, and set the menu option UB MODE to “USER”.

When the TCG switch is positioned at [SET],
thumbnails cannot be manipulated.
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.
Card continuity provided by the user bits
If the menu option UB MODE is set to “REGEN”, the AJ-
SPC700P reads the user bits in the last frame of the last clip
recorded on a  P2card (clip with the most recent recording
date and time), and records that bit onto the next card. Note
that settings for the user bits are not recorded.
The menu option UB MODE can be found in the 
screen, which is accessible from the MAIN OPERATION
page. 

The AJ-SPC700P also records the time code and user bits
in the VIDEO AUX area. The value for the time code (VITC)
is the same as that of the time code (LTC) in the sub-code
area. The user bits (of VITC) also records special
information, including the shoting frame rate.
CURSOR and SET buttons HOLD switch
Display 
window
DISPLAY switch
TCG switch
User bits of VITC







Camera shooting mode 600: 60i
Card management data
z
Frame update flag
z Recording start/stop 
mark
Verification 
information on 
the right-hand 
six digits 
Fixed value
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Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
4-5-2 Setting the Internal Clock’s Date  and Time
1Position the DISPLAY switch at [UB].
2Press the HOLD button to display a date in the display
window.
3Position the TCG switch at [SET].
4Use the CURSOR and SET buttons to set the year,
month and day (Y/M/D).
Note that any later than 2030 cannot be set.
5Press the HOLD button to display a time in the display
window.
6Use the CURSOR buttons to set the hour, minute and
second (h/min/s).
7Position the TCG switch at [F-RUN] or [R-RUN]. The
internal clock starts at the moment the switch position is
changed.
8Press the HOLD button to display a time zone (time
difference between local time and Greenwich Mean
Time) in the display window.
9Position the TCG switch at [SET].
10Use the   and   buttons to set the desired hours and
minutes ahead of (no sign) or behind (– sign) the
Greenwich Mean Time).
Example: If the local time is five hours behind
Greenwich Mean Time,
 set the time zone to “5:00 –”.
The time zone is always recorded, together with the
date and time, as metadata.
See the table at right to set the time zone according to
your local time. 
11Position the TCG switch at [F-RUN] or [R-RUN] to
accept the time zone.

z When using the camera-recorder for the first time, be
sure to perform this setting beforehand. Do not
change the setting during use of the camera-
recorder.
z When the TCG switch is positioned at [SET],
thumbnails cannot be manipulated.

zIn Step 4, if the TCG switch is positioned at [F-RUN] or [R-
RUN], this also activate the internal clock.
To cancel date, time and time zone settings in process,
hold down the SET button and position the TCG switch at
[F-RUN] or [R-RUN]. 
z Clock accuracy fluctuates between about 
± 30 seconds
per month when the power is turned off. If more accurate
timekeeping is required, check the time when the power is
turned on and, if necessary, reset the clock.
Time 
differenceAreaTime 
differenceArea
00:00 Greenwich – 00:30
– 01:00 Azores Islands – 01:30
– 02:00 Mid-Atlantic – 02:30
– 03:00 Buenos Aires – 03:30
Newfoundland Island
– 04:00 Halifax – 04:30
– 05:00 New York – 05:30
– 06:00 Chicago – 06:30
– 07:00 Denver – 07:30
– 08:00 Los Angeles – 08:30
– 09:00 Alaska – 09:30 Marquesas Islands
– 10:00 Hawaii – 10:30
– 11:00 Midway Island – 11:30
– 12:00 Kwajalein + 11:30 Norfolk Island
+ 13:00 + 10:30 Lord Howe Island
+ 12:00 New Zealand + 09:30 Darwin
+ 11:00 Solomon Islands + 08:30
+ 10:00 Guam + 07:30
+ 09:00 Tokyo + 06:30 Rangoon
+ 08:00 Beijing + 05:30 Bombay
+ 07:00 Bangkok + 04:30 Kabul
+ 06:00 Dacca + 03:30 Tehran
+ 05:00 Islamabad + 02:30
+ 04:00 Abu Dhabi + 01:30
+ 03:00 Moscow + 00:30
+ 02:00 Eastern Europe  + 12:45 Chatham Islands
+ 01:00 Central Europe
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4
Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
4-5-3 Setting the Time Code
1Position the DISPLAY switch at [TC].
2Position the TCG switch at [SET].
3Set the menu option TC MODE to “DF” or “NDF”. “DF”
steps the time code in drop frame mode, and “NDF”
steps it in non-drop frame mode. 
The menu option TC MODE can be found in the  screen, which is accessible from the MAIN
OPERATION page. 
4Use the CURSOR buttons to set the time code.
The time code setting range extends from 00:00:00:00
to 23:59:59:29.

 button: Shifts the target (blinking) digit to the right.

 button: Shifts the target (blinking) digit to the left.

 button: Advances the blinking number by one digit. 

button: Winds back the blinking number by one digit.
5Change the position of the TCG switch.
[F-RUN] steps the time code in free run mode, and [R-
RUN] set it in recording run mode. 

When the TCG switch is positioned at [SET],
thumbnails cannot be manipulated.
Regeneration of Time Code 
When the menu option FIRST REC TC is set to “REGEN”,
the AJ-SPC700P reads the time code recorded in the last
frame on the last recorded clip (with the most recent
recording date and time) to maintain and record that value.
The menu option FIRST REC TC can be found on the  screen, which is accessible from the MAIN
OPERATION page.

However, when a P2 card is inserted or removed or when
the recording target P2 card is changed using the SLOT SEL
function of the USER button, the time code is continuously
recorded on the clip most recently recorded on the target P2
card.  When there is no recorded clip, the time code is
recorded on the new recording target P2 card, from the
value generated by the TC generator built into the camera-
recorder.
Time code function during battery replacement
Even during battery replacement the backup mechanism
keeps the time code generator functioning for a considerable
time (about one year). 

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. 
4-5-4 Externally Locking the Time Code
The time code generator built into your AJ-SPC700P may be
locked with an external generator. It is also possible to lock
an external time code generator with the internal generator.
Connections for externally locking the time code 
(examples)
As illustrated, both the reference video signals and the time
code must be input. 
Example 1 Locking the time code with external signals
Example 2 Connecting two or more AJ-SPC700Ps with
one another, with one being used as the
reference device. 
GENLOCK IN
TC IN
Reference 
video signalReference 
time code
GENLOCK IN
TC IN
TC OUT
CAM OUT
GENLOCK IN
TC IN
TC OUT
CAM OUT
TC OUT
CAM OUT
Different camera Reference device
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40
Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for Recording (continued)
To externally lock the time code
Follow the steps below.
1Turn on the POWER switch.
2Position the TCG switch at [F-RUN].
3Position the DISPLAY switch at [TC].
4Set the menu option GENLOCK to “EXT”.
This option can be found in the  screen,
which is accessible from the SYSTEM SETTING page. 
5Supply a phase-relationship reference time code (that
conforms to the time code requirements) and reference
video signals to the TC IN and GENLOCK IN
connectors, respectively.
Now the built-in time code generator is locked with the
reference time code.
From about 10 seconds after locking the time code
generator stays locked even if the supply of external
reference time code is discontinued.

z When the time code generator is externally locked, the
time code instantly becomes locked with the external time
code, and the counter displays the external time code
value. Do not put the AJ-SPC700P in recording mode
before the sync generator stabilises.
z When the IEEE1394 interface board (AJ-YAD800G,
optional) is attached, it is not possible to synchronize with
the time code entered via the TC IN connector if “1394” is
selected for the menu option REC SIGNAL. The menu
option REC SIGNAL is found in the SYSTEM MODE
screen on the SYSTEM SETTING page.
Setting the user bits when the time code is 
externally locked 
When the time code is externally locked only time data is
locked with the time data of the external time code.
This means that the user bits may be set separately for each
camera-recorder.
When “EXT” is specified for the menu option UB MODE, the
user bits is also locked with the user bits of the external time
code.
The menu option UB MODE can be found in the 
screen, which is accessible from the MAIN OPERATION
page. 
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 pack, in order to keep the time
code generator energised. If the battery pack is removed
first, there is no guarantee that the time code will stay
externally locked.
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.

To externally lock the AJ-SPC700P, as the master device,
with more than one unit, the mode must be the same as that
of the camera. Note that in a system using both interlaced
and progressive scanning, there may be breaks in the video
and time code.
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