Panasonic Digital Video Camera Recorder AG-DVX100P Operating Instructions

							51
Screen displays
OWarning displays
UNPLAYABLE TAPE
(OTHER FORMAT)
The tape cannot be played back since it
has the wrong format.
COPY INHIBITED
Since the input signals are copy-guarded,
they cannot be recorded properly.
UNABLE TO A. DUB
(LP RECORDED)
Since the tape was recorded in the LP
mode, audio dubbing cannot be performed.
INCOMPATIBLE TAPE
Since the tape has different specifications
(it may be a data storage tape, for
instance), it cannot be used.
EXTERNAL
DV DISCONNECT
This appears when EXT has been selected
as the setting for the DV CONTROL item
on the setting menu OTHER FUNCTIONS
screen, and shooting has been performed
without an external component connected
to the DV connector.AUTO OFF
This appears when a problem has occurred in
the tape transport system.
When this display appears, the camera
recorder’s power is automatically turned off.
CYLINDER LOCK
LOADING LOCK
UNLOADING LOCK
T REEL LOCK(take-up reel lock)
S REEL LOCK(supply reel lock)
WARNING
This appears when a problem has occurred in
the camera system.
FOCUS LOCK
(problem with focus operation)
PSD NG
(problem with camera shake detection)
GYRO NG
(problem with camera shake
compensation control)
AI–PAUSE USER - 1DV
ALC
OTC 12:34:56:00 Z78
SP
24PA MF25
22222222222222MA C R O2222222222P 3.2 K22222222222222
2222222222222222F5 . 62 22218dBSPOT LOW L I GHTND1/641/123 . 4ND1/6402INDEX
AUG 3 1 2 0 2 3 : 5 9 : 5 9
48K22mi nCH1
CH2
O 
						

							52
Screen displays
PSearch number display
The index number used to perform the index
search appears here.  (S1 to S9)
QCamera shake compensation  display
When ON has been selected as the setting
for the CAMERA DATA item on the setting
menu DISPLAY SETUP screen,  is
displayed also during tape playback for the
camera data when images were shot in the
camera shake compensation mode.
RIris display
When ON has been selected as the setting
for the CAMERA DATA item on the setting
menu DISPLAY SETUP screen, the F-
number during shooting is displayed also
during tape playback as the camera data.
SGain display
When ON has been selected as the setting
for the CAMERA DATA item on the setting
menu DISPLAY SETUP screen, the gain
value during shooting is displayed also during
tape playback as the camera data.
TPlayback volume level meter display
When one of the AUDIO MON/VAR (+/–)
buttons is pressed, the playback volume level
meter is displayed.
F0517S1
TC 12:34:56:00
SP
F5 . 6
22222222222222
2222222222
22222222222222
2222222222222222
2 22218dB
48K22mi n 02 AUG 3 1 2 0 2 3 : 5 9 : 5 9CH1
CH2
R
P
Q
S
TVOLUME–??????––+
VCR mode 
						

							53
Screen displays
Display item MODE CHK button
ALL PARTIAL OFFOTHER DISPLAY item setting
Selecting the display
The items listed below which appear in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor are displayed by the
setting selected for the OTHER DISPLAY item (see page 45) of the setting menu DISPLAY SETUP
screen.
1Counter display≤== == ==
4Recording time mode display (SP or LP)≤≤k(Camera)
≤(VCR)k
6Auto iris control status display≤≤≤k
7Shutter speed display≤≤≤k
8Audio level meter display≤== == ==
:Scene filename display≤≤kk
;Progressive display≤≤kk
=Zoom position display≤== == ==
>AWB information display≤≤≤k
?Focus control information display≤== == ==
AIris display≤≤≤k
BGain display≤≤kk
CND filter display≤≤kk
DRecommended ND filter display≤≤≤k
EDate and time display≤== == ==
FRemaining battery charge display≤== == ==
GRemaining tape display≤== == ==
9Audio sampling frequency display≤≤k(Camera)
≤(VCR)k
HCamera shake compensation display≤≤≤k
LMic level automatic control display≤≤kk
NAUTO button operation display≤≤≤k
≤: Displayedk: Not displayed
==: Displayed by another setting 
						

							54
INT(L)
INPUT 1
INPUT 2CH 2 SELECT CH 1 SELECTINT(R)
INPUT 2
INPUT 1 INPUT 2
Connecting external components
$When connecting an audio component, set
the INPUT1 switch or INPUT2 switch to the
LINE position.
The input level is 0 dBu; the recording level
is adjusted using the AUDIO controls.
$When connecting an external microphone,
set the INPUT1 switch or INPUT2 switch to
the MIC position.
OSet the input level (–50 dBu and –60
dBu) using the MIC GAIN 1 and MIC
GAIN 2 items on the setting menu
RECORDING SETUP screen.
OWhen mounting an external microphone
on the microphone shoe of the camera
recorder, use the accessory microphone
holder and microphone holder adapter.OTo supply the signals from an external
microphone to CH1 and CH2, connect the
external microphone to the INPUT2 jack,
and set both the CH1 SELECT and CH2
SELECT switches to the INPUT2 position.
(See page 16)
$When an external component is to be
connected and its video and audio signals
are to be input to the camera recorder,
connect the camera recorder to the output
connectors on the external component.
$Conversely, when an external component is
to be connected and the video and audio
signals of the camera recorder are to be
input to the component, connect the camera
recorder to the input connectors on the
external component.
OIf video signals have been input to both the
S-VIDEO IN/OUT connector and VIDEO
IN/OUT connector, the signals of the S-
VIDEO IN/OUT connector take precedence.
OIt is not possible to record the audio signals
if video signals are not input to the S-VIDEO
IN/OUT connector or VIDEO IN/OUT
connector except when performing audio
dubbing.
$A digital video component equipped with a
DV connector can be connected, and its
video signals, audio signals and time code,
etc. can be transmitted digitally.
OWhen an IEEE 1394 cable has been
connected to the DV connector, do not
apply a strong load from outside.  Doing so
may damage the connector.
OBefore recording signals from an external
component, check that the video signals are
input.
OWhen signals from an external component
are being recorded, do not stop the signal
output at the external component side or
disconnect any of the cables.  It may not be
possible for the component to be recognized
when recording is resumed.
6 mm
(XSB4+6FZ)12 mm
(XSB4+12FZ)
Microphone
holder adapterMicrophone
holder 
						

							55
Shooting
Preparation and inspections
Before shooting, check that the camera recorder
is operating properly.  Also check that the
equipment is set up in a way that is suited to the
shooting conditions.
$Batteries
Have a fully charged battery ready.  It is also
recommended that a spare battery be kept on
hand as well.
$Cassette tapes
Check that the cassette tapes available can
be recorded on.
OCheck that they have not been set to the
accidental erasure prevention status.
OCheck that they do not contain valuable
video recordings.
OCheck that the cassette holder is closed
properly.
$Viewfinder
Check that the diopter adjustment has been
performed for the viewfinder.
$Zoom, focus and iris
OCheck whether the motor-driven zoom
operations and manual zoom operations
can be performed.
OCheck whether the auto focus and manual
focus operations can be performed.
OCheck whether the auto iris and manual iris
operations can be performed.
$Time data
OCheck whether the calendar and time are
correct.
OCheck whether the time code and user’s bit
have been set correctly.
$External components
OCheck whether the external components
connected are operating properly.
OCheck whether the external components
have been connected properly.
Regular shooting
Set the camera recorder’s POWER switch to
ON, and switch between shooting and shooting
pause using the START/STOP button.
When shooting from a low angle, the
START/STOP button on the handle can be used
to initiate shooting.
REC check
When the REC CHECK button is pressed in the
shooting pause mode, the picture and sound 2
seconds before the shooting was suspended
are played back, and the shooting pause mode
is then established again at the original position
on the tape.
OIf recording has not been performed for 1 or
more seconds, the rec check function cannot
be used.
OBear in mind that when a backup component
has been connected and used to record
backup images, the rec check images will be
recorded.
START/STOP button
REC CHECK button 
						

							56
Shooting
Face-to-face shooting
When the LCD monitor is opened and rotated
180 degrees toward the lens, and the person
operating the camera recorder records images
of himself or herself, the impression of the shot
images may appear to be different from usual.
If MIRROR is selected as the setting for the
SELFSHOOT item on the setting menu
DISPLAY SETUP screen, a left-right reversed
image appears on the LCD monitor, and the
person operating the camera recorder can shoot
images of himself or herself that appear as if he
or she is looking at himself or herself in the
mirror.
However, even when shooting images in the
mirror mode, the recorded images will be the
same as ones which have been shot regularly
as the images are not recorded as a mirror
reflection.
When shooting in the mirror mode, the
information which appears in the viewfinder and
on the LCD monitor is limited to the following
items:
O:Shooting
O
;:Shooting pause
:Remaining battery charge display
:Warning display
When  appears, return the LCD monitor to
its original position, and check the message
of the warning display.
Index recording
When the INDEX button is pressed during
shooting or recording, the index signal is
recorded on the tape.  
When it is pressed while shooting or recording
is temporarily stopped, the index signal is set to
the recording standby status.  When the
shooting or recording is then resumed, the index
signal is recorded on the tape at that time.
Searches (index searches) can be performed
during playback once the index signals have
been recorded.
Using the USER buttons
One of nine functions can be allocated to the
USER1 button and one can be allocated to the
USER2 button.
In accordance with the subject concerned, the
shooting conditions can be instantly selected or
fade effects can be added to the images.
For details, refer to the USER1 and USER2
items (page 41) on the setting menu SW MODE
screen.
Intermittent recording
There are two intermittent recording modes: the
mode in which images are shot at fixed
intervals, and the frame-by-frame shooting
mode.
1Set the shooting mode for intermittent
recording using the INTERVAL REC item on
the setting menu RECORDING SETUP
screen.  (See page 44)
OIf the progressive 24P mode or 24P (ADV)
mode has been established, the
INTERVAL REC item cannot be set.
2Set the recording time using the REC TIME
item.
3Set the standby time using the INTERVAL
TIME item.
4When the START/STOP button is pressed,
recording starts in the shooting mode for
intermittent recording.
5When the OPERATION lever is tilted in the
“$” direction, “I –” blinks, and intermittent
recording is set to the temporary stop status.
OWhile intermittent recording is in progress,
no other operations are accepted.
OWhile intermittent recording is in progress,
the remaining tape amount is not
displayed.
Even when the intermittent recording mode has
been set, it will be returned to OFF when the
power is turned off. 
						

							57
Shooting
Backup recording
The camera images of the camera recorder can
be recorded and their recording can be backed
up automatically on the external component
connected to the DV connector.
OSet the external component control method
using the DV CONTROL item and DV CMD
SEL item on the setting menu OTHER
FUNCTIONS screen.  (See page 46)Bear in mind the following points when
performing backup recording.
OThe menu item settings remain stored in
the memory even after the power has been
turned off.  Therefore, if the camera
recorder is used while the settings for
backup recording are still in place, the
images may be overwritten on the tape in
the connected component.
Upon completion of the backup recording,
check the menu item settings before
operating the camera recorder.
OIf another model AG-DVX100 is to be used
as the external component which will
perform the backup recording, select OFF
as the setting for the DV CONTROL item of
the external component, and set the
camera recorder to the VCR mode for use.
OWhen backup recording is to be performed,
operation may not proceed properly if two
or more external components are
connected.
OEnsure that the IEEE 1394 cable used for
the connection is not  more than 4.5 meters
long.
OBefore proceeding with backup recording,
establish the status in which the DV signals
can be recorded by the external
component.
OWhen the tape in the camera recorder is
approaching the end during shooting while
backup recording is being performed with
“CHAIN” selected as the setting for the DV
CONTROL item (page 46), recording is
automatically started by the back-up
component which has been set to the
recording standby mode. 
						

							58
Shooting
When editing images using the conventional
24P [2:3] conversion system, the images of
different frames are expanded for the [BoCe]
[CoDe] [FoGe] [GoHe] frames in the figure,
causing the picture quality to further deteriorate.
Under the 24P advanced conversion system,
images with minimal picture quality deterioration
in the 24P mode can be obtained by weeding
out the [BoCe] [FoGe] frames in the figure.
Furthermore, when an editing system that
supports the advanced conversion system is
used, editing can be performed with minimal
picture quality deterioration compared with the
24P mode.
OWhen an editing system that supports the
advanced conversion system is not going to
be used, shoot in the regular 24P mode.Progressive shooting
The progressive mode can be selected using
the PROGRESSIVE item (see page 39) of the
setting menu SCENE FILE screen.
30P mode:
Images are shot in the progressive mode at
30 frames per second.
The 30 frames per second images are
converted into 60-field interlace signals, and
the resulting video signals are output or
recorded.
Shift-free, high-quality still pictures can be
obtained in this mode.
24P mode:
Images are shot in the progressive mode at
24 frames per second.
The 24 frames per second images are
converted into 60-field interlace signals using
the regular [2:3] conversion system, and the
resulting video signals are output or recorded.
Cinema-like images can be obtained in this
mode.
24P advance mode:
Images are shot in the progressive mode at
24 frames per second.
The 24 frames per second images are
converted into 60-field interlace signals by the
advanced conversion system, and the
resulting video signals are output or recorded.
60 i
ABCDEFGH24 PA
Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co Ce Do De Eo Ee Fo Fe Fo GeGoGe Ho He
60 i 24 P
ABCDEFGH
Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co De Do De Eo Ee Fo Fe Fo GeGo He Ho He
60 iAo Ae Bo Be Co Ce Do De Eo Ee Fo Fe GoGe Ho He Io Ie Jo Je
30 PABCDEFGH I J
Bear in mind the following points when
shooting in any of the progressive modes.
OThe color bars cannot be displayed.
OThe gain cannot be controlled.  The gain
value is controlled using a fixed value.
OThe auto focus cannot be controlled.
OWhen the progressive mode has been
selected, the sync signals of the images are
temporarily disturbed.
Furthermore, no images are output for
approximately 3 seconds.
OA shutter speed setting of 1/50 (OFF) or
1/60 is recommended.
OSince the images are recorded in 5-frame
increments when shooting in the 24P mode
or 24P advance mode, the timing at which
recording starts may be delayed slightly.
OWhen shooting in the progressive mode
using the ATW (Auto Tracking White)
function, it will not be possible to adjust the
black balance even by pressing the AWB
button. 
						

							59
Playback
Normal playback
Set the POWER switch to ON, and press the
CAMERA/VCR button to switch to the VCR
mode.
Normal playback operations can be performed
using the OPERATION lever or accessory
wireless remote control unit.
Tape blank search
By pressing the END SEARCH button in the
VCR mode, it is possible to search for
unrecorded parts on the tape or the part which
was shot last.  For details, refer to the section
on the END SEARCH button (page 11).
Index search
This function is used to search the index signals
recorded on the tape.  An index search can be
performed using the accessory wireless remote
control unit.
ODuring tape playback, press the INDEX
button (9or :) on the wireless remote
control unit.
“S1” appears in the viewfinder and on the
LCD monitor, and the search for the next
scene is started.
OTo stop the search at any time, press the
STOP ($) button.
OEach time the INDEX button is pressed after
the search operation has commenced, “S2”
“S3” are displayed, and the second or any
subsequent scene can be searched.  When a
scene is located, playback commences from
that part of the tape.  (Any scene up to the
ninth in the reverse or forward direction from
the present position of the tape can be
specified.)
The index search function may not operate
smoothly if any of the intervals between one
index and the next are less than one minute.
Variable speed search
This function changes the playback speed to
locate scenes.
OWhen the OPERATION lever is tilted in the 1
direction during tape playback, the variable
search mode is established, “1a” appears in
the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor, and
the tape is played back at the 1aspeed.  No
sound is played back at this time.
OThe playback speed changes when the
AUDIO MON/VAR button is pressed.  Each
time the button is pressed, the playback
speed changes by one setting in the following
sequence: 1/5a(or 1/3ain the LP mode),
1a, 2a, 5a, 10aand 20a.
OThe speed is varied in the forward direction
using the “+” button; conversely it is varied in
the reverse direction using the “–” button.
OWhen the remote control is used, pressing
the VAR.SEARCH button establishes the
variable speed search mode, and the
playback direction and playback speed are
changed using the “V” and “B” buttons
among the SET buttons.
OTo return to normal playback, tilt the
OPERATION lever in the 1direction.
MENU
PUSH-SET
1
5
∫ 63
4 ;
OPERATION lever
END SEARCH button
Tape protection mode
When the camera recorder remains in the
playback pause or recording pause mode for
more than 5 minutes, it is automatically set to
the stop mode in order to protect the tape.
However, if it remains in the playback pause
mode when the temperature is low, the stop
mode may be established sooner. 
						

							60
Condensation
How to tell when condensation has formed
inside and what to do about it
If, after the camera recorder’s power has been
turned on, the  condensation display symbol
flashes, it means that condensation has formed
inside the camera recorder.  If this happens, the
power will be automatically turned off after
several seconds.
Take the following action.
1Remove the cassette.
No other functions will work.  Depending on
the degree of condensation, it may not be
possible to eject the cassette, either.  In this
case, wait two or three hours, and then try
ejecting the cassette.
2Wait two or three hours with the cassette
holder open.
The wait time differs depending on the
degree of condensation and the ambient
temperature.3After two or three hours have elapsed,
turn on the power, and check whether the
condensation display has gone off.
Even if the condensation display has gone
off, wait another hour to be on the safe side
before attempting to operate the camera
recorder.
Bear in mind that condensation may be
forming before the condensation display
comes on.
OCondensation forms gradually so that the
condensation display may not appear for the
first 10 to 15 minutes after it has started to
form inside.
OIn very cold climates, condensation may
freeze and turn into frost.  In this case, it will
take two or three hours for the frost to melt
and become condensation again.
Video heads
If the video heads are dirty, mosaic-type noise
may occur in some areas or the whole image
may turn blue when playing back a tape.
If the dirt accumulates, the recording capability
will deteriorate, and in the end it will not be
possible to record.
Causes of dirty heads
OHigh concentrations of dust in the
atmosphere
OEnvironments which are very hot and very
humid
OTape damage
OProlonged operation
Using the cleaning cassette tape (accessory)
1Insert the cleaning tape in the camera
recorder, and set the POWER switch to
ON.
2Press the CAMERA/VCR button, and
check that the VCR lamp has lighted.
3Tilt the OPERATION lever in the 1
direction, and allow 10 seconds to pass
before tilting it in the $direction.
(Do not rewind the tape at this point.)
4Remove the cleaning tape, proceed with a
test recording and playback using another
tape, and check the images.5If the images are not clear, repeat steps 1
to 4.
(Do not run the cleaning tape continuously
more than 4 times.)
ODo not rewind the cleaning tape at any
interim point.  At the end of the tape, rewind
it, and use it again from the start.
OIf the heads are still dirty even after cleaning,
it may mean that the tape itself has
deteriorated so stop using it immediately.
OOveruse of the cleaning tape causes head
wear.  If the heads are worn, clear pictures
will not be played back even immediately
after the heads have been cleaned.
OIf the cleanliness of the heads is not improved
by the cleaning tape, the camera recorder
must be cleaned and/or repaired by your local
dealer.  Consult with your dealer.
Regular inspections
In order to view clean and clear images, it is
recommended that the video heads and other
worn parts be replaced after they have been
used for about 1,000 hours  (This period will
vary significantly depending on the temperature,
humidity, dust and other conditions in the
operating environment.)