Panasonic Hx Dc3 Owners Manual

							Owner’s Manual
Dual Camera
Model No.HX-DC3
Please read these instructions carefully before using this product, and 
save this manual for future use.
until 
2013/1/21
VQT4U88
Register online at www.panasonic.com/register  (U.S. customers only) 
						

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∫
About recording formats and compatibility of the unit
≥The unit is an MP4 format (MPEG-4 AVC file standard) Dual Camera 
for recording high-definition motion pictures.
≥ AVCHD and MPEG2 motion pictures are different formats, and are not 
therefore supported by the unit.
∫ 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 (including any other non-built-in 
memory related component).
∫Handling built-in memory
This unit is equipped with the built-in memory. When using this 
component, pay attention to the following points.
Back up data periodically.
The built-in memory is temporary storage. In order to avoid erasing data 
due to static electricity, electromagnetic waves, breakage, and failures, 
back up the data to a PC or disc. ( l11 5 )
≥ The status indicator ( l9) illuminates in red while the SD card or built-
in memory is being accessed (initialization, recording, playback, 
deleting etc.). Do not perform the following operations when the 
indicator illuminates. It may damage the built-in memory or cause a 
malfunction in the unit.
j Turn the unit off (remove the battery)
j Insert and remove the SD Card
j Insert and remove the USB cable
j Expose the unit to vibrations or shock
≥ About disposing of or giving away this unit. ( l152)
Read this first 
						

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∫
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 
adaptor 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 16 for more details on SD cards.
∫ 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”.
≥ Functions that can be used for motion picture recording/motion picture 
playback are indicated by   in this owner’s manual.
≥ Functions that can be used for still picture recording/still picture 
playback are indicated by   in this owner’s manual.
≥ Functions that can be used for audio recording/audio playback are 
indicated by   in this owner’s manual.
≥ Pages for reference are indicated by an arrow, for example:  l00
≥ “File” is used to mean “scene”, “still picture” and “audio file”. 
						

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Read this first .....................................................................................  2
Preparation
Names and Functions of Main Parts ................................................  7
Power supply....................................................................................  10Inserting/removing the battery.....................................................  10
Charging the battery ...................................................................  12
Charging and recording time .......................................................  14
Recording to a card .........................................................................  16 Cards that you can use with this unit ..........................................  16
Inserting/removing an SD card....................................................  18
Turning the unit on/off .....................................................................  20 About Standby Mode...................................................................  20
About the high temperature warning icon ...................................  21
Selecting a mode .............................................................................  22
Setting date and time.......................................................................  23
Basic
Before recording ..............................................................................  25
Recording motion pictures .............................................................  27
Recording still pictures ...................................................................  30 About recording still pictures during motion picture recording 
and audio recording ....................................................................  33
Recording audio...............................................................................  34
Intelligent Auto Mode ......................................................................  36
Motion picture/Still picture/Audio playback ..................................  39
Using the menu screen ...................................................................  43
Using Option Menu ..........................................................................  45 OPTION MENU 1 ........................................................................  45
OPTION MENU 2 ........................................................................  47
OPTION MENU 3 ........................................................................  49
Contents 
						

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Advanced (Recording)
Using the zoom ................................................................................  52Double range zoom .....................................................................  53
Zoom Mode .................................................................................  54
Image Stabilizer................................................................................  55
Burst recording ................................................................................  57
Recording panorama still pictures .................................................  59
Recording functions of menus .......................................................  62 RECORDING MENU 1................................................................  62
RECORDING MENU 2................................................................  70
RECORDING MENU 3................................................................  73
RECORDING MENU 4................................................................  75
Manual recording .............................................................................  81 White Balance .............................................................................  81
Setting the focus and recording ..................................................  83
Advanced (Playback)
Playback Operations .......................................................................  84Playback using operation icon ....................................................  84
Creating still picture from motion picture .....................................  86
Cutting out a section of a panorama still picture .........................  87
Zooming in on a still picture during playback 
(Playback zoom) .........................................................................  87
Various playback functions ............................................................  89 Changing the playback settings and playing back the 
slide show ...................................................................................  89
Displaying file information ...........................................................  91
Using the playback menu................................................................  93 PLAYBACK MENU 1 ...................................................................  93
PLAYBACK MENU 2 ...................................................................  95
Deleting files/folders......................................................................  100 Protecting a file .........................................................................  103
Watching Video/Pictures on your TV ...........................................  104 Connecting with an HDMI mini cable ........................................  108
TV format setting .......................................................................  108
Playback using VIERA Link™ .......................................................  109 
						

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Copy/Dubbing
Copying from Built-in Memory to SD card ..................................  111
Dubbing images onto other video devices..................................  113
With a PC
What you can do with a PC ...........................................................  115End User License Agreement ...................................................  118
Operating environment .................................................................  120
Installation ......................................................................................  124
Connecting to a PC ........................................................................  125 Use as a card reader ................................................................  126
Using the unit as a web camera ................................................  129
Starting HD Writer VE 3.0 ..............................................................  131 Reading the operating instructions of the software 
applications ...............................................................................  131
If using Mac ....................................................................................  132
Using the Eye-Fi™ card.................................................................  134
Others
Indications ......................................................................................  138
Messages ........................................................................................  142
Troubleshooting .............................................................................  143
Cautions for use.............................................................................  151
About copyright .............................................................................  157
Recording Modes/approximate recordable time.........................  159
Approximate number of recordable pictures ..............................  161 
						

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1 LCD monitor (l26)
≥ It can open up to 90 o.
≥ It can rotate up to 180 o A towards the lens or 105 o B  towards the 
opposite direction.
2 Power button [ ] ( l20)
3 USB/AV connector ( l12, 104, 113, 125)
≥ Use the USB cable/AV cable (only the supplied cable).
4 HDMI mini connector ( l104, 109)
Preparation
Names and Functions of Main Parts
Due to limitations in LCD production 
technology, there may be some tiny bright or 
dark spots on the LCD monitor screen. 
However, this is not a malfunction and does 
not affect the recorded picture.
1
2
3
4 
						

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5 Hand strap fixture
6 Zoom range button [ ] (l53)
7 Photoshot button [ ] ( l30)
8 SET button [SET] ( l39, 43, 77, 84)
≥ Use the SET button to select the recording functions and playback 
operations, and to operate the menu screen.
≥ In this owner’s manual, the operation of the SET button is denoted as 
shown below.
9 In Recording Mode: Zoom lever [W/T] ( l52)
In Playback Mode: Volume lever ( l41, 90)
Zoom lever [W/T] (l 87)
Thumbnail display switch [ / ] ( l41)
10 Recording start/stop button [ ] ( l27)
11 MENU button [MENU] ( l43)
12 REC/  button [REC/ ] 
(l 22)13 Battery/Card cover (l 10, 18)
14 Battery holder
15 Card slot Example:
orSelect using the SET button
8
7
13
12
11
10
96
5
14
15
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16 Lens
≥When not using the unit, be sure to fit the lens cap to protect the lens.
≥ Keep the lens cap out of reach of children to prevent swallowing.
17 Speaker
18 Status indicator ( l2, 12, 18, 155)
19 Internal stereo microphones
20 Built-in flash ( l70)
21 Tripod receptacle
≥ If you attach a tripod which has a 5.5 mm (0.22 q) screw or larger, it 
may damage this unit. The screw may also be difficult to tighten 
depending on the type of tripod used.
19
171618
20 21
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∫
About batteries that you can use with this unit
Inserting/removing the battery
≥Press the power button to turn off the unit. ( l20)
1Open the battery/card cover.
Preparation
Power supply
The battery that can be used with this unit is VW-VBX070.
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.
1
Slide while pushing the battery/
card cover.
2Open the battery/card cover.