Panasonic Hc V550 Owners Manual

							Owner’s Manual
High Definition Video Camera
Model No.HC-V550
HC-V250
Please read these instructions carefully before using this product,
and save this manual for future use.
SQT0016
until 
2014/1/24
Register online at www.panasonic.com/register (U.S. customers only) 
						

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∫
About the recording format for 
recording motion pictures
You can select from AVCHD*1, MP4 or iFrame 
recording formats to record motion pictures 
using this unit.
 ( l 69)
*1 It is compatible with the AVCHD  Progressive (1080/60p).
AVCHD:
It is suitable for viewing on a high-definition TV 
or for saving to disc
*2.
*2 The following methods are available for 
saving an image recorded in 1080/60p:
j Copy the image to a disc using the 
supplied software HD Writer LE 2.1.
j Copy the image to a Panasonic Blu-ray 
disc recorder that supports AVCHD 
Progressive.
≥ Blu-ray recorders are not sold in US.
MP4:
This is a recording format suitable for playing 
back or editing on a PC.
≥ It is not compatible with motion pictures 
recorded in AVCHD format.
iFrame:
This is a recording format suitable for playing 
back or editing on a Mac (iMovie etc.).
≥ It is not compatible with motion pictures 
recorded in AVCHD format.
∫ Indemnity about recorded 
content
Panasonic does not accept any responsibility 
for damages directly or indirectly due to any 
type of problems that result in loss of recording 
or edited content, and does not guarantee any 
content if recording or editing does not work 
properly. Likewise, the above also applies in a 
case where any type of repair is made to the 
unit.
∫About Condensation (When 
the lens or the LCD monitor is 
fogged up)
Condensation occurs when there is a change in 
temperature or humidity, such as when the unit 
is taken from outside or a cold room to a warm 
room. Please be careful, as it may cause the 
lens or LCD monitor to become soiled, moldy, 
or damaged.
When taking the unit to a place which has a 
different temperature, if the unit is accustomed 
to the room temperature of the destination for 
about one hour, condensation can be 
prevented. (When the difference in temperature 
is severe, place the unit in a plastic bag or the 
like, remove air from the bag, and seal the bag.)
When condensation has occurred, remove the 
battery and/or the AC adapter and leave the 
unit like that for about one hour. When the unit 
becomes accustomed to the surrounding 
temperature, fogginess will disappear naturally.
∫Cards that you can use with 
this unit
SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card and 
SDXC Memory Card
≥4 GB or more Memory Cards that do not have 
the SDHC logo or 48 GB or more Memory 
Cards that do not have the SDXC logo are 
not based on SD Memory Card 
Specifications.
≥ Refer to page 14  for more details on SD 
cards.
Read this first 
						

							- 3 -
∫
For the purposes of this 
owner’s manual
≥SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card and 
SDXC Memory Card are referred to as the 
“SD card”.
≥ The smartphone and tablet are indicated as 
“smartphone”.
≥ Function that can be used for Motion Picture 
Recording Mode: 
Function that can be used for Still Picture 
Recording Mode: 
≥ Function that can be used for the Playback 
Mode: 
Function that can be used for the Playback 
Mode (motion pictures only): 
Function that can be used for the Playback 
Mode (still pictures only): 
≥ Scene(s) recorded in the recording format 
[AVCHD]: “AVCHD scene(s)”
≥ Scene(s) recorded in the recording format 
[MP4/iFrame], scene(s) saved in 
MP4 (Low Quality): “MP4/iFrame scene(s)”
≥ Pages for reference are indicated by an 
arrow, for example:  l00
This owners manual is designed for use with 
models   and  . Pictures 
may be slightly different from the original.
≥ The illustrations used in this owners manual 
show model  , however, parts of 
the explanation refer to different models.
≥ Depending on the model, some functions 
are not available.
≥  and   are equipped 
with the Wi-Fi
® function.
≥ Features may vary, so please read carefully.
≥ Not all models may be available depending 
on the region of purchase.
HC-V550HC-V250
HC-V550
HC-V550HC-V250 
						

							- 4 -
Read this first ................................................. 2
Preparation
Names and Functions of Main Parts ............ 6
Power supply................................................ 10Inserting/removing the battery ...............  10
Charging the battery ..............................  11
Charging and recording time .................  12
Recording to a card ..................................... 14 Cards that you can use with this unit .....  14
Inserting/removing an SD card ..............  15
Turning the unit on/off ................................. 16
Selecting a mode ......................................... 17 Switching this unit between Recording 
Mode and Playback Mode .....................  17
Switching this unit between 
Motion Picture Recording Mode and 
Still Picture Recording Mode .................  17
How to use the touch screen ...................... 18 About the Touch Menu...........................  19
Setting date and time................................... 20
Basic
Before recording .......................................... 21
Recording motion pictures ......................... 22
Recording still pictures ............................... 24 Recording still pictures in 
Motion Picture Recording Mode ............  25
Motion picture/Still picture playback ......... 26
Using the menu screen ............................... 29
Using the Setup Menu ................................. 30
Advanced (Recording)
Using the zoom ............................................ 40 Zoom ratio during the Still Picture 
Recording Mode ....................................  40
Level Shot Function [HC-V550] .................. 41
Image Stabilizer Function [HC-V250] ......... 42
Changing the Recording Mode ................... 43 Intelligent Auto .......................................  44
Intelligent Auto Plus ...............................  46
Creative Control.....................................  46
Scene Mode ..........................................  50
Endless Loop Recording .......................  52 Stop Motion Animation Assist 
[HC-V550] ..............................................  53
Manual recording ......................................... 54 White Balance ........................................  55
Manual shutter speed/iris adjustment ....  56
Manual Focus adjustment ......................  57
Recording with the Touch Function ........... 58 Touch function icons ..............................  58
Recording functions of operation icons ....64 Operation icons ......................................  64
Recording functions of menus ...................68
Advanced (Playback)
Playback Operations.................................... 78 Motion picture playback using 
operation icon ........................................  78
Creating still picture from 
motion picture ........................................  79
Highlight & Time Frame Index ...............  80
Repeat Playback ....................................  80
Resuming the previous playback ...........  81
Zooming in on a still picture during 
playback (Playback zoom) .....................  81
Various playback functions......................... 82 Playing back motion pictures/
still pictures by date ...............................  82
Highlight Playback .................................  83
Manual Edit ............................................  89
Baby Calendar .......................................  92
Changing the playback settings and 
playing back the slide show ...................  94
Playing back still pictures recorded in 
Stop Motion Animation Assist Mode 
as a slide show [HC-V550].....................  95
Deleting scenes/still pictures...................... 96 Deleting part of a scene (AVCHD) .........  98
Dividing a scene (AVCHD) .....................  99
Dividing a scene to partially delete 
(MP4/iFrame) .......................................  100
Protecting scenes/still pictures.............  101
Convert to MP4 ...........................................102
Watching Video/Pictures on your TV ....... 103 Connecting with a HDMI mini cable ..... 106
Playback using VIERA Link™ ................... 107
Contents 
						

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Copy/Dubbing
Copying/playing back with a USB HDD ... 109Preparing for copying/playing back .....  109
Simple copy .........................................  111
Copy selected files ..............................  112
Playing back the USB HDD .................  113
Dubbing with a Blu-ray disc recorder, 
video device, etc. ....................................... 114
Using the Eye-Fi™ card............................. 118
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi® function ........................................... 121
[Link to Cell] ............................................... 123 Preparations before using 
[Link to Cell] .........................................  123
Using [Link to Cell] with 
a direct connection ..............................  125
Using [Link to Cell] with a wireless 
access point connection ......................  126
About [Link to Cell] ..............................  127
[Baby Monitor]............................................ 129 Preparations before using 
[Baby Monitor] .....................................  129
Using [Baby Monitor] ...........................  130
[Home Cam] ................................................ 132 Preparations before using 
[Home Cam] ........................................  132
Using [Home Cam] ..............................  133
[DLNA Play] ................................................ 138 Preparations before using 
[DLNA Play] .........................................  138
Playing back on a TV...........................  138
[Copy].......................................................... 140 Preparations before using [Copy] ........  140
Copying to a PC ..................................  142
[Live Cast]................................................... 144 Preparations before using 
[Live Cast] ............................................  145
Broadcasting live .................................  146
Install the “Image App” ............................. 150
Setting Up a Wi-Fi Connection ................. 151 Using the [Wi-Fi Easy Setup] to set up 
a connection ........................................  152
Connecting to a wireless 
access point.........................................  153
Setting up a direct connection to a 
smartphone..........................................  157 Connecting from the history .................  159
How to Use the [Wi-Fi Setup] Menu .......... 162
With a PC
What you can do with a PC ....................... 168 End User License Agreement ..............  170
Operating environment.............................. 172
Installation .................................................. 175
Connecting to a PC .................................... 176 About the PC display ...........................  178
Starting HD Writer LE 2.1 ...........................179 Reading the operating instructions of 
the software applications ..................... 179
If using Mac ................................................180
Others
Indications .................................................. 181
Messages ....................................................184 About recovery ..................................... 185
Troubleshooting ......................................... 186
Cautions for use ......................................... 192
About copyright ......................................... 197
Recording modes/approximate 
recordable time ..........................................199
Approximate number of recordable 
pictures ....................................................... 200
Optional accessories ................................. 201 About the Remote Pan Tilt Cradle .......  202 
						

							- 6 -
1Speaker
2 A/V connector [A/V] ( l103 , 11 7 )
3 Recording/playback button [ / ] 
(l 17)
4 Level Shot Function button [ ] 
(l 41)
Optical Image Stabilizer button
[ O.I.S.] ( l42)
5 Battery release lever [BATT] ( l10)
6 Power button [ ] (l 16)
7 HDMI mini connector [HDMI] ( l103 )
8 USB terminal 
[] (l 109,  115, 176)
9 Status indicator ( l16, 151 )
10 Recording start/stop button ( l22)
11 Battery holder ( l10) 12
Tripod receptacle
≥ Attaching a tripod with a screw length of 
5.5 mm (0.22 q) or more may damage the 
unit.
13 SD card cover ( l15)
14 Access lamp [ACCESS] ( l15)
15 Card slot ( l15)
Preparation
Names and Functions of Main Parts
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
10 9
11
12
13
14
15
HC-V550
HC-V250 
						

							- 7 -
16DC input terminal [DC IN] ( l11)
≥ Do not use any other AC adaptors except the 
supplied one.
17 Shoulder strap fixture
18 Grip belt
Adjust the length of the grip belt so that it fits 
your hand.
1 Flip the belt.
2 Adjust the length.
3 Replace the belt. 19
Photoshot button [ ] ( l24)
20 Zoom lever [W/T] (In Motion Picture 
Recording Mode or Still Picture 
Recording Mode) ( l40)/
Thumbnail display switch [ / ] 
( l 27)/
Volume lever [ sVOL r] (In Playback 
Mode) (l 28)
2019
16
1718


 
						

							- 8 -
21Wi-Fi button [Wi-Fi] 
(l 123 , 129, 132 , 138, 140 , 144 , 159 , 162) 22
Wi-Fi Transmitter ( l122)
23 NFC touch area [ ] ( l125 , 133 )
24LCD monitor (Touch screen) ( l18)
≥ It can open up to 90 o.
≥ It can rotate up to 180 o A towards the lens or 
90 o B  towards the opposite direction.
21
22
23
HC-V550HC-V250
2424
 
						

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25Lens cover
≥ The lens cover opens in   Motion Picture 
Recording Mode or   Still Picture 
Recording Mode. ( l17)
26 Lens
27 Internal stereo microphones
28 Lens cover opening/closing switch
When not using the unit, close the lens cover to 
protect the lens.
≥ Slide the opening/closing switch to open/
close the cover.
29 Lens cover
30 Lens
31 Internal stereo microphones
HC-V550
2526
27
HC-V250
2930
31
28 
						

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∫
About batteries that you can use with this unit
The battery that can be used with this unit is VW-VBT190/VW-VBT380.
≥The unit has a function for distinguishing batteries which can be used safely. The 
dedicated battery (VW-VBT190/VW-VBT380) supports this function. The only batteries 
suitable for use with this unit are genuine Panasonic products and batteries manufactured 
by other companies and certified by Panasonic. Panasonic cannot in any way guarantee 
the quality, performance or safety of batteries which have been manufactured by other 
companies and are not genuine Panasonic products.
Inserting/removing the battery
≥Press the power button to turn off the unit. ( l16)Install the battery by inserting it in the direction shown in the figure.
Preparation
Power supply
It has been found that counterfeit battery packs which look very similar to the genuine 
product are made available to purchase in some markets. Some of these battery packs 
are not adequately protected with internal protection to meet the requirements of 
appropriate safety standards. There is a possibility that these battery packs may lead to 
fire or explosion. Please be advised that we are not liable for any accident or failure 
occurring as a result of use of a counterfeit battery pack. To ensure that safe products are 
used we would recommend that a genuine Panasonic battery pack is used.
Removing the batteryBe sure to hold down the power button until 
the status indicator goes off. Then remove the 
battery while supporting the unit to prevent it 
from dropping.
Move the battery release lever in the 
direction indicated by the arrow and 
remove the battery when unlocked.
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Insert the battery until it clicks and locks.