Panasonic Hx A500 Owners Manual

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Charging the battery
≥This unit has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Do not remove except when 
disposing of this unit. ( l92)
≥ The battery will not be charged if this unit is turned on. Connect it with the PC to charge 
the battery after turning it off.
≥ It is recommended to charge the battery in a temperature between 10 oC and 30 oC (50  oF 
and 86 o F).
A LOCK switch
B USB cable (supplied)
C Unlocked when the red indicator is visible
D Turn the side with the symbol up to connect the micro B end of the USB Connection Cable to 
the USB terminal of this unit.
1Slide the LOCK switch to the left to unlock the side cover and slide the side 
cover downward to open it.
2Connect the USB terminal of this unit to a PC with the USB cable (supplied).≥Insert the USB cable securely all the way.
≥ The Power lamp will flash red at an interval of 2 seconds (approximately 1 second on, 1 second 
off), indicating that charging has begun.
It will turn off when the charging is completed.
≥Do not use any other USB cables except the supplied one. (Operation is not guaranteed with any 
other USB cables.)
≥ Do not heat or expose to flame.
≥ Do not leave the unit (including built-in battery) in a car exposed to direct sunlight for a long 
period of time with doors and windows closed.
≥ If operating time is short even after fully charging the battery, the battery is worn out and needs to 
be replaced. Please contact your dealer.
≥ When the PC is in a power saving mode such as a standby state, the battery may not be charged. 
Cancel the power saving mode, and connect this unit again.
≥ Operation is not guaranteed when devices are connected through USB hubs or by using 
extension cables.
≥ Operation cannot be guaranteed on all devices having a USB terminal.
Preparation
Power supply
When this unit is purchased, the battery is not charged. Charge the battery fully before 
using this unit for the first time.
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Charging and recording time
∫Charging/Recording time
≥Temperature: 25 oC (77  oF)/humidity: 60%RH
≥ “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 this unit on/off, etc.
≥ The power lamp flashes (Flashing with approx. 1 second period (off for approx. 0.5 second, on for 
approx. 0.5 second)) when the remaining battery time becomes low.
≥ The main unit heats up after use or charging. This is not a malfunction.
≥ For information about charging with a mobile USB charger or an AC adaptor, check the support 
site.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/e_cam/index.html
(This site is English only.)
Charging timePixels/Frame rateMaximum continuous 
recordable timeActual recordable  time
4h30min [3840
k2160/30p] 1 h 20 min 40 min
[1920 k1080/60p] 1 h 50 min 55 min
[1920 k1080/30p] 2 h 10 min 1 h 5 min
[1280k 720/60p] 1 h 45 min 55 min
[1280k 720/30p] 2 h 5 min
1h5min
[848 k480/30p] 2h10min
[1920 k1080/60fps] 2 h 5 min
[1280 k720/120fps] 2 h
1h
[848 k480/240fps] 1 h 55 min
The power plug is the disconnecting device. Install this unit so that the power plug can be 
unplugged from the socket outlet immediately.
Battery capacity indication≥ The display changes as the battery capacity reduces.  #### 
If the battery discharges, then   will flash red. 
						

							- 13 -
Flashing with approx. 0.5 second period (off for approx. 0.25 second, on for approx. 0.25 second):≥Check that the USB terminals of this unit or the connecting device, such as PC are not dirty or 
covered with a foreign object, and reconnect correctly. If a foreign object or dirt is present, turn off 
this unit before removing.
≥ The environment is at an extremely high or low temperature. Wait until the temperature has 
returned to an appropriate level and try charging again. If you are still unable to charge, there may 
be a fault in this unit or the connecting device.
Flashing with approx. 4 second period (off for approx. 2 seconds, on for approx. 2 seconds):
≥ When the battery is over discharged or the temperature of the battery is too high or low. It can be 
charged, but it may take a few hours to complete the charging normally.
≥ It will flash in approx. 2 second intervals when normal charging resumes. Even in such cases, it 
may start flashing in approx. 4 second intervals until charging is completed depending on the 
conditions of use.
Off:
≥ Charging has finished.
When the Power lamp is flashing during charging 
						

							- 14 -
This unit can record motion pictures or still pictures to a microSD card.
Cards that you can use with this unit
≥The information on the cards that you can use are current as of April 2014.
≥ To record motion pictures, use a microSD card that supports one of the following SD 
Speed Class Ratings
*.
If you use a microSD card with an SD Speed Class Rating that does not support the 
current recording setting, recording may stop suddenly.
≥ When using an microSDHC Card with other equipment, check the equipment is compatible 
with the microSDHC Card.
≥ Operation is not guaranteed for all microSD cards.
≥ 4 GB or more Memory Cards that do not have the microSDHC logo are not based on SD Memory 
Card Specifications.
≥Keep the Memory Card out of reach of children to prevent swallowing.
Preparation
Recording to a card
Card typeCapacity
microSD Card 512 MB/1 GB/2 GB
microSDHC Card 4GB/8GB/16GB/32GB
Recording settingsSupported SD Speed Class Ratings 
When [PIXELS / FRAME RATE] is set to 
[3840 k2160/30p] (l 32) Class 10 or higher of the SD Speed 
Class Rating
When [RECORDING MODE] is set to [SLOW 
MOTION] ( l30) Class 6 or higher of the SD Speed 
Class Rating
Settings other than the above Class 4 or higher of the SD Speed 
Class Rating
* SD Speed Class Rating is the speed standard regarding continuous  writing. Check via the label on the card, etc. e.g.:
≥ Please check the latest information on the support website below.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/e_cam/index.html
(This website is in English only.) 
						

							- 15 -
Inserting/removing a microSD card
Caution:
Check that the access lamp has gone off.
1Slide the LOCK switch to the left to unlock the side cover and slide the side 
cover downward to open it and then insert (remove) the microSD card into 
(from) the card slot.
≥Face the terminal side  D upward and press it straight in as far as it will go.
≥ Press the center of the microSD card and then pull it straight out.
2Close the side cover and slide the LOCK switch to the right to lock it.≥Close the side cover and slide it upward and then lock it.
≥ Securely lock it until it clicks.
≥Do not touch the terminals on the back of the microSD card.
≥ For handling of microSD card, refer to page  87.
≥ If you insert or remove the microSD card in the following situations, the Wi-Fi mode will 
turn off and the connection will be disconnected:
jWhen you set up a Wi-Fi connection between this unit and a smartphone and set this 
unit to Playback mode remotely with the smartphone ( l37)
j When you set up a Wi-Fi connection between this unit and a DLNA-compatible TV ( l55)
∫ About the access lamp
≥When the access lamp is lit, do not:
jRemove the microSD card
j Turn this unit off
j Insert and remove the USB cable
j Expose this unit to vibrations or shock
Performing the above while the lamp is on may result in damage to data/microSD card or this unit.
When using a microSD card not from Panasonic, or one previously used on other equipment, for 
the first time on this unit, format the microSD card. ( l20) When the microSD card is formatted, 
all of the recorded data is deleted. Once the data is deleted, it cannot be restored.
AAccess lamp
≥ When this unit is accessing the 
microSD card (such as 
recognition, recording, playback 
and deletion), the access lamp 
lights up.
B LOCK switch
C Unlocked when the red 
indicator is visible
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							- 16 -
Press the power button to turn on this unit.
About overheat detection
When the internal temperature of this unit rises during use, it turns off automatically after emitting a 
warning sound and displaying a message. To use this unit again, wait until it cools down.
≥This unit cannot be used until it cools down.
Preparation
Turning this unit on/off
The power lamp is turned on.To turn off this unitHold down the power button until the power 
lamp goes off. 
						

							- 17 -
The clock is not set at the time of purchase. Make sure to set the clock.
1Press the joystick to select the menu. (l18)
2Move the joystick right or left to select the date to be set, then move the 
joystick up or down to select the desired value.
≥Press the joystick or recording start/stop button to enter the selection.
≥ The year can be set between 2000 and 2039.
3Move the joystick right or left to select the time to be set, then move the 
joystick up or down to select the desired value.
≥Press the joystick to enter the selection.
4Press the recording start/stop button 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.
≥ If the time display becomes [- -], the built-in lithium battery needs to be charged. When the battery 
of this unit is in a charged state, the built-in clock battery is also charged automatically. If you 
leave the battery in this unit in a charged state for approximately 24 hours, the built-in clock 
battery stores the clock setting for approximately 4 months.
≥ You can also set the clock by using the “Image App”. Refer to [Help] in the “Image App” menu.
Preparation
Setting date and time
[SETUP]  # [CLOCK SET] 
						

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1Press the joystick.
2Select the top menu A, 
then press the joystick.
3Select the submenu  B, then press 
the joystick.
4Select the desired item, 
then press the joystick 
to enter the selection. To get back to the previous screen
Move the joystick left.
To exit the menu screenPress the recording start/stop button.
To set menu items with a smartphoneBy installing “Image App” on a smartphone, you 
can set menu items of this unit remotely from 
the smartphone.
1
Install the “Image App” on your 
smartphone. ( l56)
2 Set up a Wi-Fi connection between 
this unit and the smartphone, and 
perform remote operation. ( l43)
3 On the “Image App” screen, 
tap .
≥When a Wi-Fi mode ([Smartphone Direct 
Connect]/[Wireless Network Mode]) is active, 
you cannot set menu items with this unit.
Preparation
Using the menu screen
RECORD SETUPEXIT

RECORD SETUPRECORDING MODE
PIXELS / FRAME RATE
ANGLE OF VIEW
Delay-Start REC
EXIT
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1/3 
						

							- 19 -
(When setting a menu item on this unit)
Press the joystick to select the menu.
(When setting a menu item on the “Image App”)
≥Set up a Wi-Fi connection between this unit and a smartphone, and perform remote 
operation. (l 43)
On the “Image App” screen, tap   and set the menu item.
≥For more information, refer to the [Help] in the “Image App” menu.
Please refer to page 17 .
It is possible to change the date format.
To save battery life, if you perform no operation during a set period of time, the LCD monitor turns 
off and this unit enters a standby state.
≥ The following operations will activate this unit:
jOperate the joystick
j Press the recording start/stop button (This will start/stop recording.)
≥ If you set this item to [OFF], this unit does not enter a standby state.
≥ If you start recording, the LCD monitor will turn off approximately 30 seconds later.
Preparation
Using the Setup Menu
[SETUP]  # desired menu item
[Camera setup] # desired menu item
[CLOCK SET]
[DATE FORMAT]
[Y/M/D]/[M/D/Y]/[D/M/Y]
[LCD POWER SAVE]
[60 SECONDS]/[30 SECONDS]/[15 SECONDS]/[OFF] 
						

							- 20 -
When about 5 minutes have passed without any operation, this unit automatically turns off to save 
the battery life.
≥This unit will not automatically turn off during Wi-Fi mode or when using this unit as the card 
reader.
It adjusts brightness on the LCD monitor.
1 Press the joystick to select the menu.
2 Move the joystick right or left to adjust settings, then press the joystick.
3 Press the recording start/stop button to complete the setting.
≥This item cannot be set in “Image App”.
Starting and stopping of recording and unit on/off can be confirmed with this sound.
When [OFF] is selected, the sound is not output at the start/end of recording, etc.
2 Beeps for 4 times
When an error occurs. Check the sentence displayed on the screen. (l 82)
Settings of this unit return to the default condition.
≥ Wi-Fi network settings will not be changed.
≥ This item is not displayed in Playback mode. (This limitation applies to the “Image App” only)
Please be aware that if a microSD card is formatted, then all the data recorded on the microSD card 
will be erased and cannot be restored. Back up important data on a PC, etc. ( l71)
≥ Do not turn this unit off or remove the microSD card while formatting. Do not expose this unit to 
vibrations or shock.
≥ Do not format a microSD card using any other equipment such as a PC. The card may not 
be used on this unit.
[AUTO POWER OFF]
[LCD BRIGHTNESS]
[SETUP]  # [LCD BRIGHTNESS]
[ALERT SOUND]
[HIGH]/[LOW]/[OFF]
[INITIAL SET]
[FORMAT MEDIA]