Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HPX170P Operating Instructions

							
Shooting
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Variable frame rates (VFR)
By taking full advantage of the special characteristics of P2 cards, this unit provides frame skipping (undercranking) recording and highspeed (overcranking) recording, which are actually movie techniques, without the use of a frame rate converter. (Either the 30PN or 24PN mode must be set for this.)Since the camera-recorder records only the effective frames (native recording), recording is possible for between 2 times and 2.5 times as long compared with recording in the 24P, 30P or 60P mode (standard recording).
As with Panasonic’s Varicam model (AJ-HDC27 series), this unit also provides a recording format that allows frame rate conversion using nonlinear editing. (Either the 30P or 24P mode must be set for this.)
PN mode:The camera-recorder shoots in the 24 fps native mode. The video signals delivering images at a rate of 24 fps are recorded in 24 frames. The signals are recorded only in the effective frames so recording is possible for 2.5 times as long.
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Camera-Recorder
P
PN
«: effective frame
Before VFR shooting, you must set the recording frame rate and recording format ahead of time.You cannot change the frame rates while recording.VFR shooting is possible only in progressive-shooting mode with 720 vertical lines.
You can select any of 20 recording frame rates ranging from 12 frames per second (fps) to 60 fps.The list of formats that allow recording by the camera-recorder (Page 123)
There may be slight discrepancies between the recording frame rate displayed and the frame rate at which the images are actually recorded. Refer to the table below.
Indicated recording frame rate080087101811
Actual recording frame rate9.9.98.17.079..8.7.119.978.10.97..98.98.81.119.17.981.991.
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Variable frame rates (VFR) (continued)
Native recording
1 Using the REC FORMAT function (Page 10) on the RECORDING SETUP 
screen, select 720P/30PN or 720P/24PN as the recording format.
 Select the appropriate scene file using the SCENE FILE dial.If necessary, before doing this, perform the camera settings from the setting menu, and register the scene file. (Page 53)
 Using the OPERATION TYPE function (Page 98) on the SCENE FILE screen, select FILM CAM, and set the desired recording frame rate using the FRAME RATE function (Page 98).
 Press the START/STOP button to start or stop native recording in VFR mode.No signals are output from the 1394 terminal during recording or recording standby in the native mode.Sound is not recorded. However, sound will be recorded when the same frame rate is used for both recording and playback.When a recorded clip lasting a long time is to be played back and imported using a nonlinear editing system that supports Varicams, the UB MODE option on the RECORDING SETUP screen must be set to FRM.RATE.If the effective frame information is to be carried over when recording onto this camerarecorder from a nonlinear editing system that supports Varicams, the 1394 UB REGEN option on the RECORDING SETUP screen must be set to ON.After editing, materials are output from the nonlinear editing system in 1080i/24P or 720P/60P (24P over 60P) format.
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Standard recording
1 Using the REC FORMAT function (Page 10) on the RECORDING SETUP 
screen, select 720P/60P, 720P/30P or 720P/24P as the recording format.
 Select the appropriate scene file using the SCENE FILE dial.If necessary, before doing this, perform the camera settings from the setting menu, and register the scene file. (Page 53)
 Using the OPERATION TYPE function (Page 98) on the SCENE FILE screen, select FILM CAM, and set the desired recording frame rate using the FRAME RATE function (Page 98).When 720P/30P or 720P/24P has been selected as the recording format, the following displays appear depending on the setting which has been selected for the FRAME RATE item on the SCENE FILE screen.1)  PULL DOWN information displayed in PROPERTY-CLIP PROPERTY-VIDEOWith the default setting: 2:2 or 2:3With any other settings: other2) Format information in the bottom left of the screen when thumbnails are displayedWith the default setting:   720P/30P or 720P/24PWith any other settings: 720P/60P(The “default” setting is 30FRAME if the frame rate of the recording format is 30P or 24FRAME if it is 24P.)
 Press the START/STOP button to start or stop standard recording in VFR mode.Sound is recorded.In the case of a nonlinear editing system that supports Varicams equipped with an effective frame extraction function, you can upload even undercrank or overcrank shooting materials as is. (The UB MODE option on the RECORDING SETUP screen must be set to FRM.RATE.)After editing, materials are output from the nonlinear editing system in 1080i/24P or 720P/60P (24P over 60P) format.
The 24P format is used for 2:3 pull-down recording; the 30P format is used for 2:2 pulldown recording.
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Shooting


Using variable frame rates (VFR)
Standard speed shooting for movie 
production
When making movies to show on a screen, a frame rate of 24 fps (frames per second), which is the same as for films, is the norm (1x speed). If you use the settings below, the same kind of playback as with screenings can be obtained. By using the 720P progressive mode and cine-like gamma, high-quality film-like images can be achieved.
Recording format(REC FORMAT)Recording frame rate(FRAME RATE)
720P/24P(2:3 pull-down)24 fps*720P/24PN(native recording)
Standard speed shooting for making 
commercials and dramas
When producing commercials and dramas to be shown on a TV screen, as in the case of HDTV/SDTV and other broadcasts, a frame rate of 30 fps (frames per second) is the norm (1x speed).If you use the settings below, the same kind of playback as when the programs are broadcast can be obtained. Commercials and music clips will be recorded with a high film-like picture quality while the number of frames is also ideally suited to TV broadcasts.
Recording format(REC FORMAT)Recording frame rate(FRAME RATE)
720P/30P(2:2 pull-down)30 fps*720P/30PN(native recording)
Undercrank shooting
This way of shooting provides quick motion effects used to present such scenes as the movement of clouds, someone standing among crowd of people, 
and moves made by martial artists. If, for instance, you have shot scenes using the 24P recording format for specifying the playback frames, you can double the speed of the quick motion effects by setting the VFR recording frame rate to 12 fps.
Recording format(REC FORMAT)Recording frame rate(FRAME RATE)
720P/24P, 720P/24PNSet to 22 fps or lower.*
720P/30P, 720P/30PNSet to 28 fps or lower.*
In the case of the 720P/24P and 720P/30P formats, the quick motion effect can be obtained by using a nonlinear editing system to process what has been recorded.
Overcrank shooting
This way of shooting provides slow motion effects used to show car chases as well as action scenes, climax scenes and other dramatic presentations.If, for instance, you have shot scenes using the 30P recording format for specifying the playback frames, you can obtain slow motion effects with the speed halved by setting the recording frame rate to 60 fps. Images in the 720P progressive format will create smoothly flowing slow motion sequences with a high picture quality.
Recording format(REC FORMAT)Recording frame rate(FRAME RATE)720P/24P, 720P/24PNSet to 25 fps or higher.*720P/30P, 720P/30PNSet to 32 fps or higher.*
In the case of the 720P/24P and 720P/30P formats, the slow motion effect can be obtained by using a nonlinear editing system to process what has been recorded.
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You can select any of 20 recording frame rates ranging from 12 frames per second (fps) to 60 fps. (Page 98)
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Shooting in 1080i/480i progressive mode
Selecting 1080i/30P, 1080i/24P, 1080i/24PA, 480i/30P, 480i/24P or 480i/24PA in the REC FORMAT option (Page 104) of the setting menu RECORDING SETUP screen enables shooting in progressive mode.
0P mode:Shoot 30 frames a second in the progressive mode.For output and recording, the 30-frame-persecond signal is converted to 60-field-per-second interlace.This mode gives you high quality images.
Ao Ae Bo Be Co Ce Do De Eo Ee F o F e Go Ge Ho He Io Ie Jo Je 
A B C D E F G H I J 30P
60i
P mode:Shoot 24 frames a second in the progressive mode.For output and recording, the 24-frame-persecond signal is converted to 60-field-per-second interlace using the widely used “2:3” ratio.This gives you images similar to a movie shot with film.
A B C D E F G H 
Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co De Do De Eo Ee Fo Fe Fo Ge Go He Ho He 
24P
60i
P advanced mode:Shoot 24 frames a second in the progressive mode.For output and recording, the 24-frame-persecond signal is converted to 60-field-per-second interlace using “advanced” conversion.
ABCDEFGH
AoAeBoBeBoCeCoCeDoDeEoEeFoFeFoGeGoGeHoHe
24PA
60i
With the “2:3” method, frames [BoCe], [CoDe], [FoGe], and [GoHe] shown in the illustration would be extended over different frames which can cause a drop in picture quality.With the 24P advanced method, however, frames [BoCe] and [FoGe] are cut out, leading to a reduction in image quality loss.If you also use a system compatible with the advanced method, editing will also yield better quality images than those shot in the normal 24P mode.If you are not going to do your editing on such a system, use the normal 24P method for shooting.
Note the following when shooting in progressive mode.You cannot have a gain of 18dB.Set the shutter speed to 1/50 (OFF) or 1/60 for best results.There may be a slight delay to the start of recording when you use the 24P or 24P advanced modes because 5 frames are recorded at a time.
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Shooting


Shooting in manual mode
Set the unit to manual mode when manually adjusting the focus, iris, gain and white balance.
Switching to manual mode
Slide the AUTO/MANUAL switch to MANUAL to switch to the manual mode. ( A on the viewfinder and LCD go out).
AUTO/MANUAL switch
Manual focusing
FOCUS switch
PUSH AUTO buttonAUTO/MANUAL switch
Focus ring
FOCUS/IRIS switch
1 Use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode.
 Use the FOCUS switch to choose how to control focusing.A (AUTO):Auto focus modeM (MANUAL):Manual focus modeTurn the focus ring by hand.∞:The camera first focuses on infinity, then it switches to manual focus.The FOCUS switch automatically moves back to M (MANUAL) after you move it to ∞.
 Use the FOCUS RING (FOCUS/IRIS) switch to change the function assigned to the focus ring.FOCUS: Adjusts focus.IRIS: Adjusts iris (aperture).
When setting the FOCUS switch to M, also set the FOCUS RING (FOCUS/IRIS) switch to FOCUS.
Temporarily switching to auto focusEven if you have switched FOCUS to M (MANUAL) the camera will focus automatically while you press down PUSH AUTO.
Switching to manual focus assist modeTo change from the manual focus mode to the manual focus assist mode, set MF ASSIST to ON on the setting menu SW MODE screen.You can make coarse adjustments to the focus in manual focus assist mode by turning the focus ring about half the amount you would turn it in manual focus mode.Fine adjustment is made automatically after you operated the focus ring.If the focus differs considerably form the manually set focus, the focus may not be set correctly.Automatic adjustment is not performed until you operate the focus ring for the next time.
Auto focus may not work properly if there is flickering.Select a shutter speed suited to the ambient light. (Page 49)If the auto focus mode is set with any format except 60i and 60P, controlling the focus will take slightly longer than in the normal focus mode.If you have set ON for the AF item on the setting menu AUTO SW screen, auto focusing will occur regardless of the position of the FOCUS switch when the auto mode has been established. (Page 104)During macro shooting “AF”, “MF” or “MA” will be displayed in a frame on the screen.
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Using focus assist
Pressing the FOCUS ASSIST button magnifies the center portion of the image or brings up a frequency distribution graph at the top right of the image to assist during manual focusing.You can use the FOCUS ASSIST setting on the SW MODE screen to change the viewfinder and LCD monitor displays that appear when the FOCUS ASSIST button is pressed. (Page 103)FOCUS ASSIST button
EXPANDED:Doubles the size of the center of the image.GRAPH:Displays a frequency distribution graph at the top right in the viewfinder and LCD monitor.Turn the focus ring on the lens to place the graph further to the right.
Out of focusThe white area moves to the right as the image comes into focus.BOTH:Magnifies the center portion of the image and displays the frequency distribution graph.
The image on the LCD monitor may differ slightly from the image in the viewfinder when the FOCUS ASSIST button is used in EXPANDED mode.The EXPANDED mode is available during 1080i and 720P HD mode recording and standby, but 
dues not work in external input mode.In the 480i SD format, only the GRAPH display is available. When set to the EXPANDED mode, the focus assist function does not work. Even when the BOTH mode is set, only the GRAPH display is available.The FOCUS ASSIST button does not work when the digital zoom function is used.
To return to the previous screen, press the FOCUS ASSIST button again. 
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Iris adjustments
IRIS dialFOCUS RING (FOCUS/IRIS) switchIRIS button
1 If the camera is in auto mode, use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode. (Page )
 Press the IRIS button to switch how to adjust the aperture of lens.AUTO IRIS:  Adjust the iris automatically.MANUAL IRIS: Adjust the iris manually.
  Turn the IRIS dial to adjust the aperture of lens when in the manual iris mode.In the auto iris mode, the lens iris can be corrected using this dial.
Set the direction of the IRIS DIAL and aperture control in the setup menus, SW MODE screen, IRIS DIAL. (Page 101)If you have set ON under A.IRIS on the setting menu AUTO SW screen, auto iris will be forcibly selected when auto mode has been established. (Page 103)Setting the FOCUS RING (FOCUS/IRIS) switch to IRIS allows you to set aperture using the focus ring on the lens. Note that since the focus ring now does not control focus adjustment, set the FOCUS switch to A (AUTO) focus control. (Page 35)
This unit’s iris F number when it is open is F1.6 at full WIDE and F3.0 at full TELEPHOTO.The iris display in the viewfinder or on the LCD 
when the iris is open is OPEN at full WIDE and F2.8 or OPEN at full TELEPHOTO.
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Shooting in manual mode (continued) 
						

							
Shooting
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Adjusting the gain
When the display is dark, increase the gain to brighten the display.
GAIN switch
1 If the camera is in auto mode, use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode. (Page )
 Switch the gain with the GAIN switch.L:  Set here under normal conditions. (0 dB)M: Increase the gain of the image amplifier. (The default value is 6 dB.)H:  Increase the gain of the image amplifier. (The default value is 12 dB.)
You can change the M and H gain values using the MID GAIN and HIGH GAIN items on the setting menu SW MODE screen. (Page 101)In auto mode, auto gain is available regardless of the GAIN switch setting when a setting other than OFF is selected under AGC on the setting menu AUTO SW screen. (Page 104)
When the recording frame rate is less than 22 fps and when a slow shutter speed (1/15) has been set, the gain is fixed at 0 dB regardless of the GAIN switch setting. (Pages 31 and 49)
Light intensity adjustments
Use the ND FILTER Switch to change the ND Filter used (filter to change light intensity).
OFF:  ND filter is not used.1/4:  Cuts light intensity by up to about 1/4.1/16: Cuts light intensity by up to about 1/16.1/64: Cuts light intensity by up to about 1/64.ND FILTER switch 
						

							
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Adjusting the white balance
In order to reproduce the white accurately, adjust the ratio between the three RGB primary colors. If the white balance is not adjusted properly, not only will the white be reproduced poorly but the color tones of the entire screen will also be downgraded.When you are shooting in manual mode, readjust the white balance whenever lighting conditions change.You can save adjustments and reselect them by setting the WHITE BAL switch to A or B.You can also use the preset values.Use the settings to suit the shooting conditions.
AWB buttonWHITE BAL switch
White balance adjustments
1 If the camera is in auto mode, use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode. (Page )
 Set the shutter speed. (Page 9)
 Place a white pattern in a location with the same lighting conditions and light source as the subject, then zoom in and fill the whole screen with white.Something white (a white cloth or wall) near the subject can be used instead.Do not include bright spotlights in your shot.
 Set the WHITE BAL switch to A or B (whichever one you want to save the adjustment in).
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 Press the AWB button.Adjustment takes a few seconds.(The following messages appear on the screen.)Message during adjustment
AWB Ach ACTIVE
Message after adjustment
AWB Ach OK
An error message appears on the screen when white balance adjustment is not possible.Message when adjustment cannot be done
AWB Ach NG
White balance cannot be adjusted if the Auto Tracking White (ATW) function is working.If you have set ON under ATW (Auto Tracking White) on the setting menu AUTO SW screen, ATW will be selected when auto mode has been established regardless of the WHITE BAL switch position. (Page 104)
Make the necessary adjustments if one of the following error messages appears, then try adjusting the white balance again.
Error messagesAdjustments
LOW LIGHTIncrease light or increase the gain.
LEVEL OVERReduce light or decrease the gain.
If the messages repeatedly appear even after trying a number of times, consult your dealer.
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Shooting in manual mode (continued) 
						

							
Shooting
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Using presets
Use this feature when you have no time to make white balance adjustments.
1 If the camera is in auto mode, use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode ( A on the viewfinder and LCD goes out).
 Set the WHITE BAL switch to PRST.The current white balance value appears.White balance values 3200 K and 5600 K are preset in the PRST position.Guide to the preset valuesP3.2K (3200 K): halogen lightP5.6K (5600 K): outdoors
 Press the AWB button.White balance switches between 3200 K and 5600 K.
Black balance adjustments
In order to reproduce the black accurately, adjust the zero level of all three RGB primary colors. If the black balance is not adjusted properly, not only will the black be reproduced poorly but the color tones of the entire screen will also be downgraded.It is not normally necessary to adjust the black balance. Adjust it when:You use the camera for the first time.You use the camera after not using it for a long time.The ambient temperature changes greatly.You switch to the normal (OFF) shutter speed or to slow shutter.You switch between the progressive and normal (60i) modes.
Press the AWB button to automatically adjust the white balance.Press and hold the AWB button to adjust the black balance.As the white balance is adjusted first when you press the AWB button, make the necessary preparations for this.
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You cannot adjust the black balance while you are shooting.Message during adjustment
ABB ACTIVE
Message after adjustment
ABB END
Hold down the AWB button to adjust the black balance (available also when the ATW function is used).
Auto Tracking White (ATW)
You can allocate the ATW feature to one of the positions on the WHITE BAL switch (A, B, or PRST). Allocate it by going to the setup menus, SW MODE screen, ATW. (Page 101)The ATW feature is set to work in the auto mode at the time of shipping. (Page 104)
If you use the ATW feature whenever you are shooting, the camera automatically adjusts the white balance as you shoot.The ATW feature automatically determines the current shooting environment and adjusts the white balance accordingly. Depending on the environment, there may be some error in the adjustment.Use the procedure described on the preceding page whenever you need more precise white balance.Do not block the white balance sensor when using the ATW feature. ATW will not work if you do.
White balance sensor
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Shooting techniques for different targets
Low-angle shooting
Set the Recording enable/disable switch to ON and use the START/STOP button on the handle to make it easier to shoot from low angles.Set the Recording enable/disable switch to OFF to prevent inadvertent use of the START/STOP button on the handle when this function is not needed.
START/STOP buttonRecording enable/disable switch
Self-portrait shooting
Images in the LCD when it is turned 180 degrees for self-portrait shooting may appear unusual.You can make them appear better by reversing left and right. Go to the setup menus, DISPLAY SETUP screen, SELF SHOOT, and select MIRROR.Shooting in mirror mode has no effect on what you actually shoot and record.
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Zebra pattern
Press the ZEBRA button in CAM mode to show the zebra pattern or marker on the screen so you can check the brightness of the subject.Parts that may be whited out through over exposure are shown as a zebra pattern.Very brightReflecting partsYou can remove most overexposed parts by adjusting the iris and shutter speed in the manual mode to remove the areas with zebra patterns.The display changes as follows each time you press the ZEBRA button.
ZEBRA 1ZEBRA 2
OFFMARKER
BARS
CH1 SELECT
RESET/TC SETREC
CH2 SELECT
AUDIOINT(L)INPUT1INPUT2
SHUTTERSPEES SELECT
INT(R)INPUT2INPUT1
MIC POWER+48VONOFFINPUT2ONOFF
LCD
ZEBRA
EVF DTL
OIS
WFM
COUNTER
In the setup menus, DISPLAY SETUP screen, ZEBRA DETECT 1 and ZEBRA DETECT 2, set the brightness for the zebra patterns. (Page 108)The zebra pattern you have set appears as a percentage on the display for about 2 seconds.
Marker
If you press the ZEBRA button again while the 
zebra pattern is being displayed, a marker appears in the center of the display (if you have set the setup menu, DISPLAY SETUP, MARKER to ON).The brightness of the areas near the screen center can be checked as a percentage (0% to 99%).“99%” appears if the percentage is over 99.
99%
Image level detection area
Image level
Marker
The normal display reappears if you press the ZEBRA button again.
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