Panasonic Digital Video Camera Recorder AG-DVC30P Operating Instructions

							31
PREPARATION
Time data (cont.)
By setting the user’s bit, you can store 8-digit
information (such as the date and time) in the
hexadecimal format on the tape’s sub code
track.
The user’s bit settings are automatically saved
in the memory and retained even after the
power has been turned off.
3Turn the multi dial to move to the UB
PRESET item.
5The screen shown below appears. Set the
user’s bit using the multi dial.
Turn the multi dial and select the user’s bit
characters.
ONumbers from 0 to 9 and letters from A to
F can be used as the characters that
make up the user’s bit.
Press the multi dial to move to the next digit.
Setting the user’s bit
1Set the POWER lever to the ON position.
OFFONMODE
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
SHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
RECORDING SETUP RECORDING SETUP
FIRST REC TC  REGEN
TC PRESET     ––––
UB MODE UB MODE       USER  TIME        USER  TIME
              DATE  TCG               DATE  TCG
UB PRESET     ––––
ONE–SHOT REC  OFF
REC TIME      0.5S
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURN
PB)
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
RECORDING SETUP RECORDING SETUP
FIRST REC TC  REGEN
TC PRESET     ––––
UB MODE       USER
UB PRESET UB PRESET           –––– ––––  YES   YES
ONE–SHOT REC  OFF
REC TIME      0.5S
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURNSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
4Press the multi dial to move 
1to “YES.”
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
RECORDING SETUP RECORDING SETUP
FIRST REC TC  REGEN
TC PRESET     ––––
UB MODE       USER
UB PRESET UB PRESET           –––– ––––  YES   YES
ONE–SHOT REC  OFF
REC TIME      0.5S
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURNSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
UB PRESET UB PRESET
     F 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURNSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
UB PRESET UB PRESET
     F 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURNSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
UB PRESET UB PRESET
     0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURN
2Use the menus (P68-P71)to select “USER”
as the UB MODE item setting on the
RECORDING SETUP screen. 
						

							32
Time data (cont.)
7The screen shown below appears. Turn the
multi dial to select “YES.”
8The user’s bit is entered when the multi dial
is pressed.
Setting the user’s bit
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
UB PRESET UB PRESET
  PRESET OK?
    NO NO  –––  PUSH JOG
    YES –––  PUSH JOGSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
UB PRESET UB PRESET
  PRESET OK?
    NO  –––  PUSH JOG
    YES YES ––– –––  PUSH JOG   PUSH JOGSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
6Press the MENU button when you finish
setting the user’s bit.
SELECT
STORE
OFF/ONP.B.DIGITAL
VAR.
SEARCHPB.
ZOOM
MENU
SET
ITEMMENU
9Press the MENU button twice to exit the
menu mode.
SELECT
STORE
OFF/ONP.B.DIGITAL
VAR.
SEARCHPB.
ZOOM
MENU
SET
ITEMMENU
If the RESET button (counter) is pressed
when the user’s bit has been set, the user’s
bit is cleared to zero.
OSD
COUNTERRESET TITLE
VOL +MULTI/
P-IN-PREC A.DUBZOOM DATE/
TIMEPHOTO
SHOTSTART/
STOP
SEARCH
RESET
SEARCHDIGITAL ZOOM
REC
COUNTER RESET MODE CHK ZEBRA OIS
PHOTO SHOTBARS
MANUAL AUTO 
						

							33
PREPARATION
Perform the settings related to the time code
using the items below on the RECORDING
SETUP screen. (P76, P77)
OTCG
OFIRST REC TC
OTC PRESET 
O1394 TC REGEN(the menu items appear in
the VCR mode)OIn the VCR mode, the settings of the items
listed here cannot be changed if “ON” has
been selected as the 1394 TC REGEN item
setting.
Time data (cont.)
Setting the time code
Specifying the time code
1Set the POWER lever to the ON position.
OFFONMODE
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
SHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
RECORDING SETUP RECORDING SETUP
FIRST REC TC FIRST REC TC  REGEN   REGEN
              PRESET PRESET
TC PRESET     ––––
UB MODE       USER
              DATE  TCG               DATE  TCG
UB PRESET     ––––
ONE–SHOT REC  OFF
REC TIME      0.5S
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURN
2Use the menus (P68-P71)to select
“PRESET” as the FIRST REC TC item
setting on the RECORDING SETUP screen. You can record a value of your choice as the
initial setting for the time code to be used at the
start of recording.
3Turn the multi dial to move to the TC
PRESET item.
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
RECORDING SETUP RECORDING SETUP
FIRST REC TC  PRESET
TC PRESET TC PRESET           –––– ––––  YES   YES
UB MODE       USER
UB PRESET     –––– 
ONE–SHOT REC  OFF
REC TIME      0.5S
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURNSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
4Press the multi dial to move 
1to “YES.”
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
RECORDING SETUP RECORDING SETUP
FIRST REC TC  PRESET
TC PRESET TC PRESET           –––– ––––  YES   YES
UB MODE       USER
UB PRESET     –––– 
ONE–SHOT REC  OFF
REC TIME      0.5S
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURNSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
5The screen shown below appears. Use the
multi dial to set the time code.
Turn the multi dial to specify the time code.
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
TC PRESET TC PRESET
      10h00m00s00f
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURNSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
TC PRESET TC PRESET
      00h00m00s00f
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURN 
						

							34
Time data (cont.)
Specifying the time code
Press the multi dial to move to the next digit.
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
TC PRESET TC PRESET
      10h00m00s00f
PUSH MENU TO RETURN PUSH MENU TO RETURNSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
If the RESET button (counter) is pressed
when the time code has been set, the time
code is cleared to zero.
OSD
COUNTERRESET TITLE
VOL +MULTI/
P-IN-PREC A.DUBZOOM DATE/
TIMEPHOTO
SHOTSTART/
STOP
SEARCH
RESET
SEARCHDIGITAL ZOOM
REC
COUNTER RESET MODE CHK ZEBRA OIS
PHOTO SHOTBARS
MANUAL AUTO
7The screen shown below appears.  Turn the
multi dial to select “YES.”
8The time code is entered when the multi dial
is pressed.
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
TC PRESET TC PRESET
  PRESET OK?
    NO NO  –––  PUSH JOG
    YES –––  PUSH JOGSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
PB.
ZOOMMENU
SET
ITEM
TC PRESET TC PRESET
  PRESET OK?
    NO  –––  PUSH JOG
    YES YES ––– –––  PUSH JOG   PUSH JOGSHUTTER/IRIS
VOL/JOG
PUSH
6Press the MENU button when you finish
setting the time code.
SELECT
STORE
OFF/ONP.B.DIGITAL
VAR.
SEARCHPB.
ZOOM
MENU
SET
ITEMMENU
9Press the MENU button two times to exit the
menu mode.
SELECT
STORE
OFF/ONP.B.DIGITAL
VAR.
SEARCHPB.
ZOOM
MENU
SET
ITEMMENU 
						

							35
SHOOTING
Regular shooting
Before shooting, check that the camera-
recorder is operating properly.
Check the equipment as warranted by the
shooting conditions.
$Battery (P23)
Have a fully charged battery ready.
We also recommend that you keep a spare
battery on hand.
$Cassette tape (P13, P18)
Check that the cassette tape can be used for
recording:
OIs the cassette’s accidental erasure
prevention tab not set to the SAVE
position?
OIs there not already any important material
on the tape?
OIs the cassette cover closed securely?
$Viewfinder (P26)
Check whether the viewfinder’s diopter
adjustment has been made.
$Zoom/focus/iris
OCheck that motor-driven zooming is
possible. (P36)
OCheck that the focusing can be performed
both automatically and manually. (P42)
OCheck that the lens iris operations can be
performed automatically and manually.
(P44)
$Time data (P29-P34)
OCheck that the calendar and time have
been set correctly.
OCheck that the time code and user’s bit
have been set correctly.
Preparation and inspections
1Set the AUTO/MANUAL selector switch to
the AUTO position.
2Squeeze both sides of the lens cap and
remove it.
3Look through the viewfinder and check what
you want to shoot.
4Shooting starts when you press the
START/STOP (red) button on the POWER
lever.
Press this button again to pause shooting
(shooting pause mode).
Shooting
3
4OFFONMODE
OSDCOUNTERRESET TITLE
VOL +MULTI/
P-IN-PREC A.DUBZOOM DATE/
TIMEPHOTO
SHOTSTART/
STOP
Viewfinder
1
MANUAL AUTO
2
The following items are adjusted automatically in the
auto mode.
OFocusing
OShutter speed
OIrisOGain
OWhite balance 
						

							The digital zoom function is made operational
by pressing the DIGITAL ZOOM button in the
shooting pause mode.
When “k24” is selected as the D.ZOOM item
(P76)setting on the SW MODE screen, the
digital zoom function works at the following
magnification levels each time this button is
pressed: k1.25 5k1.5 5k1 (OFF).  Zooming
at a maximum level of k24 is possible at this
setting.
If, on the other hand, “k160” is selected as the
item’s setting, the digital zoom function works at
the following magnification levels each time this
button is pressed: k2 5k5 5k10 5k1
(OFF).  Zooming at a maximum level of k160 is
possible at this setting.
The zoom position is displayed at all times at
the top right of the screen, and the magnification
level of the digital zoom also appears when the
digital zoom function is working. (P65)
OThe magnification level cannot be changed
during shooting.
OWhen shooting with the digital zoom function,
you cannot obtain the same image quality as
you can with normal (optical) zooming.
When “ZOOM” has been selected as the
FOCUS RING item setting on the SW MODE
screen using the menus (P68-P71), zooming
operations can be performed using the focus
ring but only when shooting in the auto focus
mode. (P76)
36
Shooting techniques for different targets
DIGITAL ZOOM
For shooting at a low angle, you can attach the
accessory handle (P16)and use the
START/STOP button on the lens.
The recording operation of this button can be
set using the FRONT S/S INHIBIT item on the
SW MODE screen. (P76)
To check what you have shot straight away,
conduct a rec check (P14).
To find specific scenes among the ones that you
have shot so far, conduct an image search while
the shooting pause mode is established.
Image search comes in handy when you want to
continue shooting from a particular scene you
have found (shooting with frame-to-frame
continuity).
START/STOP button
(on lens)
Low-angle shooting
This camera-recorder comes with a k16 optical
zoom. Press the ZOOM buttons gently for slow
zooming; press them more forcefully for fast
zooming.
The zoom speed resulting when the buttons are
pressed gently can be set using the ZOOM
MODE item (P76)on the SW MODE screen.
Zoom functions
1In the shooting pause mode, hold down the
5or 
6button.
While the button is held down, the tape is
played back in the forward or reverse
direction.
SEARCH
RESET
SEARCHDIGITAL ZOOM
REC
COUNTER RESET MODE CHK ZEBRA OIS
PHOTO SHOTBARS
MANUAL AUTO
STILL ADVPAUSESTILL ADV
INDEX
SELECT
– VOL +
STOP INDEX
MULTI/
P-IN-PREC A.DUB
PLAYC/REW FF/ B
2When you have found the scene you are
looking for, release the button.
Upon completion of the image search,
operation returns to the shooting pause
mode.
Searching specific scenes
(image search)
W button
(for zooming out)
DIGITAL ZOOM
button T button
(for zooming in) 
Focus ring 
						

							IR
SUPER_IR
COLOR_NSLighted
Off
1/60 sec.
1/4 sec.Black and
white
Color
High-sensitivity
shooting modeShutter
speed IR lightRecorded
image
37
SHOOTING
Shooting techniques for different targets (cont.)
Self-portrait shooting
When the LCD monitor is opened and turned
180 degrees toward the lens to take shots of
yourself, the images shot may appear differently
from how you would normally.
When “MIRROR” has been selected as the
SELF SHOOT item setting on the DISPLAY
SETUP screen using the menus (P68-P71), an
image with the left and right sides reversed will
appear on the LCD monitor. This way, it feels as
if you were looking at yourself in a mirror, which
makes it easier to check what you are shooting.
(P79)
However, even if you take self-portrait shots in
the mirror mode, the images recorded on the
tape will be exactly like the ones you would
normally shoot (i.e. not mirror images).
When shooting in the mirror mode, the
information displayed on the viewfinder and
LCD monitor is limited to the following.
¥: Shooting
¥
;: Shooting pause
: Remaining battery charge 
: Warning 
If  is displayed, return the LCD monitor to its
original position, and check the contents of the
warning.
Recording the time stamp
By selecting “REC” as the TIME STAMP setting
on the RECORDING SETUP screen using the
menus (P68-P71), the shooting date and time
can be superimposed on the images shot and
recorded on the tape. (P76)
When “REC” is selected as the TIME STAMP
item setting,  appears on the screen.
R
OThe time stamp cannot be recorded when
“k160” has been selected as the D.ZOOM
item setting on the SW MODE screen. (P76)
OWhen the audio level is adjusted (P47, P48)
during actual shooting, the time stamp
recording will be suspended while the
adjustments are being made.
High-sensitivity shooting (SNS)
This camera-recorder comes with a high-
sensitivity shooting function to enable shooting
in very dark places.
You can shoot scenes in three high-sensitivity
shooting modes, which you could not capture
using a regular camera, by combining the light
in the infrared ray region (IR light) with the
shutter speed.
Press the SNS button for high-sensitivity
shooting.
Switch back to regular shooting by pressing the
SNS button again.
The high-sensitivity shooting modes are
selected using the SNS item on the SW MODE
screen. (P76)
OHigh-sensitivity shooting cannot be
performed during regular shooting even by
pressing the SNS button.  Temporarily stop
shooting first, and then press the SNS
button.
Infrared lightSNS button Lens hood
SNS:Super Night Shooting system 
						

							If you are going to hold the camera to shoot,
you can use the vibration reduction function to
achieve shooting with minimal vibration (camera
shake).
appears on the screen when this function is
working.
To release the function, press the OIS (Optical
Image Stabilizer) button. When the OIS button
is pressed again, the function is reactivated.
If you use a tripod, you can obtain natural
images by shooting with the vibration reduction
function released.
Vibration reduction function
SEARCH
RESET
SEARCHDIGITAL ZOOM
REC
COUNTER RESET MODE CHK ZEBRA OIS
PHOTO SHOTBARS
MANUAL AUTO
OIt may not be possible to reduce the vibration
at such times when the vibration is severe or
when a moving subject is being tracked and
shot at the same time.
OThe vibration reduction function may not
work properly when the digital zoom function
is working.
38
Shooting techniques for different targets (cont.)
Wind noise reduction
When “ON” has been selected as the WIND
CUT item setting on the RECORDING SETUP
screen using the menus (P68-P71), the noise
created by wind blowing into the microphone on
very windy days can be reduced. (P76)
When the wind noise reduction is activated,
WIND CUT appears on the screen.
OThe wind noise reduction function works for
both the internal microphone and external
microphone.
OIf there is any bass sound, some of it may be
reduced along with the wind noise.
Movie-like shooting
When “4. MOVIE-LIKE” has been selected as
the SCENE FILE item setting on the SCENE
FILE screen using the menus (P68-P71), you
can shoot movie-like images. (P73) When SUPER_IR or COLOR_NS has been
selected as the high-sensitivity shooting
mode, images are shot with the CCD taking
about 16 times more time than usual to
accumulate the signals.
As a result, very small brilliant points that are
not usually visible may be recorded as the
images: this is normal and does not indicate
an error or malfunctioning.
OThe aperture (IRIS) cannot be adjusted with
the multi dial in the IR and SUPER_IR
modes; however, both the aperture and gain
can be adjusted in the COLOR_NS mode.
(P44)
OYou can change the lighting control of the IR
light using the IR LED item on the OTHER
FUNCTIONS screen. (P80)
ODo not look directly at the IR light when it is
on.
ODo not cover the IR light with your hand or
anything else.
OWhen using the camera-recorder’s IR light,
remove the lens hood before you start to
shoot. (P18)
OFor shooting at an even higher sensitivity, we
recommend that you use the optional IR light
(AG-YRL30G).
OPerforming high-sensitivity shooting may give
rise to such problems as after-image, a
deterioration in the image quality and
difficulties in focusing. 
						

							39
SHOOTING
Shooting techniques for different targets (cont.)
Photo shots
You can record still pictures on tape just as if
you were taking snapshots with an ordinary
camera.
When the PHOTO SHOT button is pressed in
the shooting pause mode, a still picture lasting
for about 7 seconds is recorded.
Once the still picture has been recorded, the
camera-recorder is set to the shooting pause
mode.
A photo index for images recorded using the
photo shot function is created, enabling you to
perform a photo index search when the tape is
played back to find any still pictures you have
recorded. (P53) 
OWhile shooting is in progress, still pictures
cannot be recorded even when the PHOTO
SHOT button is pressed.
Zebra pattern
When the ZEBRA button is pressed, parts that
may be whitened out due to overexposure can
be displayed in stripes.
OParts that are extremely bright
OParts that reflect a lot of light
By adjusting the iris and shutter speed in the
manual mode to remove the areas with zebra
patterns, you can obtain images with minimal
whitened-out areas.
You can set the brightness level at which the
zebra patterns are to be displayed by using the
menus (P68-P71)and the ZEBRA DETECT
item on the DISPLAY SETUP screen. (P78)
The markers are displayed when the ZEBRA
button is pressed again.
Color bars
When the BARS button is pressed during
shooting or in the shooting pause mode, color
bars (complying with the SMPTE standard),
which come in handy for adjusting the picture
quality of TV and external monitor images, can
be displayed.
When the BARS button is pressed again, the
original image is restored.
When the ID information in the ID SET item on
the RECORDING SETUP screen have been set
using the menus (P68-P71), the ID information
will be displayed on the screen along with the
color bars. (P76)
If the START/STOP button is now pressed, the
images with ID information superimposed onto
the color bars can be recorded on a tape.
SEARCH
RESET
SEARCHDIGITAL ZOOM
REC
COUNTER RESET MODE CHK ZEBRA OIS
PHOTO SHOTBARS
MANUAL AUTO
OSD
COUNTERRESET TITLE
VOL +MULTI/
P-IN-PREC A.DUBZOOM DATE/
TIMEPHOTO
SHOTSTART/
STOP
SEARCH
RESET
SEARCHDIGITAL ZOOM
REC
COUNTER RESET MODE CHK ZEBRA OIS
PHOTO SHOTBARS
MANUAL AUTO
SEARCH
RESET
SEARCHDIGITAL ZOOM
REC
COUNTER RESET MODE CHK ZEBRA OIS
PHOTO SHOTBARS
MANUAL AUTO
Markers
When the ZEBRA button is pressed again while
zebra patterns are displayed, markers will
appear at the center of the screen.
When these markers are displayed, the video
level is indicated at the bottom left of the screen.
The video level is displayed as a percentage
from 0 to 99, and “99:” appears when the level
exceeds 99.
The regular screen is restored when the ZEBRA
button is pressed again.
OThe video level and video level detection
area will not be displayed when the digital
zooming is performed. (P36) OThe color bars will not be displayed when the
digital zooming is performed. (P36)
99
Video level detection area
Video levelMarkers 
						

							40
Shooting techniques for different targets (cont.)
Frame-by-frame shooting
When “ON” has been selected as the ONE-
SHOT REC item setting on the RECORDING
SETUP screen using the menus (P68-P71),
frame-by-frame shooting can be performed.
(P77)
The number of seconds for the shooting is set
using the REC TIME item on the same screen.
When the START/STOP button is pressed,
shooting is initiated for the number of seconds
set, and then the shooting pause mode is
established.
OWhen the frame-by-frame shooting mode is
set, an asterisk (2) at the left of the VCR’s
operating mode on the screen blinks. When
recording is started, the asterisk stops
blinking and lights.
OEven if the frame-by-frame shooting mode
has been set, it is cancelled when the power
is turned OFF.
Ao Ae Bo Be Co Ce Do De Eo Ee Fo Fe GoGe Ho He Io Ie Jo Je
ABCDEFGH I J
Field and frame shooting
This camera-recorder normally shoots scenes
using field recording (60 fields per second).
When “FRAME” has been selected as the REC
MODE setting for the SETTING item on the
SCENE FILE screen using the menus (P68-
P71), scenes can be shot using frame recording
(30 frames per second). (P73)
When playing back still pictures, high-quality
images can be obtained.
OIf normal (moving image) playback is
performed, the images will appear jerky.
When you are going to shoot scenes using
frame recording, we recommend that you set
the shutter speed to 1/60. (P43)
Field recording
Frame recording
Changing the image size
This camera-recorder allows you to change the
size (aspect ratio) of the images recorded on
tape.
Use the menus (P68-P71)to select the desired
setting for the ASPECT CONV item on the
CAMERA SETUP screen. (P73)
NORMAL:
Images are recorded with the standard 4:3
aspect ratio.
LETTER BOX:
Images are recorded with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Black bands are recorded at the top and
bottom of the screen.
SQUEEZE:
The camera images are squeezed
horizontally and recorded. When images
recorded in this mode are played back on a
TV monitor that supports the wide screen
format, they are displayed with the 16:9
aspect ratio.
When SQUEEZE has been selected as the
item’s setting, “SQU” is displayed on the
screen.
OWhen the mode is switched to SQUEEZE,
the screen image may be disrupted for an
instant. This is not a sign of
malfunctioning.
OThe image quality may deteriorate when
images recorded at the SQUEEZE setting
are played back.