Panasonic Hc V550 Owners Manual

							- 11 -
Charging the battery
The unit is in the standby condition when the AC adaptor is connected. The primary circuit is always 
“live” as long as the AC adaptor is connected to an electrical outlet.
Important:
≥Do not use the AC adaptor/DC cable with any other equipment as it is designed only for 
this unit. Also, do not use the AC adaptor/DC cable from other equipment with this unit.
≥ The battery will not be charged if the unit is turned on.
≥ It is recommended to charge the battery in a temperature between 10 oC and 30 oC (50  oF 
and 86 o F). (The battery temperature should also be the same.)
A DC input terminal
1Connect the DC cable to the AC adaptor and to the DC input terminal of this 
unit.
≥Insert the plugs as far as they will go.
2Insert the AC adaptor into an AC outlet.≥The status indicator will flash red at an interval of approximately 2 seconds (approximately 
1 second on, approximately 1 second off), indicating that charging has begun.
It will turn off when the charging is completed.
∫ Connecting to the AC outletIt is possible to use this unit with power supplied from the AC outlet by turning on the unit with the 
AC adaptor connected.
Even when you use the AC adaptor for recording images, keep the battery connected.
This allows you to continue the recording even if a power failure occurs or the AC adaptor is 
unplugged from the AC outlet by accident.
∫To charge by connecting to other device
It is possible to charge by connecting to other device with the USB cable (supplied).
Please refer to page  177.
≥If the status indicator flashes at a particul arly fast or slow rate, refer to page 194.
≥ We recommend using Panasonic batteries ( l12, 13 ).
≥ If you use other batteries, we cannot guarantee the quality of this product.
≥ Do not heat or expose to flame.
When this unit is purchased, the battery is not charged. Charge the battery fully before 
using this unit for the first time.
 
						

							- 12 -
≥Do not leave the battery(ies) in a car exposed to direct sunlight for a long period of time with 
doors and windows closed.
Charging and recording time
∫ Charging/Recording time
≥Temperature: 25 oC (77  oF)/humidity: 60%RH
≥ Charging times in parentheses are when charging from the USB terminal.
HC-V550
Battery model 
number
[Voltage/Capacity  (minimum)]Charging timeRecording formatRecording  modeMaximum 
continuous  recordable  timeActual 
recordable  time
Supplied battery/VW-VBT190 (optional)
[3.6 V/1940 mAh] 2h20min
(5h20min) [AVCHD]
[1080/60p] 2 h 1 h
[PH],[HA],[HG],[HE] 2h5min 1h5min
[MP4/
iFrame] [1080] 2 h 1 h
[720] 2h25min 1h15min
[iFrame] 2 h 30 min
VW-VBT380 
(optional)
[3.6 V/3880 mAh] 3h45min
(9h45min)
[AVCHD][1080/60p] 4 h 15 min 2 h 10 min
[PH] 4 h 20 min 2h15min
[HA],[HG],
[HE] 4h25min
[MP4/
iFrame] [1080] 4h15min 2h10min
[720] 5h10min 2h40min
[iFrame] 5 h 15 min 
						

							- 13 -
≥“h” is an abbreviation for hour, “min” for minute and “s” for second.
≥ These times are approximations.
≥ The indicated charging time is for when the battery has been discharged completely. 
Charging time and recordable time vary depending on the usage conditions such as high/
low temperature.
≥The actual recordable time refers to the recordable time when repeatedly starting/stopping 
recording, turning the unit on/off, moving the zoom lever etc.
≥ The batteries heat up after use or charging. This is not a malfunction.
HC-V250
Battery model 
number
[Voltage/Capacity  (minimum)]Charging timeRecording formatRecording  modeMaximum 
continuous  recordable  timeActual 
recordable  time
Supplied battery/VW-VBT190 (optional)
[3.6 V/1940 mAh] 2h20min
(5h20min) [AVCHD]
[1080/60p] 2 h
1 h
[PH],[HA] 2 h 5 min 1h5min
[HG],[HE] 2 h 10 min
[MP4/
iFrame] [1080] 2 h
1 h
[720] 2h30min 1h15min
[iFrame] 2h35min 1h20min
VW-VBT380  (optional)
[3.6 V/3880 mAh] 3h45min
(9h45min)
[AVCHD][1080/60p] 4 h 10 min 2 h 10 min
[PH] 4 h 15 min 2h15min
[HA],[HG] 4 h 20 min
[HE] 4 h 25 min
[MP4/
iFrame] [1080] 4h10min 2h10min
[720] 5h5min 2h35min
[iFrame] 5h15min 2h45min
Battery capacity indication≥ The display changes as the battery capacity reduces.  #### 
If there is less than 3 minutes remaining, then   will become red. If the battery 
discharges, then   will flash.
≥ Screen display will disappear when no touch operation is performed for a specific period of 
time. However, it will be constantly displayed when the remaining battery time becomes less 
than 30 minutes.
≥ The remaining battery capacity is displayed when using the Panasonic battery that you can 
use for this unit. The actual time can vary depending on your actual use.
≥ When using the AC adaptor or batteries made by other companies, the remaining battery 
capacity will not be shown. 
						

							- 14 -
The unit can record still pictures or motion pictures to an SD card. To record to an SD card, read the 
following.
Cards that you can use with this unit
Use SD cards conforming to Class 4 or higher of the SD Speed Class Rating* for motion 
picture recording.
* SD Speed Class Rating is the speed standard regarding continuous writing. Check 
via the label on the card, etc.
≥Please check the latest information on the support website below.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/e_cam
(This website is in English only.)
≥ When using an SDHC Memory Card/SDXC Memory Card with other equipment, check the 
equipment is compatible with these Memory Cards.
≥ An Eye-Fi X2 series SD card is required to use functions related to Eye-Fi. ( l11 8 )
≥ We do not guarantee the operation of SD cards other than the ones above. Further, SD cards 
with a capacity of less than 32 MB cannot be used for motion picture recording.
≥ 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.
≥ When the write-protect switch  A on SD card is locked, no recording, deletion 
or editing will be possible on the card.
≥ Keep the Memory Card out of reach of children to prevent swallowing.
Preparation
Recording to a card
Card typeCapacity
SD Memory Card 512 MB/1 GB/2 GB
SDHC Memory Card 4GB/6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB/24GB/32GB
SDXC Memory Card48 GB/64 GB
e.g.:
32 
						

							- 15 -
Inserting/removing an SD card
Caution:
Check that the access lamp has gone off.
1Open the SD card cover and insert (remove) the SD card into (from) the card 
slot B.
≥ Face the terminal side  C in the direction shown in the illustration and press it straight in as far as 
it will go.
≥ Press the center of the SD card and then pull it straight out.
2Securely close the SD card cover.≥Securely close it until it clicks.
≥Do not touch the terminals on the back of the 
SD card.
≥ Do not apply strong shocks, bend, or drop the 
SD card.
≥ Electrical noise, static electricity or the failure 
of this unit or the SD card may damage or 
erase the data stored on the SD card.
≥ When the card access lamp is lit, do not:
jRemove the SD card
j Turn the unit off
j Insert and remove the USB cable
j Expose the unit to vibrations or shock
Performing the above while the lamp is on 
may result in damage to data/SD card or this 
unit.
≥ Do not expose the terminals of the SD card to 
water, dirt or dust. ≥
Do not place SD cards in the following areas:
jIn direct sunlight
j In very dusty or humid areas
j Near a heater
j Locations susceptible to significant 
difference in temperature (condensation 
can occur.)
j Where static electricity or electromagnetic 
waves occur
≥ To protect SD cards, return them to their 
cases when you are not using them.
≥ About disposing of or giving away the SD 
card. ( l195 )
When using an SD card not from Panasonic, or one previously used on other equipment, for the 
first time on this unit, format the SD card. (
l37) When the SD card is formatted, all of the 
recorded data is deleted. Once the data is deleted, it cannot be restored.
Access lamp 
[ACCESS]  A
≥When this unit is accessing 
the SD card, the access 
lamp lights up.
 
						

							- 16 -
You can turn the unit on and off using the power button or by opening and closing the LCD monitor.
Open the LCD monitor and press the power button to turn on the unit.
AThe status indicator lights on.
The unit is turned on when the LCD monitor is opened, and unit is turned off when it is closed.
During normal use, opening and closing of the LCD monitor can be conveniently used to 
turn the unit on/off.
≥ The unit will not turn off while recording motion pictures or connecting to Wi-Fi even if the LCD 
monitor is closed.
≥ In the following cases, opening the LCD monitor does not turn on the unit. Press the power button 
to turn on the unit.
jWhen the unit is originally purchased
j When you have turned off the unit using the power button
Preparation
Turning the unit on/off
Turning the unit on and off with the power button
Turning the unit on and off with the LCD monitor
To turn off the unitHold down the power button until the status 
indicator goes off. 
						

							- 17 -
You can switch this unit between Recording Mode (Motion Picture Recording Mode/Still Picture 
Recording Mode) and Playback Mode by pressing the recording/playback button.
If you touch the recording mode switching icon in Recording Mode, this unit can be switched 
between Motion Picture Recording Mode and Still Picture Recording Mode.
Switching this unit between Recording Mode and 
Playback Mode
Switching this unit between Motion Picture Recording 
Mode and Still Picture Recording Mode
Touch the recording mode switching icon displayed on the LCD monitor (touch screen) to switch this 
unit between Motion Picture Recording Mode and Still Picture Recording Mode.
1Press the recording/playback button to 
switch this unit to Recording Mode.
≥The recording mode switching icon A is displayed on 
the screen.
2Touch the recording mode switching icon.≥ Refer to page 18  for touch screen operation.
Preparation
Selecting a mode
Motion Picture Recording Mode ( l22) Recording motion pictures.
Still Picture Recording Mode ( l24) Recording still pictures.
Playback Mode ( l26, 78 ) Motion picture/Still picture playback.
Motion Picture Recording Mode
Still Picture Recording Mode
Recording/playback buttonPress the button to switch this unit between 
Recording Mode and Playback Mode.
≥ When you turn on this unit, it starts up in 
Recording Mode.
(Motion Picture Recording Mode) 
						

							- 18 -
To display the recording mode switching iconDisplay of the recording mode switching icon will disappear when no touch operation is performed 
for a specific period of time. To display it again, touch the screen.
≥If the recording start/stop button is pressed in Still Picture Recording Mode or Playback Mode, 
this unit will be switched to Motion Picture Recording Mode. During motion picture/still picture 
playback or in other conditions, even if the recording start/stop button is pressed, the recording 
mode may not be switched.
You can operate by directly touching the LCD monitor (touch screen) with your finger.
∫ Touch
Touch and release the touch screen to select icon or 
picture.
≥Touch the center of the icon.
≥ Touching the touch screen will not operate while you 
are touching another part of the touch screen.
∫ Slide while touching
Move your finger while pressing on the touch screen.
∫About the operation icons
///:
Touch when changing a page or performing settings. :
Touch to return to the previous screen.
Preparation
How to use the touch screen 
						

							- 19 -
About the Touch Menu
Touch   (left side)/  (right side) of   on the Touch Menu to switch the 
operation icons.
≥It is also possible to switch the operation icons by sliding the Touch Menu right or left while 
touching it.
B You can change the operation icons to display. ( l35)
C Displayed only in Intelligent Auto Plus Mode ( l46) and [Miniature Effect]/[8mm movie]/
[Silent movie] of the Creative Control Mode ( l46).
D Displayed only in [Time Lapse Rec] of the Creative Control Mode ( l46), Scene Mode 
( l 50), Endless Loop Recording Mode ( l52), Stop Motion Animation Assist Mode
* 
( l 53) and Manual Mode ( l54).
* only
∫ To display the Touch Menu
≥Do not touch on the LCD monitor with hard pointed tips, such as ball point pens. A
Touch Menu
Recording Mode Playback Mode
Display of the Touch Menu will disappear when no 
touch operation is performed for a specific period of 
time during recording of motion picture/still picture. To 
display it again, touch  .
T
W
MENU
T
W
FOCUS
WB
SHTR
IRIS

MENU
ALL
HC-V550 
						

							- 20 -
The clock is not set at the time of purchase. Make sure to set the clock.
1Select the menu. (l29)
2Touch the date or time to be set, then set the desired value using  / .A Displaying the World Time setting ( l30):
[HOME]/ [DESTINATION]
≥ The year can be set between 2000 and 2039.
3Touch [ENTER].≥A message prompting for World Time setting may be 
displayed. Perform the World Time setting by touching the 
screen. ( l30)
≥ Touch [EXIT] to complete the setting.
≥When the unit is turned on for the first time, a message asking you to set the date and time will 
appear. Select [YES] and perform Steps 2 to 3 to set the date and time.
≥ The date and time function is driven by a built-in lithium battery.
≥ If the time display becomes [- -], the built-in lithium battery needs to be charged.  To recharge the 
built-in lithium battery, connect the AC adaptor or attach the battery to this unit. The battery is still 
being recharged even if the unit is off. Leave the unit as it is for approx. 24 hours and the battery 
will maintain the date and time for approx. 4 months.
Preparation
Setting date and time
: [SETUP]  # [CLOCK SET]MENU